(2022-03-06). West Pressures Thailand to Take Their Side Against Russia. newatlas.report 
March 8, 2022 (Brian Berletic — NEO) — On February 28, 2022 the EU ambassador to Thailand, David Daly, would declare in a social media post that Thailand "should speak up to save our rules based international order," demanding the Kingdom of Thailand vote at the UN with the West regarding Ukraine. Accompanying his comments were the flags …
(2022-03-06). Fear Grips Villagers in India's Uttar Pradesh After Wild Tiger Attacks Child. sputniknews.com For the past three days, the villagers of Nagla Samal of Etah district have been living in fear after the footprints of a tiger roaming in the area were found in a field.
(2022-03-06). Indian Government Recommends Permission for Phase 3 Trial of Sputnik Light Vaccine as Booster Dose. sputniknews.com Last month, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted emergency use permission for the single-dose 'Sputnik Light' COVID vaccine in the country. A study has revealed that the coronavirus vaccine Sputnik Light is expected to provide a high level of protection against severe disease and hospitalisation in the face of the Omicron strain.
(2022-03-06). Pakistan strikes key deal with Russia to buy gas and wheat — reports. rt.com 
The reported agreement comes as Western countries cut ties with Moscow | Pakistan has signed a major agreement with Russia on the import of natural gas and wheat, media outlets reported this week, citing Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. | Khan reportedly said that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had "great discussions" during his visit to Moscow last week, where the leaders signed a bilateral agreement. He noted that Pakistan plans to import some two million tons of wheat from Russia in the near future. | The two leaders reportedly also discussed the long-delayed Pakistan Stream gas pipeline, which…
(2022-03-06). Russia-Ukraine crisis puts pressure on microchip supply chain. rt.com 
Global chip makers rely heavily on materials sourced in the two countries like neon and palladium | The already-stretched semiconductor industry is expected to suffer more interruptions from the current conflict in Eastern Europe, as Ukraine and Russia provide the bulk of the world's supplies of neon and palladium, vital for the production of microchips. | Neon, critical for the lasers used to make chips, is a by-product of Russian steel manufacturing. It is then purified in Ukraine. Palladium is used in sensors and memory, among other applications. | The current global chip shortage will worsen if the standof…
(2022-03-06). Russian companies are now allowed to pay foreign creditors in rubles. rt.com 
Putin approves pay procedures to Russian firms' foreign creditors | Russia and Russian companies are now allowed to pay foreign creditors in rubles as a tool to avoid defaults while capital controls remain in place. | The decree, signed by President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, sets out temporary regulations for sovereign and corporate debtors to provide payments to creditors from "countries that engage in hostile activities" against Russia, its companies, and citizens. The list of such nations will be released by the Russian government within two days. | The new requirement, which comes three weeks after Washi…
(2022-03-06). Russian banks switch to Chinese UnionPay. rt.com 
Move supposed to soften effect on Russian card holders due to Visa and MasterCard withdrawal | On Sunday, several Russian banks announced plans to start issuing cards using the Chinese UnionPay card operator system. | The step, which came shortly after Mastercard and Visa pledged to cease operations in Russia and disconnect all the country's banks from their payment systems, will enable the holders of new cards to use them for paying and withdrawing cash abroad. | On Saturday, international financial service providers Visa and Mastercard said they would suspend operations in Russia within the next several days…
(2022-03-06). Moody's downgrades Russia's credit ratings to pre-default. rt.com 
The agency cuts Russia rating to Ca on rise in default risk | On Sunday, international rating agency Moody's Investors Service has lowered Russia's credit rating to Ca, the second-lowest grade of its ratings ladder. The decision was "driven by severe concerns around Russia's willingness and ability to pay its debt obligations." | According to the agency, capital controls earlier introduced by Russia's central bank are expected to restrict payments on the country's foreign debt and may lead to default. | Last week, the Bank of Russia temporarily halted payments and said it had barred coupon payments for foreign…
(2022-03-06). Australia doesn't rule out arming Taiwan against China. rt.com 
Defense Minister Peter Dutton likened China's situation with Taiwan to Russia's conflict with Ukraine | Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton refused to rule out arming Taiwan against China in the same way that the West has armed Ukraine against Russia, claiming Australia would do whatever it can to "deter China from acts of aggression." | In an
(2022-03-06). US sends delegation to Venezuela — media. rt.com 
The alleged meeting with the government Washington considers 'illegitimate' comes amid efforts to replace Russian oil | Senior US officials reportedly traveled to Venezuela to meet with President Nicolás Maduro's government as Russia's conflict with Ukraine continues. Citing multiple unnamed sources "familiar with the matter," the New York Times
(2022-03-06). Pope says Ukraine crisis 'a war, not a military operation'. rt.com 
The Pontiff has been criticized for not censuring Russia directly | Pope Francis on Sunday called Russia's "military operation" in Ukraine a "war" that is causing "death, destruction and misery," and said he was sending two cardinals to Ukraine. Francis was earlier criticized for not directly blaming Russia and President Vladimir Putin for the bloodshed. | "In Ukraine rivers of blood and tears are flowing," the Pontiff said during his Sunday address at St. Peter's Square, Reuters reported. "This is not only a military operation but a war which is leading to death, destruction and misery," Francis added, referr…
