(2022-01-17). New move in Ukrainian clampdown on Russian language. rt.com 
New publishing law does not recognize Russian as native language in country | Russian-language media in Ukraine will now be forced to publish a secondary version in the country's official tongue under a new law that selectively bans "foreign" language publications that don't come with a translation. | According to the law, which was passed in 2019 but came into force on Sunday, all print media must publish a Ukrainian version on the same day, with the same name, content, and volume. | Despite Russian being a common mother tongue in much of Ukraine and predominant in many cities in both the east and south of th…
(2022-01-17). China makes Winter Olympics decision amid new Covid fears. rt.com 
China will not sell tickets to the general public to attend the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing | China has canceled plans for the public sale of 2022 Winter Olympics tickets, with only invited groups set to be allowed to watch the action in person at February's Games in Beijing. | With foreign fans
(2022-01-17). Who is Biden's unblinking chief negotiator on Russia & Ukraine? rt.com 
Wendy Sherman has helped Democratic presidents negotiate now-failed deals with North Korea and Iran | Veteran US diplomat Wendy Sherman is the woman conveying Washington's messages about NATO expansion in Europe to Moscow — but the 'hard-nosed' negotiator was previously involved in sealing security deals with Pyongyang and Tehran. | Neither the Clinton-era Framework Agreement with North Korea nor the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) acted as the enduring restraints on nuclear proliferation that they were meant to be. | Who is Wendy Sherman? | The 72-year-old diplomat heading the US de…
(2022-01-17). Wealth of 10 Richest Men Doubled During Pandemic, Incomes of 99% of Humanity Drop, Oxfam Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have helped doubling of fortunes of the world's ten richest people, who now are six times wealthier than the poorest 3.1 billion people, Oxfam, international charitable NGO, reported on Monday, ahead of the World Economic Forum's Davos from 17-21 January.
(2022-01-17). 'Pandemic' mysteriously disappears. rt.com 
The digital board game 'Pandemic' has been pulled from all platforms, developers give no reason | Steam users have noticed that the digital board game version of 'Pandemic' had been pulled from the store without any explanation from the publisher. The game was also taken down from Google and Apple app stores. | The 'Pandemic' board game was delisted from Steam on January 6, with the game's store page saying it was removed "at the request of the publisher." The game still seems to be playable for Steam and mobile users who already bought it, however, new players cannot obtain the game. | The move has come witho…
(2022-01-17). Apple browser bug could lead to personal data leak. rt.com 
A vulnerability in the Safari 15 browser allows malicious programs to track people's internet activity and reveal their identity | A recently disclosed Apple Safari 15 bug can be used by nefarious sites to extract people's browsing history and obtain their Google ID to collect more personal data, a fraud detector reports. | The problem
(2022-01-17). One island becoming a Mecca for crypto millionaires. rt.com 
Bitcoin enthusiasts are flocking to Puerto Rico, thanks to tax breaks and an island lifestyle | The US territory of Puerto Rico has become the new hot destination for cryptocurrency entrepreneurs as it has crypto-friendly policies, including huge tax breaks to those who spend at least 183 days on the island each year. | US citizens can hold on to their American passports while not having to pay any taxes on capital gains. | "That's where all my friends are. I don't have one friend left in New York, and maybe the pandemic accelerated this, but every single one of them has moved to Puerto Rico," crypto entrepren…
(2022-01-17). Implementing Iran-China deal not to depend on Vienna talks. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 17 (MNA) — Chairman of Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said that the implementation of a 25-year deal between Iran and China does not depend on the outcome of the Vienna talks.
(2022-01-17). Poroshenko returns to Ukraine, faces prosecution for 'treason'. rt.com 
Ukraine's former president could be sent to jail after scheduled courtroom appearance | Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, declared wanted last month for a number of serious crimes, including high treason, has flown back to Kiev in time for a court hearing that could see him remanded in custody. | Poroshenko, who led Ukraine from 2014 to 2019, left the country last month around the same time a summons was issued for his interrogation. He is being investigated over his alleged involvement in the funding of separatist fighters in the Donbass, in eastern Ukraine, through the illegal sale of coal. This,…
(2022-01-17). Whole Foods Protest on Bezos' Birthday. indybay.org On a national day of action to Support Amazon Workers, Raging Grannies, Vigil for Democracy, and Dance of Peace protested in the street in front of Whole Foods in Palo Alto.
