Protests Against Pension Reform Continue as Yellow Vests and Trade Unions Hit Paris Streets – Video
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-11
Protesters are taking to the streets in Paris to express their dissatisfaction with economic and social policies pursued by the French government, including the widely-unpopular pension reform.
sputniknews.com/europe/202001111078007158-protests-against-pension-reform-continue-as-yellow-vests-and-trade-unions-hit-paris-streets—video/
Pompeo: Washington Focused on Developing 'Constructive and Productive' Ties With Russia
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-11
Mike Pompeo's comments come as former deputy to the US Secretary of State John J. Sullivan is set to assume office as the head of the US diplomatic mission in Russia, succeeding Jon Huntsman Jr.
sputniknews.com/us/202001111078006788-pompeo-washington-focused-on-developing-constructive-and-productive-ties-with-russia/
Novak Djokovic gives Daniil Medvedev the runaround as Serbia beat Russia to reach ATP Cup final (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-01-11
World No. 2 Novak Djokovic showed his class as he ran the legs off Russia's top player Daniil Medvedev to send Serbia through to the final of the inaugural ATP Cup in Australia. | Djokovic defeated Medvedev 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 using a clear and effective tactic in their semi-final matchup — make Medvedev run. | Djokovic's well-chosen shots forced the six-foot-five Medvedev to cover an incredible amount of ground as he was forced to chase down shots throughout their three-set encounter. | And, eventually, the Russian was simply unable to keep pace with Djokovic's powerful, precise attack as the Serbian star clai…
rt.com/sport/478012-atp-cup-novak-djokovic-daniil-medvedev/
Merkel in Moscow: As Trump pushes his weight around, Russia-Germany relations defrost
rt.com | 2020-01-11
Angela Merkel's visit to Moscow is far from a courtesy call. Germany and Russia's political relations are thawing. It's good news for all Europeans. | As Iran and the United States seemingly limbered up for war, Russia and Germany, as the continent's two most powerful countries, have a special responsibility to protect it from any fallout. | Merkel's decision to travel to the Russian capital may be conceived as a signal to Washington that: | a) Berlin remains capable of mounting an independent foreign policy, if pushed, | b) the Germans won't be cowed by sanctions the US has placed on the Nord Stream 2 pipelin…
rt.com/news/477995-merkel-putin-meeting-moscow/
Bolivia: Coup Govt. Tries to Convince Europe There Was No Coup
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-11
The de-facto Government of Jeanine Añez entrusted Friday to her now ex-vice chancellor Gualberto Rodriguez to report in Europe that in Bolivia there was no coup d'etat, but a constitutional succession, from his new position as Chargé d'affaires in Spain. | RELATED: | Bolivia One Month After the Coup: A Recount of Pivotal Events | At a ceremony during which Rodriguez's successor was sworn in, de-facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia, Karen Longaric, wished the new chargé d'affaires "much…
telesurenglish.net/news/Bolivias-de-facto-Govt.-Asks-a-Diplomat-to-Report-in-Europe-That-There-Was-No-Coup-20200110-0016.html
Germany: Response to satirical children's video exposes self-censorship of the media
wsws.org | 2020-01-11
The week before Christmas, German broadcaster WDR posted an online video of a children's choir singing an updated version of a satirical song, triggering hysterical denunciations.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/11/vide-j11.html
Zelensky demands full investigation into plane crash by Iran with access for Ukrainian experts
rt.com | 2020-01-11
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Iran to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the deadly Ukrainian airliner crash, after Tehran admitted accidentally shooting down the jet. | Zelensky made his statement after Iran officially admitted that its army had downed Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 by mistake, killing all 176 people on board, including 11 Ukrainians. | We expect from Iran assurances of their readiness for a full and open investigation, bringing those responsible to justice, the return of the bodies of the dead, the payment of compensation, official ap…
rt.com/news/477997-zelensky-demands-full-investigation/
Iran will send black box of downed Ukrainian airliner to be decoded in France
rt.com | 2020-01-11
The black box of the Ukrainian passenger jet that was downed by the Iranian military will be examined in France, after Paris, the US and Canada refused to send software needed for its analysis, the Iran's chief investigator said. | Hassan Rezaeifar, the chief of Iran's probe into the crash, told IRNA on Saturday that the country lacks the technology needed to decode and extract the information in the black box, an onboard device that records flight data. | Tehran had originally asked Canada, France and the US to send over the required equipment and software, but they refused, Rezaeifar said. Iran then proposed…
rt.com/news/478016-iran-black-box-france/
European powers support war preparations against Iran
wsws.org | 2020-01-11
Not a single leading European politician condemned the brutal murder of General Qassem Suleimani, which represented a gross violation of international law and massively expanded the ongoing regional war in the Middle East.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/11/euro-j11.html
Family of British Teen Killed by US Diplomat's Wife in Car Crash '100% Sure' She'll Face Trial in UK
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-11
President Trump has consistently ruled out sending Anne Sacoolas back to the UK to stand trial, and even offered to write the Dunn family a cheque as 'compensation' for their son's death when they visited him at the White House before Christmas.
