(2022-02-19). Hedges: Democrats, the More Effective Evil. orinocotribune.com By Chris Hedges — Feb 14, 2022 | The US is a de facto one-party state where the ideology of national security is sacrosanct, unsustainable debt props up the empire and the primary business is war. | When all else fails, when you are clueless about how to halt a 7.5% inflation rate, when your Build Back Better bill is gutted, when you renege on your promise to raise the minimum wage or forgive student debt, when you can't halt the Republican suppression of voting rights, when you have no idea how to handle the pandemic which has claimed 900,000 lives — 16% of the world's total deaths although we are les…
(2022-02-19). VP Harris said U.S. mulling reinforcements in Baltic States — Lithuania. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com ReutersFebruary 18, 2022 U.S. is discussing reinforcement of Baltic States — Lithuanian president U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris told Baltic leaders that Washington is considering reinforcing their states militarily as the Ukraine-Russia crisis grows, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Friday. "We were told that yes, at this moment they are discussing the question of …
(2022-02-19). Biden threats over Ukraine roil markets. wsws.org There have been warnings of a "perfect storm" that could hit, resulting from a combination of rising geo-political conflicts and increased interest rates.
(2022-02-19). As U.S. Threatens War with Russia, Biden Administration Unveils Imperial Strategy for Indo-Pacific That Could Lead to War with China. covertactionmagazine.com Already threatening war with Russia, the White House this month has unveiled a new imperial grand strategy for the Indo-Pacific …
(2022-02-19). Biden administration and Republicans use war crisis to push phony "national unity" wsws.org The foreign policy aim is to accomplish American imperialism's decades-long goal of subjugating Russia. The domestic aim is to protect corporate profits and suppress social opposition amid the country's political crisis.
(2022-02-19). Over 1000 people already support #Palestine2022 campaign in France. samidoun.net 
In just a few weeks after its launch, the #Palestine2022 campaign, highlighting Palestine in the French presidential elections, has already received the support of more than 1000 people for its demands and its objectives. The campaign aims to denounce the collaboration of French governments with Israeli apartheid and introduce the subject of the Palestinian cause …
(2022-02-19). [World Report] Biden's science adviser resigns over bullying. thelancet.com Experts say that Eric Lander's resignation should not affect the President's plans to reboot the cancer moonshot project. Susan Jaffe reports.
(2022-02-19). [Editorial] Power and bullying in research. thelancet.com Eric Lander, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and science adviser to US President Joe Biden, resigned on Feb 7, after an internal review found that he had bullied staff members. The investigation was concluded weeks before but only came to light following reporting by Politico. This event is emblematic of research's failure to rein in workplace bullying and of a research culture that remains in thrall to big names and bigger egos.
(2022-02-19). Biden Extends State of Emergency in US Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – US President Joe Biden has announced his decision to extend the state of emergency, which was declared in the country almost two years ago, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has been causing significant risk to the public health.
(2022-02-19). Victoria Nuland in Colombia: Is Washington plotting another coup? wsws.org In Bogota, Nuland warned against foreign subversion of upcoming elections, an area in which she has ample on-hand experience.
(2022-02-19). 'Naive' govt policy poses 'catastrophic' security risk — media. rt.com 
Interviews for 'top secret' UK jobs are being done by video call, whistleblowers warn | British military personnel, civil servants, and private contractors applying for positions with access to "top secret" information are no longer automatically vetted in person, whistleblowers have revealed to The Telegraph. The UK risks a "catastrophic security breach" due to this shift toward virtual vetting, they warned. | Officers in the UK Security Vetting Department (UKSV) have raised concerns with the Cabinet Office over retaining online interviews via phone and video conferencing as part of the selection process, the…
(2022-02-19). Classified docs found at Trump's resort. rt.com 
Items marked as 'classified national security information' have been discovered in boxes kept at the former US president's mansion | A total of 15 boxes recently returned to the US National Archives from Donald Trump's private residence in Florida contained items marked as classified, the agency revealed on Friday. A letter sent to a House of Representatives committee, which is investigating Trump's alleged mishandling of presidential records, says the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) discovered some classified data and has been in communication with the Department of Justice on the matter.
(2022-02-19). Florida activists fight the HB5 anti-abortion bill. fightbacknews.org Tallahassee, FL – On February 16, organizations from around the state came to Tallahassee to stand up for reproductive rights and against HB5. On that day, the Florida House debated the unconstitutional and restrictive anti-abortion bill, HB5. | HB5 would eliminate any abortions after 15 weeks, with no exception in cases of rape, incest or human trafficking, and criminalize medical professionals who provide abortions. | | Standing against this bill are organizations from around the state including FSU/UNF/USF Students for a Democratic Society, Tampa Bay Community Action Committee (TBCAC), Tallahassee Communit…
(2022-02-19). 2022 California Juneteenth – American River Parkway – Introducing the California Gold Book. indybay.org In 1844, the Honorable William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr., "African Founding Father of California," seized the opportunity and stipulated in his unique Mexican Land Grant, Rancho Rio De Los Americanos, not to interfere with the Indigenous population who remain the sacred stewards of the land.