(2022-01-17). India to Deploy First S-400 Missile Defense System Unit by April, Reports Say. sputniknews.com NEW DELHI (Sputnik) – India has launched a deployment of the first regiment of S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile defence system, with the first unit to begin operation in April, media reported on Monday.
(2022-01-17). 'Divine Miracle': Three-Eyed Calf Born in India Taken for Reincarnation of God Shiva. sputniknews.com Despite some Indian villagers link the birth of the animal to the reincarnation of Lord Shiva, widely mentioned in Hindu mythology for having a third eye in his forehead, a veterinary doctor disagreed with the comparison.
(2022-01-17). China's birth rate drops to record low. rt.com 
The number plummeted for a fifth consecutive year | Mainland China's birth rate dropped to a record low in 2021, continuing a downward trend that prompted Beijing to allow couples to have up to three children, amending its long-running one-child policy. | China's National Bureau of Statistics recorded 10.62 million births, or only 7.5 births per 1,000 people, last year — the lowest birth rate since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. | The number of births barely outnumbered deaths, with the natural growth only 0.034%, a low not reached since 1960 when the great famine killed tens of m…
(2022-01-17). Germany shortens Covid natural immunity status. rt.com 
Immunity gained by infection will only be valid for 90 days | In new guidelines published by the Robert Koch Institute, Germans who have recovered from Covid-19 will only have immunity status for a period of 90 days, down from 180 days. | On Friday, the Robert Koch Institute, a federal agency responsible for disease control and prevention, published new guidance based on developments concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. | Under the new guidance, people previously infected with Covid-19 will only have immunity status for 90 days. The old rules stated that prior infection could be used as proof of immunity for 180…
(2022-01-17). Prince Andrew suspected of 'intimate relationship' with Ghislaine Maxwell. rt.com 
In an ITV documentary scheduled to air Tuesday, Paul Page, who protected the Duke of York from 1998 to 2004, alleges that Maxwell was so close to Prince Andrew that she was allowed to enter and exit Buckingham Palace at will.
(2022-01-17). Prince Harry takes UK government to court. rt.com 
The Duke of Sussex has warned that he is "unable to return to his home" due to the Home Office's refusal of police protection | Prince Harry has filed a claim against the Home Office's decision to prevent him from paying for police protection for himself and his family while in the UK, saying it is currently too dangerous for them to return home. | The request for a judicial review into the decision by the UK government department was confirmed to the media by a legal representative for Prince Harry on Sunday, who argued that, currently, "with the lack of police protection comes too great a personal risk." | "
(2022-01-17). 'Drone attack' kills three at Abu Dhabi airport. rt.com 
Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the strike | Three people were killed and six wounded in an apparent drone attack on Abu Dhabi on Monday, UAE police have said. Yemen's Houthi rebels have announced a strike "deep" in Emirati territory. | Three fuel trucks exploded in the industrial Mussafah area near storage facilities used by oil firm ADNOC, after which a "minor fire" broke out at a construction site at Abu Dhabi International Airport, the Emirati WAM news agency reported, citing police. | Preliminary investigation suggests that the blast and the fire were caused by a drone attack. | Poli…
(2022-01-17). FAA reveals which planes can potentially withstand 5G interference. rt.com 
The US Federal Aviation Administration has cleared less than a half of the nation's commercial fleet | Some 45 percent of the US commercial fleet have been cleared for low-visibility landing at just over half of the airports most affected by 5G interference, the FAA said. | The aviation safety agency
(2022-01-17). Our Revolution Can't Come in a Day: Organize, Build, and Fight for Tomorrow, Today! anchor.fm In this episode I try to put a lot of what's been on my mind into a cohesive discussion about yet again why we need to organize, why we need to get involved, and why we need to build. We have much to do and not a lot of time to do it! We must build a base in our community, connect with internationalists and organizations, and build together so we can strike a blow at the heart of this broken global system: Capitalism-Imperialism!
