With Russia's war in Ukraine into its second month, Putin's forces have continued to pound towns and cities from afar as Moscow's military offensive stalls in the face of strong Ukrainian resistance.
Millions have fled their homes, creating Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II. Thousands of civilians and military personnel have been killed, and the Russian bombardments have left widespread devastation.
The Russian invasion has caused political and shockwaves around the world, deepening the rupture between Moscow and the West.
Read more at:
Ukraine: Putin 'misled' by advisers on war and sanctions impact, says US intelligence | Euronews
3/30/22
3/29/22
Britain: 'Partygate': Renewed calls for Johnson to quit as police recommend 20 COVID rule breach fines
Johnson’s government was shaken by public anger over revelations that his staff held “bring your own booze” office parties, birthday celebrations and “wine time Fridays” in 2020 and 2021 while millions in Britain were barred from meeting with friends and family because of his government’s COVID-19 restrictions. Thousands of people were fined by police for rule-breaking social gatherings.
Johnson has denied any wrongdoing, but he is alleged to have been at several of the dozen events in his 10 Downing St. office and other government buildings that are being investigated by the police. He has acknowledged attending a “bring your own booze” party in the Downing Street garden in May 2020 during the first lockdown, but insisted he believed it would be a work event.
In January, civil servant Sue Gray published a report into some of the gatherings, the ones not under criminal investigation. She said “failures of leadership and judgment” in Johnson's government allowed events to occur that should not have happened.
Read more at: 'Partygate': Renewed calls for Johnson to quit as police recommend 20 COVID rule breach fines | Euronews
Johnson has denied any wrongdoing, but he is alleged to have been at several of the dozen events in his 10 Downing St. office and other government buildings that are being investigated by the police. He has acknowledged attending a “bring your own booze” party in the Downing Street garden in May 2020 during the first lockdown, but insisted he believed it would be a work event.
In January, civil servant Sue Gray published a report into some of the gatherings, the ones not under criminal investigation. She said “failures of leadership and judgment” in Johnson's government allowed events to occur that should not have happened.
Read more at: 'Partygate': Renewed calls for Johnson to quit as police recommend 20 COVID rule breach fines | Euronews
Ukraine Invasion by Russia: Novaya Gazeta: Leading Russian independent newspaper shuts down after warnings
One of the last independent news outlets in Russia has announced it's closing down while the war in Ukraine is ongoing.
Novaya Gazeta said in a statement that they had received two warnings from Russian press watchdog Roskomnadzor, which put their operating license at risk, so they had decided to suspend activities.
The move comes at a time when Russian authorities are stepping up their pressure against critical and independent voices.
Read more at: https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/28/leading-russian-independent-newspaper-shuts-down-after-warnings-over-war-in-ukraine
Novaya Gazeta said in a statement that they had received two warnings from Russian press watchdog Roskomnadzor, which put their operating license at risk, so they had decided to suspend activities.
The move comes at a time when Russian authorities are stepping up their pressure against critical and independent voices.
Read more at: https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/28/leading-russian-independent-newspaper-shuts-down-after-warnings-over-war-in-ukraine
3/28/22
Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Fear of provoking Putin is leading the Western world toward disaster.
The conventional wisdom in Washington is that NATO should refrain from enforcing a No-Fly Zone over Ukraine due to the risk of an all-out NATO-Russia war. This view reflects a decades-long misunderstanding of both Russia and Ukraine, and is mired in appeasement thinking. While the window to impose a No-Fly Zone has likely closed, there are still alternatives that could work. The West should implement them without delay.
After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, the US hastily abandoned the post-Soviet world and moved on to other international challenges. Ironically, this disinvestment meant that it stopped maintaining and developing the very expertise that had allowed America to triumph over the USSR in the first place.
Over the intervening three decades, appeasement has replaced expertise. Whether it was Russia’s brutal wars in Chechnya, the 2008 war with Georgia, or the 2014 invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine, the West’s approach has frequently been shaped by fear of provoking an already aggrieved Russia.
This has led the West to misread Putin’s Russia again and again. It also caused Western leaders to misinterpret developments in Ukraine. We overestimate Putin and underestimate Ukraine due to limited understanding of the fast-changing dynamics in the post-Soviet region.
Read more at Fear of provoking Putin is leading the Western world toward disaster - Atlantic Council
After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, the US hastily abandoned the post-Soviet world and moved on to other international challenges. Ironically, this disinvestment meant that it stopped maintaining and developing the very expertise that had allowed America to triumph over the USSR in the first place.
Over the intervening three decades, appeasement has replaced expertise. Whether it was Russia’s brutal wars in Chechnya, the 2008 war with Georgia, or the 2014 invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine, the West’s approach has frequently been shaped by fear of provoking an already aggrieved Russia.
This has led the West to misread Putin’s Russia again and again. It also caused Western leaders to misinterpret developments in Ukraine. We overestimate Putin and underestimate Ukraine due to limited understanding of the fast-changing dynamics in the post-Soviet region.
Read more at Fear of provoking Putin is leading the Western world toward disaster - Atlantic Council
Russia and failed Ukraine invasion: Moscow protester says 'no future' for Russia under Putin as anger grows
Tens of thousands of people around the world have taken to the streets over the last week to protest against the Russian tyrant's unprovoked attack on Ukraine. In Russia, citizens in cities spanning from Moscow to Siberia have defied threats of arrest to send their leader a clear message - "No to War" - in a series of recent demonstrations. Despite the peaceful nature of the protests, many people ended up being arrested and detained by Russian police.
Read more at Russia news: Moscow protester says 'no future' for Russia under Putin as anger grows | World | News | Express.co.uk
Read more at Russia news: Moscow protester says 'no future' for Russia under Putin as anger grows | World | News | Express.co.uk
China - corona virus outbreak:Shanghai Covid: China announces largest city-wide lockdown
China has announced its biggest city-wide lockdown since the Covid outbreak began more than two years ago.
The city of Shanghai will be locked down in two stages over nine days while authorities carry out Covid-19 testing.
The important financial hub has battled a new wave of infections for nearly a month, although case numbers are not high by some international standards.
Read more at: Shanghai Covid: China announces largest city-wide lockdown - BBC News
The city of Shanghai will be locked down in two stages over nine days while authorities carry out Covid-19 testing.
The important financial hub has battled a new wave of infections for nearly a month, although case numbers are not high by some international standards.
Read more at: Shanghai Covid: China announces largest city-wide lockdown - BBC News
Russia Invasion of Ukraine: Is the Ukraine war weakening Putin’s position in Russia?
The Russian president enjoys a solid level of support among legislators, as evidenced by a recent vote days before the war began to recognise the separatist, self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhan
At the same time, Putin’s United Russia party has been accused of vote-rigging, keeping him in power for more than 20 years.
Read more at: Is the Ukraine war weakening Putin’s position in Russia? | Russia-Ukraine war News | Al Jazeera
At the same time, Putin’s United Russia party has been accused of vote-rigging, keeping him in power for more than 20 years.
Read more at: Is the Ukraine war weakening Putin’s position in Russia? | Russia-Ukraine war News | Al Jazeera
3/27/22
Ukraine Russian Invasion: Biden can't decide who'll be in power in Russia
The Kremlin dismissed a remark by US President Biden that Putin "cannot remain in power," saying it was up to Russians to choose their own president.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Reuters: "That's not for Biden to decide. The president of Russia is elected by Russians."
Peskov did not immediately respond to a follow-up request for reaction to the White House clarification.
Read more at: Live blog: Biden can't decide who'll be in power in Russia — Kremlin
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Reuters: "That's not for Biden to decide. The president of Russia is elected by Russians."
Peskov did not immediately respond to a follow-up request for reaction to the White House clarification.
Read more at: Live blog: Biden can't decide who'll be in power in Russia — Kremlin
3/26/22
EU Tourism: Spectacular train journeys in Europe to put on your bucket list in 2022 - byJessica Vincent
With a rail network that spans hundreds of thousands of kilometres, Europe is one of the world’s most diverse and accessible train travel destinations.
From five-star luxury sleepers in Spain to 100-year-old rail routes in Slovenia, we pick the continent’s most spectacular train journeys for your next European rail adventure.
