Published by ReutersBy Polina Nikolskaya and Tom Balmforth DONETSK, Ukraine/MOSCOW (Reuters) -President Vladimir Putin launched exercises by Russia's strategic nuclear missile forces on Saturday and Washington said Russian troops massed near Ukraine's border were moving forward and "poised to strike". With Western nations fearing what could be one of the worst conflicts since … [Read more...] about Putin launches nuclear drills as U.S. says Russian forces ‘uncoil’ for Ukraine attack
FOX AND CRACK (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who is only 15, failed a drug test but was allowed to compete anyway. Sure, the medication was a performance-enhancing drug, but it’s not like she’s a black athlete caught smoking pot. Valieva may not be the bad guy in this as it’s possible she wasn’t even aware she was doped, but she may have wondered where all the new and sudden-found … [Read more...] about FOX AND CRACK (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
The Cold War, modern Ukraine and the spread of democracy in the former Soviet bloc countries
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Alexei Druzhinin / Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images Michael De Groot, Indiana University As Russia masses forces and equipment on Ukraine’s border, international tensions over a possible invasion intensify almost daily. Ukraine has emerged as ground zero … [Read more...] about The Cold War, modern Ukraine and the spread of democracy in the former Soviet bloc countries
What are false flag attacks – and could Russia make one work in the information age?
The Russian and Ukrainian governments both blamed forces aligned with the other for mortar fire in eastern Ukraine and for using the accusations as justification for increased aggression. AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda Scott Radnitz, University of Washington In the past few weeks, U.S. officials have warned several times that Russia plans to create the … [Read more...] about What are false flag attacks – and could Russia make one work in the information age?
Rebels announce evacuation from east Ukraine; West says Russia creates pretext for war
Published by Reuters UKBy Anton Zverev, Pavel Polityuk and Polina Nikolskaya MOSCOW/KYIV/DONETSK (Reuters) - Russian-backed separatists announced the sudden surprise evacuation of their breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine on Friday, a shock turn in a conflict the West believes Moscow plans to use to justify an all-out invasion of its neighbour. Warning sirens blared in … [Read more...] about Rebels announce evacuation from east Ukraine; West says Russia creates pretext for war
Col. Gail S. Halvorsen, the ‘Berlin Candy Bomber’ Dies at 101
The Associated Press reported today that Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen, affectionately known as the “Berlin Candy Bomber,” died at age 101 on Wednesday. The Gail S. Halvorsen Aviation Education Foundation announced Col. Halvorsen's passing with this tribute: God bless you Gail, and your family too. Rest easy, skipper- we'll take the controls now … [Read more...] about Col. Gail S. Halvorsen, the ‘Berlin Candy Bomber’ Dies at 101
U.S. says war appears imminent after shelling on Ukraine front line
Published by ReutersBy Dmitry Antonov and Pavel Polityuk MOSCOW/KYIV (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday there was now every indication Russia was planning to invade Ukraine, including signs Moscow was carrying out a false flag operation to justify it, after Ukrainian forces and pro-Moscow rebels traded fire. Moscow, for its part, ejected the number two … [Read more...] about U.S. says war appears imminent after shelling on Ukraine front line
The Hefbrug: A Bridge too Low. A Bridge too Far? (Updates)
UPDATE II: Several reports indicate that the city of Rotterdam may approve the dismantling of the historic Hef Bridge to allow passage to open sea of billionaire Jeff Bezos’ $500 million superyacht. This, in spite of heavy opposition and threats to pelt the yacht with rotten eggs (“or, if one is a vegan, with tomatoes”) when it eventually sails through the dismantled … [Read more...] about The Hefbrug: A Bridge too Low. A Bridge too Far? (Updates)
Biden’s showdown with Putin undercuts his face-off with China
President Joe Biden seems to have won the first round by pushing Russia’s Vladimir Putin to start withdrawing at least a handful of troops massed along Ukraine's border. He may have set the ball rolling for the de-escalation he demanded from the start after Putin made the fateful choice of presenting a military fait accompli to Biden to coerce the 30 US-led NATO … [Read more...] about Biden’s showdown with Putin undercuts his face-off with China
Movie Review: Those Who Walk Away
Those Who Walk Away is loosely inspired by a short story about a community whose happiness and joy can only be sustained by torturing a young boy. The movie is a hybrid with completely different moods at the beginning and midpoint. It's not a cookie-cutter slasher horror film and is masterfully shot as a one-take movie (like Hitchcock's Rope and 1917), which gives the … [Read more...] about Movie Review: Those Who Walk Away
Canada in crisis: Why Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act to end trucker protests
