(2020-01-18). Black boxes of Boeing 737-800 downed in Tehran to be sent to Ukraine — chief Iranian investigator. rt.com 
The flight recorders of the Ukrainian International Airlines jet, which was accidentally shot down by Iran's air defenses, will be sent to Kiev, the head of the Iranian investigative team has told local media. | Hassan Rezaeifar told Tasnim News Agency on Saturday that once the flight recorders are transported to Kiev, experts from the US, Canada and France will work to extract the data from them. | If they fail, the black boxes will be sent to a lab in France. Rezaeifar previously stated that Iran lacks technical expertise to extract the necessary flight data on its own. | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelens…
(2020-01-18). Born with a badge? Officers midwife in PATROL CAR after woman goes into labor while stuck in Moscow traffic. rt.com 
Moscow traffic patrol officers tried their hand at a new job, literally — helping a pregnant woman deliver a baby boy after her taxi got stuck in traffic. The newborn got his own uniform right away, bundled up in a police jacket.
(2020-01-18). Alligator in the sky: Russian combat helicopter performs insane stunts (VIDEO). rt.com 
A Ka-52 'Alligator' attack helicopter was filmed twirling around, gaining altitude tail-up, while flying just several meters above the ground during an aerobatics training course in Russia. | The video, published by the Zvezda TV channel on Saturday, shows the chopper performing stunts above the snowy airstrip outside the city of Khabarovsk, in Russia's Far East. | Flying on low altitude, the gunship practices spinning around while keeping its weapon systems locked onto a target. The helicopter also executes an almost 90-degree rapid ascent, and climbs tail-first into the air, which is something only the Ka-52…
(2020-01-18). WATCH Passenger plane engine turn into a FIREBALL on runway before takeoff. rt.com 
An engine on a Vietnam-bound Russian Airbus A320neo suddenly caught fire just as the pilots attempted to get the passenger airliner off the runway. | The S7 Airlines jet was about to take off from an airport in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk and head for Cam Ranh in Vietnam. The pilots tried to start the engines multiple times, until one of them burst into flames. | Videos, filmed from inside and outside the plane, show a bright ball of fire below the airliner's wing. | –ù–æ–≤–æ—Å–∏–±–∏—Ä—Å&nda…
(2020-01-18). Berlin peace talks: In war-torn Libya, can intl community help finish what Russia & Turkey started? rt.com 
Talks in Berlin between warring Libyan factions could finally deliver a lasting ceasefire after a decade of chaos ushered in by NATO regime change there. Could the mediation efforts, kick-started by Moscow and Ankara, bear fruit? | All eyes in Europe and beyond are set on Berlin, as PM Fayez al-Sarraj of the Government of National Accord (GNA) and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA) arrive on Sunday for peace talks hosted by Germany and attended by representatives from 11 countries, including Russia's Vladimir Putin. | The GNA has been internationally recognized since 2015, but Hafta…
(2020-01-18). 'We've had enough!' WATCH German farmers drive tractors through Berlin to protest agriculture policy. rt.com 
German farmers flooded streets of Berlin again to denounce the way government spends EU subsidies and its emission policies that satisfy neither them nor environmentalists, who are also taking part at the protests. | More than 150 tractors rolled up to the iconic Brandenburg Gate in downtown Berlin on Saturday afternoon, paralyzing traffic in the adjacent areas. Anticipating this, the authorities have urged residents to use the public rapid transit system instead of car when travelling through the city's center. | Around 15,000 people are participating in the demonstration, which takes place as Berlin hosts th…
(2020-01-18). 'We shouldn't speak about players from other clubs': Jose Mourinho stokes Antonio Conte feud as Inter pursue Spurs star Eriksen. rt.com 
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has reignited an old feud with Italian manager Antonio Conte as he accuses the Inter Milan coach of publicly pursuing a transfer for his wantaway Danish star Christian Eriksen. | The 27-year-old Eriksen is out of contract at the end of the season and all indications suggest that the playmaker will not be convinced to sign a new deal at the club, prompting several suitors among Europe's top clubs investigating bringing him on board. | One such potential destination is Inter Milan, with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte known to be an admirer of the Dane. | | © Global Look Pre…
(2020-01-18). Video: Turkish Invasion of Libya? Erdogan Sends Troops. globalresearch.ca In early 2020, Libya became one of the main hot points in the Greater Middle East with stakes raised by Turkey's decision to launch a military operation there. | On January 5, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey had sent …
(2020-01-18). Nuclear Weapons: Trump Regime Pressured E3 Countries (UK, France, Germany) to Trigger JCPOA Dispute Mechanism. globalresearch.ca Post-WW II, Washington transformed Western European countries into virtual US colonies — their presence status. | Judge them by their actions. Time and again, they subordinate their sovereign rights to US interests, even when harming their own. | It shows by imposing …
(2020-01-18). Aircraft Engine Catches Fire Before Takeoff at Airport in Western Siberia – Video. sputniknews.com A regional transport watchdog is investigating the incident to determine whether the flight complied with safety and consumer rights requirements.
