(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). Kremlin on US Threats of 'Sharp Pain' Over Ukraine: Russia Considering Various Scenarios. sputniknews.com US Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland announced Saturday that the US had prepared 18 scenarios to respond to hypothetical Russian 'aggression' over Ukraine, saying the conversation between the US and its allies has been about "inflicting very sharp pain very fast if Russia makes this move in any form".
(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). Mapping Faultlines: Despite talks, yawning gaps remain between Russia and West. peoplesdispatch.org NewsClick's Prabir Purkayastha talks about the situation in Europe after three rounds of discussions around Ukraine and the demands Russia has put to NATO and the US failed to produce any breakthroughs…
(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). British foreign secretary blasts Russia for "waging disinformation campaign intended to destabilise, justify invasion Ukraine" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Here's diplomacy and statesmanship at its most refined. Nothing in the least bit provocative and inflammatory about her accusation. As the greatest threat of war in Europe since the 1940s looms ever larger. British Foreign Secretary accuses Russia of disinformation aimed at justifying attack on Ukraine British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss believes that Russia launched …
(2022-01-17). British defense chief tells Putin to "Drop your Tsarist ambition to invade Ukraine" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Maybe if Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov would be a little nicer to the U.S. and NATO the West would become their friend. Surely it's only a slight misunderstanding. Drop your Tsarist ambition to invade Ukraine or face sanctions, Ben Wallace warns Vladimir Putin Ben Wallace has accused Vladimir Putin of Tsarist ambitions as he …
(2022-01-17). Denmark to provide ‚Ǩ22 million for Ukraine's showdown with Russia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Denmark will allocate 22 million euros to strengthen security sector of Ukraine Denmark will allocate 22 million euros to strengthen the security sector of Ukraine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba wrote about this on Twitter. "Thank you, dear friend Jeppe Kofod (Danish Foreign Minister — ed.), for your timely visit proving …
(2022-01-17). The Turkic Military Alliance or Why has Ankara Accused Russia of Occupying Kazakhstan? journal-neo.org 
The January events in Kazakhstan and the CSTO's response proved to be a real litmus test of many countries' attitudes towards Russia and the regional balance of power in modern times. Turkey was no exception here, as it showed what was behind its active assurances to Russia and the Central Asian countries of "bona fide …
(2022-01-17). Pakistani Prime Minister Thanks Putin for Empathy Toward Muslim Beliefs. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday that he thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his understanding of the Muslims' sensitivity to offensive depictions of Prophet Muhammad in a phone conversation.
(2022-01-17). US and NATO escalation of conflict with Russia is leading to war. wsws.org The US and its European allies are on the precipice of plunging the world into a war with Russia of catastrophic proportions.
(2022-01-17). Amur Tiger Hit by Train in Russia's Khabarovsk Region, Local Authorities Say. sputniknews.com KHABAROVSK Russia (Sputnik) – An Amur tiger was killed by a train in the Khabarovsk Krai in Russia's Far East, the regional ministry of natural resources said on Monday.
(2022-01-17). Russia's Envoy to OSCE Slams Blocking of Delegation's Facebook Page as 'Censorship'. sputniknews.com Earlier, the Facebook account of the Russian delegation at the talks in Vienna on military security and arms control was blocked following posts about security guarantees.
(2022-01-17). Challenge for World Peace… the United States and NATO Are Incapable of Disarming Cold War Mentality. strategic-culture.org Russia will have to be on guard and use counter-force to prevent any reckless offensive conduct by the United States and its European minions. | The dangerous tensions that have escalated between the United States, NATO and Russia pose a grave threat to world peace. It's important to remember that the series of high-level talks convened this week in three European cities was initiated by Russia. Moscow put forward stern proposals for a clearer security arrangement in Europe between the U.S.-led NATO military bloc and Russia. | Those proposals include no further eastward expansion of NATO and a rollback of forces…
(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). A Lesson in Source Studies or Did Kim Jong-il Really Invent Shawarma? journal-neo.org 
In early January, several media outlets ran a clickbait headline, "North Korea Claims Kim Jong-il Invented Shawarma." This fast-food dish is popular in post-Soviet countries. The statement about its North Korean roots immediately broke into negative comments about how North Korea is duping the people and making them believe that its top leaders have invented …
(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.
(2022-01-16). Kazakhstan Chaos: An Opportunity, But for Who? newatlas.report January 17, 2022 (Brian Berletic — NEO) — Kazakhstan has suffered severe nationwide violence allegedly prompted by fuel price concerns. However, it quickly became clear that it was instead actually foreign-sponsored destabilization which was, at best, using legitimate public concerns as cover for attempted regime change. A Russian-led deployment of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) …
(2022-01-16). Parl. to support Iran-Russia strategic bilateral relations. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 16 (MNA) — Referring to President Raeisi's imminent visit to Russia, a member of the Iranian Parliament said that the Parliament will support strategic bilateral relations between Iran and Russia.
