WSWS (2022-01-14). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org School students in Italy in COVID safety strike demand return to remote learning and free tests and masks; protests in major cities in Lebanon and teachers strike as currency continues to fall; hundreds of striking South African Clover Foods dairy workers out for eight weeks protest wage cuts, retrenchments and restructuring…

sputniknews (2022-01-14). Ex-OSCE Chief: Russia Wasn't Listened to on Risk Reduction Ideas, Now There Is Readiness for Talks. sputniknews.com The new head of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Zbigniew Rau, held a presser on Wednesday, as Poland became OSCE chair for the year. According to the Polish politician, the risk of war is "now greater than ever before in the last 30 years".

Rick Rozoff (2022-01-14). NATO chief demands ouster of Russian troops from Abkhazia, Crimea, South Ossetia, Transnistria. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com From Ukrinform Stoltenberg: Russian troops in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova uninvited, not welcomed Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations is one of the key principles of European security, therefore NATO calls on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, where they are uninvited and not welcomed. This was stated …

Rick Rozoff (2022-01-14). U.S. OSCE envoy: The drumbeat of war is sounding loud. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com West should prepare for Russia-induced escalation, — US envoy in OSCE See also: Greatest threat of war in Europe in 30 years and the Helsinki Final Act Western governments should be getting prepared for escalation from the Russian side. Michael Carpenter, the U.S. permanent envoy in the OSCE said so during the talks with Russian delegates. …

Internationalist 360 ∞ (2022-01-14). How Capital Weaponizes the Social Ills it Creates. libya360.wordpress.com Rainer Shea In The Peasant War in Germany, Friedrich Engels wrote: The lumpenproletariat, this scum of the decaying elements of all classes, which establishes headquarters in all the big cities, is the worst of all possible allies. It is an absolutely venal, an absolutely brazen crew. If the French workers, in the course of the Revolution,…

Casper Busse (2022-01-14). Those who benefit from Corona should pay too. indybay.org It's a dangerous trend for a society that is already tending to drift apart and where tensions could become ever greater: Corona has caused the differences between rich and poor to grow, even in Germany. Those who have anyway will become richer in the pandemic. For those who have to struggle, it will be even harder.

_____ (2022-01-14). CSTO is a True Defender of the Interests that Regional Players Share. journal-neo.org The recent developments in Kazakhstan and the role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in assisting that country's authorities in establishing order and security have particularly brought into sharp focus the importance of this regional interstate organization. The CSTO was established in 2002 on the basis of the Collective Security Treaty of May 15, …

Staff (2022-01-14). Head of Russia-led bloc reveals details of Kazakhstan mission. rt.com The arrival of the allied peacekeeping force had a "sobering effect" in Kazakhstan, the official believes | As the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) wraps up its peacekeeping mission in Kazakhstan, the top official of the Russia-led military bloc talked about the course of the deployment and its results with RT. | Kazakhstan faced a rocky start to the new year, as a wave of violent unrest broke out on the back of protests triggered by a sharp hike in fuel prices. As the initially peaceful protest devolved into violence and rioting in a matter of days, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reached…

Staff (2022-01-14). Restaurants to stay closed as Dutch relax Covid restrictions. rt.com Other businesses will be opening for the first time since strict orders were imposed in December | Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has announced that the country will be easing back on some of its tough Covid restrictions, despite a growing number of infections and amid protests from those businesses that have to remain closed. | Non-essential businesses such as gyms, and hair and beauty salons will be able to open until 5pm from Saturday onwards, Rutte announced in a press conference on Friday. | "We are taking a big step and that also means we're taking a big risk," the prime minister said. | Businesses and…