Read more at: Spectacular train journeys in Europe to put on your bucket list in 2022 | Euronews
From five-star luxury sleepers in Spain to 100-year-old rail routes in Slovenia, we pick the continent’s most spectacular train journeys for your next European rail adventure.
Read more at: Spectacular train journeys in Europe to put on your bucket list in 2022 | Euronews
3/25/22
Ukraine Russian Invsion: As Russia bans Facebook and Instagram, what alternatives will Russian social media users turn to?
As the war in Ukraine enters its second month, hundreds of news outlets and social networks have vanished from the Russian web amid efforts to crack down on domestic dissent over the conflict.
Earlier this week, a Russian court found Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, guilty of “extremist” activity related to the company’s earlier announcement that it would permit messages urging violence against Vladimir Putin and Russian troops in Ukraine.
Meta has since narrowed the scope of the guidance, saying it would prohibit calls for the death of a head of state.
Read more at: As Russia bans Facebook and Instagram, what alternatives will Russian social media users turn to? | Euronews
Earlier this week, a Russian court found Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, guilty of “extremist” activity related to the company’s earlier announcement that it would permit messages urging violence against Vladimir Putin and Russian troops in Ukraine.
Meta has since narrowed the scope of the guidance, saying it would prohibit calls for the death of a head of state.
Read more at: As Russia bans Facebook and Instagram, what alternatives will Russian social media users turn to? | Euronews
British Royal Family - the party is over: Perfect storm’: royals misjudged Caribbean tour, say criticsn
It was supposed to be a visit to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee – a chance to present the modern
But it really didn’t turn out that way.
When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge end their week-long tour of the Caribbean on Saturday, they will report back that the tour may have accelerated moves to ditch the Queen as the head of state.
Read more at: ‘Perfect storm’: royals misjudged Caribbean tour, say critics | Monarchy | The Guardian
But it really didn’t turn out that way.
When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge end their week-long tour of the Caribbean on Saturday, they will report back that the tour may have accelerated moves to ditch the Queen as the head of state.
Read more at: ‘Perfect storm’: royals misjudged Caribbean tour, say critics | Monarchy | The Guardian
3/24/22
EU Meeting Ukraine: 'You're playing a game with me': Biden says sanctions were NEVER meant to deter 'brute' Putin, will last a year, and promises US will respond 'in kind' if he uses chemical weapons in tense exchange in Brussels
President Joe Biden said new sanctions on Russia were about 'increasing the pain' on Russian President Vladimir Putin – whom he termed a 'brute' during a tense exchange with a reporter at a press conference in Brussels Thursday.
He also said that new sanctions on Russia, which have been increasing by the day, are here to stay, but insisted they were never meant to 'deter' Putin.
'The single most important thing is for us to stay unified,' Biden said when asked by a reporter who said the threat of sanctions had failed to deter Putin from invading Ukraine
Read more at: .https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10649093/Biden-speaks-meeting-NATO-European-leaders.html
He also said that new sanctions on Russia, which have been increasing by the day, are here to stay, but insisted they were never meant to 'deter' Putin.
'The single most important thing is for us to stay unified,' Biden said when asked by a reporter who said the threat of sanctions had failed to deter Putin from invading Ukraine
Read more at: .https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10649093/Biden-speaks-meeting-NATO-European-leaders.html
Ukraine: Humanitarian work comes from many sources. - by joel brown
Many missionaries have left Ukraine. Most have left their cities, gotten their families to safety, and are actively involved with the rescue and relief effort.
They are at the borders helping refugees. They are coming back to rescue people. They are coordinating with people all over the world.
Some are shell-shocked and have returned to their home countries. I don’t blame anyone for leaving.
Read more at: Staying To Serve The “Least Of These” – even in War – Living Water UA
They are at the borders helping refugees. They are coming back to rescue people. They are coordinating with people all over the world.
Some are shell-shocked and have returned to their home countries. I don’t blame anyone for leaving.
Read more at: Staying To Serve The “Least Of These” – even in War – Living Water UA
3/23/22
Coronavirus -EU and USA: BA.2 coronavirus variant detected in Louisville waste water
An extra-contagious version of the omicron variant that has been rising in parts of Europe and Asia has now been detected in Louisville.
According to Louisville Metro Health, the new variant BA.2 has been found in wastewater. Advertisement
BA.2 has caused about 35% of cases in the U.S. last week, up from 22% the week before, according to new estimates from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which were posted on Tuesday.
Read more at: BA.2 coronavirus variant detected in Louisville waste water
According to Louisville Metro Health, the new variant BA.2 has been found in wastewater. Advertisement
BA.2 has caused about 35% of cases in the U.S. last week, up from 22% the week before, according to new estimates from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which were posted on Tuesday.
Read more at: BA.2 coronavirus variant detected in Louisville waste water
EU-Turkey Relations: Turkey's Erdogan asks EU to relaunch membership negotiations
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday asked the European Union to relaunch talks for Ankara to eventually become an EU member, on the eve of a summit focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"We expect the EU to open quickly the chapters of the membership negotiations and to start negotiations on a customs union without yielding to cynical calculations," Erdogan said after talks with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
The Turkish president's comments come as Ankara has emerged as a pivotal player in the war in Ukraine, reviving its place in institutions like Nato after years of tensions with western states.
Last month Turkey invoked the 1936 Montreux Convention to close the Bosporus straight to foreign battleships. It has also sold armed drones to Ukraine and is attempting to mediate an end to the fighting between Kyiv and Moscow.
Read more at: Turkey's Erdogan asks EU to relaunch membership negotiations | Middle East Eye
"We expect the EU to open quickly the chapters of the membership negotiations and to start negotiations on a customs union without yielding to cynical calculations," Erdogan said after talks with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
The Turkish president's comments come as Ankara has emerged as a pivotal player in the war in Ukraine, reviving its place in institutions like Nato after years of tensions with western states.
Last month Turkey invoked the 1936 Montreux Convention to close the Bosporus straight to foreign battleships. It has also sold armed drones to Ukraine and is attempting to mediate an end to the fighting between Kyiv and Moscow.
Read more at: Turkey's Erdogan asks EU to relaunch membership negotiations | Middle East Eye
RUSSIA: Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine War can end in only two ways: Genocide or defeat - By Peter Dickinson
Despite detailed advance warnings of Vladimir Putin’s plans for a major war in Ukraine, many observers remained in denial until the very last minute over the possibility of a full-scale Russian invasion. With the war now entering its second month, this sense of disbelief lingers on and is now preventing the international community from grasping the full gravity of the situation in Ukraine.
While Western politicians and commentators continue to discuss off-ramps and compromise settlements, few in Moscow are under any such illusions. Those close to Putin understand that he views the current conflict as a holy war and has long since passed the point of no return. The Russian ruler will settle for nothing less than the complete subjugation of Ukraine or the country’s destruction.
The terrifying scale of Putin’s war aims in Ukraine may seem unthinkable to most rational outside observers, but they make perfect sense when viewed through the prism of his toxic worldview.
READ MORE AT: Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine War can end in only two ways: Genocide or defeat - Atlantic Council
While Western politicians and commentators continue to discuss off-ramps and compromise settlements, few in Moscow are under any such illusions. Those close to Putin understand that he views the current conflict as a holy war and has long since passed the point of no return. The Russian ruler will settle for nothing less than the complete subjugation of Ukraine or the country’s destruction.
The terrifying scale of Putin’s war aims in Ukraine may seem unthinkable to most rational outside observers, but they make perfect sense when viewed through the prism of his toxic worldview.
READ MORE AT: Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine War can end in only two ways: Genocide or defeat - Atlantic Council
Ukraine: In English-language plea, Zelensky urges protests around the world against Russia
Speaking on the eve of the NATO summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy callson the alliance to provide “effective and unrestricted” support to Ukraine, including any weapons the country needs to fend off the Russian invasion.
“We ask that the alliance declare that it will fully assist Ukraine to win this war, clear our territory of the invaders and restore peace in Ukraine,” he says during his nightly video address to the nation.
Read more at:In English-language plea, Zelensky urges protests around the world against Russia | The Times of Israel
“We ask that the alliance declare that it will fully assist Ukraine to win this war, clear our territory of the invaders and restore peace in Ukraine,” he says during his nightly video address to the nation.