sputniknews.com/europe/202001111078007776-US-UK-Sacoolas-extradition/
Mine Explosion Hits Vehicle With Romanian Troops in Southern Afghanistan – Source
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-11
KABUL (Sputnik) – A bomb explosion has hit a military vehicle carrying Romanian troops in the Dand district of Afghanistan's Kandahar Province, a source said Saturday.
sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001111078007284-mine-explosion-hits-vehicle-with-romanian-troops-in-southern-afghanistan-source/
Crowdfunding and solidarity
France 24 | zcomm.org | 2020-01-11
How French rail workers sustain a record-long strike…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/crowdfunding-and-solidarity/
Turkey, US representatives discuss Syria, Iran-US row
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-11
A top Turkish official and a key U.S. diplomat in the region on Saturday discussed Syria and the U.S.-Iran row in Istanbul, according to diplomatic sources.During the meeting in Dolmabahce Palace, Ibrahim Kalin and James Jeffrey stressed the importance of meeting the requirements of the agreement between Turkey and the U.S. to establish a safe zone in northern Syria for displaced people.Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey's borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria's te…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-us-representatives-discuss-syria-iran-us-row-3509418
Turkey expects Russia to convince Haftar for cease-fire
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-11
Turkey expects Russia to convince Libya's renegade general Khalifa Haftar for a cease-fire, the country's foreign minister said on Saturday."Turkey's expectation from its Russian friends is to convince general Khalifa Haftar for a cease-fire in Libya based on what was agreed upon by the Turkish and Russian presidents," said Mevlut Cavusoglu, speaking at a joint news conference with his Ghanaian counterpart Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey in Istanbul.On Wednesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin urged a cease-fire in Libya by Jan. 12 following a meeting in Istanbul.The UN-recogni…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-expects-russia-to-convince-haftar-for-cease-fire-3509422
Iran to send black box of Ukrainian plane to France
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-11
Iran will send the black box of the Ukrainian plane which it "accidentally" downed to France, officials said Saturday.Speaking to state-run IRNA, Hassan Rezaeifar, the director-general of the Iran Civil Aviation Organization, said: "We asked countries, including Canada, France and the U.S. to send essential software and hardware to Iran to download information from the black box, but these countries rejected Iran's offer."He said Iran does not have the technology to download this crucial information.Iran also offered to send the black box to a reputable laboratory in countries like Ukraine, Sweden, England, Canad…
yenisafak.com/en/world/iran-to-send-black-box-of-ukrainian-plane-to-france-3509419
Iran's Guards mistook Ukrainian plane for cruise missile, says official
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-11
A Ukrainian plane shot down by Iran was misidentified as a cruise missile, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander said on Saturday in a broadcast on Iranian state television.The plane was shot down by a short-range missile, aerospace division head Amirali Hajizadeh said.Video: Video appears to show moment Ukraine plane hit over Iran
…
yenisafak.com/en/world/irans-guards-mistook-ukrainian-plane-for-cruise-missile-says-official-3509415
Ukraine says Iran statement confirms its suspicions on plane crash
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-11
A statement by Iran saying it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane confirms one of the working theories of the Ukrainian state security service (SBU) on what caused the crash, SBU chief Ivan Bakanov said on Saturday.Contrary to what some experts had said initially, the SBU thought Iran's anti-aircraft missile system had been operated manually rather than automatically, Bakanov said in a statement.Iran said it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 aboard and voiced deep regret, after initially denying it brought down the aircraft in the tense aftermath of Iranian missile strikes…
yenisafak.com/en/news/ukraine-says-iran-statement-confirms-its-suspicions-on-plane-crash-3509410
Presidents of Ukraine, Iran to discuss downed plane
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-11
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to hold a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Saturday after Tehran said it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, the Ukrainian president's office said.The Ukrainian passenger airplane travelling to Kiev crashed shortly after take-off from Tehran on Wednesday, killing all 176 people on board.Iran had previously denied any responsibility.
