(2022-03-04). Fifteen bad Ukraine narratives. canadiandimension.com 
Photo by Artem Kniaz/ Especially when deepened by the fog of war, idiocy comes in many mutually reinforcing forms. Let's examine and get past some problematic thinking on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But first, let's proclaim some basic principles. The Ukraine crisis is a good focus for practising the art of detesting two things at the same time. | Just as one can hate both the neoliberal-capitalist Democratic Party and (imagine) the neofascist-capitalist Republican Party at the same time, one can simultaneously abhor both supremely dange…
(2022-03-04). Freezing Moscow's forex reserves may dethrone greenback, strategist says. rt.com 
Credit Suisse strategist says US dollar has now reached critical inflection point | Cutting Russia off from accessing its foreign currency reserves may end the hegemony of the US dollar, according to Credit Suisse short-term interest rate strategist Zoltan Pozsar. | "Imagine a response on the back of this, where a lot of exporters of whatever commodities and widgets decide to invoice things in a different currency," Pozsar told Bloomberg's Odd Lots podcast. | "Because all these dollars you're earning and all this money you keep in the West is at risk," the expert said, adding that nations that have joined the…
(2022-03-04). Ukraine sanctions lead to $80bn loss for Russia's richest. rt.com 
A third of their net worth has been wiped out, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index | Russia's richest people have lost about a third of their wealth over the past week, due to Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index. | The impact of US and EU sanctions against Russian oligarchs and the collapse of the ruble has seen their collective fortune shrink by $80 billion since the start of Moscow's military operation, according to the index. | The report says some saw their wealth halved, with the biggest loser in dollar terms being Gennady Timchenko, of…
(2022-03-04). Norway suspends 'all dialogue' with Moscow on education and research. rt.com 
Oslo's decision follows Russia's suspension from the Council of the Baltic Sea States | The Norwegian cabinet announced on Friday that it has decided to freeze research and education cooperation with Russia after President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into neighboring Ukraine. | Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education Ola Borten Moe declared in a statement that the "attack on Ukraine must also have consequences," including in the areas of research and education. | "We suspend all dialogue with the Russian authorities and as a general rule, all institutional agreements between Norwegian and Russian…
(2022-03-04). Hungarian PM says countries can't count on NATO to protect them. rt.com 
Viktor Orban gave an interview on relations with the EU and sanctions against Russia | Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday morning that he felt he couldn't count on the Western bloc when it comes to real action concerning the country's security. | "NATO will protect us when we are ready to defend ourselves. Anyone who thinks NATO will protect us is wrong," he Orban praised the fact that Hungary had managed to…
(2022-03-04). RT broadcast restored in Serbia. rt.com 
The Balkan nation's public broadcaster readmitted Russian channels to its cable network | Serbian public broadcaster Telekom Srbija has restored RT and RTD, the Russian news and documentaries channels, to its cable package, RT announced on Friday. However, privately-owned SBB has kept the Russian channels blocked there, "despite having the technical capability" to resume their broadcast, Sasha Savicevic, an RT officer for distribution in Europe and Africa said. | Russian channels went down in Serbia when the EU blocked its signal as part of a package of sanctions against Moscow in retaliation for its invasion…
(2022-03-04). Airbnb stops working in Russia. rt.com 
The home rental service is the latest foreign company to suspend operations in the country | American peer-to-peer lodging service Airbnb is putting its operations in Russia and Belarus on hold, the company's CEO Brian Chesky has said. | "Airbnb is suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus," Chesky announced in a tweet on Friday. | The US entrepreneur had a Ukrainian flag added to his name on Twitter, which suggests the move is likely a response to Russia's invasion of the country. | On Monday, Chesky said Airbnb was offering short-term housing for free to some 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. | Airbnb is sus…
(2022-03-04). Russia cancels space launch with OneWeb satellites. rt.com 
The scheduled deployment has been scrapped due to the political hostility over Ukraine | Russia has canceled the scheduled Friday launch of its Soyuz-2.1b rocket, after the London-headquartered company OneWeb, the owner of the payload, refused to provide additional legal guarantees that its satellites would not be used for military purposes. | The cancelation came as no surprise — on Thursday, OneWeb