Read more at:In English-language plea, Zelensky urges protests around the world against Russia | The Times of Israel
Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Biden heads to high-stakes NATO summit amid showdown with Putin over Ukraine
President Joe Biden headed to Europe Wednesday as he tries to keep NATO allies and other European partners united against Russian President Vladimir Putin and his invasion of Ukraine.
With fighting lasting nearly a month -- and Ukrainian forces unexpectedly holding Russia to a standoff -- Biden and other world leaders will seek to speed an end to the conflict.
Read more at: Biden heads to high-stakes NATO summit amid showdown with Putin over Ukraine - ABC News
With fighting lasting nearly a month -- and Ukrainian forces unexpectedly holding Russia to a standoff -- Biden and other world leaders will seek to speed an end to the conflict.
Read more at: Biden heads to high-stakes NATO summit amid showdown with Putin over Ukraine - ABC News
3/22/22
Russian Invasion of Ukraine: How a network of enablers have helped Russia’s oligarchs hide their wealth abroad
So who are the enablers of the offshore system? They range from global law firms, like Baker McKenzie, an architect of the modern tax avoidance system, to tiny one-person operators working from Bermuda.
Here is a selection of facilitators, offshore agents and banks that ICIJ has identified as aiding Russia’s elite move and hide money. Facilitators
Firms and individuals who have set up or used opaque financial structures for Russian elites
Alastair Tulloch: Tulloch & Co., run by the British attorney Alastair Tulloch, is situated in a posh district in London, one of the most well-known destinations for elite Russian wealth. ICIJ’s Pandora Papers investigation reported that Tulloch’s firm structured networks of companies for former Russian Deputy Finance Minister Andrey Vavilov; Alexander Mamut, a billionaire oligarch and political insider; and Vitaly Zhogin, a banker wanted in Russia for alleged fraud. Tulloch used offshore services provider Trident Trust to arrange for their assets to be transferred to shell companies registered in the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus and the Bahamas. Tulloch did not respond to requests for comment.
Read more at: How a network of enablers have helped Russia’s oligarchs hide their wealth abroad - ICIJ
Here is a selection of facilitators, offshore agents and banks that ICIJ has identified as aiding Russia’s elite move and hide money. Facilitators
Firms and individuals who have set up or used opaque financial structures for Russian elites
Alastair Tulloch: Tulloch & Co., run by the British attorney Alastair Tulloch, is situated in a posh district in London, one of the most well-known destinations for elite Russian wealth. ICIJ’s Pandora Papers investigation reported that Tulloch’s firm structured networks of companies for former Russian Deputy Finance Minister Andrey Vavilov; Alexander Mamut, a billionaire oligarch and political insider; and Vitaly Zhogin, a banker wanted in Russia for alleged fraud. Tulloch used offshore services provider Trident Trust to arrange for their assets to be transferred to shell companies registered in the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus and the Bahamas. Tulloch did not respond to requests for comment.
Read more at: How a network of enablers have helped Russia’s oligarchs hide their wealth abroad - ICIJ
3/21/22
Ukraine war: Time to shift strategies: We must do more to aid Ukraine - "give terrorist Putin an ultimatum to declare cease-fire or else"
War is dynamic, a contest of wills between warring parties, each of which is fighting to achieve its political objectives and thwart its enemy. War reveals vulnerabilities not apparent when it begins, and opportunities absent at the start. Momentum shifts. Strategies should shift accordingly. This is where we are with the war in Ukraine today.
When Russian President Vladimir Putin started his illegal war to conquer and subjugate Ukraine, in his mind, Russia would quickly defeat the Ukrainian military and, thereby, the nation’s will to fight. That didn’t happen. Ukraine resisted, showing weaknesses in the Russian military machine. And global sanctions reduced Russia’s ability to fund the war. The result: stalemate. Russia has lost tactical momentum. Now Ukraine must seize it.
Two opportunities emerged. The stalemate allowed Ukraine to go on the offensive — local counterattacks and maybe a more general counter-offensive. And it provided an opportunity for the Allies to shift strategy.
Read more at: https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/598908-time-to-shift-strategies-we-must-do-more-to-aid-ukraine
When Russian President Vladimir Putin started his illegal war to conquer and subjugate Ukraine, in his mind, Russia would quickly defeat the Ukrainian military and, thereby, the nation’s will to fight. That didn’t happen. Ukraine resisted, showing weaknesses in the Russian military machine. And global sanctions reduced Russia’s ability to fund the war. The result: stalemate. Russia has lost tactical momentum. Now Ukraine must seize it.
Two opportunities emerged. The stalemate allowed Ukraine to go on the offensive — local counterattacks and maybe a more general counter-offensive. And it provided an opportunity for the Allies to shift strategy.
Read more at: https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/598908-time-to-shift-strategies-we-must-do-more-to-aid-ukraine
3/19/22
Russian Invasion Ukraine: Russian - Anti War Protest: cosmonauts on International Space Station mission arrive wearing Ukraine yellow and blue
Three Russian cosmonauts on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) emerged from their Soyuz capsule on Friday wearing the colours of the Ukraine flag.
The manned mission to the ISS is the first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
< The Soyuz spacecraft carrying Commander Oleg Artemyev and fellow cosmonauts flight engineers Sergey Korsakov and Denis Matveev - the first all-Russian crew in 22 years - docked with the ISS three hours after blasting off from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Friday evening.
Read more at: Russian cosmonauts on International Space Station mission arrive wearing Ukraine yellow and blue | Euronews
The manned mission to the ISS is the first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
< The Soyuz spacecraft carrying Commander Oleg Artemyev and fellow cosmonauts flight engineers Sergey Korsakov and Denis Matveev - the first all-Russian crew in 22 years - docked with the ISS three hours after blasting off from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Friday evening.
Read more at: Russian cosmonauts on International Space Station mission arrive wearing Ukraine yellow and blue | Euronews
Ukraine Russian Invasion: Biden is walking a tightrope with Ukraine. What’s his next step? by Christopher S Chivvis
America and Europe’s response to the war is already unprecedented in military, economic and political terms – what should they do now?
The United States and its allies need to strike a balance between making Putin’s appalling invasion in Ukraine as costly as possible, while avoiding uncontrolled escalation that could lead to a much broader and more dangerous war. So far, the White House has managed to walk this tightrope, but it’s almost certain to grow harder the longer the war goes on, as Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s impassioned address to the US Congress on Wednesday demonstrated.
Naturally, for the Ukrainian president, the more involved Nato gets, the better. Ukraine’s chances of repelling the Russian invaders on the battlefield may be slim, but with luck and the world’s support, there’s still hope that he will survive long enough that Putin has no alternative but to negotiate an end to war that leaves Ukraine’s sovereignty intact. Right now, this seems like the best of any realistic outcome.
Read more at: Biden is walking a tightrope with Ukraine. What’s his next step? | Christopher S Chivvis | The Guardian
The United States and its allies need to strike a balance between making Putin’s appalling invasion in Ukraine as costly as possible, while avoiding uncontrolled escalation that could lead to a much broader and more dangerous war. So far, the White House has managed to walk this tightrope, but it’s almost certain to grow harder the longer the war goes on, as Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s impassioned address to the US Congress on Wednesday demonstrated.
Naturally, for the Ukrainian president, the more involved Nato gets, the better. Ukraine’s chances of repelling the Russian invaders on the battlefield may be slim, but with luck and the world’s support, there’s still hope that he will survive long enough that Putin has no alternative but to negotiate an end to war that leaves Ukraine’s sovereignty intact. Right now, this seems like the best of any realistic outcome.
Read more at: Biden is walking a tightrope with Ukraine. What’s his next step? | Christopher S Chivvis | The Guardian
3/17/22
Russia: Putin passes law to let Russian airlines take over foreign-owned planes
Russia has paved the way for domestic airlines to appropriate hundreds of foreign-owned planes trapped in the country, after foreign registries suspended certification of planes leased by Russian airlines.
Russian airlines currently operate about 515 foreign-owned planes, with a total of around $10 billion. Airlines often lease planes from foreign owners to expand capacity quickly without needing to raise the capital to buy planes themselves. But due to sanctions imposed by the EU, foreign jet lessors are being forced to cancel contracts with Russian airlines.
