(2022-02-23). China rejects unilateral sanctions on Russia over Ukraine. ecns.cn Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on Wednesday rejected imposing unilateral sanctions on Russia and reiterated that the country's tensions with Ukraine should be resolved through dialogue and consultation.
(2022-02-23). Nervous market response to sanctions on Russia. wsws.org Further market falls are expected with the Wall Street Journal reporting that investors are "scooping up at a record pace options contracts that would pay out if the recent declines in stock and bond markets worsen."
(2022-02-23). It's Settled That Israel Is Committing Apartheid. Now What Should We Do About It? fpif.org Movements for justice and Palestinian rights laid the ground for recent declarations by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations. Now we have to follow up.
(2022-02-23). Strasbourg Court affirms the importance of anonymity online — Ruaridh Owens. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
On 7 December 2021, the European Court of Human Rights (the "Court") published its judgment in Standard Verlagsgesellschaft MBH v Austria (No.3) regarding anonymity online. The Court found that the Austrian courts had violated the applicant's right to freedom of expression by requiring the applicant to disclose the identities of those who had posted allegedly defamatory comments …
(2022-02-23). Tuesday 2/22: Voting Rights: States Advocating for Voter Protections – California & More w/ Common Cause. indybay.org Online webinar…
(2022-02-23). Headlines for February 23, 2022. democracynow.org U.S. Imposes Sanctions, Ukraine Calls for Stronger Action After Russian Recognition of Breakaway Areas, Jury Finds Ahmaud Arbery's 3 Murderers Guilty of Federal Hate Crimes, Trial for Ex-Cop Brett Hankison, Who Shot into Breonna Taylor's Home During Fatal Raid, Starts in KY, U.N. Report Warns of Climate Disaster-Fueled "Global Wildfire Crisis", Mining Companies, Foreign Investors Driving Destruction of Amazon, Violation of Indigenous Rights, Hong Kong to Conduct Mass COVID Testing on Entire Population; U.K. Removes All Pandemic Restrictions, Israeli Forces Kill 14-Year-Old Palestinian; Isr…
(2022-02-23). 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.
(2022-02-23). Elsie Dickerson: Philly trade unionist, civil rights advocate, and Party leader. cpusa.org 
The following was adapted from a memorial tribute given on Feb. 28, 2006. To many in the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware District of the Communist Party, Elsie was a mentor and a teacher. Whether it was in the Party, in the many mass organizations in which she participated or on the shop floor, where …
(2022-02-23). Ukraine's President Zelensky calls for "war coalition in the parliament" wsws.org As the US and EU announced far-reaching sanctions on Russia on Tuesday, further escalating the conflict, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a "war coalition" in Ukraine's parliament and began reviewing proposals to sever diplomatic ties with Russia.
(2022-02-23). Nuclear War Risk Rises as Tension Mounts Between Nuclear Superpowers over Ukraine. democracynow.org 
Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to order troops into the separatist-controlled areas of Ukraine has triggered a new wave of sanctions against Russia, amid fears the situation could spiral into an all-out war. We speak with Dr. Ira Helfand, former president of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, who warns a war could lead to the use of nuclear weapons that would annihilate millions and cause total collapse of world ecosystems. "We have found it almost impossible to imagine, 30 years after the end of the Cold War, that there could be a nuclear war between the United S…
(2022-02-23). EU countries impose sanctions on Russia over Ukraine crisis. wsws.org After Moscow's recognition of the independence of parts of eastern Ukraine, European governments are imposing sanctions and escalating the war drive against Russia.
(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). Fact Check: Russia Can Escape SWIFT Banking System Sanctions With Bitcoin And Crypto. moguldom.com As NATO considers sanctions against Russia if it fails to withdraw troops at the border with Ukraine and continues to threaten war, the Kremlin is considering switching to using cryptocurrency for its money transfer system instead of using the Brussels-based SWIFT global payments system. SWIFT, which stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, carries …
(2022-02-22). U.S. war on Russia: a stampede off a cliff. iacenter.org Bulletin: As of Feb. 22, Russia has recognized the two peoples' republics in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic, established in 2014. Russia has said that it will send troops to protect the two republics if they come under further Ukraine/ NATO attack. Washington and some European allies have announced economic sanctions against the two republics and/or against Russia. Working people worldwide must oppose U.S./NATO aggression and expansion, which are creating the danger of a massive war. Grand Central Terminal, New York City, Feb. 19. Photo: Sara…
(2022-02-22). US, NATO 'Far More Concerned' About Russian Maneuvers Than Safety of Those in DPR & LPR – Expert. sputniknews.com Several countries, including the US, have committed to imposing sanctions on Russia in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin recognising the independence of the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the move translates to Russia's withdrawal from the Minsk Agreements.