(2022-01-16). Iran-Russia trade value increases by 41% in first 9 months. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 16 (MNA) — Iranian customs administration said that Iran-Russia trade in the first nine months of the year 1400 in the Iranian calendar has increased by 12% in weight and 41% in value compared to the same period last year.
(2022-01-16). Pres. Raeisi to meet Russian counterpart in Moscow next week. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 16 (MNA) — A Russian source announced that the Iranian President is going to pay a visit to Russia next week to meet and hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
(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). U.S., EU, NATO coordinate Ukraine war strategy. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Blinken, Borrell discuss NATO's respond to troop buildup near Ukraine US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had a telephone conversation with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell regarding the situation with the Russian troops near the borders of Ukraine. This was announced by press secretary Ned Price, the press service …
(2022-01-16). Finland and Sweden are NATO's closest partners, could join overnight: former alliance chief. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Ex-Nato secretary general: "Finland and Sweden could become members overnight" In an interview with Yle published on Saturday, former Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen discussed this past week's series of talks between Russian, European and US officials aimed at de-escalating tensions surrounding Ukraine "In practice, Russia is demanding a veto over Nato enlargement. The …
(2022-01-16). Peskov Says 'There's Too Much Tension' on Russia's Border With Ukraine. sputniknews.com Moscow has repeatedly rejected media reports in the West alleging that Russia was planning to "invade" Ukraine. The Kremlin underscores that it can relocate its troops within its own territory, while NATO's military activity near Russia's borders poses a threat to its security.
(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). 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). 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). In Iran's diplomacy map, West is just "one" spot. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 16 (MNA) — In line with the active diplomacy that Iran is pursuing in Vienna, President Ebrahim Raeisi is preparing to visit Moscow in the coming days to discuss various issues with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
(2022-01-16). Why Washington's Focus on "Credibility" is a Recipe for War. dissidentvoice.org The most pressing threat to global security right now isn't so-called "provocations" by either Russia or China. It is the United States' misplaced obsession with its own "credibility". This rallying cry by Washington officials — echoed by the media and allies in London and elsewhere — is code for allowing the US to act like …
(2022-01-16). Lavrov commends Russia-China cooperation on bilateral, int'l issues. ecns.cn Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday spoke highly of the "unique architecture of Russia-China ties" and Russia's and China's joint efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation and solve international problems.
(2022-01-16). Why Washington's Focus on "Credibility" is a Recipe for War. dissidentvoice.org The most pressing threat to global security right now isn't so-called "provocations" by either Russia or China. It is the United States' misplaced obsession with its own "credibility". This rallying cry by Washington officials — echoed by the media and allies in London and elsewhere — is code for allowing the US to act like …
(2022-01-16). Mass Demonstrations in Support of Russia Held Across Mali, Youth Organisation Leader Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Thousands of people have participated in a demonstration in support of Russia in Mali's capital, Bamako, a youth organisation leader told Sputnik.
(2022-01-16). Sweden mobilizing for war? antibellum679354512.wordpress.com The first story is from Sputnik, though it reads as a NATO press release. The second is from Reuters. Tanks on European streets due to 'Russian threat' 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 …
(2022-01-16). The Case for Neutrality to Defuse Crisis With Russia. zcomm.org Faced with the certainty of the destruction of their country, most Ukrainians would settle for peace through neutrality…
(2022-01-16). U.S. 'New Cold War' non-strategic, failing: The Diplomat magazine. ecns.cn The U.S. military and its civilian leaders are wrong to wage the "New Cold War" by overemphasizing militarized responses to economic and diplomatic challenges, The Diplomat magazine has reported.
(2022-01-16). Nuclear Power Causing Disagreements in the EU. journal-neo.org 
Amid the world's forced turn toward nuclear power and energy crisis, Europe had given serious thought to nuclear power's future on the continent. Currently, 31 countries operate nuclear power plants. The peak in nuclear power generation was recorded in 2006 (2,660 TWh), but overall, the share of nuclear power in global electrical power generation decreased from …
(2022-01-16). Israel Reportedly Made 'Wish List' of Weapons for US to Engage Iran, Hezbollah. sputniknews.com The new Israeli government of Naftali Bennet, which came to power last year, has repeatedly warned that it might act preemptively to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Tehran insists that it doesn't seek to build nukes and that its nuclear programme is peaceful.
(2022-01-16). Microsoft Warns of Destructive Malware in Computer Systems of Ukrainian State Institutions. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The computer systems of several Ukrainian government agencies and non-profit organisations have been infected with malware disguised as ransomware, Microsoft said.