Staff (2022-01-14). Dutch restaurants rebel against Covid rules. rt.com Some eateries have opened up despite lockdown rules forbidding it | Some restaurants in the Netherlands have reopened despite current Covid restrictions, in a refusal to wait for the Dutch prime minister's announcement, expected later on Friday, on whether to relax the month-long lockdown. | In an act of defiance against the government's tough Covid-19 restrictions, which were imposed in mid-December, restaurants in the Dutch city of Valkenburg reopened on Friday with support from the local mayor. | Protestopening van winkels en horeca in Valkenburg (Nederland) is rustig verlopen. | De overheid heeft vlak voor…

José Manuel Blanco Diaz (2022-01-14). Russia's Riabkov: Increased Military Cooperation with Cuba and Venezuela Not Ruled Out. orinocotribune.com The government of the Russian Federation ratified its willingness to support the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela with strategic cooperation in the midst of the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the US administration against the South American country. This was affirmed by the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Riabkov, who has been leading the Russian delegation in its meetings with top US and NATO officials and attempting to diffuse the tension created by the latest encirclement of Russia via NATO military bases and arms sales. | According to statements issued by the high-ranking Russian official and…

Rick Rozoff (2022-01-14). Yahoo News excerpts: CIA trains Ukrainian paramilitaries for war with Russia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com From Yahoo News national security correspondent Zach Dorfman. CIA-trained Ukrainian paramilitaries may take central role if Russia invades The CIA is overseeing a secret intensive training program in the U.S. for elite Ukrainian special operations forces and other intelligence personnel, according to five former intelligence and national security officials familiar with the initiative. The program, …

Kamal Iranidoost (2022-01-14). Russian FM attaches great importance to Raeisi's visit. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 14 (MNA) — "President Raeisi's upcoming visit to Russia is important," according to the Russian foreign minister, adding "Real progress has been achieved at the Iran nuclear deal talks."

Staff (2022-01-14). Senior Navalny allies added to Russia's 'terrorist & extremist' list. rt.com Their bank accounts will now immediately be frozen | Leonid Volkov and Ivan Zhdanov, two close allies of the jailed Russian opposition activist Alexey Navalny, have been added to a state register of extremists. They were placed on an international wanted list last year. | The two men's names were registered on the website of Rosfinmonitoring, Russia's financial monitoring service, on Friday. | The agency compiles information on those suspected of terrorist or extremist activity. Under Russian law, the bank accounts of individuals on the list must be frozen immediately. Both men currently live abroad, having le…

Staff (2022-01-14). 'Russophobe' Kazakh minister not welcome at rocket launches — Roscosmos chief. rt.com Despite the inflammatory comments towards Russians, the Kremlin said judgements will be made based on his conduct in his new role | The recently appointed Kazakh Minister of Information and Social Development, accused of overwhelmingly anti-Russian sentiment, will not get a warm welcome at the Baikonur cosmodrome, the head of Roscosmos has insisted. | Writing on Telegram on Wednesday, Dmitry Rogozin bluntly stated that "we will not welcome Minister Askar Umarov," who assumed his new post when Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reshuffled the government following protests that turned violent. | The general…

sputniknews (2022-01-14). Philippines Becomes First Foreign Buyer of Indo-Russian BrahMos Anti-Ship Missile. sputniknews.com The Philippines has long expressed an interest in acquiring BrahMos, one of the world's fastest anti-ship missiles, to augment naval capacity in order to thwart any threat to the nation's maritime domain from outside incursions.

Rick Rozoff (2022-01-14). Headlines from the Russian press. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com RT: Russia orders snap inspection of troops' readiness for rapid deployment Patience with West has come to an end — Moscow US claims Russia preparing 'false flag' in Ukraine Is Russia really preparing an offensive against Ukraine? Russia reveals when it expects Western response to security proposals TASS: Russia able to ensure its security, not …

_____ (2022-01-14). The Case for Neutrality to Defuse Crisis With Russia. strategic-culture.org Faced with the certainty of the destruction of their country, most Ukrainians would settle for peace through neutrality, writes Scott Ritter. | By Scott RITTER |

