(2022-03-05). Who gets NATO's weapons in Ukraine? wsws.org The primary beneficiaries of these weapon deliveries, both politically and militarily, are far-right forces in Ukraine and internationally, who are being strengthened and emboldened.
(2022-03-05). News on China | No. 89. dissidentvoice.org China criticizes NATO expansion, supports national sovereignty. It calls for both sides, Russia and Ukraine, to end the war. China restates its opposition to unilateral economic sanctions. The de-dollarization of China-Russia trade is about to increase. China is the world leader in transitioning to clean energy. The rate of urbanization slows down.
(2022-03-05). India wants to bypass dollar to keep trading with Russia. rt.com 
New Delhi considering switching to rupee-ruble settlements amid sanctions on Moscow | India is in search of efficient tools to skirt around the latest penalties imposed on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, as New Delhi looks to keep trade with Moscow going, Indian media reports. | Among the options reportedly being considered are making settlements via foreign financial institutions that don't operate in countries that have supported the punitive measures against Russia, routing payments through minor Russian lenders unaffected by the SWIFT ban, and boosting its rupee-ruble arrangement. | Russian banking ma…
(2022-03-05). Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand. wsws.org India: Delhi childcare workers still on strike; Jammu water conservation workers walkout; 25,000 Bangladeshi public servants strike; Australian train maintenance workers strike for job security in NSW; New Zealand pallet workers on indefinite strike…
(2022-03-05). Crude could hit $200 in case of Moscow energy embargo — US shale boss. rt.com 
The head of Pioneer Natural Resources warns that the US won't be able to replace Russia's shortfall | Global prices for crude may surge to $200 per barrel if Russian oil and gas are banned, warns Scott Sheffield, the chief executive of the US' biggest shale oil operator, Pioneer Natural Resources. | "The only way to stop Putin is to ban oil and gas exports," Sheffield said, as quoted by the Financial Times. "[But] if the Western world announces that we're going to ban Russian oil and gas, oil is going to go to $200 a barrel, probably — $150 to $200 easy." | Sheffield warned that the US would be unable to…
(2022-03-05). Luxury brands halt sales in Russia. rt.com 
Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Cartier have ceased operations in the country amid the Ukrainian conflict | A number of major luxury brands announced late on Friday that they would be closing their stores and halting their operations in Russia. They cited logistical difficulties and concern for staff safety amid the invasion of Ukraine. | The Kering Group said it would be temporarily shuttering its boutiques, including those of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga, "due to growing concerns regarding the current situation in Europe." | LVMH, the world's biggest luxury company by sales, with a stable of m…
(2022-03-05). US flies strategic bombers over NATO's eastern flank. rt.com 
The jets carried out a training mission amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine | The Pentagon sent B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers to Germany and Romania on Friday as a show of force during Russia's continued campaign in Ukraine. | The aircraft took off from RAF Fairford in Britain and flew to Germany, where they were used in close air support and integration mission training. They were then flown to Romania to take part in a similar exercise. | General Jeff Harrigian, commander of US Air Forces in Europe, said such bomber exercises "give us a critical opportunity to integrate and train with our allies and pa…
(2022-03-05). Declassified papers reveal extent of US military aid to Ukraine — media. rt.com 
Washington has gone to great lengths to prepare Kiev "to wage a hybrid war against Russia," a major US news outlet has said | The US has drastically increased its shipments of lethal aid to Ukraine since late last year, including weapons and gear for urban combat, the Washington Post According to the Pentagon's paperwork, from as early as December Washington had been actively equipping the Kiev government w…
(2022-03-05). Uffizi gallery director condemns sanctions on Russian culture. rt.com 
Head of the Italian museum said the institution was forced to comply with government rules | Eike Schmidt, director of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence has said calls to demolish Russians sculptures or ban Russian exhibits as a reaction to the war in Ukraine are "absurd." | The comment came after Florence mayor Dario Nardella revealed on Twitter on Wednesday that there had been calls to demolish a monument to Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky by Russian sculptor Aydyn Zeynalov, which had been installed in the city last year. | "We hope that the numerous calls for peace that are heard around the world will have an…