(2022-02-22). Russia sends troops into East Ukraine, Biden announces sanctions. wsws.org Monday's escalation comes after weeks in which the US and NATO recklessly ratcheted up tensions with Russia, including by sending 5,000 troops of the airborne division to Poland and 300 Javelin missiles to Ukraine, and unleashing a torrent of war propaganda.
(2022-02-22). Canada pauses from Anti-Terrorist Operation to sanction Russia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Interfax-UkraineFebruary 22, 2022 Canada prepares to impose economic sanctions for Russia's recognition of so-called 'L/DNR' — Foreign Minister ==== Taking page from sponsor Trudeau's playbook, Ukraine may declare martial law — Zelensky Munich: Canadian foreign minister dwells on foreign interference in "national security threat" Canadian DM at NATO HQ: more troops to Ukraine region affected …
(2022-02-22). Caucasus: EU dwells on status of "Russian-occupied territories" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com As noted below in regard to "human rights, media freedom and pluralism," the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union under the rubric of the Eastern Partnership — the very mechanism that triggered the Ukrainian coup of eight years ago — along with initiatives set up by the NATO-Georgia Commission (established immediately after the …
(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). Forgive Thyself and Others: Reparations Now! dissidentvoice.org The question of Reparations for the historical crime of slavery is not primarily about money. Rather it is about spiritual cleansing and healing. It is about recognizing the fact that systemic physical and mental torture have long hands that stretch out across time and space. It is about acknowledging the attempted physical and spiritual destruction …
(2022-02-22). Headlines for February 22, 2022. democracynow.org Putin Orders Russian "Peacekeepers" into Ukraine Separatist Regions, U.N. Rebukes Russia over Violations of Ukraine's Territorial Integrity, Florida Senate Advances Bill to Ban Nearly All Abortions After 15 Weeks, Colombia Legalizes Abortion During First 24 Weeks of Pregnancy, Dominican Republic Begins Construction of High-Tech Border Wall with Haiti, Dr. Paul Farmer, Who Brought Free, Quality Healthcare to World's Poorest, Dies at 62, Mali's Military Rulers Cement Hold on Power, Leak Reveals Credit Suisse Ties to Dictators, Torturers and Organized Crime, Wildfires Burn Nearly 2 Mill…
(2022-02-22). Into the Fray: Third Noise Demo Against the Pima County Jail. itsgoingdown.org 
Reflection on recent round of noise demonstrations outside of the Pima County Detention Center in so-called Tucson, Arizona. What follows is a brief reportback from the birthday noise demo outside the Pima County Detention Center in Tucson on Friday, February 11th, 2022. A longer report on the struggle that has emerged around the jail in…
(2022-02-22). Hershel Walker, civil rights and labor activist. cpusa.org 
Hershel Walker was an African American St. Louis, Missouri trade unionist and civil rights leader with an unparalleled degree of commitment to the struggles for peace and justice. He devoted his life to the movements for social transformation and joined workers across the world in the struggle for equality, workers' rights, peace, and socialism. …
(2022-02-22). Paul Robeson: "I must keep fightin', until I'm dyin'" cpusa.org 
Few can excel at two high-profile careers. It's almost unheard of to excel at four or five, so when someone can, you know they are gifted beyond measure. Paul Leroy Robeson was one such person. His immense talent, coupled with his strong support for civil rights, labor, and peace, made him a powerful figure …
(2022-02-22). Colombia decriminalizes elective abortion in milestone ruling. peoplesdispatch.org 
In a milestone ruling on February 21, the Constitutional Court of Colombia, with five votes in favor and four against, decriminalized abortion during the first 24 weeks of gestation. The decision was hailed by feminist movements and women's rights organizations across the country, who had been fighting for this integral human right for decades. | Previously, Colombia permitted abortion in three conditions: when the life or health of a woman was at risk due to pregnancy, when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest, and when there was a malformation of fetus that prevents life after birth. On Monday, the Co…
(2022-02-22). Redistricting Tactics Threaten to Suppress Black Representation in Louisiana. truthout.org 