Rick Rozoff (2022-01-14). NATO uses alleged Russian cyber attack to openly intervene in Ukraine. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com The following is from the Ukrainian National News Agency (Ukrinform) Cyberattack on Ukraine's government websites came from Russia — experts A massive cyberattack on Ukraine's government websites was carried out from Russian territory, according to a study conducted by the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security. "On the night of January 13-14, a cyberattack …

David Swanson (2022-01-14). VIDEO: CrossTalk | Russia-NATO Impasse. warisacrime.org By Crosstalk, January 14, 2022 Over the past two and half years Russia and NATO have agreed on very little, if anything. However, both agreed to meet for a high-level meeting and they did in Brussels. Both sides made their case. Nothing was really resolved. Lots of words. What happens next may be actions. CrossTalking …

Staff (2022-01-14). US claims Russia preparing 'false flag' in Ukraine. rt.com Anonymous official told CNN that Russia sent 'operatives' to eastern Ukraine | Russian operatives have been deployed to two breakaway regions in the east of Ukraine to create a false-flag operation as pretext for an invasion, several US news outlets have reported, citing an anonymous American official. | A "group of operatives" trained in urban warfare and use of explosives has been sent to "carry out acts of sabotage against Russia's own proxy forces," CNN

sputniknews (2022-01-14). Sweden Bolsters Gotland Patrols Amid NATO-Russia Tensions. sputniknews.com The Baltic island of Gotland, Sweden's largest, is considered strategically important and was previously identified by Swedish analysts as a possible "entry point" for alleged Russian aggression, which even the country's military considers unlikely.

Staff (2022-01-14). Russia 'fabricating a pretext for invasion' of Ukraine — White House. rt.com Washington believes Moscow could stage a fake incident to justify military action | The Kremlin is laying the groundwork to fabricate a reason for invading Ukraine, including possible sabotage activities and information operations, a senior White House official claimed on Thursday. | Speaking to the press, United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that the American intelligence community believes Moscow is planning a scenario where it can justify a military incursion into Ukraine, noting that more information will be published "over the course of the next 24 hours." | "Russia is laying the g…

Staff (2022-01-14). Russia reveals when it expects Western response to security proposals. rt.com Moscow's offers have so far been met with a mixed response | Western powers have promised to send a written reply to the set of security proposals that Moscow presented in December, following negotiations this week, Russia's top diplomat has announced. | In an appearance on Russia's Channel One on Thursday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov shared that representatives from NATO and Washington had told him they would "put on paper" their counter-proposals, and that the Russian side had requested for this to happen in the next week. | "We are still hoping for the promises made now, in Geneva and Brussels…

Rick Rozoff (2022-01-14). Russia discovers yet another red line: U.S., UK instructors in Ukraine. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com British military personnel have already trained over 20,000 Ukrainian troops under Operation ORBITAL and Canada has trained over 30,000 under Operation UNIFIER. That information is open source and available on the Internet as the links establish. Is it possible the Russian Foreign Ministry doesn't have access to computers? This time it's a real red line; …

Staff (2022-01-14). Russia responds to US 'false flag' claims. rt.com The Kremlin says there is no evidence for 'hearsay' accusations of Russian 'operatives' set to frame Ukraine | After Western media carried reports, on Friday, citing unnamed US officials, claiming that Russia is preparing a "false flag" incident in order to invade Ukraine, the Kremlin has dismissed them as baseless and unfounded rumors. | "So far, all these statements have been unsubstantiated and not backed up by anything," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS news agency, when asked about the stories making the rounds. | Earlier in the day, anonymous US officials echoed claims from Kiev that Russia had sent "op…

Rick Rozoff (2022-01-14). Headlines from the Ukrainian press. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Ukranews: NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg Condemns Cyber-Attacks On Ukraine, Promises Enhanced Cyber Cooperation Russian Special Services Preparing Provocations Against Military Of Russian Federation In Order To Blame Ukraine For This — Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate Defense Ministry Will Form Personnel Reserve According To New Standards For First Time Ukrinform: Cyberattack on Ukraine's government websites came …