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, surrounded by key members of his cabinet, announces his government will invoke the Emergencies Act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Jack L. Rozdilsky, York University, Canada Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act in an effort to quell the protests by truckers and other groups … [Read more...] about Canada in crisis: Why Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act to end trucker protests
NATO: Russia is continuing its military build-up near Ukraine
Published by DPANATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that the alliance has "not seen any de-escalation on the ground" despite announcements from Russia about the pullback of troops stationed near the Ukrainian border. "On the contrary, it appears that Russia continues the military build-up," Stoltenberg told reporters. "What we see is that they have increased the number … [Read more...] about NATO: Russia is continuing its military build-up near Ukraine
Biden gives Jan. 6 panel access to Trump’s White House visitor logs
Published by ReutersBy Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden has rejected former President Donald Trump's executive privilege claims and ordered White House visitor logs to be released to the panel investigating the deadly Jan. 6, 2021 attack, according to a letter released on Wednesday. In a letter to the National Archives, Biden's White House counsel granted … [Read more...] about Biden gives Jan. 6 panel access to Trump’s White House visitor logs
5 things to know about why Russia might invade Ukraine – and why the US is involved
Tatsiana Kulakevich, University of South Florida U.S. officials ordered most of the U.S. embassy personnel in Kyiv to evacuate on Feb. 12, as they warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could come any day. President Joe Biden cautioned Russian President Vladimir Putin of “swift and severe” costs of any such invasion. Russia has amassed an estimated 100,000 troops along … [Read more...] about 5 things to know about why Russia might invade Ukraine – and why the US is involved
Russia says some troops pull back from near Ukraine, West says no proof yet
Published by ReutersBy Dmitry Antonov and Sarah Marsh MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Tuesday some of its military units were returning to their bases after exercises near Ukraine and mocked repeated Western warnings about a looming invasion, but NATO said it had yet to see any sign of de-escalation on the ground. Russia did not say how many units were being withdrawn, and … [Read more...] about Russia says some troops pull back from near Ukraine, West says no proof yet
How Should White Nationalism Be Addressed?
White nationalism and white supremacy have always been woven into the American fabric, even before the Revolution. Over the last decade however, they have grown in power and adherents. Is it possible to subsume this movement into the maw of American democracy, taming its tendency towards violence and moderating its racial exclusiveness to promote its other ideas? Can … [Read more...] about How Should White Nationalism Be Addressed?
Trump’s accounting firm to Trump: You’re fired!
From Donald Trump's accounting firm Mazars USA to Donald Trump: You're fired. It says it can't stand behind The Trump Organization's 2011-2020 statements of financial condition. In essence: buh-bye! Donald J. Trump’s longtime accounting firm cut ties with him and his family business last week, saying it could no longer stand behind a decade of annual financial statements … [Read more...] about Trump’s accounting firm to Trump: You’re fired!
Report: Ukraine president says he’s been told Russia will attack Wednesday
Unless there is some near-miraculous breakthrough, Russia will attack Ukraine on Wednesday, February 16, according to Ukraine's President. NBC News reports: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that his government has been told that Wednesday, Feb. 16, will be "the day of attack" when Russia invades Ukraine. The United States and its allies have … [Read more...] about Report: Ukraine president says he’s been told Russia will attack Wednesday
Russia keeps door open for diplomacy as Ukraine hints at concessions
Published by ReutersBy Darya Korsunskaya and Natalia Zinets MOSCOW/KYIV (Reuters) - Russia suggested on Monday that it was ready to keep talking to the West to try to defuse a security crisis in which it has massed a huge force within striking distance of Ukraine, while a Ukrainian official said Kyiv was prepared to make concessions to Moscow. In a televised exchange, President … [Read more...] about Russia keeps door open for diplomacy as Ukraine hints at concessions
German Chancellor Scholz: Act quickly in case of military aggression against Ukraine
Published by DPAGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz sees the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as a "very, very serious threat to peace in Europe." In the event of military aggression against Ukraine, which would endanger its territorial integrity and sovereignty, there would be "tough reactions and sanctions," he said in Berlin on Sunday. These had been carefully prepared, Scholz … [Read more...] about German Chancellor Scholz: Act quickly in case of military aggression against Ukraine