(2022-02-19). The path toward an Official California Juneteenth Paid Holiday. indybay.org The legacy of "Chattel Slavery of people of African Descent" in California may originate in legendary battles with Queen Califia. Spanish Military led by Hernan Cortez, with ships full of Conquistadors including reinforcements of over 300 free and enslaved men of African Descent in 1535 began a new paradigm along western coast of the Pacific Ocean.
(2022-02-19). Virginia's Republican Governor signs law banning school mask mandates with bipartisan support. wsws.org Governor Glenn Youngkin has banned mask mandates even at the local level throughout the state.
(2022-02-18). Ukraine's Prospects of Joining NATO Were Never Strong, Ex-MI6 Chief Reveals. sputniknews.com Ukraine switched from a policy of bloc neutrality toward aspiring to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 2014, after a US and EU-backed coup overthrew the country's democratically elected government.
(2022-02-18). U.S., EU pushing kindergarten Raƒçak theme. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com The EU's Borrell has been even more bellicose than Biden and Stoltenberg over the past year. See also: Canadian junta accuses Russia of shelling kindergarten in Ukraine UkranewsFebruary 18, 2022 U.S. Considers Kindergarten Shelling In Stanytsia Luhanska Minsk Agreements Violation By Russia The United States Embassy in Ukraine considers the shelling of a kindergarten in …
(2022-02-18). War danger rises after continued U.S. fearmongering on Ukraine. peoplesworld.org 
After U.S. credibility was strained again Thursday by yet another declaration coming from President Joe Biden that he expects a Russian invasion of Ukraine in the next few days, Secretary of State Antony Blinken rushed to the U.N. to assure the Security Council that "I am here today not to start a war but to …
(2022-02-18). Documents Reveal US Gov't Spent $22M Promoting Anti-Russia Narrative in Ukraine and Abroad. mintpressnews.com 
The National Endowment for Democracy can claim it is in the business of democracy promotion. In reality, it does anything but that, unless "democracy" is entirely synonymous with elite U.S. interests.
(2022-02-18). Canadian dictatorship announces Biden to speak with NATO, EU leaders on Ukraine. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Interfax-UkraineFebruary 18, 2022 US President organizes meeting of EU and NATO leaders on Ukraine — Canadian PM's Office U.S. President Joe Biden is organizing a meeting with the heads of EU and NATO countries to discuss the situation around Ukraine, the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada reports. "The Prime Minister will participate in …
(2022-02-18). Headlines for February 18, 2022. democracynow.org Biden Claims Russia Is Plotting a "False Flag" Operation as Pretext for Ukraine Invasion, COVID-19 Cases Hit Record Highs in Asian Countries as Omicron Variant Surges, Donald Trump, Trump Jr. and Ivanka Ordered to Testify in New York Civil Fraud Probe, Florida Lawmakers Advance Bill to Ban Abortions After 15 Weeks, More Than a Quarter of World's Women Worldwide Have Experienced Domestic Violence, Haitian Sweatshop Workers Strike to Demand $15 a Day, Death Toll in Brazil Landslides Rises to 117, with 100+ Still Missing, Canadian Police Investigating Sabotage of Coastal GasLink Pipeline Worksite,…
(2022-02-18). A Call for Peace: Russian & U.S. Women Push for Diplomacy, Not Military Action, to Resolve Crisis. democracynow.org 
U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov have agreed to meet next week as tension remains high over Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia has announced plans to stage massive drills on Saturday of its nuclear forces, including multiple practice missile launches. We speak with Russian journalist Nadezhda Azhgikhina, one of a group of two dozen independent Russian and American women who released an open letter this week calling for peace. The letter reads, "We are united in the belief that diplomacy, dialogue, engagement and exchange are urgently needed to end the current crisis an…
(2022-02-18). Mexican Scientist In Miami: I'm A Russian Agent And I Plead Guilty. moguldom.com An internationally-renowned Mexican scientist pleaded guilty to acting as a Russian agent without notifying authorities in the United States. Attorneys for Hector Alejandro Cabrera Fuentes, 37, filed a plea deal on Tuesday, Feb. 15, nearly two years to the day after Fuentes was arrested by FBI agents. The FBI found incriminating information on Fuentes' phone …
(2022-02-18). Trump Slams 'Crooked' Hillary Clinton As 'One of the Most Corrupt Politicians to Run for President'. sputniknews.com Addressing the New York State Democratic Party Convention on Thursday, Hillary Clinton called Special Counsel John Durham's court filing alleging she paid cybersecurity experts to hack into Donald Trump's election campaign to back her false claim that he "colluded" with Russia to defeat her in the 2016 presidential election a "conspiracy theory".
