(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). 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). 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). UN special rapporteur on torture Nils Melzer speaks on book, The Trial of Julian Assange. wsws.org Melzer provided a devastating indictment not only of the treatment of Assange, but of contemporary capitalist society and its claim to democratic rule based on "checks and balances".
(2022-02-21). Striking for Freedom: Why Palestinian Detainees are Boycotting Israeli Courts. orinocotribune.com 
Following hunger strike victories last year, Palestinians hope collective action will force Israel to abolish its practice of indefinite detention without trial. | By Yuval Abraham — Feb 17, 2022 | For the past six weeks, hundreds of Palestinian administrative detainees have been boycotting Israeli military courts over their indefinite imprisonment with no trial or indictment. Since January 1, the prisoners have announced that they will not arrive for hearings at courts, and that they are refusing to allow attorneys to represent them in absentia until Israel ceases its use of administrative detention. | Isra…
(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). Tuesday 3/8: Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights on International Women's Day! indybay.org Rally starts at noon in Sproul Plaza on UC Berkeley Campus (public welcome) | Entrance near Telegraph and Bancroft | One hour rally to be followed by march through the city of Berkeley.
(2022-02-21). "Who Killed Our Father?": 57 Years After Malcolm X Assassination, Family Wants Fed Probe into Cover-Up. democracynow.org 
On the anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, we speak with the civil rights leader's daughter Ilyasah Shabazz about her family's call for a federal probe into his murder, following the exoneration of two men who were wrongfully convicted. "We want to know who killed our father, and we want to make sure that it is properly recorded in history," says Shabazz. "We want Congress to document the truth," says Benjamin Crump, who represents the family of Malcolm X.
(2022-02-21). Afghanistan on the Brink of Disaster. transcend.org 16 Feb 2022 – Gay rights, women's rights — in reality, these are a nuisance to many U.S. conservatives, but purporting to protect these rights on the other side of the world is a great excuse to play war.
(2022-02-21). China slaps sanctions on US companies over Taiwan arms deal. rt.com 
Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies have drawn Beijing's ire for supplying weapons to Taipei | China has imposed sanctions on two major American arms manufacturers, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies. The decision, which was announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Monday, targets the two companies over their involvement in the "supply of American weapons to Taiwan." | The measures seek to "protect the sovereignty and security interests" of Beijing, the diplomat explained, as China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory. | The official stopped short of clarifying wha…
(2022-02-20). Detained Kiev agent involved in Donetsk Militia vehicle's blast – TV. tass.com The detainee, identified as Anton Matsanyuk, admitted to monitoring the movement of cars belonging to the republic's top officials, and their journeys to Russia…
(2022-02-20). EU warns of Russia sanctions blowback. rt.com 
Brussels will have to pay a heavy price for imposing new sanctions on Moscow, says senior Eurocrat | Brussels is committed to imposing new sanctions on Moscow if Russia attacks Ukraine, even though there would be an enormous cost for EU nations, the president of the European Council said on Sunday. | Speaking to the Munich Security Conference, Charles Michel admitted that economic measures imposed on the Kremlin would not be painless for EU citizens. | "One thing is certain: if there is further military aggression, we will react with massive sanctions. The cost for Russia must be, and will be, severe. But let'
(2022-02-20). West fueling Ukraine crisis to justify 'painful' sanctions on Russia. multipolarista.com US and European leaders are preparing "painful" sanctions on Moscow, which could include sabotaging Germany's Nord Stream 2 pipeline and hitting Russian gas giant Gazprom. Putin says the Ukraine crisis is being used as an excuse for the economic attack.
(2022-02-20). France believes that diplomatic solution still possible in Ukrainian crisis – diplomat. tass.com When asked about the response to a possible Russian offensive on Ukraine, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre said the support to Kiev would be provided in the form of anti-Russian sanctions…
(2022-02-20). Yet again, Israel refuses to cooperate with inquiry on human rights violations. peoplesdispatch.org Israel is continuing its policy of not engaging with international investigations into human rights violations in Palestine. In a letter to the head of the international commission of inquiry, Navi Pillay, Israel's representative to the UN Meirav Eilon Shahar refused to cooperate in the investigations to identify possible violations of human rights, war crimes and reasons for protraction of conflict in historic Palestine. | Accusing Pillay of bias against Israel, Meirav claimed that there is simply no reason to believe that Israel will receive reasonable, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment from the Counci…
(2022-02-20). Nicaragua Condemns New Interference Attempt by OAS. orinocotribune.com Feb 20, 2022 ( Previously, the OAS had issued a declaration condemning alleged lack of legal guarantees in Nicaragua and what it considered as human rights violations perpetrated by the government of Nicaragua. Such declarations of the OAS referred to the judici…
(2022-02-20). National Lawyers Guild Calls for the Immediate Release of Venezuelan Diplomat Alex Saab (Statement). orinocotribune.com By National Lawyers Guild International Committee — Feb 16, 2022 | The National Lawyers Guild International calls for the immediate release of Venezuelan Special Envoy Alex Saab, imprisoned in a Miami federal prison by the United States in a violation of diplomatic norms and protections. The arrest, extradition and continued imprisonment of Saab is a reflection of the extent to which the US government will go in order to enforce its unilateral coercive measures and economic sanctions against Venezuela, Iran and other targeted nations. | Illegal Detention and Extradition (Kidnapping) of Alex Saab | The US gov…
(2022-02-20). European Union Prefers Corporate Profits Over Global Health. popularresistance.org As the summit between the African Union and European Union (EU-AU summit) came to a close on February 18, the EU's dedication to ensuring equitable access to Covid-19 products remained murky. While Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, stated that the two unions had a very constructive discussion on the TRIPS waiver, the meeting resulted in little more than a tepid statement and a new deadline for reaching an agreement on intellectual property rights during the pandemic. Von der Leyen also stated, "We share the same goal. We have different ways to reach that goal." | In reality, it would see…