After nullifying contracts, however, jet lessors have few means to get their planes back from Russia—and even less chance of doing so following Russia President Vladimir Putin’s latest maneuver.
On Monday, the Kremlin passed a law that allows domestic airlines to register foreign-owned planes in Russia, creating a veil of legality for domestic operators to continue flying foreign-owned aircraft after jet lessors cancel their contracts. The government will also grant airworthiness certificates to foreign-owned planes, which certify that a plane has been fully maintained and is fit to fly.
Read more at: Putin passes law to let Russian airlines take over foreign-owned planes | Fortune
Russian airlines currently operate about 515 foreign-owned planes, with a total of around $10 billion. Airlines often lease planes from foreign owners to expand capacity quickly without needing to raise the capital to buy planes themselves. But due to sanctions imposed by the EU, foreign jet lessors are being forced to cancel contracts with Russian airlines.
After nullifying contracts, however, jet lessors have few means to get their planes back from Russia—and even less chance of doing so following Russia President Vladimir Putin’s latest maneuver.
On Monday, the Kremlin passed a law that allows domestic airlines to register foreign-owned planes in Russia, creating a veil of legality for domestic operators to continue flying foreign-owned aircraft after jet lessors cancel their contracts. The government will also grant airworthiness certificates to foreign-owned planes, which certify that a plane has been fully maintained and is fit to fly.
Read more at: Putin passes law to let Russian airlines take over foreign-owned planes | Fortune
Ukraine War: updates on the developments following the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine
Joe Biden and Xi Jinping to speak for first time since war began; UK military intelligence says logistics and counterattacks hampering Russian advance
Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 23 of the invasion
Six countries including UK accuse Russia of war crimes
Survivors leaving basement of Mariupol theatre, say officials
No peace deal without Moscow ceasefire, says Kyiv
Read more at Mayor of Melitopol released after abduction - as it happened | World news | The Guardian
Read more at Mayor of Melitopol released after abduction - as it happened | World news | The Guardian
3/16/22
Ukraine war: Putin warns of pro-Western 'traitors' in Russia, references 'self-cleansing' of country
Russian President Vladimir Putin, seen in Moscow last week while chairing a teleconference meeting, on Wednesday issued a warning to Russians he described as traitors and said the West wanted to try to use them as a 'fifth column' to destroy the country. (Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/Kremlin/The Associated Press)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday delivered a stark warning to Russian "traitors" who he said the West wanted to use as a "fifth column" to destroy the country.
The Kremlin leader assailed Russians who he said were more mentally in tune with the West than Russia and said the Russian people would quickly be able to tell the difference between traitors and patriots.
Read more at: Putin warns of pro-Western 'traitors' in Russia, references 'self-cleansing' of country | CBC News
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday delivered a stark warning to Russian "traitors" who he said the West wanted to use as a "fifth column" to destroy the country.
The Kremlin leader assailed Russians who he said were more mentally in tune with the West than Russia and said the Russian people would quickly be able to tell the difference between traitors and patriots.
Read more at: Putin warns of pro-Western 'traitors' in Russia, references 'self-cleansing' of country | CBC News
The Ukraine crisis: how to respond? by : Mary Kaldor
Ukraine. It has recognised as independent the eastern republics of Donetsk and Luhansk and is preparing to send troops there.
Russia did the same thing in Georgia—recognising the republics of Abkhazia and Ossetia, dispatching troops and issuing Russian passports to the inhabitants. It has also illegally annexed Crimea. There are likely to be more military clashes on the border with the Ukrainian-controlled parts of eastern Ukraine and further incursions. Even a full-scale conventional invasion seems possible.
Up to now, conventional war has not been the style of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. The Russians have previously talked about a ‘new type of warfare’ or ‘non-linear war’, which involves special forces, local militias and what they call ‘political technology’—for example, cyberwar or disinformation campaigns on ‘social media’. These have all present in the Donbass region.
Ukraine. It has recognised as independent the eastern republics of Donetsk and Luhansk and is preparing to send troops there.
Russia did the same thing in Georgia—recognising the republics of Abkhazia and Ossetia, dispatching troops and issuing Russian passports to the inhabitants. It has also illegally annexed Crimea. There are likely to be more military clashes on the border with the Ukrainian-controlled parts of eastern Ukraine and further incursions. Even a full-scale conventional invasion seems possible.
Up to now, conventional war has not been the style of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. The Russians have previously talked about a ‘new type of warfare’ or ‘non-linear war’, which involves special forces, local militias and what they call ‘political technology’—for example, cyberwar or disinformation campaigns on ‘social media’. These have all present in the Donbass region.
Read more at: The Ukraine crisis: how to respond? – Mary Kaldor
Russia did the same thing in Georgia—recognising the republics of Abkhazia and Ossetia, dispatching troops and issuing Russian passports to the inhabitants. It has also illegally annexed Crimea. There are likely to be more military clashes on the border with the Ukrainian-controlled parts of eastern Ukraine and further incursions. Even a full-scale conventional invasion seems possible.
Up to now, conventional war has not been the style of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. The Russians have previously talked about a ‘new type of warfare’ or ‘non-linear war’, which involves special forces, local militias and what they call ‘political technology’—for example, cyberwar or disinformation campaigns on ‘social media’. These have all present in the Donbass region.
Read more at: The Ukraine crisis: how to respond? – Mary Kaldor
3/15/22
Ukraine War: Biden to join NATO leaders in Brussels and attend European Council summit next week amid Ukraine war
President Joe Biden will travel to Europe next week to meet with world leaders and discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.
The President will travel to Brussels, Belgium, to participate in a NATO summit on March 24 and will also join a European Council meeting, Psaki told reporters at a White House briefing.
The trip, which will be one of the most closely watched visits to Europe by an American president in decades, comes weeks after Russia launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine. Biden will "discuss ongoing deterrence and defense efforts," during the NATO summit and reaffirm the US' commitment to its NATO allies, Psaki said.
"He will also join a scheduled European Council summit to discuss our shared concerns about Ukraine, including trans-Atlantic efforts to impose economic costs on Russia, provide humanitarian support to those affected by the violence and address other challenges related to the conflict," she said.
Note EU-Digest: It is high time for the West to give Putin an ultimatum to stop the agression against Ukraine, or that they will establish a no-fly zone. It is also important that Russia realizes that if they use nuclear weapons, Russia itself will become a nuclear wasteland. US, NATO, EU and all its allies, please stop acting like "sissies", being pushed around by this bully !
Read more at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/politics/biden-travel-to-europe/index.html
The trip, which will be one of the most closely watched visits to Europe by an American president in decades, comes weeks after Russia launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine. Biden will "discuss ongoing deterrence and defense efforts," during the NATO summit and reaffirm the US' commitment to its NATO allies, Psaki said.
"He will also join a scheduled European Council summit to discuss our shared concerns about Ukraine, including trans-Atlantic efforts to impose economic costs on Russia, provide humanitarian support to those affected by the violence and address other challenges related to the conflict," she said.
Note EU-Digest: It is high time for the West to give Putin an ultimatum to stop the agression against Ukraine, or that they will establish a no-fly zone. It is also important that Russia realizes that if they use nuclear weapons, Russia itself will become a nuclear wasteland. US, NATO, EU and all its allies, please stop acting like "sissies", being pushed around by this bully !
Read more at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/politics/biden-travel-to-europe/index.html
3/14/22
Ukraine: China Tries to Shift Attention as U.S. Presses It on Ukraine
Beijing’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi emphasizes China’s commitment to de-escalation in meeting with U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
Read more at: China Tries to Shift Attention as U.S. Presses It on Ukraine - WSJ
Read more at: China Tries to Shift Attention as U.S. Presses It on Ukraine - WSJ
3/13/22
Ukraine war: Netherlands Sends Ukraine Stingers, Anti-Tank Rocket - by Inder Singh Bisht
The Netherlands dispatched an arms consignment Sunday to Ukraine that includes 50 German-made anti-tank rocket launchers and Stinger missiles.