yenisafak.com/en/world/presidents-of-ukraine-iran-to-discuss-downed-plane-3509413
Twelve dead, 21 rescued as migrant boat sinks off Greek island
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-11
At least twelve people drowned when their boat sank off an island in western Greece on Saturday, Greek authorities said, marking the deadliest toll in months in Greece's migrant crisis.Twenty one people were rescued, the coastguard said.Helicopters and ships were searching the area south-west of the island of Paxos for more survivors. Authorities said they had accounts of up to 50 people being on the vessel.The Greek authorities said they had scrambled to the area after receiving a distress signal from the boat which was taking in water. No further details were immediately available.
yenisafak.com/en/news/twelve-dead-21-rescued-as-migrant-boat-sinks-off-greek-island-3509421
France: Government Talks on Pension Reform Fails
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-10
After enduring on Thursday the first mass demonstration of 2020 in rejection of the pension reform promoted by President Emmanuel Macron, negotiations between the French government and trade unions failed to break the deadlock over pension reform as both sides stood firm ahead of a fifth day of nationwide protests. | RELATED: | France Faces Another Nationwide Strike Against Pension Reform | With a public transport strike into its 37th day, Macron's centrist administration defied…
telesurenglish.net/news/france-failed-government-talks-on-pension-reform–20200110-0009.html
"Fake Intelligence"? Washington Blames Iran for Ukraine Airliner Crash. Was the Plane Brought down by a Missile?
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-10
Disinformation, Big Lies and fake news repeated enough get most people to believe the official (falsified) narrative. | That's what state-sponsored propaganda is all about — supported by establishment media, operating as press agents for powerful interests, manipulating the public mind, …
globalresearch.ca/blaming-iran-ukraine-airliner-crash/5700207
EU Congress Stops Recognizing Jailed Catalan MP as Lawmaker
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-10
Jailed Catalan leader Oriol Junqueras' mandate as a European Union (EU) lawmaker is over, the legislature's head said on Friday, in what could be showing support for the hardline followed by Madrid against the independentist movement. | RELATED: | Brussels Court Suspends Extradition of Catalan Leader Puigdemont | European Parliament president David Sassoli said decisions this month by Spain's electoral board and Supreme Court blocking Junqueras from occupying his seat meant h…
telesurenglish.net/news/EU-Congress-Stops-Recognizing-Jailed-Catalan-MP-as-Lawmaker-20200110-0010.html
Righteous Capitalism vs. Cooperative Values
Bernard Marszalek | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-01-10
Employee Stock Option Plans Beer enthusiasts are bemoaning the sale of the fourth largest US craft brewery, New Belgium Brewery, based in Ft. Collins, Colorado, to Japanese conglomerate Kirin. They fear that the quality of the beer may suffer. Others have decried association with Kirin because of its poor business practices. Kirin, Amnesty International maintains, …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/01/righteous-capitalism-vs-cooperative-values/
The Visitor: Wizards of Loneliness
Lucy Schiller | counterpunch.org | 2020-01-10
I moved to Dortmund, Germany about three months ago, though it feels more like six or twelve. The hours stretch here in a way I'm not accustomed to, even living, as I used to, in a what my landlord in Iowa City called the "Spinster's Cottage"–a little shack originally built for an aging and unmarried…
counterpunch.org/2020/01/10/the-visitor-wizards-of-loneliness/
Ukraine Airliner Tragedy Evokes Memories of US Iran Air Shootdown, Cubana Flight 455 Attack
Brett Wilkins | commondreams.org | 2020-01-10
Iranian mourners attending an anti-US demonstration aftr the USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian Airbus. 290 civilian passengers and crew members, including 66 children, died. (Photo by Barry Iverson/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/people.jpg …
commondreams.org/views/2020/01/10/ukraine-airliner-tragedy-evokes-memories-us-iran-air-shootdown-cubana-flight-455?cd-origin=rss
Ukraine Airliner Tragedy Evokes Memories of When US Shot Down Iran Air Flight 655
Common Dreams | theantimedia.com | 2020-01-10
For many Iranians, the Tehran tragedy brought back painful memories of a similar incident from more than 30 years ago.
