Issue 1335

News

Anti-war and peace networks are pushing back against Australia supporting a war in Europe, triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Jacob Andrewartha reports.

Andrew Chuter, active聽for聽public transport and public housing campaigns, will run for the seat of Sydney for the Socialist Alliance. Jim McIlroy reports.

Unionists and their聽families rallied for secure jobs on February 19. Steve O'Brien reports

The聽Rail, Tram and Bus Union described the NSW government鈥檚 unilateral shut-down of the Sydney train network on February 21 as 鈥渁 huge dummy spit鈥. Jim McIlroy reports.

The family of a 16-year-old Aboriginal boy, who was killed in a collision with an unmarked police car, has called for an independent investigation into how he died. Isaac Nellist reports.

Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends wants the NSW government to change the status of gas from low to high-emissions energy. Kathy McKenzie reports.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce thinks he can shore up his New England seat by talking up the widely-criticised Dungowan Dam project at Tamworth. Tracey Carpenter reports.

Analysis

William Briggs argues that聽as Russia and China are being threatened with offensive weapons, they might reasonably argue they are responding to bullying.

Russia has no right to launch attacks across Ukraine聽and it must pull back. However, the conflict cannot be understood outside the relentless drive by the United States to expand NATO up to Russia鈥檚 border and to encircle it militarily,聽argues Sam Wainwright.

Following Origin Energy's decision聽to close Eraring coal-fired power station early, calls聽are growing for a聽federal聽transition plan. Niko Leka reports.

Whatever the outcome of the standoff involving thousands of Russian troops at the border, arms dealers will be circling for opportunities to profit, argues聽Jake Lynch.

When former and current ASIO chiefs feel impelled to contradict Dutton鈥檚 warmongering, you know the wannabe general has overstepped the mark. Pip Hinman argues that a khaki election campaign could swing it for the Coalition.

Among protesters the meaning of the panacea slogan 鈥渇reedom鈥澛爄s diverse. Stuart Rees argues that聽reasoning and聽persuasion聽are needed to combat the pandemic of intolerant dogma.

The drive to demonise China is tied to the crisis-ridden nature of capitalism. Capitalist China has been both friend and enemy,聽depending on the state of play within the global economy. William Briggs reports.

World

Russia's war on Ukraine

In the wake of Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine, anti-war and progressive groups have responded with calls for Russia鈥檚 immediate withdrawal and for a diplomatic resolution of the crisis, reports Susan Price.

No war

Left parties and anti-war groups internationally have added their voices to calls for a peaceful negotiation to end the Ukraine crisis, reports Susan Price.

War on TV

Instead of running documentaries, statements or messages on how war might be averted, the message of conflict has become inexorably clear in the mainstream media, argues Binoy Kampmark.

A Free Ocalan protest in Sydney, Australia

Every year since the imprisonment of Kurdish leader Abdullah 脰calan 23 years ago, an international peace delegation has collected evidence on the treatment of political prisoners in Turkey, reports Peter Boyle.

Sri Lankan health workers protest

A district court in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo ordered the government nurses union to suspend strike action on February 9 after more than three months of strikes, reports Chris Slee.听

Cuba COVID-19 vaccine

Cuba was the first country in the world to begin the mass vaccination of children as young as two years old against COVID-19, reports Ian Ellis-Jones.

Hugo Torres in 2013

Seventy-three-year-old former Sandinista leader Hugo Torres died in Nicaragua's capital on February 12. Dick Nichols pays tribute and looks at the circumstances leading to Torres's arrest and imprisonment eight months ago.

Bonafont pplant, Mexico.

Twenty Indigenous Nahua communities in Mexico, together with hundreds of other organisations, are calling for a boycott of water bottling companies, reports Tamara Pearson.

'Freedom Convoy' Canada

In response to the so-called "Freedom Convoys", Canada鈥檚 Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act, but Jeff Shantz argues this move should be viewed as a danger to community organisers and the left.

Culture

French Film  Authentik Supremes NTM

The 33rd Alliance Fran莽aise French Film Festival opens around Australia in March. This year鈥檚 selection includes many for people with a taste for social justice themes, writes Barry Healy.

Ecosocialist Bookshelf February

Climate and Capitalism editor Ian Angus presents reading matter for reds and greens.

Time for Socialism by Thomas Picketty

Alex Salmon reviews Thomas Piketty's new book, which argues for a world beyond capitalism.

Gu Ailing at the 2020 Youth Olympics

Chinese-American Olympian Eileen Gu (Gu Ailing) is the first 鈥渁ction-sports鈥 athlete to win three medals at the same Olympics, but is under attack for competing for China, reports Malik Miah.