The consignment aboard a C-17 transport aircraft also includes 100 sniper rifles with 30,000 rounds, 3,000 combat helmets, 2,000 fragmentation vests, 30 metal detectors, wire-guided robots to detect sea mines, five weapon location radars, and two battlefield surveillance radars, as requested by Kyiv.
Read more at: Netherlands Sends Ukraine Stingers, Anti-Tank Rocket Launchers
The consignment aboard a C-17 transport aircraft also includes 100 sniper rifles with 30,000 rounds, 3,000 combat helmets, 2,000 fragmentation vests, 30 metal detectors, wire-guided robots to detect sea mines, five weapon location radars, and two battlefield surveillance radars, as requested by Kyiv.
Read more at: Netherlands Sends Ukraine Stingers, Anti-Tank Rocket Launchers
Turkey - Russian Relations: Could the Ukraine war end Turkey's dependence on Russia?
Before their meeting in Ankara Wednesday it was possible to imagine that Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his nominal Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, would only exchange pleasantries and fulsome praise, hailing the start of a “historic” new era between their countries. The war in Ukraine, however, gave them something real to talk about.
Russia and Ukraine are Turkey’s biggest sources of tourists, at about 4.5 million and 2 million a year
Turkey and Israel are each walking a tightrope that threatens to coil into a noise around its neck. Each has weighty interests in maintaining good relations with Russia, and even more so with Europe and with the United States. Turkey was ahead of Israel in censuring the Russian invasion – Israel waited until the United Nations General Assembly session to join the international condemnation – but Erdogan and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett employed a similar tactic to avoid coming down clearly on one side. Both stood at the starting line of the race to mediate between Russia and Ukraine as if they led neutral states that met the standard for “honest broker,” whose only interest is to make peace.
Read more at Could the Ukraine war end Turkey's dependence on Russia? - Middle East News - Haaretz.com
Turkey and Israel are each walking a tightrope that threatens to coil into a noise around its neck. Each has weighty interests in maintaining good relations with Russia, and even more so with Europe and with the United States. Turkey was ahead of Israel in censuring the Russian invasion – Israel waited until the United Nations General Assembly session to join the international condemnation – but Erdogan and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett employed a similar tactic to avoid coming down clearly on one side. Both stood at the starting line of the race to mediate between Russia and Ukraine as if they led neutral states that met the standard for “honest broker,” whose only interest is to make peace.
Read more at Could the Ukraine war end Turkey's dependence on Russia? - Middle East News - Haaretz.com
3/12/22
Russian TV in America - who is fooling whom?: RT America ceases productions and lays off most of its staff - but still can be seen on your smart TV
RT America will cease productions and lay off most of its staff, according to a memo CNN obtained from T&R Productions, the production company behind the Russian state-funded network.
Misha Solodovnikov, the general manager of T&R Productions, told staff in the memo that it will be "ceasing production" at all of its locations "as a result of unforeseen business interruption events."
"Unfortunately, we anticipate this layoff will be permanent, meaning that this will result in the permanent separation from employment of most T&R employees at all locations," Solodovnikov wrote.
Note EU-Digest: Who is kidding whom. Despite sanctions etc., anyone in America or anywhere in the world, who has a smart TV with an Internet connection can still watch RT TV.
Read more at: RT America ceases productions and lays off most of its staff - CNN
Misha Solodovnikov, the general manager of T&R Productions, told staff in the memo that it will be "ceasing production" at all of its locations "as a result of unforeseen business interruption events."
"Unfortunately, we anticipate this layoff will be permanent, meaning that this will result in the permanent separation from employment of most T&R employees at all locations," Solodovnikov wrote.
Note EU-Digest: Who is kidding whom. Despite sanctions etc., anyone in America or anywhere in the world, who has a smart TV with an Internet connection can still watch RT TV.
Read more at: RT America ceases productions and lays off most of its staff - CNN
Uktaine War - sanctions: Alexei Mordashov: Russia’s richest man is now an EU sanctions target
He is the Russian oligarch who stepped in to keep travel firm Tui afloat, pumping in cash as international tourism came to a standstill during the pandemic.
However, Alexei Mordashov – who owns a third of Europe’s biggest tour operator and is its largest single shareholder – may be becoming something of a liability for Tui, whose shares are listed in London, after the EU added him to its sanctions list on Monday night.
While Mordashov has not been sanctioned in the UK, his business interests in the region will now be severely curtailed.
Read more at: Alexei Mordashov: Russia’s richest man is now an EU sanctions target | The super-rich | The Guardian
While Mordashov has not been sanctioned in the UK, his business interests in the region will now be severely curtailed.
Read more at: Alexei Mordashov: Russia’s richest man is now an EU sanctions target | The super-rich | The Guardian
EU Unity: EU leaders announce intention to collectively rearm in face of Putin threat
EU leaders have announced their intention to collectively rearm and become autonomous in food, energy and military hardware in a Versailles declaration that described Russia’s war as “a tectonic shift in European history”.
At a summit in the former royal palace, the 27 heads of state and government said on Friday that the invasion of Ukraine had shown the urgent need for the EU to take responsibility for its own security and to rid itself of dependencies on others.
Speaking at a press conference in the palace’s Galerie des Batailles, in which France’s military achievements are celebrated in painting and sculpture, France’s Emmanuel Macron said the Versailles treaty of 1919 had divided Europe but that today leaders were uniting. He described Russia’s aggression as a “tragic turning point”.
“We can see how our food, our energy, our defence are all issues of sovereignty,” he said. “We want to be open to the world but we want to choose our partners and not depend on anybody.”
He added: “The Versailles declaration is linked to the fact that sovereignty in Europe, which might have been thought of by some as a slogan or a French fantasy, is seen by all today as crucial.”
Read more at: EU leaders announce intention to collectively rearm in face of Putin threat | European Union | The Guardian
At a summit in the former royal palace, the 27 heads of state and government said on Friday that the invasion of Ukraine had shown the urgent need for the EU to take responsibility for its own security and to rid itself of dependencies on others.
Speaking at a press conference in the palace’s Galerie des Batailles, in which France’s military achievements are celebrated in painting and sculpture, France’s Emmanuel Macron said the Versailles treaty of 1919 had divided Europe but that today leaders were uniting. He described Russia’s aggression as a “tragic turning point”.
“We can see how our food, our energy, our defence are all issues of sovereignty,” he said. “We want to be open to the world but we want to choose our partners and not depend on anybody.”
He added: “The Versailles declaration is linked to the fact that sovereignty in Europe, which might have been thought of by some as a slogan or a French fantasy, is seen by all today as crucial.”
Read more at: EU leaders announce intention to collectively rearm in face of Putin threat | European Union | The Guardian
3/11/22
Russia - Putin Toppled? Could frustration in Russia lead to a Kremlin coup?
As Russia continues its assault on Ukraine, some are wondering if potential frustration within the Kremlin could lead to a coup and President Vladimir Putin’s ouster.
Dr. Leon Aron, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said if something along those lines were to happen, he would see it more as a “regime change.”
“Whether it’s a coup, or whether it’s some other way of deposing Putin, we don’t know. I also think that it will take time,” he said. “The polls show the diminution of the support — despite all the propaganda. But generally, the Russians tend to rally around the fl
Br>
Read more at: Could frustration in Russia lead to a Kremlin coup?
Dr. Leon Aron, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said if something along those lines were to happen, he would see it more as a “regime change.”
“Whether it’s a coup, or whether it’s some other way of deposing Putin, we don’t know. I also think that it will take time,” he said. “The polls show the diminution of the support — despite all the propaganda. But generally, the Russians tend to rally around the fl
Br>
Read more at: Could frustration in Russia lead to a Kremlin coup?
UKRAINE wAR: EU leaders pledge increased military aid for Ukraine
As Russia's invasion continues, EU leaders have pledged more financial assistance and said further sanctions against Russia were in the works.
READ MORE AT: EU leaders pledge increased military aid for Ukraine — as it happened | News | DW | 11.03.2022
READ MORE AT: EU leaders pledge increased military aid for Ukraine — as it happened | News | DW | 11.03.2022
3/10/22
Ukraine EU Bid: Netherlands’ tight fist now chokes Ukraine’s EU bid - by David M. Herszenhorn
The Netherlands is once again leading a charge of frugal countries at a major European Council summit, but this time it’s not common debt the Dutch are blocking but generosity of spirit toward war-ravaged Ukraine’s bid to join the EU.