(2020-01-18). Russia Urges UN, OSCE to Assess New Ukrainian-Language Education Law. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia has called on human rights institutions at the UN, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe to evaluate a law passed by the Ukrainian parliament limiting the extent to which children can be educated in the languages of Ukraine's national minorities, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
(2020-01-18). How UK, France & Germany Try to Save Face While Iran Nuclear Deal is Falling Apart. sputniknews.com Bending under the pressure from the Trump administration, major EU states have taken yet another step away from the Iran nuclear deal, say academics, suggesting that it's unlikely that Tehran will engage in new nuclear negotiations with the same actors.
(2020-01-18). German government to continue military operations in the Middle East. wsws.org All of the parliamentary parties agree with the government's policy of escalating Germany military intervention in the region.
(2020-01-18). France: Macron Evacuated From Parisian Theater Due to Protests. telesurenglish.net French citizens tried to enter the Des Bouffes du Nord Theater in Paris to protest against President Emmanuel Macron who was attending the performance of "La Mouche" on Friday evening. | RELATED: | Operation 'Dead Ports' Makes Macron Feel the Workers' Strength | While secret service and police agents managed to prevent Yellow Vest activists from entering th…
(2020-01-18). UK PM Boris Johnson Says a Clock Will Be Projected onto Number 10 on Brexit Day. sputniknews.com The development comes as a row over the use of Big Ben deepened inside Parliament. Initially, Boris Johnson wanted Big Ben to ring in the United Kingdom's official withdrawal from the European Union, but the House of Commons Commissions said a simple bong could cost taxpayers more than half a million dollars.
(2020-01-18). Over 1,400 irregular migrants held off Turkey's coasts. yenisafak.com A total of 1,471 irregular migrants were held off Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts over the last one week, the Turkish Coast Guard said on Friday."A total of 1,471 irregular migrants and 1 migrant smuggler were captured by the Coast Guard Command in 41 incidents between 10-16 January 2020 within the scope of anti-irregular migration activities," the coast guard said on Twitter.As many as 12 dead bodies were also recovered during the same period, it added.Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011, when the Syrian civil war began.
(2020-01-18). Berlin talks to seek political solution to Libya crisis. yenisafak.com Germany is set to host a major peace conference on Libya that will seek a stronger commitment from regional actors for a cease-fire in the war-torn country to pave the way for a political solution.Chancellor Angela Merkel invited leaders from Turkey, Russia, the U.S., China, France, the U.K. and other regional actors to a single-day conference in Berlin on Sunday, amid a fragile cease-fire between Libya's internationally recognized government and forces loyal to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar.The German government cautioned against high expectations ahead of the conference and underlined that a single meeting coul…
(2020-01-18). Turkey deports 4 German nationals for terror links. yenisafak.com Turkey deported four terrorists of Germany nationality to their country, the Turkish Interior Ministry announced on Friday.The terrorists were deported as part of Turkey's ramped-up efforts to repatriate foreign terrorist fighters, the ministry said in a statement.Turkey continues to deport foreign terrorist fighters, it added.The ministry also noted that the total number of foreign terrorist fighters deported back to their countries since Nov. 11 last year has reached 179.The issue of the handling of Daesh/ISIS members and their families detained in Syria
(2020-01-18). Police seize over 180 kg of heroin in eastern Turkey. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces seized 183 kilograms (around 403 pounds) of heroin in the country's east, an official statement said on Friday.The provincial police teams seized the illicit drug in Agri province when they stopped a truck having Iranian number plates, said the statement by provincial governor's office.During the search, assisted by a sniffer dog, police found 362 packs of heroin hidden in the trunk of the truck.Police arrested the truck driver, who is Iranian national. A local court later remanded the suspect into custody.The truck was also seized.According to police data, Turkish security forces seized a…
(2020-01-18). Injured Turkish soldier succumbs to wounds. yenisafak.com A Turkish soldier, who was injured while preventing a PKK terror attack, succumbed to his wounds, Turkey's Defense Ministry said Friday.In a statement, the ministry said the soldier threw a hand grenade while preventing a terrorist attack in the Hakurk region and got injured by it. He succumbed to injuries in a hospital.The statement wished God's mercy upon the martyred soldier and extended condolences to his family.Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also extended his condolences to the family of the martyr."On behalf of myself and the members of the Ministry of National Defense, I wish Allah's mercy on our her…