(2022-03-04). Sanctions on tycoon's empire dropped except for yacht and jet. rt.com 
A special license has authorized transactions involving Alisher Usmanov's assets, except for his yacht and jet | The US Treasury has withdrawn businessman Alisher Usmanov's companies from sanctions lists, on the same day it imposed them, leaving only his superyacht and private aircraft blocked. | Announcing on March 3 that Usmanov had been put on the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)'s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list, the Treasury described Usmanov as an "affiliate" of Russian president Vladimir Putin and "one of Russia's wealthiest billionaires with vast holdings across multiple…
(2022-03-04). Russian MoD responds to Zaporozhskaya nuclear power station incident. rt.com 
The Russian military says Kiev staged "a horrible provocation" | The spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Defense, Major General Igor Konashenkov, issued an official statement on Friday morning concerning the shootout and fire that had occurred at Ukraine's Zaporozhskaya nuclear power plant earlier the same day. | "Last night, an attempt to carry out a horrible provocation was made by Kiev's nationalist regime on the area surrounding the station," he announced, claiming the Russian troops patrolling the territory had been attacked by a Ukrainian sabotage group. | According to the spokesman, the Ukrainian forc…
(2022-03-04). Russia criminalizes 'disinformation' about army. rt.com 
Moscow has also accused Washington of launching an information war over the conflict in Ukraine | Russian lawmakers have approved legislation that could see people put behind bars for up to 15 years if found guilty of peddling so-called false information about the actions of the army, amid Moscow's military operation in Ukraine. | On Friday, the lower chamber of Russia's parliament voted to introduce the law to heavily penalize citizens spreading fake allegations against the country's armed forces. | The chairman of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, weighed in on the move, insisting that it is needed "to pro…
(2022-03-04). Belarus reveals when its new constitution will take effect. rt.com 
According to the country's embattled president, its introduction 'will go down in the textbooks' | Minsk's revised constitution will take effect in mid-March, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has revealed, following a nationwide vote on the proposed changes. However, critics have warned that the amendments pave the way for the long-term leader to maintain his grip on power. | In a statement on Friday, the former Soviet Republic's veteran leader hailed the outcome of the referendum held on 27 February. According to the election commission, 65% of Belarusians who cast their ballots were in favor of the…
(2022-03-04). Russia unable to appeal Beijing Paralympic ban. rt.com 
Russian Paralympians are set to depart Beijing after being denied the right to compete at the 2022 Winter Games | Russian athletes will leave Beijing in the near future after officials said they would be unable to appeal against the decision to ban them from the 2022 Winter Paralympics. | The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced a reversal in its policy on Thursday, moving to suspend Russian and Belarusian athletes completely from the Beijing Games despite clearing them to compete as neutrals just one day previously. | In performing its U-turn, the IPC cited the threat of boycotts from other coun…
(2022-03-04). FIFA facing calls over transfers from Russia — reports. rt.com 
FIFA has been urged to provide a path for players to leave the Russian Premier League | Russian football could be set for the departure of a host of foreign players amid calls for FIFA to reopen the transfer window to allow stars a route out of the country should they wish to do so. | The Polish Football Association, which has been critical of Russian football infrastructure since the beginning of Moscow's military offensive in Ukraine, is
(2022-03-04). Granovskaia future under new Chelsea owners 'linked to Abramovich'. rt.com 
Groups interested in buying the club are said to be open to working with the Director known as 'the most powerful woman in football' | Hugely influential Chelsea Director Marina Granovskaia could retain her role at the Premier League giants if she cuts her ties to outgoing owner Roman Abramovich, reports have said amid claims that a group led by Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss could bid for the club as soon as Sunday. | Russian-Canadian businesswoman Granovskaia has been widely recognized as one of the key figures in Chelsea's immense success as one of Abramovich's most trusted colleagues since he took over in…
(2022-03-04). Russia reacts to US senator's Putin assassination plea. rt.com 