As EU heads of state and government gather at Versailles to discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine, Kyiv’s hastily-submitted membership application will be near the top of the agenda.
With his country facing invasion and bombardment, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy late last month pleaded for immediate admission under “a new special procedure.”
Read moreat: Netherlands’ tight fist now chokes Ukraine’s EU bid – POLITICO
As EU heads of state and government gather at Versailles to discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine, Kyiv’s hastily-submitted membership application will be near the top of the agenda.
With his country facing invasion and bombardment, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy late last month pleaded for immediate admission under “a new special procedure.”
Read moreat: Netherlands’ tight fist now chokes Ukraine’s EU bid – POLITICO
Russia Crimes Against Humanity: Is Russia committing war crimes by bombing hospitals in Ukraine? - by Dr Amir Khan
Whether in times of peace or conflict, a set of medical ethics and principles guides the work of healthcare workers and hospitals – the commitment to save lives and reduce suffering.
In times of war, to maintain some humanity in armed conflict, certain rules and agreements have been made that mean targeting civilians and civilian buildings – including healthcare facilities – constitute a war crime.
Read more at: Is Russia committing war crimes by bombing hospitals in Ukraine? | Russia-Ukraine war | Al Jazeera
In times of war, to maintain some humanity in armed conflict, certain rules and agreements have been made that mean targeting civilians and civilian buildings – including healthcare facilities – constitute a war crime.
Read more at: Is Russia committing war crimes by bombing hospitals in Ukraine? | Russia-Ukraine war | Al Jazeera
Ukraine war: More than 1.9 million internally displaced by Russia's invasion, says UN
An estimated 1.9 million people are displaced within Ukraine, according to UN officials, adding to the more than 2.3 million who have fled the country following Russia's invasion.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday that most of the internally displaced people are moving away from the front lines and heading west toward Lviv. The humanitarian situation “continues to deteriorate at an alarming pace,” he said.
Read more at: Ukraine war: More than 1.9 million internally displaced by Russia's invasion, says UN | Euronews
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday that most of the internally displaced people are moving away from the front lines and heading west toward Lviv. The humanitarian situation “continues to deteriorate at an alarming pace,” he said.
Read more at: Ukraine war: More than 1.9 million internally displaced by Russia's invasion, says UN | Euronews
Turkey: Ukraine′s Kuleba: No cease-fire agreement reached at Turkey meeting
A face-to-face meeting in Turkey between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov failed to make progress on ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kuleba said on Thursday.It was the first time the top diplomats have met since Russia invaded its neighbor on February 24.
Kyiv has always rejected Moscow's calls for it to demilitarize, recognize Crimea as part of Russia and recognize two separatist regions in the Donbas regions as autonomous states, among other things.
Kuleba also said that it seemed Lavrov had a different idea than him about what foreign ministers do in such a crisis.
Read more at: Ukraine′s Kuleba: No cease-fire agreement reached at Turkey meeting | News | DW | 10.03.2022
Kyiv has always rejected Moscow's calls for it to demilitarize, recognize Crimea as part of Russia and recognize two separatist regions in the Donbas regions as autonomous states, among other things.
Kuleba also said that it seemed Lavrov had a different idea than him about what foreign ministers do in such a crisis.
Read more at: Ukraine′s Kuleba: No cease-fire agreement reached at Turkey meeting | News | DW | 10.03.2022
OIL Reserves: Venezuela releases jailed Americans after talks with US - "when times are bad standards are low"
Gustavo Cardenas, an American citizen, and former executive of Citgo, the US-based subsidiary of Venezuela's state oil company.
All of them were handed lengthy jail sentences despite the US calling for their release. Last October, the US State Department said that they were being held as "political pawns."
Jorge Alberto Fernandez, a Cuban-American detained on terrorism charges for bringing a drone into Venezuela last year.
Read more at: Venezuela releases jailed Americans after talks with US | News | DW | 09.03.2022
All of them were handed lengthy jail sentences despite the US calling for their release. Last October, the US State Department said that they were being held as "political pawns."
Jorge Alberto Fernandez, a Cuban-American detained on terrorism charges for bringing a drone into Venezuela last year.
Read more at: Venezuela releases jailed Americans after talks with US | News | DW | 09.03.2022
3/9/22
Ukraine War: Why doesn't NATO impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine? - by Jorge Liboreiro
In his address to British lawmakers in the House of Commons, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: "Please make sure our Ukrainian skies are safe. Please make sure you do what needs to be done."
With his impassioned plea, delivered via video link, Zelenskyy was once again calling for a no-fly zone, under which his Western allies would deploy their fighter jets to chase away Russian forces, which for the past two weeks have been bombarding Ukrainian cities.
Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, has been ravaged by indiscriminate air attacks, leaving the streets filled with rubble and bomb craters and dashing all hopes of a fast reconstruction.
So far, however, Zelenskyy's call has been rebuffed.
Read more at: Why doesn't NATO impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine? | Euronews
With his impassioned plea, delivered via video link, Zelenskyy was once again calling for a no-fly zone, under which his Western allies would deploy their fighter jets to chase away Russian forces, which for the past two weeks have been bombarding Ukrainian cities.
Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, has been ravaged by indiscriminate air attacks, leaving the streets filled with rubble and bomb craters and dashing all hopes of a fast reconstruction.
So far, however, Zelenskyy's call has been rebuffed.
Read more at: Why doesn't NATO impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine? | Euronews
3/8/22
US OIL and Gas embargo questionable, as US oil and gas industry "sticks" it to US consumers
If there is anything positive about this war in Ukraine, is that in the area of energy, it will speed up European development of alternative energy which presently is already quite advanced.
As to the Biden announced ban on Russian oil and gas sales into the US, while the US, which is completely self-sufficient, and a net exporter of these commodities, is somewhat puzzling. Just as puzzling as the reason for the high price, Americans are now forced to pay locally at the pump by the US oil and gas industry.
Read more at: https://www.eu-digest.blogspot.com
As to the Biden announced ban on Russian oil and gas sales into the US, while the US, which is completely self-sufficient, and a net exporter of these commodities, is somewhat puzzling. Just as puzzling as the reason for the high price, Americans are now forced to pay locally at the pump by the US oil and gas industry.
Read more at: https://www.eu-digest.blogspot.com
USA - Facism is knocking on the door - by Robert Reich
We watched Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in horror. The amount of human suffering and senseless violence perpetrated by this madman is nearly incomprehensible. I have also been reflecting on the broader context, which includes: The world is now frighteningly locked in a battle to the death between democracy and authoritarianism.
It is a new cold war.
But this time, authoritarian neofascism is not just an external threat. A version of it has also taken over one of the major political parties in the United States—and just as we defend democracies across the globe, we must come together to defend ours here at home, too.
That starts by ensuring that the GOP and its neofascist wing does not regain control of Congress and is defeated in crucial state elections this November. For more than 20 years, MoveOn has been proving just how vital an organization it is when it comes to getting out the vote, defeating the right wing, and electing strong, progressive leaders who will fight for all of us
Read more at: https://www.eu-digest.blogspot.com
It is a new cold war.
But this time, authoritarian neofascism is not just an external threat. A version of it has also taken over one of the major political parties in the United States—and just as we defend democracies across the globe, we must come together to defend ours here at home, too.
That starts by ensuring that the GOP and its neofascist wing does not regain control of Congress and is defeated in crucial state elections this November. For more than 20 years, MoveOn has been proving just how vital an organization it is when it comes to getting out the vote, defeating the right wing, and electing strong, progressive leaders who will fight for all of us
Read more at: https://www.eu-digest.blogspot.com
3/7/22
Corona Virus - lasting effects: They contracted COVID more than a year ago. How these 4 people are fighting lasting effects
He suffered two strokes, COVID-induced pneumonia, a medically induced coma and several months wiped from his memory.
More than a year after his initial infection, he's still not back to the person he was before the coronavirus.
That's the case for many so-called COVID-19 long-haulers in Horry County, South Carolina, and across the country.
Hardee's lung capacity is still only at 38%.
Michelle Ford can't taste or smell her food.
Robert Bellamy was diagnosed with diabetes.