(2022-03-05). SCOTUS sides with FBI in mosque spying case. rt.com 
Court rules that the FBI can block lawsuit with 'state secrets' privilege | The US Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the FBI may invoke the "state secrets" privilege to block a judge from examining evidence concerning its surveillance of a California mosque in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. | In a unanimous
(2022-03-05). PayPal shuts down operations in Russia. rt.com 
The online payment service joins other tech and finance companies withdrawing amid the Ukraine conflict | PayPal Holdings Inc. halted its operations in Russia on Saturday morning. The online payments company has followed other finance and technology firms in leaving the country due to the military conflict in Ukraine. | "Under the current circumstances, we are suspending PayPal services in Russia," Chief Executive Dan Schulman said, adding that the company "stands with the international community in condemning Russia's violent military aggression in Ukraine." | A representative announced that the service would…
(2022-03-05). Twitch halts payments for Russian streamers. rt.com 
The platform has banned transactions in compliance with international sanctions | Online streaming platform Twitch banned Russian streamers from transferring their money to Russian bank cards on Saturday, gamers reported. | The decision was made known by Russian streamer Alexei Gubanov, also known as JesusAVGN, on his Telegram account. The streamer uploaded a screenshot of an official Twitch response about the issue. | "Twitch complies with the terms of economic sanctions imposed by the US and other governments, and takes into account the sanctions introduced due to the attack on Ukraine. These sanctions can l…
(2022-03-05). Ukraine 'postpones' civilian evacuation from besieged Mariupol. rt.com 
Officials accuse Russia of violating the temporary ceasefire | Officials halted the planned evacuation of civilians from the Ukrainian-controlled Azov Sea port city Mariupol on Saturday, accusing Russia of continued shelling despite a promise to provide safe passage. | Russia recognizes Mariupol as part of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), which broke away from Ukraine shortly after the 2014 coup in Kiev. However, the city itself has been held by Ukraine. | Moscow announced a temporary ceasefire to allow residents to leave the city, which is blockaded by Russian forces, through agreed humanitarian corridors…
(2022-03-05). Putin comments on possibility of martial law in Russia. rt.com 
The Russian leader said he hoped the need for it will not arise | President Vladimir Putin on Saturday denied rumors that Russia was poised to declare a state of emergency or martial law due to the ongoing military operation in Ukraine and Western sanctions against Moscow. | "Martial law is declared in a country… in case of a foreign aggression, including in particular places where hostilities take place. We don't have a case like this, and I hope we won't," Putin said in a televised meeting with Russian female airline personnel. | Russian law also provides for various forms of special states or a state of e…
(2022-03-05). Russian F1 star responds to axing by claiming there was 'no process'. rt.com 
Nikita Mazepin insisted he had been willing to accept sanctions on Russian athletes including a ban from racing in the UK | American Formula One team Haas "completely ignored" axed driver Nikita Mazepin's acceptance of sanctions placed on Russian drivers before ending his contract without following any termination process, the shocked star has claimed. | Within 24 hours of calling reports of the Moscow-born racer's exit inaccurate, Haas announced it had fired Mazepin and ended its deal with lead sponsor Uralkali, a Russian potash fertilizer producer. | Newcomer Mazepin had appealed to supporters to understand…
(2022-03-05). Details emerge in death of cricket legend. rt.com 
Local authorities have detailed the attempts to save Shane Warne's life after he was found unresponsive in a Thai villa | Local authorities on the Thai island of Koh Samui have described the attempts which were made to save the life of 52-year-old cricket star Shane Warne when he was found unresponsive after failing to attend a dinner appointment with friends. | The death of the legendary leg-spinner and one of cricket's biggest-ever stars was confirmed on Friday and occurred at the Samujana Villas resort he was visiting with three friends after having completed his analyst duties for the 2021-22 Ashes series.