Senator Lindsey Graham's call for a plot to kill the Russian president is "unacceptable and outrageous," Russian ambassador to the US said | Republican Senator Lindsey Graham pleaded on Thursday for "somebody in Russia" to "step up to the plate" and assassinate President Vladimir Putin, and who would thus do the country and the world "a great service." The Russian ambassador to Washington has rebuked the remarks, calling them "unacceptable and outrageous." | The South Carolina senator advocated assassinating Putin during an appearance on Fox News, and cited historic examples of plots to kill famous political l…
(2022-03-04). Google takes new Russia measure. rt.com 
The search engine and related services like YouTube have suspended advertising over the Ukraine crisis | US tech giant Alphabet Inc, which owns the search engine Google and video hosting platform YouTube, has suspended all advertising in Russia, it said on Thursday, as reported by Reuters. | "In light of the extraordinary circumstances, we're pausing Google ads in Russia," the company said in a statement. "The situation is evolving quickly, and we will continue to share updates when appropriate." | The decision was taken after the Russian media regulator RKN ordered the firm to suspend ads that show "inaccurat…
(2022-03-04). Worried about nuclear war? You can actually do something to prevent it. juancole.com By Frida Berrigan | — ( Waging Nonviolence ) — Ukraine is on fire. Russia is using cluster and thermobaric bombs, targetting civilians, killing children in its invasion of the second largest country in Europe. Russian citizens are protesting the war, risking brutal treatment to hold signs and public space. Ukrainian citizens are resisting with …
(2022-03-04). Ukraine issues FIFA plea over World Cup match. rt.com 
Ukraine are due to play Scotland in a World Cup playoff match later in March | The Ukrainian football authorities have formally asked FIFA to postpone their World Cup playoff semifinal against Scotland, which is scheduled to be played in Glasgow later this month. | The Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) lodged the request with the global football governing body amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. | Ukraine are due to play Scotland at Hampden Park on March 24. Should the Ukrainians win, they would face either Wales or Austria on March 29 with a place at the 2022 Qatar World Cup at stake. | FIFA has conf…
(2022-03-04). Slovakia declares state of emergency as NATO troops, missiles due to arrive. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Slovak SpectatorMarch 3, 2022 Slovakia declares state of emergency, arrival of NATO troops confirmed Slovakia is deciding on the potential expulsion of Russian diplomats. The Foreign Ministry warns against travelling to Moldova and some regions of Belarus and Russia. A state of emergency applies in Slovakia as of noon on February 26. It was declared …
(2022-03-04). Iranian, Russian delegations hold bilateral meeting in Vienna. en.mehrnews.com The delegations of Iran and Russia held a bilateral meeting at Coburg Hotel in Austrian capital of Vienna on Thursday.
(2022-03-04). Russian Forces Secure Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Expand Control Zone Near Kyiv (Video). southfront.org 
In the morning of March 4, the Ukrainian authorities that remain in Zaporizhzhia Region confirmed that Russian forces have established control of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant located at the town of Enerdogdar. The Ukrainian side added that the plant is manned by local workers and the facility works without incidents. | Russian troops established control of the facility and secured it after a series of clashes with the Ukrainian Army and so-called territorial defense units. These units had positions just in the vicinity of the plant. This allowed Zelensky government to speculate that the Russian advance may en…
(2022-03-04). Film industry, festival officials join anti-Russian campaign: What are they signing up for? wsws.org Various global film industry and film festival officials have stumbled over themselves in recent days to join the anti-Russian hysteria.
(2022-03-04). French President Macron backs NATO war drive against Russia. wsws.org On Wednesday night, in a prime time address to the nation, Emmanuel Macron spoke on the rapidly escalating war between Russia and NATO's puppet regime in Ukraine.
(2022-03-04). 10 Questions about Russia, Ukraine and "World War III" dissidentvoice.org 
1. Wouldn't a new "Cold War" simply work wonders for Corporate America and keep that upward transfer of wealth thing going strong? 2. Could it be that the Russian Army is moving so "slowly" because it has no interest in destroying Ukraine but rather in transforming it into an intact puppet state? 3. Did you …
(2022-03-04). International censorship mounted against Russian state-affiliated media outlets. wsws.org A campaign of censorship against Russian state-backed media sources has been led by the European Union and embraced by tech companies, social media platforms and cable television providers.