The Louisiana Senate recently continued the state's long history of racial oppression by voting down Sen. Cleo Fields's congressional redistricting map. What's more, the Louisiana House voted down Rep. Randal Gaines's congressional redistricting map. Gaines is a veteran and civil rights attorney who represents one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ida (river parishes), and Fields is an attorney and former congressman. Gaines's and Fields's proposals included two majority-minority district…
(2022-02-22). US Signals Putin's Donbas Deployment Might Not Trigger Massive Sanctions. popularresistance.org A US official on Monday signaled that Russian President Vladimir Putin's deployment of troops into the Donbas as "peacekeepers" might not trigger the "massive" sanctions the US has been threatening to hit Russia with if it "invades" Ukraine. | The US has long accused Russia of having troops deployed in the Donbas, which Moscow has denied. A senior administration official told reporters on Monday that Putin's peacekeeping deployment would "not be a new step" and would only make the Russian presence in the region "more overt." | In response to Putin's recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, the B…
(2022-02-22). Joe Biden Calls Russian Declaration An Invasion, Increasing Risks Of Escalation And Military Conflict. moguldom.com The Biden administration, which has tried to leave room for diplomacy while adopting an aggressive stance toward Russia, said Tuesday that it saw President Vladimir Putin's movement of troops into the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine as the start of an invasion. In response, Biden plans to announce sanctions against Russia from the White House …
(2022-02-22). US Signals Putin's Donbas Troop Deployment Might Not Trigger Massive 'Invasion' Sanctions. news.antiwar.com A US official on Monday The US has long accused Russia of having troops deployed in the Donbas, which Moscow has denied. A senior administration official told reporters on Monday that Putin's peacekeeping deployment would "not be a new step" and would only make the Russian pres…
(2022-02-22). Putin Recognizes Ukraine Separatists; Khrushchev's Great-Granddaughter Says War Can Still Be Avoided. democracynow.org 
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops into two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, drawing sharp rebukes from the U.S. and other Western countries that have warned for weeks of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Biden administration issued new sanctions, and Germany has stopped the certification of Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in an attempt to quash the country's dependence on Russian natural gas. We speak with Nina Khrushcheva, professor of international affairs at The New School, who says she remains skeptical that Russia will launch an all-out war against Ukraine. She also s…
(2022-02-22). Vienna Talks to Revive Iran Nuclear Deal Might Be 'Finalised Within Next Couple of Days'. sputniknews.com In May 2018, the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, who responded by abandoning its commitments under the agreement. Since April 2021, Vienna has been hosting talks to restore the accord.
(2022-02-22). Beijing Warns US That 'Bitter Competition' With China May Escalate Into Full-Fledged Confrontation. sputniknews.com Chinese authorities previously announced that they will take countermeasures in response to US weapons sales to Taiwan and promised to slap sanctions on Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies.
(2022-02-22). China takes rare earth aim at Raytheon and Lockheed. asiatimes.com 
Beijing has announced sanctions on two American defense contractors while its top diplomat accused the United States of using Taiwan to suppress mainland China. China's Foreign Ministry said Monday it would impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin Corp, the maker of F-35 fighter jets, and Raytheon Technologies Corp, the world's largest producer of guided missiles. Early …
(2022-02-22). UK sanctions Putin's 'inner circle' over Donbass. rt.com 
Britain has sanctioned five Russian banks and three "high net worth" people in response to Moscow's recognition of the breakaway republics
(2022-02-22). UK announces sanctions on Russian banks and oligarchs, as armed forces prepare anti-Russian provocations. wsws.org Britain is being dragged by the Tories and Labour into the vortex of a military conflict with Russia.