(2022-03-05). Ski sensation wins title while suspended for being Russian. rt.com 
The Olympic gold medalist won the world ski title — even though organizers the International Ski Federation have banned Russian athletes | Olympic gold medalist Natalia Nepryaeva has won ski World Cup title the big crystal globe — despite not even competing at an event in Norway because Russian athletes have been barred from competing by the International Ski Federation (FIS) because of the invasion of Ukraine. | Swedish rival Ebba Andersson and American Jessie Diggins cannot catch Nepryaeva following the race in Oslo, allowing the relay champion at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing to absent…
(2022-03-05). Serena Williams claims she'd be 'in jail' if she lashed out like male star. rt.com 
The US tennis star claimed there were 'double standards' as she waded into Alexander Zverev row | Serena Williams has bemoaned what she sees as 'double standards' in tennis, claiming that she would have received a far harsher punishment that Alexander Zverev after the German was expelled from a tournament last month after violently lashing out at a chair umpire. | German world number three Zverev was removed from the field at the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, Mexico, and hit with a $40,000 fine after he struck the umpire's chair on several occasions with his racket in protest at what he saw as a bad call on the c…
(2022-03-05). Kremlin reveals goal of Ukraine offensive. rt.com 
Russia is seeking guarantees for its own security, according to Moscow | Russia's armed forces have no intention of partitioning Ukraine as part of its military operation into the country, the Kremlin has claimed, as Moscow continues to attack its neighbor. | Speaking as part of an interview with Sky News Arabia on Friday, Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov set out Russia's objectives in the Eastern European nation. | "After the 2014 coup d'état, Ukraine has become influenced by Nazi ideology. We want to free her from this ideology," he claimed. | Peskov went on, arguing that "the presence of NATO infrastruc…
(2022-03-05). US outlines position on dialogue with Russia. rt.com 
Constructive negotiations will depend on Putin and on Russian officials, Washington claims | American officials remain prepared to pursue a path of diplomacy with Moscow and engage in dialogue, the US' top diplomat has revealed, as Russian troops continue their attack on Ukraine. | Speaking as part of an interview with British state broadcaster BBC on Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken insisted that American officials have not abandoned talking with their Russian counterparts. | "We'll always look for opportunities for diplomacy and for dialogue. It depends entirely on President [Vladimir] Putin and on…
(2022-03-05). Kremlin accuses the West of 'excessive emotion'. rt.com 
According to Moscow, EU and NATO member states are failing to understand "very many obvious things" | The Kremlin is hopeful that Western nations will reconsider their perception of Russia in the future, it has said, as the US and a number of its allies in Europe continue to impose severe and wide-ranging sanctions on Moscow in response to its military attack on Ukraine. | Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov set out his view on the prospect of Russia's relations with the West improving. | "We hope that, sooner or later, our position will be understood by EU countries and NATO membe…
(2022-03-05). UK advises its citizens to get out of Russia. rt.com 
The Foreign Office has warned about the lack of available flights and increased volatility of the Russian economy | London has told British nationals to consider leaving Russia, which has been slapped with harsh sanctions following its decision to invade Ukraine. | "If your presence in Russia is not essential, we strongly advise that you consider leaving by remaining commercial routes," the Foreign Office said on its website on Saturday. | It also advised UK citizens against all travel to the country, citing "the lack of available flight options to return to the UK, and the increased volatility in the Russian…
(2022-03-05). Russia 'too big' to isolate, Kremlin claims. rt.com 
Putin's spokesperson says many countries have a more "balanced" approach than the EU and the US | Western sanctions do not mean that Russia will truly be isolated — the world, and Russia itself, are "too big" for that, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Saturday. | Peskov said that the "rejection of relations" following its offensive in Ukraine, and the introduction of restrictions by Europe, the US, Canada, Japan, and others "do not mean the isolation of Russia." | Russia's military attack on Ukraine, launched on February 24, prompted the US, the EU, the UK and many other nations to introd…
(2022-03-05). Kremlin defends harsh 'fake military news' law. rt.com 
Russia says it was properly responding to the "information war" waged against the country | The Kremlin has insisted that making it illegal to spread "fake news" about its ongoing military offensive in Ukraine was a proper response to the alleged propaganda war waged by the West. | The harsh measures were "necessary and urgently needed during these difficult times," Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, told reporters on Saturday, citing "an information war waged against our country." | "Given the state of the information war [against Russia], we had to adopt a law of appropriate severity, whi…
(2022-03-05). US senator blasts Wall Street for 'undermining' anti-Russia sanctions. rt.com 
Elizabeth Warren accuses investment banks of helping Moscow by buying up Russia's corporate bonds | One of the most vociferous critics of Wall Street, US Senator and former presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren, has accused American financial institutions of "undermining" the sanctions imposed on Moscow by Washington and its allies over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. | "Giant Wall Street banks like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs never miss out on an opportunity to get richer even if it means capitalizing on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and undermining sanctions placed on Russian businesses," Warren said in a statem…
(2022-03-05). China firmly opposes any separatist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence' and foreign interference: Government work report. ecns.cn China firmly opposes any separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence" and foreign interference, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation.