(2022-03-04). Panama Canal Administration will not prevent passage of Russian ships — EFE. tass.com The Canal remains safe and open for peaceful transit of vessels of all nations on conditions of full equality either in peace time or in war time, it added…
(2022-03-04). Joe Biden's role in post-Cold War NATO expansion. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com The New RepublicMarch 3, 2022 The NATO Critics Who Predicted Russia's Belligerence See also: Biden's Real Ukraine Scandal: Regime Change and War Joe Biden was confident. "This, in fact, is the beginning of another 50 years of peace," he declared while serving as ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1998. The Delaware …
(2022-03-04). BBC, Deutsche Welle, and other websites restricted in Russia. rt.com 
The news outlets are being "limited" by the country's media regulator amid the conflict in Ukraine | Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor limited access to Radio Svoboda (Radio Liberty) and blocked the Meduza news outlet website on Friday morning, its registry of restricted internet resources shows. Both had been designated "foreign agents." Access to the websites of the German newspaper Deutsche Welle and BBC has also been restricted. | According to the watchdog, access was limited after a decision taken by Russia's general prosecutor in accordance with regulations to limit websites that contain "appeals for…
(2022-03-04). Humanitarian aid from Russia arrive in the Kharkiv region. ecns.cn Over 30 tons of humanitarian aid have been delivered to residents of Ukraine from the Belgorod region on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
(2022-03-04). UK could struggle to sanction Russian 'oligarchs' — media. rt.com 
Punitive measures could take "weeks and months," according to The Times | Russia's wealthiest tycoons may not be hit immediately by British embargos, a media report has claimed, alleging that the government has been unable to build a substantive case against them. | In a report published by The Times on Thursday, it was alleged that the Foreign Office and National Crime Agency have so far failed to mount "reasonable grounds" for targeting the most influential moguls, such as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, with sanctions because "they have struggled to link their finances to" Russian President Vladimir Putin.
(2022-03-04). Declara»õia PSL privind interven»õia militarƒÉ a Rusiei àÆn Ucraina. liberationnews.org 
Amenin»õarea rƒÉzboiului poate fi àÆnvinsƒÉ doar prin solidaritatea interna»õionalƒÉ àÆntre popoarele lumii »ôi printr-o luptƒÉ hotƒÉrâtƒÉ àÆmpotriva imperialismului american, care trebuie sƒÉ impunƒÉ abolirea NATO. FƒÉrƒÉ rƒÉzboi cu Rusia!
(2022-03-04). Biden Considering Sanctions on India Over Its Russian Weapons. news.antiwar.com The Biden administration is Donald Lu, the assistant secretary of State for South Asian affairs, said the US might sanction India under the Countering American Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which was passed in 2017. | The CAATSA allows the president to impose sanctions over the transfer of Russian military equipment and was used by the T…
(2022-03-04). Born of NATO's first war: Kosovo to apply for membership in the bloc. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com ReutersMarch 3, 2022 Kosovo parliament urges government to start NATO membership bid Kosovo's parliament approved a resolution on Thursday asking the government to start negotiations on NATO membership following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Kosovo has been guarded by NATO troops since 1999 when a war between ethnic Albanians and Serb forces ended, but the country …
(2022-03-04). War In Ukraine Day 8: Russian Forces Make More Gains In Southeast Amid Stalemate Near Kharkiv (Videos). southfront.org 
On March 3, clashes between the Russian Armed Forces and the Ukrainian military was reported to the west of Kyiv….
(2022-03-04). Headlines for March 4, 2022. democracynow.org Russia Accused of "Nuclear Terror" for Shelling Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Putin Says Russia's Invasion Is Going as Planned; Macron Says "Worst Is Yet to Come", Ukrainian Camera Operator Killed in Russian Strike on TV Tower ID'd as Yevhenii Sakun, Russia Forces Independent Radio and TV Broadcasters Off Air over Coverage of Ukraine, ICC Investigators Head to Ukraine as U.N. Rights Council Condemns Russian Invasion, Biden Admin Grants Protected Status to Ukrainian Immigrants, Halts Deportation Flights, Lawmakers Propose U.S. Ban on Imports of Russian Fossil Fuels, Youth Cl…
(2022-03-04). Russian Defense Ministry summons Croatian defense attaché over mercenaries in Ukraine. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com InterfaxMarch 3, 2022 Croatian defense attaché summoned to Russian Defense Ministry over arrival of 200 mercenaries in Ukraine The defense attaché of the Croatian embassy to Russia was summoned to the Russian Defense Ministry on Thursday to be informed of the arrival of about 200 mercenaries in Ukraine, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said. …
(2022-03-04). Ukraine says Russia taken control of Zaporizhzhia Plant. en.mehrnews.com It's another heavy day into the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as media reported early Friday that Europe's largest nuclear power plant Zaporizhzhia has been faced shelling and subsequently caught fire.