Dr. Lisa Centilli felt depressed, frustrated and alone.
They attribute it all to the coronavirus.
Read more at https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-03-covid-year-people-effects.html
Hardee's lung capacity is still only at 38%.
Michelle Ford can't taste or smell her food.
Robert Bellamy was diagnosed with diabetes.
Dr. Lisa Centilli felt depressed, frustrated and alone.
They attribute it all to the coronavirus.
Read more at https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-03-covid-year-people-effects.html
Russia: Could Vladimir Putin Be Overthrown by His Own People? - by Brendan Cole
Ukraine may be battling for its sovereignty, but could Russian President Vladimir Putin be fighting for his presidency if the invasion he declared goes badly for him?
Senator Lindsey Graham invoked the downfall of Julius Caesar in calling for the Russian leader's assassination. "Is there a Brutus in Russia?" he said in a tweet which sparked condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats.
Read more at: Read more at: Could Vladimir Putin Be Overthrown by His Own People?
Senator Lindsey Graham invoked the downfall of Julius Caesar in calling for the Russian leader's assassination. "Is there a Brutus in Russia?" he said in a tweet which sparked condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats.
Read more at: Read more at: Could Vladimir Putin Be Overthrown by His Own People?
China-US relations: Blinken speaks with Chinese foreign minister on Ukraine: State Dept.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Saturday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about "Moscow's premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified war against Ukraine," a U.S. State Department spokesperson said.
"The Secretary noted the world is watching to see which nations stand up for the basic principles of freedom, self-determination and sovereignty," spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.
Read more at: Blinken speaks with Chinese foreign minister on Ukraine: State Dept. | Reuters
"The Secretary noted the world is watching to see which nations stand up for the basic principles of freedom, self-determination and sovereignty," spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.
Read more at: Blinken speaks with Chinese foreign minister on Ukraine: State Dept. | Reuters
Ukraine war: NATO's refusal to set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine 'a sign of weakness
NATO's failure to set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine is a "sign of weakness", says Ukraine's foreign minister.
NATO says such a move would risk a wider war in Europe.
Ukraine's president makes a 'desperate plea' to US lawmakers for planes and drones.
Russian forces advance on a third nuclear site. Radiation levels at Zaporizhzhya, Europe's largest, are normal, says IAEA.
The next round of talks between Russia and Ukraine will take place on Monday.
On Saturday, Russia said it would allow the evacuation of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha. But evacuations were postponed in Donetsk Oblast amid claims Russian troops had violated the ceasefire.
Battles have continued northwest of Kyiv and heavy strikes have hit Kharkiv and Okhtyrka. Ukrainian forces were said to be still holding Chernihiv in the north.
The UN Human Rights Office said that 351 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the beginning of the invasion.
More than 1.3 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia's invasion began 10 days ago.
Read more at: Ukraine war: NATO's refusal to set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine 'a sign of weakness' | Euronews
Read more at: Ukraine war: NATO's refusal to set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine 'a sign of weakness' | Euronews
Ukraine Crises: Dominic Raab dismisses Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons as ‘rhetoric’
Dominic Raab has dismissed fears that Vladimir Putin will use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine crisis, calling his threats “rhetoric and brinkmanship”.
The Russian president alarmed the world by putting his arsenal on high alert – and, overnight, the Kremlin is reported to have claimed that Ukraine is developing a dirty nuclear bomb.
Read more at: Dominic Raab dismisses Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons as ‘rhetoric’ | The Independent
The Russian president alarmed the world by putting his arsenal on high alert – and, overnight, the Kremlin is reported to have claimed that Ukraine is developing a dirty nuclear bomb.
Read more at: Dominic Raab dismisses Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons as ‘rhetoric’ | The Independent
Ukraine Conflict: Defiant Putin warns the west: your sanctions are akin to an act of war
Putin warns 3rd parties against creating Ukraine no-fly zone, calls sanctions a ‘declaration of war’
Read more at Defiant Putin warns the west: your sanctions are akin to an act of war
Read more at Defiant Putin warns the west: your sanctions are akin to an act of war
3/6/22
Ukraine War -Russia: CNN, BBC, and others suspend broadcasting from Russia after Putin signs law limiting press - by Oliver Darcy,
Russian President Vladimir Putin's creeping authoritarianism got a lot more overt on Friday when he signed a censorship bill into law making it impossible for news organizations to accurately report the news in or from Russia.
The law, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, makes it a crime to disseminate "fake" information about the invasion of Ukraine, with a penalty of up to 15 years in prison for anyone convicted.
The definition of "fake" is, of course, left up to the Russian government. The New York Times reported that the law, which could take effect as soon as Saturday, could make it illegal to merely refer to the Ukraine war as a war.
The law prompted urgent meetings inside news outlets on Friday and pushed them to make difficult decisions.
Read more at: CNN, BBC, and others suspend broadcasting from Russia after Putin signs law limiting press - CNN
The law, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, makes it a crime to disseminate "fake" information about the invasion of Ukraine, with a penalty of up to 15 years in prison for anyone convicted.
The definition of "fake" is, of course, left up to the Russian government. The New York Times reported that the law, which could take effect as soon as Saturday, could make it illegal to merely refer to the Ukraine war as a war.
The law prompted urgent meetings inside news outlets on Friday and pushed them to make difficult decisions.
Read more at: CNN, BBC, and others suspend broadcasting from Russia after Putin signs law limiting press - CNN
3/5/22
U.S. Diplomatic Push for Ukraine Falters in a Middle East Influenced by Russia -
Washington’s regional partners including Israel have so far rebuffed U.S. calls to come out against Moscow.
Read more at: U.S. Diplomatic Push for Ukraine Falters in a Middle East Influenced by Russia - WSJ
Read more at: U.S. Diplomatic Push for Ukraine Falters in a Middle East Influenced by Russia - WSJ
3/4/22
USA: Ukraine Crises: Biden's Bold Gamble Might Just Save Ukraine {Opinion}
The Ukraine War is only a week old, so it's far too soon to make any judgements about its outcome.One thing is clear, though: Russian President Vladimir Putin badly miscalculated. He is facing two tactical surprises at the moment that may prove to have dire consequences.
Putin was clearly not prepared for the fight that the Ukrainians have put up to his invading forces. It's the only explanation for the logistical failures and enormous reported losses (even discounting for the obvious exaggerations): The Russian Army expected to meet a Ukrainian opposition similar to what it saw in Donbas in 2015 or even in Crimea in 2014.
But the Ukrainians have spent the past eight years learning the lessons of those earlier defeats. They have built a diplomatic network of support they didn't have a decade ago, and they have purchased arms and developed tactics to make the most of the weapons they have been able to obtain.
Read more at: Biden's Bold Gamble Might Just Save Ukraine | Opinion
Putin was clearly not prepared for the fight that the Ukrainians have put up to his invading forces. It's the only explanation for the logistical failures and enormous reported losses (even discounting for the obvious exaggerations): The Russian Army expected to meet a Ukrainian opposition similar to what it saw in Donbas in 2015 or even in Crimea in 2014.
But the Ukrainians have spent the past eight years learning the lessons of those earlier defeats. They have built a diplomatic network of support they didn't have a decade ago, and they have purchased arms and developed tactics to make the most of the weapons they have been able to obtain.
Read more at: Biden's Bold Gamble Might Just Save Ukraine | Opinion
Ukraine Crises: Russia: Fewer independent media outlets every day
It sounds like something out of George Orwell's dystopian classic "1984," but it is a bitter reality for Russian journalists: In their coverage of Russia's war against Ukraine, they are no longer allowed to use certain words such as war, invasion and attack, as announced by Roskomnadzor, the Russian government's media watchdog agency.
Those who spread "false information," according to the Kremlin, are also liable to prosecution. This so-called "false information" includes, among other things, the statement that the Russian army is attacking civilian targets in Ukraine. All lies, according to Moscow ― people should only believe "correct" information, which comes solely from official state sources.
But every day the rest of the world sees new footage of destroyed residential buildings in Ukrainian cities like Kharkiv, where dead bodies are pulled from the rubble.
