(2022-02-24). Beijing condemns Washington's "irresponsible and immoral" behaviour in the Ukraine crisis. wsws.org Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the US was "raising tensions, creating panic, and even playing up the schedule of war."
(2022-02-24). Israeli Airstrikes, Missiles Target Syria's Damascus, Kill 3 Soldiers. news.antiwar.com For the second straight day Israel carried out strikes against Syria, following up Tuesday's attack on Quneitra with Syria reported air defenses were active and intercepted most of the missiles. Some damage was reported and Israel hasn't commented on these recent attacks directly, but did drop leaflets overnight warning Syrians against supporting Hezbollah. Israel officially does not co…
(2022-02-24). Tomgram: Alfred W. McCoy, A Planet on the Brink. warisacrime.org This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. We're in a time of growing belligerence of a kind unknown since the Cold War. It's already taken us to the edge of conflict with nuclear-armed great powers, whether in Ukraine or Taiwan and the South China Sea. …
(2022-02-24). Russia Expands Its Influence in Faraway Lands. journal-neo.org 
Over the last decade, Russia has been successfully strengthening its influence in different parts of the world: first and foremost, in the countries of Asia and Africa. The trade turnover with them has been growing every year, including the countries of South-East Asia, where Indonesia — the most populous state in the region (274 million …
(2022-02-24). Ukraine crisis sends global markets plummeting. rt.com 
Stocks across Europe, Asia and the US see sharp selloff as military | conflict intensifies | Stock markets across the world sold off sharply on Thursday after the Russian Armed Forces confirmed the first airstrikes against military targets in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin ordered the operation in the Donbass region to protect the local population against Ukrainian shelling attacks, days after recognizing the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. | The pan-European Stoxx 600 fell by 2.31% in early trade, with the financial sector leading the losses, sending major bourses sliding into bear territory.
(2022-02-24). Imperial begins South Asia search for women scientists in climate and energy. imperial.ac.uk Imperial is launching new academic fellowships in climate and energy for women scientists from South Asia.
(2022-02-24). Death of Elderly Wisconsin Man in Israeli Army Custody Could Trigger Leahy Law and US Sanctions. mintpressnews.com 
Experts have noted that if US laws were violated in the death of Palestanian-American Omar As'ad, then it may lead to sanctions under the Leahy Law — meaning U.S. military aid, Israel's greatest source of foreign assistance, could be cut off.
(2022-02-24). US warns Nepal of serious consequences if aid program not ratified. wsws.org US threats are part of its ongoing efforts to lock the strategically-located Nepal into Washington's war preparations against China.
(2022-02-24). China comments on Russian operation in Ukraine. rt.com 
The Chinese Foreign Ministry says Moscow does not need Beijing's backing | The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Moscow does not have or need the backing of Beijing for its military attack on Ukraine. | "As for the US suggestion that Russia has China's backing to act, I believe Russia will be very unhappy to hear such a statement," ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told the media during a regular press briefing. | Hua said that Russia is both an independent power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. She claimed that Moscow's action is based entirely on its own judgement and national…
(2022-02-24). Olympic Hanbok Scandal, or Two Types of Nationalism. journal-neo.org 
In his previous material about the tricky relations between China and South Korea this author already mentioned how a demonstration of the traditional Korean clothes was viewed in South Korea. However, this is worth telling in greater detail as this story illustrates the conceptual difference between the two countries' national policies. So, South Koreans took offence …
(2022-02-24). Ukraine asks Turkey to ban Russian ships from Black Sea routes. rt.com 
Kiev tells Ankara to close two straits that Moscow relies on | Ukraine has asked Turkey to cut off Russian access to the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits after Moscow launched an attack on multiple Ukrainian cities in the early hours of Thursday morning. | Kiev's demand to suspend Russian ships' access through the straits was conveyed by Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, who also lobbied for the closure of Turkey's airspace to Russian planes, news agency Reuters reported. | The move comes in response to Russian air and ground attacks launched on Ukrainian military installations, airports, and citi…
(2022-02-23). The Naqab is a key piece in Israel's apartheid puzzle. electronicintifada.net Persecuted for decades, Naqab residents still resist Israeli ethnic cleansing.