(2022-03-05). Chinese mainland reports 102 new local COVID-19 cases. ecns.cn The Chinese mainland on Friday reported 102 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Saturday.
(2022-03-05). China will strive to achieve stable macroeconomic performance: Government work report. ecns.cn China will strive to achieve stable macroeconomic performance and keep major economic indicators within the appropriate range, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation.
(2022-03-05). China will pursue stable growth of foreign trade and investment: Government work report. ecns.cn China will pursue higher-standard opening up and promote stable growth of foreign trade and investment, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation.
(2022-03-05). Overall planning for Digital China initiative to be strengthened: Government work report. ecns.cn China will strengthen overall planning for the Digital China initiative, build more digital information infrastructure, and apply 5G technology on a larger scale, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation.
(2022-03-05). (Two Sessions Voice) Legislator calls for special legislation on food safety for the underaged. ecns.cn Chu Jianmei, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), called for special legislation on food safety for the underaged during the Fifth Session of the 13th NPC on Friday.
(2022-03-05). China vows to keep foreign trade stable. ecns.cn China will adopt a package of steps to stabilize foreign trade, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation.
(2022-03-05). Saturday 3/12: Still We Rise-Women Rebel Against All Odds International Women's Day Celebration. indybay.org Zoom Event. Please register in advance at tinyurl.com/IWD-22…
(2022-03-05). China's national legislature opens annual session. ecns.cn China's national legislature opened its annual session Saturday morning in Beijing.
(2022-03-05). AEOI, IAEA chiefs hold meeting in Tehran. en.mehrnews.com Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami met and held talks with the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafel Grossi in Tehran.
(2022-03-05). €4.5bn allocated to strengthen Iran's defense power. en.mehrnews.com The government was obliged to allocate €4.5 billion to strengthen defense power and strategic defense research using the financial resources of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).
(2022-03-05). IAEA chief arrives in Tehran for bilateral talks. en.mehrnews.com Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafel Gros arrived in Tehran to discuss with the Iranian officials the continuation of technical cooperation between Iran and the Agency.
(2022-03-05). NPC deputy suggests boosting vaccine circulation in Greater Bay Area. ecns.cn Vaccines in Hong Kong and Macao should be distributed in accordance with those on the Chinese mainland, lifting barriers across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Cai Weiping, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), said in Beijing on Saturday.
(2022-03-05). Russia Announces One Day Ceasefire In Volnovakha And Mariupol To Evacuate Civilians (Video). southfront.org 
On March 5, the Russian Defense Ministry announced a one day ceasefire to evacuate civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha. These are the key strongholds of the Ukrainian Army and nationalist battalions in Donetsk Region. Both of them are now encircled by joint forces of Russia, the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic. | According to the representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Major General Igor Konashenkov, humanitarian corridors and exit routes have been agreed with the Ukrainian side. | Kiev authorities claim that 200,000 civilians want to leave Mariupol and 20,000 civilians &…
(2022-03-05). Sostuvo Díaz-Canel encuentro con el presidente de Sherritt-International. cubadebate.cu Durante el cordial intercambio, realizado en el Palacio de la Revolución, ambas partes dialogaron sobre las potencialidades que existen para, aun en medio del recrudecimiento del bloqueo de los Estados Unidos, profundizar la participación de esta compañía en el desarrollo económico de Cuba, sobre todo en actividades como la minería, la prospección petrolera y la generación de energía.
(2022-03-05). Xi takes part in deliberation of Inner Mongolia delegation at annual legislative session. ecns.cn President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Saturday afternoon took part in a deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, at the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress, China's top legislature.
(2022-03-05). Ex-Japanese Prime Minister Abe suggests Japan host US nuclear weapons. wsws.org Abe, who remains highly influential in Japanese politics, has seized on the current war crisis in Ukraine to further his right-wing nationalist agenda of remilitarization.