(2022-03-06). US state-run media outlet halts operations in Russia. rt.com 
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty accused Moscow of "an assault on the truth" | US government-controlled news organization Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has become yet another Western outlet to suspend operations in Russia, amid the country's ongoing attack against Ukraine. | "It is with the deepest regret that I announce the suspension of our physical operations in Moscow today," RFE/RL President & CEO Jamie Fly said in a statement early Sunday. | "This is not a decision that RFE/RL has taken of its own accord, but one that has been forced upon us by the Putin regime's assault on the truth," he state…
(2022-03-06). Seoul imposes export control measures on Belarus over Ukraine conflict. rt.com 
The decision to impose sanctions on Minsk follows similar measures against Moscow | South Korea has announced the introduction of export control measures against Belarus, citing Minsk's support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. | Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said earlier this week that his country "had not taken part and has no plans to take part" in Russia's military attack on Ukraine. However, he has supported the offensive. | South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday issued a
(2022-03-06). News site founded by Pussy Riot activists blocked in Russia. rt.com 
MediaZona says that it has been blocked because it is "honestly covering what is happening in Ukraine" | News outlet MediaZona, which was founded in 2014 by members of the anarchist punk group Pussy Riot, has been blocked by the Russian authorities. It's the latest in the growing crackdown on liberal media since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. | On Sunday, the portal issued a statement saying that media watchdog Roskomnadzor demanded that it delete the entire website following an order from the Prosecutor General's Office. | Zona.media can be found on the watchdog's registry of restricted intern…
(2022-03-06). Ukraine appears to confirm death of negotiator dubbed 'traitor' by media. rt.com 
The former banker participated in peace talks with Russia from Kiev's side | Kiev has said that Denis Kireev, a secret agent on a mission from Ukraine's Defense Ministry, has died. Earlier reports claimed that a man with the same name was killed by Ukrainian secret services as a suspected traitor. | Ukraine's Chief Directorate of Intelligence said on Saturday that Kireev was among three agents killed in the line of duty. "They have died, protecting Ukraine," the military intelligence agency wrote on social media, without elaborating. | News of Kireev's death has caused some confusion after Ukrainian media init…
(2022-03-06). Boris Johnson sets out '6-point plan for Ukraine'. rt.com 
The British prime minister said that the West should do more for Kiev though "it is not a NATO conflict" | The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has set out his six-point "plan for Ukraine," arguing that while this is "not a NATO conflict," the international community should do more to support Kiev as it faces the "Russian aggression." | Moscow does not consider its attack on Ukraine as an act of aggression saying that its "special military operation" aiming to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine, to protect Donbass and to defend Russia's own security amid NATO's expansion eastward. | In a guest essay f…
(2022-03-06). EU comments on warplanes for Kiev. rt.com 
Ukraine insists it needs jet fighters to repel the Russian attack | European Council President Charles Michel has said that the bloc's military aid to Ukraine will not include jet fighters, which Kiev has insisted it badly needs to fend off the ongoing Russian invasion. | "The European Union is definitely not at war with Russia. A war is what Russia has launched against Ukraine, a country very friendly and very close to the EU. That is why we support Ukraine on all levels," Michel said in an interview with several European newspapers on Saturday. | The chief of the EU's top political body confirmed that the EU…
(2022-03-06). Putin reveals conditions for offensive in Ukraine to stop. rt.com 
The Russian president told his Turkish counterpart that nationalists use civilians as human shields | Kiev must cease fighting and fulfill all of Moscow's demands in order for the Russian invasion of Ukraine to stop, President Vladimir Putin told Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday. | Moscow's 'special operation' in the neighboring country "will come to a halt only if Kiev stops its military action and fulfills the demands of Russia, which are well known," Putin explained during the phone call, according to the Kremlin's press service. | The president assured Erdogan that Russia is ready for dialogue…
(2022-03-06). US 'works' with Poland to send jets to Ukraine — media. rt.com 
Kiev pleaded with the West to help it fend off the ongoing Russian attack | The White House has told a number of US media outlets that Washington does not mind if Poland supplies Ukraine with some of its old Soviet-era warplanes to help repel the ongoing Russian invasion. "We are also working on the capabilities we could provide to backfill Poland if it decided to transfer planes to Ukraine," the spokesperson said on Saturday. | Politico quoted four unnamed US officials as saying that Washington may fill the gap in Poland's Air Force if it decides to give its used MiG-29s to Kiev. The Wall Street Journal repor…
(2022-03-06). Ukraine's Zelensky says Elon Musk will send more Starlink systems. rt.com 