(2020-01-18). Can Berlin conference solve Libyan crisis? yenisafak.com Germany's Foreign Ministry announced leaders and heads of states from 12 countries and four multinational organizations, including the UN, were invited to the Berlin conference.On the other hand, acceleration of troop deployment in Tripoli sent by Haftar, who did not sign a cease-fire agreement in Moscow; resurgence of fulfillment by United Arab Emirates (UAE), an important ally of Haftar; and tough statements from Egypt, raise questions about the success of the conference.The Berlin conference can only achieve success if a common will to end the external support deepening of the war in the country is ensured.How…
(2020-01-18). Javid slammed after he issues 'catastrophic' post-Brexit warning to business leaders. thecanary.co 
UK Chancellor Sajid Javid has warned manufacturing leaders that there will be no alignment with EU regulations once Britain's exit from the European Union is made official. | In an interview with the Financial Times. Javid said the Treasury would not lend support to manufacturers that favour EU rules as the sector has had three years to prepare for Britain's transition | "There will not be alignment, we will not be a ruletaker, we will not be in the single market and we will not be in the customs union — and we will do this by the end of the year," Javid said. | "We're … talking about companies that have…
(2020-01-17). Turkey Cuts Deal with Russia, Intensifying the War for Gas in Libya. therealnews.com 
Turkey sent Syrian fighters to Libya to back the government and keep its control of offshore natural gas reserves. Egypt, Russia, ExxonMobil, Israel, and Greece are expanding Libya's civil war in a fight over control of the natural gas that Europe needs.
(2020-01-17). America's Long History of Meddling in Russia. counterpunch.org 
Russia — OK, not the actual Russian government but a private click-farm company located in Russia — bought $100,000 worth of political ads on Facebook designed to change the outcome of the 2016 election. Except that only a small fraction of those ads were political. Also except that that small fraction was divvied up between More
(2020-01-17). DOJ investigating Comey over role in classified leaks during Clinton email drama — report. rt.com 
The US Department of Justice has opened a probe into whether former FBI director James Comey leaked details about classified intelligence to reporters covering the Hillary Clinton email server scandal. | Led by federal prosecutors, the inquiry is focused on two 2017 news stories for which Comey is suspected to have been a source, divulging the contents of a classified intelligence document, according to a New York Times report on Thursday. | The pair of stories, published in the Times and the Washington Post in 2017, cited an alleged Russian intelligence document obtained by Dutch security services, which earl…
(2020-01-17). The Rumbling Methane Enigma. counterpunch.org 
The northern continental shelves of Russia, inclusive of the Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea and East Siberian Sea (ESAS) are some of the least researched yet most controversial subjects in climate science today. It's the one region that has the biggest potential to trigger runaway global warming because of sizeable subsea methane deposits, thereby taking civilization down to its knees. But, that prospect is also extremely controversial within the scientific community. More
(2020-01-17). Interest in its Natural Resources Is Tearing Libya Apart. therealnews.com 
Greg Shupak discusses the failed attempt to reach a ceasefire agreement for Libya in Moscow, and the new attempt to reach an agreement in Berlin. As Turkey, the UAE, Egypt and other regional players interfere in the civil war in order to promote their natural gas interests, Libya seems as far as it ever was…
(2020-01-17). "They Must Conduct a Full and Fair Trial": Senators Sworn In for Historic Trump Impeachment Trial. democracynow.org 
For just the third time in history, the U.S. Senate has opened a trial to determine if a sitting president should be removed from office. The Senate trial comes a month after the House impeached President Trump for pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who will preside over the impeachment trial in the Senate, later swore in senators who will serve as jurors when the trial officially begins on Tuesday. This comes as more information is coming to light about the actions of President Trump and his associates. On Thursday, the nonpartisan Governmen…
(2020-01-17). Ukraine's Zelensky gives 'another chance' to PM taped saying president clueless on economy. rt.com 
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to accept the resignation of Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk. | "I decided to give you and your government a chance if you'll be able to fix some issues that are very important now and really worry our society," Zelensky said, explaining his decision. | The President also demanded that the security agencies find out those responsible for the leak, which forced Honcharuk to file his resignation, in two weeks' time. | Earlier, an audio recording from a meeting between the governme…
(2020-01-17). The bombs of the last war and preparations for the next rattle Germany. peoplesworld.org 
BERLIN—"ALARM! Twelve thousand residents must immediately leave their homes! All hospital clinics must be evacuated! No exceptions! Hasten!" Not in burning Australia nor a besieged town in Syria or Afghanistan were those words heard, but rather on Jan. 12, 2020 in the otherwise peaceful if no longer prosperous Dortmund, in Germany's Ruhr Valley. Once again, unexploded …