(2022-01-17). China's resident nominal disposable income up 9.1 pct in 2021. ecns.cn China's per capita disposable income stood at 35,128 yuan (about 5,523 U.S. dollars) in 2021, up 9.1 percent year on year in nominal terms, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Monday.
(2022-01-17). New Beijing airport expected to handle 2.8 mln passenger trips during Spring Festival travel rush. ecns.cn The passenger throughput of the Beijing Daxing International Airport is expected to reach 2.8 million during the Spring Festival travel rush that started Monday, said the airport sources.
(2022-01-17). Xi calls for int'l solidarity, cooperation amid global crisis. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for solidarity and cooperation of the international community amid a global crisis, saying that "small boats may not survive a storm, but a giant ship is strong enough to brave a storm."
(2022-01-17). Hostages released and suspect dead after 10-hour standoff in Texas. wsws.org British national Malik Faisal Akram was killed after the last of his four hostages was freed at a synagogue in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Saturday.
(2022-01-17). Sweden Investigates Drone Flights Over Nuclear Plants as 'National Incident'. sputniknews.com While no permit is required from the Swedish Transport Agency for lighter drones, they have to be flown within sight at a certain distance and not over protected objects, such as nuclear power plants.
(2022-01-17). North Macedonia's Parliament Elects New Prime Minister, Approves New Coalition Government. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Members of North Macedonian Parliament late Sunday voted for a new coalition government, with Dimitar Kovacevski, leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), elected as a new prime minister, national media reported on Monday.
(2022-01-17). China's surveyed urban unemployment rate drops in 2021. ecns.cn China's job market remained generally stable in 2021, with the surveyed urban unemployment rate standing at 5.1 percent, 0.5 percentage points lower than the same period in the previous year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Monday.
(2022-01-17). China to roll out plans for archaeological work in 14th Five-Year Plan period. ecns.cn China in 2022 will roll out and implement plans for archaeological work in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), said an official at a national conference held Monday.
(2022-01-17). Doctor discusses desperate situation at Sri Lankan COVID-19 treatment hospital. wsws.org "Health workers held protests demanding a lockdown, as well as more tests and health facilities. The government only declared a second lockdown because this opposition was developing." — Sri Lanka doctor…
(2022-01-16). Dual national Adelkhah retuned to prison for violating rules. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 16 (MNA) — Secretary of Iranian Judiciary's Human Rights Council has said Iranian-French citizen Fariba Adelkhah has been jailed again after violating the limits of house arrest many times.
(2022-01-16). Russia can't guarantee it will never deploy weapons to Ukraine — Kremlin. rt.com 
Moscow considers talks with the US and NATO "unsuccessful," but there is no talk of military action, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said | Russia has no plans attack Ukraine, but could not say it would never deploy any weapons in its large southern neighbor, the Kremlin has told CNN, adding that Moscow is willing to talk, but only if its concerns are addressed. | Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's long-time spokesman, added that Russia is deeply concerned by a recent spiraling-up of tensions in Europe, in an interview scheduled for broadcast on Sunday. | "We have too much tension on the border [wit…
(2022-01-16). What does it have to do with Black folks? mronline.org 
The worldview of liberals usually ends at the borders of the U.S. settler-state until they are mobilized by the oligarchy to provide ideological cover for the latest imperialist intrigue. This is as true for the liberal Black "misleadership" class as it is for Euro-American liberals.