Ukraine Airliner Tragedy Evokes Memories of When US Shot Down Iran Air Flight 655
Across the Balkans: Diplomatic Fault Lines in the Sandžak of Novi Pazar
Matthew Stevenson | counterpunch.org | 2020-01-10
by Matthew Stevenson An account of a journey from Croatia to Kosovo, by way of Bosnia-Hercegovina and Serbia, and with a detour into Montenegro. This is part VIII of a series. My traveling luck ran out in Kraljevo, a small city in central Serbia. There I had hoped to catch the train south to Ra≈°ka,…
counterpunch.org/2020/01/10/across-the-balkans-diplomatic-fault-lines-in-the-sandzak-of-novi-pazar/
Millions march in France as strikes against Macron pension cut spread
wsws.org | 2020-01-10
Refinery, port and airline workers joined the strike as hundreds of thousands of workers and youth marched against austerity, militarism and police repression.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/10/fran-j10.html
European Union Denounces Israel's Settlement Expansion
IMEMC & Agencies | imemc.org | 2020-01-10
The European Union, on Thursday, criticized Israeli plans to expand illegal settlements built in the occupied Palestinian territory and called on Israel to comply with international law, the Palestinian News and Info Agency (WAFA) reported. Israel approved earlier this week the construction of almost 2000 housing units in illegal settlements …
imemc.org/article/european-union-denounces-israels-settlement-expansion/
Greta Thunberg and 20 Youth Climate Activists Call on Davos Attendees to 'Abandon the Fossil Fuel Economy'
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-01-10
As climate groups launched a new campaign targeting Wall Street's funding of the dirty energy industry and school strikers took part in weekly #FridaysForFuture protests across the globe, Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg and 20 fellow youth activists published an op-ed calling on world leaders to "abandon the fossil fuel economy." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/school_strike_italy.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2020/01/10/greta-thunberg-and-20-youth-climate-activists-call-davos-attendees-abandon-fossil?cd-origin=rss
UK House of Commons passes Johnson's Brexit deal
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-01-10
The deal has set the United Kingdom on course to leave the European Union by the end of the month and complete the transition process by the end of the year…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/01/10/uk-house-of-commons-passes-johnsons-brexit-deal/
Peace activists in South say 'No war on Iran'
Liberation Staff | liberationnews.org | 2020-01-09
Reports from North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Kentucky.
liberationnews.org/peace-activists-in-south-say-no-war-on-iran/
Strike action in France enters 36th day as workers refuse to back down
Ed Sykes | thecanary.co | 2020-01-09
Rail workers, teachers, doctors, lawyers and others have joined a nationwide day of protests and strikes in France to denounce President Emmanuel Macron's plans to change the country's pension system. Street protests were staged in Paris and other French cities, with railway strikes entering their sixth week. It was the 36th day of strike action, which Jacobin has called "the longest wave of continuous strik…
thecanary.co/global/world-news/2020/01/09/protests-and-strikes-in-france-enter-36th-day/
Spain: Sanchez Names Four VP's in New Coalition Government
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-09
The Coalition Government, chaired by Pedro Sánchez, will have as Vice Presidents Pablo Iglesias, Carmen Calvo, Nadia Calviño and Teresa Ribera. | RELATED: | Spain: New Government Prepares a Cabinet | Iglesias will occupy the vice presidency of Social Rights and Agenda 2030, in accordance with the confirmation of the Government that occupies the Moncloa Palace. | In addition, for the first time in history, the country will have three female vice presidents: Carmen Calvo, who will occupy the firs…
telesurenglish.net/news/spain-sanchez-names-four-veeps-in-new-coalition-government-20200109-0015.html
"Rwanda, the Truth About Operation Turquoise: When the Archives Speak"
Dennis Riches | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-09
In France, it is difficult to speak about certain subjects without unleashing the guard dogs of correct thought and dominant ideology. The sensitive dossiers are well-known: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the civil-global war in Syria, and the Rwandan genocides. Even to …
globalresearch.ca/rwanda-truth-operation-turquoise-archives-speak/5699710
Month-long strikes in France reach decisive week
G. Dunkel | workers.org | 2020-01-09
January 5 marks the 32nd day of a strike involving hundreds of thousands of French workers against the Macron government's plan for pension "reform." The current retirement systems would be replaced by a single system based on "points" that a worker would accumulate. The over-65 poverty rate in France is . . . | Continue reading Month-long strikes in France reach decisive week at Workers.org…
workers.org/2020/01/45378/
Protecting refugees in Europe: UNHCR calls for a 'year of change'
news.un.org | 2020-01-09
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) is calling on the European Union (EU) to make 2020 "the year of change for robust refugee protection". On Thursday, the agency issued a set of new recommendations, as Croatia and German preside over the EU Council during the next 12 months.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/01/1055091