(2022-02-18). NATO chief praises Biden-Harris regime VP for aid in war with Russia, confrontation with China. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com NATOFebruary 18, 2022 Secretary General's warm words with US Vice President Kamala Harris Thank you so much, Madame Vice President.It's really a great pleasure to meet with you. NATO remains the cornerstone for our security.The security of Europe and for North America.And therefore, I am extremely grateful for your personal commitment to our Alliance, to …
(2022-02-18). With Its Doomsday Clock at 100 Seconds to Midnight, The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists calls for escalating U.S. aggression against Russia. mronline.org 
The Bulletin emerged after World War II as a voice for peace, but has since drifted into being an echo chamber for the U.S. imperial project.
(2022-02-18). Blinken at the UN: A Colin Powell moment. wsws.org Developments over the past 24 hours make clear that the Biden administration, speaking for dominant sections of the American ruling class, is determined to escalate the confrontation with Russia, even to the point of triggering a world war.
(2022-02-18). In U.S.' NATO ally Poland, fascism looms. peoplesworld.org 
The movers and shakers of right-wing populism rule present-day Poland. They have hijacked Polish democracy and are systematically destroying it. In its place is an authoritarian regime that has no qualms about adopting the rhetoric of intolerance and quasi-fascism. In the space of a single generation, the Polish "experiment with democracy" has delivered an anti-democratic …
(2022-02-18). The Capitalist Imperative Driving Cruel And Bipartisan US Migration Policies. popularresistance.org President Biden recently reached an agreement with Mexico to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), a program instituted by the Trump administration. It requires tens of thousands of migrants to pursue their requests for asylum outside of the US, living in horrifying conditions on the Mexican side of the border until it is their turn to attend a hearing. While Biden initially moved to end the program, a Texas judge ordered the administration to continue MPP until it went through the proper administrative process to end it. The administration, having received the appropriate legal coverage, not only rei…
(2022-02-18). Biden Administration Proposes Change to 'Public Charge' Rule, Allowing Immigrants More Benefits. latinorebels.com On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a change to the "public charge" rule that would increase the number of government benefits immigrants can receive without affecting their green card applications.
(2022-02-18). Sanders Calls to Cancel All Student Debt After Biden Axes $415 Millions' Worth. truthout.org 
After the Biden administration canceled $415 million of student debt for victims of for-profit colleges, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) called for all student debt to be canceled, a move that could relieve tens of millions of borrowers of what is often a huge financial burden. | On Wednesday,
(2022-02-18). US Is Effectively Stealing Billions From a Nation Ravaged by a US-Initiated War. truthout.org 
President Joe Biden recently In sharp contrast, hi…
(2022-02-18). VIDEO: How Biden Caved On Student Debt Lawsuits. dailyposter.com 
(2022-02-18). Over 160 House Republicans Threaten to Sabotage Iran Deal. news.antiwar.com Over 160 House Republicans sent a letter to President Biden threatening to do everything they can to sabotage an agreement with Iran if it is not approved by Congress. Iran is seeking guarantees that the next president won't withdraw from the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA. But since the JCPOA is not a treaty, …
(2022-02-18). Washington Might be Abandoning Guaidó's Project & Aiming at 2024 Presidential Race. orinocotribune.com In what many analysts already consider to be a turn in the imperialist policy against Venezuela, the United States government and its allies in the European Union have spoken of the need for electoral agreements permitting "crucial conditions for a free and fair electoral process by 2024." | This stand appears to implicitly recognize the terms clearly defined by the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, regarding the date of the upcoming presidential elections. In this sense, the vaunted "proposal" of former deputy Juan Guaidó, and his efforts to bring about an early electoral process, outside of…
(2022-02-18). Thousands of mail-in ballots rejected in Texas under restrictive voting law. wsws.org Thousands of mail-in ballot applications and filled-out ballots have been rejected by Texas election officials on the basis of new, anti-democratic voter ID requirements imposed by the Republican state government.
(2022-02-18). All-out in the fight for democratic rights! cpusa.org 
The following report was presented by Joelle Fishman, Chair of the Political Action Commission, to the National Committee meeting on Feb. 13, 2022. Joe Sims has laid before us the urgency, dangers, and possibilities of the current political situation and the 2022 elections. We have the responsibility and opportunity to be in the thick …
(2022-02-18). Elections in Colombia: Prospects for Change and Lack of Guarantees. independentmediainstitute.org Click here to download the Spanish translation of this article. (Haga clic aquí para descargar la traducción al español de este artículo.) The Latin American and Caribbean electoral calendar for 2022 promises to be no less hectic than that of the previous year. Among the upcoming elections and referendums that are slated for this year—Costa …
(2022-02-18). Filing by special counsel greeted with right-wing media celebration and Trump death threats. wsws.org The 13-page motion from Special Counsel John Durham, filled with legal jargon about potential conflicts of interest among defense lawyers, is being distorted for different reasons by both pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions of the corporate media.