(2022-03-04). Russian Environmentalist Speaks Out on Putin's Attack on Antiwar Protesters & Independent Media. democracynow.org 
As the Russian military escalates its invasion in Ukraine, Russian police are cracking down on antiwar protesters at home, arresting more than 8,000 over the past eight days. Meanwhile, Russia's lower house of parliament has passed a new law to criminalize the distribution of what the state considers to be "false news" about military operations, and remaining independent news outlets in the country are shutting down under pressure from the authorities. We speak with Vladimir Slivyak, co-chair for the leading Russian environmental organization Ecodefense, who won the 2021 Right Livelihood Award […
(2022-03-04). Russia's Unprecedented Shelling of Ukrainian Nuclear Plant Raises Fears of Another Chernobyl. democracynow.org 
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of "nuclear terror" after Russian forces shelled and subsequently set on fire the largest nuclear power plant in Europe on Friday morning. The fire at the Zaporizhzhia plant burned for hours but reportedly did not spread to any of the plant's six reactors before the Russians ultimately seized the site. Ukraine heavily relies on nuclear power, with 15 active nuclear power reactors across the country. Targeting any of these reactors — or even deactivated reactors at Chernobyl — could result in a catastrophic nuclear radiat…
(2022-03-04). Ukrainian American Journalist: Putin's Unjust War Is Emboldening Ukraine's Far-Right Movement. democracynow.org 
We speak with Ukrainian American journalist Lev Golinkin about the rise of the far right in Ukraine. Golinkin says Russian bombing of the sacred Jewish site of Babi Yar disproves Putin's claims that the invasion is about "denazification," and attacks on cities in eastern Ukraine show he does not care about Russian-speaking Ukrainians either. He also speaks about the neo-Nazi presence within his home country, saying, "Ukraine's far right is the primary benefactor on the Ukraine side of this war because they now get to attract people from all over the world, and they get to be seen as…
(2022-03-04). Sanctions against Russia to be canceled if it stops operation in Ukraine-official. tass.com The sanctions will end if Putin ends this war, and helps rebuild Ukraine and reestablishes peace and recognizes the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity and right to exist, Nuland said…
(2022-03-04). U.S., Russia establish military hotline to prevent miscalculation. ecns.cn The United States and Russia have established a military hotline aimed at preventing miscalculation during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine military conflict, U.S. media outlets reported Thursday.
(2022-03-04). German Left Party backs war drive against Russia. wsws.org The Left Party plays a key role in implementing aggressive German military policy by cloaking it in peace-loving slogans to slip it past enormous popular opposition to war.
(2022-03-04). The Truth Behind The Crisis in Ukraine. US "Covert Manipulation" and the Resurging Cold War. globalresearch.ca Important article first published by Global Research on March 14, 2014, in the immediate wake of EuroMaidan. | Provides a broad understanding of the history of the Ukraine crisis. Today, the dangers of military escalation are beyond description. | What is …
(2022-03-04). "In a Nuclear War the Collateral Damage would be the Life of All Humanity". Fidel Castro. globalresearch.ca Let us have the courage to proclaim that all nuclear or conventional weapons, everything that is used to make war, must disappear!" Fidel Castro…
(2022-03-04). Iran Deal Could Offer Relief for Surging Oil Prices. news.antiwar.com The war in Ukraine has seen the price of oil rising precipitously, with WTI crude prices up to $115 per barrel, the highest since 2008. Analysts warn the price could get worse as the fighting continues unresolved. | Fortunately, there is a potential fix on the horizon. An increase in supply would calm prices, and reaching the Iran nuclear deal That'd be a win-win for the deal, giving Iran much-needed sales at a time when the world…
(2022-03-04). India aims to rival China in quantum computing. asiatimes.com 
With a wary eye toward China, India is investing in quantum technology to gain a computing and information edge. Last month, Indian scientists from the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi successfully demonstrated a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) link for more than 100 kilometers between Prayagraj and …
(2022-03-04). As Tube strikes throw London into chaos, Labour and Tory MPs denounce RMT as "Putin stooges" wsws.org The McCarthyite attacks are part of efforts to brand all industrial action as treason in time of war.