Read more at: Russia: Fewer independent media outlets every day | Europe | News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 03.03.2022
Those who spread "false information," according to the Kremlin, are also liable to prosecution. This so-called "false information" includes, among other things, the statement that the Russian army is attacking civilian targets in Ukraine. All lies, according to Moscow ― people should only believe "correct" information, which comes solely from official state sources.
But every day the rest of the world sees new footage of destroyed residential buildings in Ukrainian cities like Kharkiv, where dead bodies are pulled from the rubble.
Read more at: Russia: Fewer independent media outlets every day | Europe | News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 03.03.2022
3/3/22
USA: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tells students to take off masks at event - by Zac Anderson
Irked by the sight of high school students wearing masks at his press conference Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis encouraged them to remove the facial coverings, calling their use “COVID theater.”
"You do not have to wear those masks,” DeSantis said in video captured by WFLA News Channel 8, Tampa’s NBC station. “Please take them off. Honestly, it's not doing anything. We've gotta stop with this COVID theater. So if you wanna wear it, fine, but this is ridiculous."
Read more at: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tells students to take off masks at event
"You do not have to wear those masks,” DeSantis said in video captured by WFLA News Channel 8, Tampa’s NBC station. “Please take them off. Honestly, it's not doing anything. We've gotta stop with this COVID theater. So if you wanna wear it, fine, but this is ridiculous."
Read more at: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tells students to take off masks at event
Ukraine War: Volodymyr Zelensky Assassination Foiled After Russian Tip-Off, Ukraine Says
Russian intelligence officers opposed to their country's invasion of Ukraine reportedly tipped off officials in Kyiv who thwarted an assassination plot against President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The head of Ukraine's National Security Council Oleksiy Danilov said on social network Telegram that two group of assassins from Chechnya had been involved in the plot.
Read more at: Volodymyr Zelensky Assassination Foiled After Russian Tip-Off, Ukraine Says
The head of Ukraine's National Security Council Oleksiy Danilov said on social network Telegram that two group of assassins from Chechnya had been involved in the plot.
Read more at: Volodymyr Zelensky Assassination Foiled After Russian Tip-Off, Ukraine Says
EU: Ukraine’s EU membership: still some way off – by Dorina Baltag
On Sunday, the fourth day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, appealed for it to be granted membership of the European Union. On Tuesday, members of the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved—with 637 votes in favour—a resolution which called for a range of measures and seemed to offer a European perspective to the country.
Ukraine expressed its interest in the EU soon after declaring its independence from the collapsing Soviet Union in 1991. This was understood as a foreign-policy reorientation which would open new prospects for co-operation with western countries and bring modernisation and socio-economic development.
It was not however until after the Eastern Partnership was established in 2009 that the EU-Ukraine relationship was institutionalised, through the conclusion in 2014 of the Association Agreement. The agreement is a comprehensive document—circa 2,140 pages, including 46 annexes, three protocols and a joint declaration—published in the Official Journal. The detailed provisions imply alignment of Ukrainian laws and policies with the EU acquis, which requires extensive legislative and regulatory approximation, including sophisticated mechanisms to secure the uniform interpretation and effective implementation of relevant EU legislation.
Read more at: Ukraine’s EU membership: still some way off – Dorina Baltag
Ukraine expressed its interest in the EU soon after declaring its independence from the collapsing Soviet Union in 1991. This was understood as a foreign-policy reorientation which would open new prospects for co-operation with western countries and bring modernisation and socio-economic development.
It was not however until after the Eastern Partnership was established in 2009 that the EU-Ukraine relationship was institutionalised, through the conclusion in 2014 of the Association Agreement. The agreement is a comprehensive document—circa 2,140 pages, including 46 annexes, three protocols and a joint declaration—published in the Official Journal. The detailed provisions imply alignment of Ukrainian laws and policies with the EU acquis, which requires extensive legislative and regulatory approximation, including sophisticated mechanisms to secure the uniform interpretation and effective implementation of relevant EU legislation.
Read more at: Ukraine’s EU membership: still some way off – Dorina Baltag
3/2/22
USA INC. -Illinois businessman admits swindling hospital out of $2.5 million for N95 masks — and using it to buy Maseratis, pay credit-card bills - by Lukas Alpert
An Illinois businessman pleaded guilty to ripping off a hospital to the tune of $2.5 million by offering to sell it high-grade surgical masks, but not delivering and then using the money to buy Maseratis and a Range Rover.
Dennis Haggerty, Jr., of Burr Ridge, Ill., was accused of setting up a company, At Diagnostics, Inc., just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning in March 2020, to sell N95 respirator masks.An Illinois businessman pleaded guilty to ripping off a hospital to the tune of $2.5 million by offering to sell it high-grade surgical masks, but not delivering and then using the money to buy Maseratis and a Range Rover.
Dennis Haggerty, Jr., of Burr Ridge, Ill., was accused of setting up a company, At Diagnostics, Inc., just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning in March 2020, to sell N95 respirator masks.
Read more at: Illinois businessman admits swindling hospital out of $2.5 million for N95 masks — and using it to buy Maseratis, pay credit-card bills - MarketWatch
Dennis Haggerty, Jr., of Burr Ridge, Ill., was accused of setting up a company, At Diagnostics, Inc., just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning in March 2020, to sell N95 respirator masks.An Illinois businessman pleaded guilty to ripping off a hospital to the tune of $2.5 million by offering to sell it high-grade surgical masks, but not delivering and then using the money to buy Maseratis and a Range Rover.
Dennis Haggerty, Jr., of Burr Ridge, Ill., was accused of setting up a company, At Diagnostics, Inc., just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning in March 2020, to sell N95 respirator masks.
Read more at: Illinois businessman admits swindling hospital out of $2.5 million for N95 masks — and using it to buy Maseratis, pay credit-card bills - MarketWatch
Ukraine war: Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny calls for protests and labels Putin as an 'insane tsar' - Joe Biden : "Go get him"
Russia's jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny has called on citizens to demonstrate Joe Giden "every day" against the invasion of Ukraine.
The Kremlin critic described the war in Ukraine as "brutal" in a post on social media, and labelled President Vladimir Putin an "obviously insane tsar".
"We -- Russia -- want to be a nation of peace, but few would call us such now," Navalny said.
Read more at: Ukraine war: Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny calls for protests and labels Putin as an 'insane tsar' | Euronews
The Kremlin critic described the war in Ukraine as "brutal" in a post on social media, and labelled President Vladimir Putin an "obviously insane tsar".
"We -- Russia -- want to be a nation of peace, but few would call us such now," Navalny said.
Read more at: Ukraine war: Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny calls for protests and labels Putin as an 'insane tsar' | Euronews
Ukraibe Crises:Four Russian fighter jets violate Swedish airspace over Baltic Sea
While Russian incursions of the Nordic nation’s airspace happen fairly regularly, Wednesday’s event was given increased scrutiny given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Against the background of the current situation we are taking the incident very seriously,” Carl-Johan Edström, Chief of Sweden’s Air Force, told AFP.
Read more at: Four Russian fighter jets violate Swedish airspace over Baltic Sea - The Local
“Against the background of the current situation we are taking the incident very seriously,” Carl-Johan Edström, Chief of Sweden’s Air Force, told AFP.
Read more at: Four Russian fighter jets violate Swedish airspace over Baltic Sea - The Local
'EU Unites on a scale never before seen': Europeans band together to help Ukrainians fleeing Russian invasion
After war broke out in Ukraine last week and tens of thousands began to flee to neighbouring EU countries, Diana Avram posted a message on social media offering to house Ukrainians in her dance school.
"The decision to help people came straight away in my mind because we had a dance school in Timişoara and we have enough space to accommodate people," Avram, a 37-year-old dance teacher in Romania, told Euronews.
She was quickly put into contact with multiple families fleeing the violence.
Read more at: 'A scale never before seen': Europeans band together to help Ukrainians fleeing Russian invasion | Euronews
"The decision to help people came straight away in my mind because we had a dance school in Timişoara and we have enough space to accommodate people," Avram, a 37-year-old dance teacher in Romania, told Euronews.
She was quickly put into contact with multiple families fleeing the violence.
Read more at: 'A scale never before seen': Europeans band together to help Ukrainians fleeing Russian invasion | Euronews
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