(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). Military Situation In Iraq On February 23, 2022 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On February 22, a U.S. logistical convoy was targeted by an IED attack in the Dhi Qar province; | On February 22, a U.S. logistical convoy was targeted by an IED attack in the Anbar province; | On February 22, a U.S. logistical convoy was targeted by an IED attack in the Babil province; | On February 23, the Iraqi Supreme Federal Court postponed its decision on constitutionality of the second round of presidential candidate registrations. | MORE ON THE TOPIC:
(2022-02-23). Time for a new American political party. asiatimes.com 
The precipitous decline of the once-invincible United States of America from every standpoint — political, economic, social, cultural and educational — is threatening not only the future of the country itself, but of all Western civilization. The political system of the US is in thrall to the Trumpist extreme right on the Republican side and to …
(2022-02-23). Why US cannot stifle China's rise. asiatimes.com 
The US is increasingly belligerent in its efforts to stifle China's rise and pressure its allies to do the same. But none of the tactics — trade wars, "freedom of navigation" operations (FONOPs), pushing allies to ditch Huawei equipment or the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), etc — have worked. Indeed, one could even argue …
(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). Academic Justice Through Citation Audit. countercurrents.org That academia which preaches justice is itself an unjust environment has been pointed out by some of the academia themselves (Kumar 2016, Guru 2002). The major complaint is that the marginalised do not get due recognition. I published a book in 2011 out of my PhD (Khora 2011). However, it has not been referred in academic writings in India in
(2022-02-23). Another Martyr, Another Time, Another Place – Thillaiyadi Valliammai. countercurrents.org Yesterday, 22 February, was Kasturba Gandhi's 78th death anniversary. Kasturba died in 1944 and at the time she was in prison, arrested on 9 August 1942, the first day of the "Quit India Movement". Gandhiji had already been arrested the previous evening, and both of them along with some of their closest colleagues were imprisoned at the Agha Khan Palace
(2022-02-23). The Indian media and Covid — Part One: Locked up during Lockdown. countercurrents.org Note: In this series of articles senior journalist Amit Sengupta examines the role of the Indian media during the two years of the Covid pandemic. Part One: Locked up during Lockdown Even as the affluent and the middle classes were rejoicing the banging of thalis and utensils on their balconies to beat an incipient virus which had just arrived in
(2022-02-23). India, China in Europe's crisis. mronline.org 
The key elements conform to a principled stance—and a balanced one. India's stance so far has been one of a 'standoffish' attitude that basically absolves Delhi of the need to take a position on which its key ally the United States and the time-tested Russian friend have locked horns.
(2022-02-23). Venezuela and Iran Deepen Hydrocarbon Alliance, Blast US Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com In a high-level meeting, Iran's oil minister committed to ramping up assistance for renovation projects in Venezuela's oil industry.
(2022-02-23). Pakistani students continue struggle against student union ban and score a major victory in Sindh province. peoplesdispatch.org After nearly 38 years since the military dictatorship of Zia ul Haq imposed a blanket ban on student unions in Pakistan, Sindh will become the first province to lift the ban if governor Imran Ismail gives his assent to the Sindh Student Unions Bill 2019…
(2022-02-23). The Stunning Beauty And Cruel Reality Of An Occupied Land. popularresistance.org Jerusalem – The ruins of the Palestinian village of Sataf sit on the slope of a beautiful hill on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Today the area is a Jewish National Foundation (JNF) park called "Har Eitan," or Mount Eitan. It is covered in pine trees that were planted by the JNF to hide the Zionist crime of ethnic cleansing, a crime that has been designated as a crime against humanity. | In 2021, massive fires broke out on the hills surrounding Jerusalem and countless pines were burned, including the ones around Sataf. There is an 8 kilometer trail that goes around the mountain and people use it to hike and jog and…
(2022-02-23). Syrian Service Members Wounded In Turkish Drone Strike On Northern Aleppo. southfront.org 
File image. | On February 23, two service members of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) were wounded in the northern countryside of Aleppo as a result of a Turkish drone strike. | The strike targeted a joint post of the SAA and the Manbij Military Council (MMC), a key faction of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
(2022-02-23). Military Situation In Yemen On February 23, 2022 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The Liaison and Coordination Officers' Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 125 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah in the past 24 hours; | On February 22, warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition conducted 24 airstrikes on the Haradh province; | On February 22, warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition conducted 4 airstrikes on the Sawadiyah district; | On February 23, clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the Haradh region; | On February 23, cla…