(2020-01-17). Abby Martin Banned From Speaking at US University. telesurenglish.net Former teleSUR presenter and creator of The Empire Files Abby Martin was blocked from delivering a keynote speech at Georgia Southern University for refusing to "sign a contractual pledge to not boycott Israel" to comply with the anti-Boycott, Divest and Sanctions state law. | RELATED: | YouTube Censors Empire Files' Abby Martin on Israeli Militarism | "After I was scheduled to give a keynote speech at an upcoming Georgia Southern conference, organizers said I must comply with…
(2020-01-17). Anti-fascists protest far-right manifestations in Austrian universities. peoplesdispatch.org Various anti-fascist groups in Austria have started campaigns and begun mobilizing to resist the far-right and fascist manifestations in country's universities. The latest action took place at the University of Vienna on January 14, Tuesday, where 200 anti-fascist activists blocked the entrances to the lecture hall and forced the cancellation of a lecture by the controversial historian, Lothar Hà∂belt, a staunch advocate of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPàñ). Activists from the Austrian Students Union (OH) in the Vienna University, Radical Left Platform, Offensive Against the Right-wing, Au…
(2020-01-17). In France's Longest Protests Since 1968, Striking Workers Continue the Fight Against Neoliberalism. mintpressnews.com From bus drivers to ballet dancers, workers from across France have taken to the streets in opposition to President Emmanual Macron's attempts to reshape the country into a U.S.-style neoliberal state.
(2020-01-17). Hundreds of thousands protest pension cuts in France. wsws.org Support for the strike and opposition to Macron continue to grow even after the government made a few minor, insincere changes to its proposed cuts.
(2020-01-17). Finnish working class demands salary hike, shorter working hours. peoplesdispatch.org The working class movements in Finland have intensified their demand for a salary hike and shorter working hours. The popular demand has resurfaced in public debates as the Finnish trade unions gear up for fresh negotiations with the employers for new collective agreements. The professionals union, Pro, has already given a call for strikes from January 27 to February 9, demanding fair negotiations for the new agreements. | JP Và§isà§nen, president of the Communist Party of Finland (SKP), has said that the demand for a salary hike is justifiable, and everyone should strive forward to reduce the working h…
(2020-01-17). Spain's Government Plans 2% Pay Raise for Civil Servants. telesurenglish.net Spain's coalition government announced Friday its plan to give civil servants a two percent pay raise with retroactive effect from Jan. 1. | RELATED: | Spain: New Coalition Government Takes Oath of Office | The pay hike, which unions had requested prior to the announcement of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's cabinet over the weekend, will be introduced as soon as possible, Spain's Regional Policy Minister Carolina Darias told unions. | The measure will benefit 2.5 million…
(2020-01-17). Iraq Set to Buy Russian S-400 Air Defense System and Assert Its Sovereignty. globalresearch.ca Iran attacked US forces stationed at two bases in Iraq with 15 missiles on January 8th, but it does not appear missile defense systems were used to counter them. Eric Gomez, a missile defense policy analyst at the Cato …
(2020-01-17). The Rumbling ESAS Methane Enigma. dissidentvoice.org The northern continental shelves of Russia, inclusive of the Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea and East Siberian Sea (ESAS) are some of the least researched yet most controversial subjects in climate science today. It's the one region that has the biggest potential to trigger runaway global warming because of sizeable subsea methane deposits, thereby …
(2020-01-17). As Senators Are Sworn In, Calls for a Full for Impeachment Trial Intensify. truthout.org For just the third time in history, the U.S. Senate has opened a trial to determine if a sitting president should be removed from office. The Senate trial comes a month after the House impeached President Trump for pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who will preside over the impeachment trial in the Senate, later swore in senators who will serve as jurors when the trial officially begins on Tuesday. This comes as more inf…
(2020-01-17). The Maldives Seek Financing to Manage Climate Change Impacts. telesurenglish.net The Republic of Maldives' Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Shahid Thursday indicated that his country, a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean, is struggling to find financing that will allow it to build infrastructure to mitigate the risks of sea-level rise. | RELATED: | Germany Agrees on Plan to Phase out Coal Power by 2038 | "For the Maldives, and, for the world over, climate change can be best described as a security and human rights challenge," said Shahid at the Raisina…
(2020-01-17). Capacity of cities to tackle climate change key in 'crucial battle' for planet's preservation, says UN chief. news.un.org Cities — hubs of creativity and new ideas — can provide solutions to resolve humanity's "suicide war" against nature, and lead the world towards a sustainable future, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Saturday in Lisbon, which has been named the 2020 European Green Capital.