(2022-01-16). Tanks in European streets explained by Russia. rt.com 
Armored vehicles were pictured rolling through the streets of a Swedish town as the military cited 'tensions' between Russia and Ukraine | Sweden has moved to ramp up security on the largest Baltic Sea island of Gotland with a view to "adapting" its security strategy to the "tense situation" on the Russian-Ukrainian border, located some 1,700km southeast. | Residents of the sleepy town of Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland awoke to the sound of heavy military hardware roaring through the streets on Saturday. The Swedish Army's Stridsfordon 90 infantry fighting vehicles had arrived overnight to secure the t…
(2022-01-16). US official threatens Russia with 'sharp pain' inflicted 'very fast'. rt.com 
Top American diplomat promises swift response should Moscow 'invade' Ukraine in 'any form' | The US has some 18 "different scenarios" up its sleeve to react to any form of Russian attack on Ukraine, leading official Victoria Nuland has warned, promising to inflict "sharp pain" on Moscow should it make such a move. | Nuland, who currently serves as undersecretary of state for political affairs in President Joe Biden's government, made the thinly veiled threat in an interview with the Financial Times published on Saturday. | "I'm not going to preview 18 different scenarios … I would simply say that our…
(2022-01-16). Whole Foods Protest on Bezos' Birthday. indybay.org On a national day of action to Support Amazon Workers, Raging Grannies, Vigil for Democracy, and Dance of Peace protested in the street in front of Whole Foods in Palo Alto.
(2022-01-16). Massive Fire at British-Era Secunderabad Club in India's Telangana, Police Probe Started – Video. sputniknews.com The Secunderabad club was earlier known as the Secunderabad Garrison Club, the Secunderabad Gymkhana Club, and the United Services Club. Until 1947, only British residents and a few high-ranking officers were offered membership in the club.
(2022-01-16). Video of Indian Troops Dancing at Freezing Temperatures in Kashmir Goes Viral. sputniknews.com India's Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed heavy snowfall and temperatures dropping to -10 degress Celsius. Indian Army troops who are based in the region have reverted to age-old remedies to keep themselves warm in these seemingly harsh weather conditions.
(2022-01-16). Suspect dead after FBI storm Texas synagogue, freeing hostages. rt.com 
The hostage-taker reportedly demanded the release of a Pakistani woman convicted of attempting to kill US military personnel | All four people who were held hostage at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas on Saturday are "alive" and "safe," the authorities said as media reported gunfire and sounds resembling that of an explosion at the scene. | Though one male hostage had been released unharmed earlier on Saturday, the three remaining hostages were not able to leave until an FBI rescue team which had flown in from Quantico, Virginia stormed the building following a 12-hour standoff with the suspect. | Shortly aft…
(2022-01-16). Unions allege petrol bombs, intimidation as strike intensifies at South African Dairy giant. mronline.org 
Amid threats and intimidation, the workers' action at Clover has been strengthened by worker solidarity as well as the increasing support of civil society for its boycott campaign.
(2022-01-16). Seniors to be fined for violating vaccine mandate. rt.com 
Greeks over 60 warned about punishment for non-compliance with vaccination rules | The Greek prime minister has made a final appeal to the country's senior citizens to get inoculated before monthly punishments for violating the country's vaccination mandate kick in next week. | "Our fellow citizens who are over 60 and still unvaccinated — I encourage them today: take this step," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during a visit to a health center in Megara, near Athens, on Saturday. | "Protect your life and the lives of those you love, and understand that the vaccine is safe and saves lives." | Citiz…
(2022-01-16). Apple changes its 'monopolistic' payment policies. rt.com 
Dutch dating apps are the first to be allowed to use third-party payment services | Apple is to let Dutch developers of dating apps offer alternative payment options — the first time the tech giant is allowing outside service in its App Store. The move comes a month after its policies were ruled a monopoly. | Apple is releasing some new "entitlements" allowing developers to implement their own third-party payment services to pay for such apps in the Netherlands, the | California-based multinational
(2022-01-16). Turkey striving for rapid de-dollarization. rt.com 
The country's finance minister has pledged to accelerate ditching the greenback in the coming days | The process of de-dollarizing the Turkish economy will be accelerated in the coming weeks, according to Treasury and Finance Minister Nureddin Nebati. | The government will step up the conversion of the nation's foreign currency holdings into Turkish lira, he said, adding that more than 131 billion lira ($9.69 billion) had been deposited in accounts under the plan. | The government program, unveiled last month, is intended to protect lira deposits from further forex depreciation, as well as to make citizens fee…
(2022-01-16). Democrat group hides comments accusing Nike of slave labor after praising company. rt.com 
Occupy Democrats scrubbed its page of references to slave labor and child workers after celebrating Nike's decision to threaten unvaccinated employees with dismissal | Occupy Democrats, a popular left-wing political advocacy group which supports the US Democratic Party, was caught hiding comments expressing concern about slave labor after it praised sportswear company Nike. | The group praised Nike on social media after the multi-billion-dollar company threatened to fire employees who remained unvaccinated against Covid-19. | "Nike sends a defiant letter to its remaining unvaccinated employees that they will b…
(2022-01-16). Challenging the poverty of words: Interview with progressive poet Frederick Pollack. mronline.org 
San Francisco State University professor Daniel Langton has called Frederick Pollack's poems "necessary" because "do what poetry should do—grapple with the important."