Staff (2022-01-14). Brit loses plot over Russian rival's toilet break (VIDEO). rt.com Dan Evans unloaded on the match umpire and Russian opponent Aslan Karatsev as he suffered defeat in Sydney | Britain's Dan Evans could not contain his rage as Russian opponent Aslan Karatsev took a timeout for a toilet break and clothing change during their semi-final at the Sydney International. | Top seed Karatsev overcame the Brit in a three-set, three-hour battle which included an epic tiebreak to decide set two. | In the end it was world number 20 Karatsev who prevailed, 6-3 6-7 (13-15) 6-3, depriving Evans of the chance of an all-British final with Andy Murray, who had overcome fourth seed Reilly Opelka…

Staff (2022-01-14). NATO touts Ukraine deal after massive cyberattack. rt.com The bloc is offering additional backing to Kiev after the government reportedly took a major hit in cyberspace | NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has condemned a hacking attempt on Ukraine that was said to have disrupted several government websites. He announced that the alliance would sign a cyber-security deal with Kiev within days. | The overnight cyberattack on Ukrainian government agency portals was condemned by Stoltenberg in a brief statement on Friday. | "I strongly condemn the cyberattacks on the Ukrainian government," he said, adding that the alliance had "worked closely with Ukraine for years…

Rick Rozoff (2022-01-13). After Nagorno-Karabakh model: Azerbaijan, Turkey, Ukraine form plans to "liberate" Crimea. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijan's President Aliyev to visit Ukraine Jan 14 President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Friday, January 14, who will be paying a working visit to Ukraine. Earlier, at a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels in December last year, President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed holding a summit in Kyiv …

Ali Abunimah (2022-01-13). Zionist extremist hiding in Israel sentenced to prison in France. electronicintifada.net Grégory Chelli is still wanted in connection with the death of Thierry Le Corre.

Rick Rozoff (2022-01-13). Baltic states ask for more NATO troops on Belarusian, Russian borders. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Baltic States ask NATO to increase number of troops on their territory Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are asking NATO to increase the number of NATO troops deployed in their territory. They are negotiating about it as DW reported citing to Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas. In turn, one of the diplomats of the alliance, …

Fight Back (2022-01-13). Reflections on the 30th anniversary of the end of the Soviet socialist project. fightbacknews.org Last month marked the 30th anniversary of one of the most colossal events in history. On December 26, 1991, the Soviet Union formally dissolved itself, bringing an end to the 70-plus year project of building socialism, and reintroducing capitalism to nearly a fifth of the world. | The Soviet collapse marked the rock-bottom low point for 20th century socialism, but it also wasn't alone. Both before the events in Russia and for nearly a decade after, socialist countries in Eastern Europe saw sweeping counter-revolutions that brought down the ruling workers parties and restored rule by the richest 1%. Large protests…

WSWS (2022-01-13). Eastern Europe reaches over 1 million coronavirus deaths. wsws.org Although this region, which stretches from the Czech Republic to Russia and Romania, is home to only 39 percent of the European population, it accounts for 55 percent of the 1.8 million European coronavirus deaths.

Rick Rozoff (2022-01-13). Borrell pushes decision on EU's training of Ukraine's top military commanders. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Borrell hopes for speedy decision on EU's training for Ukrainian army commanders Head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell expressed hope for an early decision on whether to establish a European mission to train senior command personnel of the Ukrainian army. He said at a press conference in the French city of Brest that he hopes …

Rick Rozoff (2022-01-13). Greatest threat of war in Europe in 30 years and the Helsinki Final Act. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau today stated that the threat of war in the area covered by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is the greatest now than it has been in thirty years. That effectively includes the period of the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact in 1991 …