UK: House of Commons Approves Boris Johnson's Brexit Deal
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-09
The House of Commons formally endorsed the Brexit agreement on Thursday, with 330 votes in favor and 231 against, so next week the House of Lords will discuss it and finally bring the process to an end before January 31st deadline. | RELATED: | France's Macron: I Want Solid Ties With Post-Brexit Britain | The approval of the Lower House comes after three and a half years of negotiations to finalize the departure of Britain from the European Union (EU), after the referendum. | Support for Brexit's final agreement was planned after the election victory of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson last month, who s…
telesurenglish.net/news/uk-house-of-commons-approves-boris-johnson-brexit-deal-20200109-0013.html
SNP says Scotland has right to 'alternative future' ahead of UK Brexit talks
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-01-09
SNP ministers insist Scotland has the "right to choose an alternative future" as they travel to London for talks with the UK government over Brexit. | Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell will take part in talks with UK government ministers and counterparts from the Welsh administration. | It is the first meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) on EU Negotiations since Boris Johnson won a majority in December's general election, a vote which paves the way for the UK to formally quit the European Union at the end of this month. | The meeting takes place the day after MSPs at Holyrood voted to rej…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2020/01/09/snp-says-scotland-has-right-to-alternative-future-ahead-of-uk-brexit-talks/
Nurses warn of burn-out in new strike over pay and recruitment
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-01-08
Thousands of "burned out" nurses have taken to picket lines in the north of Ireland as one-day strike action brings some health services to a standstill.An escalating row over pay and conditions in the under-pressure hospital system emptied treatment waiting rooms across the country.Politicians are trying to reach an agreement which would produce a funding boost for an NHS beset by long waiting lists for treatment and rancour over employee pay levels while struggling to fill some vacant posts.The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) protest follows a similar walkout last month over salary rates that lag behind colleagu…
thecanary.co/discovery/news-discovery/2020/01/08/nurses-warn-of-burn-out-in-new-strike-over-pay-and-recruitment/
Antisemitism has been used to smear the Left, while the Right targets Jews
Jonathan Cook | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-01-08
The year ended with two terrible setbacks for those seeking justice for the Palestinian people. One was the defeat in the British election of Jeremy Corbyn — a European leader with a unique record of solidarity with Palestinians. He had suffered four years of constant media abuse, recasting his activism as evidence of antisemitism. The …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/01/antisemitism-has-been-used-to-smear-the-left-while-the-right-targets-jews/
Tory government blocks bid to enshrine child refugee rights in Brexit agreement
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-01-08
MPs have voted down proposals to enshrine protections for child refugees as part of the government's Brexit agreement. | Following his election victory, Boris Johnson re-drafted his European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and rowed back on the previous government's acceptance of an amendment from Labour peer Lord Dubs to allow unaccompanied child refugees to continue to be reunited with their families in the UK after exit day. Dubs had fled from the Nazis on the Kindertransport to Britain when he was aged six. | Welcome to the UK in 2020, where Parliament just voted by a large majority to remove protections fo…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2020/01/08/tory-government-blocks-bid-to-enshrine-child-refugee-rights-in-brexit-agreement/
A Historian Reflects on the Return of Fascism
Lawrence Wittner | zcomm.org | 2020-01-06
Back in 1941, the year of my birth, fascism stood on the brink of conquering the world. During the preceding decades, movements of the Radical Right‚Äïmobilized by demagogues into a cult of virulent nationalism, racial and religious hatred, and militarism‚Äïhad made great strides in nations around the globe. By the end of 1941, fascist Germany, Read…
zcomm.org/zblogs/a-historian-reflects-on-the-return-of-fascism/
Top 20 The Grayzone stories of 2019: From Venezuela coup attempt to Russiagate delusions, information warfare to new cold war
The Grayzone | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-02
2019 was a big year for The Grayzone. We traveled the world and broke many stories, exposing the empire's schemes…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/01/top-20-the-grayzone-stories-of-2019/
Seemingly Coordinated ISIS/al-Qaeda Attacks On Syrian Oil/Gas Fields & US' Russia/Libya Hypocrisy
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-12-22
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/21/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/seemingly-coordinated-isis-al-qaeda-attacks-on-syrian-oil-gas-fields-us-russia-libya-hypocrisy/