(2022-01-16). Financial Markets under capitalism. mronline.org 
One of the most important arguments advanced by John Maynard Keynes, the renowned economist, was that the operation of financial markets under capitalism is deeply flawed.
(2022-01-16). Russia considers kicking out rowdy foreigners. rt.com 
Non-citizens found guilty of serious violations of Russian law could be booted out if the plan goes ahead | Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs is looking into the possibility of expelling foreigners from the country if they commit gross administrative breaches, the head of the national migration department has revealed. | Speaking as part of an interview with Interfax, published on Thursday, Valentina Kazakova said that the ministry "continues to work on improving the mechanisms of control over the stay of foreign nationals in Russia." | The official said consideration is underway for revising the rules to…
(2022-01-16). As Omicron rages, teachers and students fight for safety measures in Chicago and elsewhere. mronline.org 
Chicago Teachers Union members voted by 77 percent on January 4 to go fully remote until effective Covid mitigations to protect educators and students were approved by members and enacted, or until the current Covid surge subsided.
(2022-01-16). We Need to Build, Join, and Connect Internationalist Organizations, Today! anchor.fm In this episode I go over the importance of developing and connecting struggles all across the world. There are already ongoing resistance struggles, national liberation struggles, and other fights for freedom. We need to find ways to join, support one another, aid in the success of one another, and build solidarity together. We need a mass movement, now, and it's not gonna come out of thin air. We have to build it ourselves. Long live the People's revolution!
(2022-01-16). Freedom To Stay, Freedom To Move: An Interview With Harsha Walia. popularresistance.org Harsha Walia has been involved in anti-colonial and anti-capitalist migrant justice movements for the past two decades. Her first book, Undoing Border Imperialism, offered a movement analysis of the foundational connections between migration, borders and imperialism, with insights into the grassroots organizing her work comes out of. Building on this, her latest work, Border and Rule offers a crucial resource for going beyond nation-based thinking about border regimes around the world and building an internationalist movement for their abolition. | In Border and Rule, Walia avoids comparisons of one border regime…
(2022-01-16). An In-Depth Analysis of the Barinas Elections. orinocotribune.com According to a National Electoral Council (CNE) bulletin issued at 11: 20 p.m. on election night (January 9) in Barinas, Venezuela, Sergio Garrido obtained 172,497 votes (55.36% of the total vote count), while Jorge Arreaza, candidate of the Great Patriotic Pole and United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) obtained 128,583 votes (41.27%). | Another opponent, Claudio Fermín received 5,528 votes (1.6%). General voter turnout was 51.8%. | Thus, regarding the result of this election, it is important to specify some key points. | 1. The Preceding Inertia | In strictly mathematical terms, by combining the opposition v…
(2022-01-16). Zionism & Imperialism Feed Off of the Vile Conditions They Create. libya360.wordpress.com Rainer Shea Last year, Israel came under unprecedented international scrutiny when it launched a campaign to bomb Gazan civilian centers, including prominent buildings within the city, in response to rocket attacks from Hamas. Defenders of Israel's actions cited the fact that the Hamas attacks put Israeli civilians in danger in addition to military targets, implying that this means Israel…