(2022-02-18). A Brand of "Portugal Socialism" May Overtake the World Soon. journal-neo.org 
During the Trump Administration we were introduced to the unsmiling figure of a certain Stephen Miller, senior adviser and speechwriter. According to a longstanding and far-fetched conspiracy theory, the world is run by a race of reptiles disguised as humans. The only reason Miller cannot be one of them is that, in his case, the …
(2022-02-18). Child Poverty Increased by 41 Percent After Monthly Tax Credits Expired. truthout.org 
New data shows that the ending of the popular Child Tax Credit payment program due to objections from conservative Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin (West Virginia) has resulted in a massive increase in the childhood poverty rate throughout the U.S. |
(2022-02-18). Western democracies have mutated into propagandists for war and conflict. peoplesdispatch.org It is more than a century since Edward Bernays, the father of spin, invented "public relations" as a cover for war propaganda. What is new is the elimination of dissent in the mainstream.
(2022-02-18). Mass Arrests as Ottawa Police Ban Lawful Protest in the Seat of "Canadian Democracy" (Updated). libya360.wordpress.com OTTAWA: The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms sent a cease and desist demand letter to Steve Bell, Interim Police Chief Ottawa Police Service on February 17, 2022, after hearing his warning that Canadians should not come to Ottawa to protest. At a press conference earlier today, Interim Chief Bell said, "The secured area includes almost 100 checkpoints that will have police…
(2022-02-18). Activists arrested at FL state capitol for opposing abortion ban law. fightbacknews.org Tallahassee, FL- On February 17, around 12 a.m., members of Students for a Democratic
| Society and Tallahassee's chapter of Planned Parenthood were given trespassing warnings for speaking up against HB 5, an abortion ban bill that limits abortions to the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. After HB5 was passed despite significant public opposition, organizers and students joined a chant denouncing the bill and were subsequently removed from the capitol. | Capitol Police threatened to arrest organizers if they did not sign a trespassing warning that indefinitely banned them from entering the Florida Capitol Building…
(2022-02-18). Filmmaker Stanley Nelson on Police Brutality, Black History & His First Oscar Nomination for "Attica" democracynow.org 
Legendary filmmaker Stanley Nelson's new documentary "Attica" has been nominated for the first Oscar in his three-decades-long career documenting the Black American experience. The film tells the story of the deadliest prison uprising in U.S. history, when men at the Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York rebelled on September 9, 1971, overpowering guards and taking over much of the prison to protest conditions, before New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller called out state troopers, who opened fire and killed at least 39 men, including 10 guards. Attica is one of the most "importa…
(2022-02-18). Wave of Bomb Threats Terrorizing Historically Black Colleges Continues During Black History Month. democracynow.org 
The House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security heard testimony Thursday about a wave of bomb threats against historically Black colleges and universities, including more than a dozen this month alone. February is Black History Month. More than 60 educational groups called on Congress this week to take immediate steps to support and protect HBCUs. We speak with legendary filmmaker Stanley Nelson, whose 2017 PBS film, "Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities," documents the pivotal role HBCUs played in dismantling segregation after the Civil War and creati…
(2022-02-18). CDC Starts To Turn Against Mask Mandates: 7 Things To Know. moguldom.com Since the dawn of the covid-19 pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised mask-wearing as an important way to combat the deadly virus. Now that guidance may be shifting, according to recent remarks from the agency's director. Here are seven things to know about the CDC changing course on mask mandates. …
(2022-02-18). A Republican Genocide of Quackery: COVID-19 has Killed as many Americans as all our Wars combined. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — The CDC now estimates that there have been 1,045,389 excess deaths since January 1, 2020, because of COVID-19. PBS estimates that roughly 1,100,000 Americans have died in all US wars in history. That is, the death toll from COVID-19 is just about as great as the toll of all our …
(2022-02-18). State Constitutions Could Stymie Right-Wing Strategies for a Post-"Roe" World. truthout.org 
Republican lawmakers in a handful of conservative states have stumbled on a roadblock to what they thought would be a clear path to setting new restrictions on abortion if the Supreme Court upends the landmark Roe v. Wade decision: right-to-privacy protections enshrined in their own state constitutions. | In states where courts have ruled that their constitutions' explicit privacy rights extend to the right of a woman to have an abortion, the procedure would continue to be legal even if the Su…