The Ukrainian president said he was grateful to the world's richest man for supporting his country with "words and deeds" | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke to Elon Musk via video conference on Saturday, with the Tesla and SpaceX CEO promising to send more Starlink systems to the country amid the Russian invasion. | "I'm grateful to him for supporting Ukraine with words and deeds," Zelensky tweeted. | According to the president, next week the country will receive more systems to connect to the Starlink satellite internet constellation, operated by SpaceX. | Starlink became active in Ukraine…
(2022-03-06). Video: Mohammed Khatib of Samidoun on "Dictators and Fascist Regimes" samidoun.net Mohammed Khatib, Europe coordinator of the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, joined the International League of Peoples' Struggle for an international online event on "Dictators and Fascist Regimes" on Saturday, 5 March 2022. "Fascism is on the rise. To fight this, we must link all the peoples' struggles against fascism all over the world." Speakers: …
(2022-03-06). Latin America and the Ukraine War. orinocotribune.com By Ignacio Ramonet — Mar 4, 2022 | No country in Latin America unconditionally aligned itself with Russia's positions regarding its special military operation in Ukraine. They have all defended International Law, United Nations Charter and advocated for a diplomatic agreement to resolve the crisis by peaceful means through effective dialogue that guarantee the security and sovereignty of all, as well as peace, stability, and regional and international security. | In our globalized and interconnected world, a conflict on the scale of the war in Ukraine obviously has planetary consequences. Since the beginning…
(2022-03-06). Why Do Arab Tweeps Support Russia in Its Military Operation in Ukraine? sputniknews.com Arabic-language social media has been venting anger at the West for its double standards and the biased coverage of the Russian military operation in Ukraine. People in the Middle East have also been fuming over alleged racism by international media outlets.
(2022-03-06). Egyptian Football Player Aboutrika Slams FIFA for Applying 'Double Standards'. orinocotribune.com Former Egyptian football player Mohamed Aboutrika on Monday slammed the Federation of International Football (FIFA) for their failure to punish Israel, after the decision to ban Russia from all football competitions. | In an interview with Quds News Network, the three-time Africa Cup of Nations winner slammed the politics of double standards, since similar sanctions should have been meted out against Israel after their army was involved in the "killing of children and women in Palestine". | Mohamed Aboutrika addressing FIFA: "The decision to suspend Russian clubs and teams from all competitions must be accompanie…
(2022-03-06). Iran wants US to give solid guarantee not to withdraw JCPOA. en.mehrnews.com Turning to the talks which are ongoing in Austria, a member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said that the country wants US to give a guarantee not to withdraw from JCPOA once again.
(2022-03-06). 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…
(2022-03-06). Closing ceremony of Iran's 38th Intl. Quran Contest. en.mehrnews.com The closing ceremony of Iran's 38th International Quran competition was held on Saturday evening. A number of other political, cultural and Quranic officials were present at the event.
(2022-03-06). VIDEO: President plants seedling on National Arbor Day. en.mehrnews.com On the occasion of National Arbor Day, Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi planted an almond seedling in the heights of the Quchak area in eastern Tehran.
(2022-03-06). Raeisi extends congratulations to Ghana on National Day. en.mehrnews.com President Raeisi sent a message to the president of Ghana to congratulate him on the National Day of his country, stressing the expansion of friendly relations between the two countries.
(2022-03-06). Iran female handball team to participate in Asian C'ships. en.mehrnews.com The Iranian female national Junior handball team departed for Kazakhstan to participate in the 16th Asian Women's Junior Handball Championship.
(2022-03-06). IAEA chief visits National Museum of Iran for 2nd time. en.mehrnews.com On the sidelines of his diplomatic trip to Tehran, the Director-General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi paid a visit to the National Museum of Iran on Sunday for the second time.
(2022-03-06). Developing non-fossil energies must be taken serious. en.mehrnews.com On the occasion of March 6, National Day of Arbor Day, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the development of non-fossil energies must be taken into serious consideration like nuclear energy.
(2022-03-05). Last Phase of Polling Begins in Manipur Amid Controversy Over Violation of Model Code of Conduct. sputniknews.com The first phase of voting in India's north-eastern state of Manipur, held on 28 February, was marred by incidents of violence. Nonetheless, over 78 percent voter turnout was recorded.
(2022-03-05). Two Railway Coaches Catch Fire in India, Passengers Push Train to Avoid Major Accident – Video. sputniknews.com No injuries or casualties were reported in the mishap, and Indian Railways Traffic Inspector Y.K. Jha said that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
(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). 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). 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). 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). Another Casualty of the Ukraine Conflict: The Truth. scheerpost.com 
[ By Michael Brenner | War and conflict are the enemies of truth. Accurate perception, precise language and objectivity are its first victims. For good reason. Emotion eclipses reason. The 'we/they' prism refracts and distorts our thoughts. The individual is swept up into the mass mood. Frenzy roils just below the surface. | Experiences of war and conflict, though, are not uniform. They vary. Whose blood is being shed, in what quantities? Are we the direct protagonist or just the empathetic supporters of certain combatants?
(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…