(2020-01-17). Iranian students call for a new revolution amid government crackdown. greenleft.org.au 
anti-war Steve SweeneyIssue 1249 Iran anti-government protests US aggression against IranJanuary 17, 2020IRANIAN authorities blocked internet access on January 14, with pressure continu…
(2020-01-17). France: Protests, ports shut down against pension attacks. greenleft.org.au 
anti-austerity Susan PriceIssue 1249 France pensions anti-government protestsJanuary 17, 2020On January 14—17, fresh strikes and demonstrations took place across France. | According to media…
(2020-01-17). France: Macron makes more concessions to strikers but the battle continues. greenleft.org.au 
anti-austerity John MullenIssue 1249 France pensions anti-government protestsJanuary 17, 2020Millions of people on the streets around France on January 9 and 11 showed the determination of the move…
(2020-01-17). Free trade agreement 'very difficult if UK does not comply with EU standards'. thecanary.co A free trade agreement will be "very difficult" to secure if Britain does not sign up to honouring Brussels' rules on standards, according to Guy Verhofstadt. | The European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator said the scope of a trade deal during the upcoming negotiations would depend on Boris Johnson's "willingness to comply with a number of standards of the European Union". | The prime minister has previously ruled out following stipulations set by the EU after the transition period is over at the end of 2020. | Former Belgian prime minister Mr Verhofstadt told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think both sides h…
(2020-01-16). Who's this guy? Jeopardy contestants fail to recognize impeachment 'hero' Adam Schiff & Twitter ROFLs. rt.com 
Rep. Adam Schiff might be leading an impeachment drive in the US, but it seems not everybody is familiar with the 'resistance' hero. At least, his photo did not ring any bells for contestants on the latest Jeopardy episode. | Schiff, a prominent Russiagater whose fame among the anti-Trump resistance camp reached new heights amid the ongoing Ukrainegate saga, might be a household name on Capitol Hill, but the question remains: Is the same true for the rest of the country outside of the Washington political swamp? If the classic trivia game show is any indication, it is not. | Just a reminder we live in a bubble…
(2020-01-16). Putin Proposes Sweeping Changes to Russian Constitution, Possibly Prolonging His Grip on Power. democracynow.org 
In Russia, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned Wednesday along with his entire Cabinet in a move that surprised many in Moscow and abroad. The move came as Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed sweeping constitutional changes to expand the power of the parliament and the State Council while weakening the presidency. Critics of Putin say the proposals could help him keep power after his final presidential term ends in 2024. The Russian parliament is expected to vote today to confirm Putin's pick for new prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, a bureaucrat who runs Russia's tax service. The Russian newspaper Kom…
(2020-01-16). Pelosi wants new impeachment witnesses, says Trump broke the law in withholding Ukraine aid. rt.com 
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has accused US President Donald Trump of breaking the law by delaying military aid to Ukraine. One day after submitting articles of impeachment to the Senate, Pelosi now wants to call more witnesses. | Her calls come on foot of a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) which claims Trump broke the law by temporarily withholding military aid to Ukraine last year. According to the report, Trump held up the aid based on "his own policy priorities," in violation of the Impoundment Control Act. | Pelosi, who on Wednesday announced her team of prosecutors who will lead t…
(2020-01-16). France's Strike: Another Symptom of Neoliberalism's Legitimation Crisis. therealnews.com 
France's public sector strike against pension reform is in its seventh week, the most serious such strike in French history. It fits very well in the context of the global revolt against neoliberalism, says Prof. Gabriel Rockhill.
(2020-01-16). Prospects for Peace in the Ukraine Conflict. progressive.org The war started as a land grab, with Russia taking advantage of disarray in the Ukrainian state and armed forces in the weeks following the Euromaidan revolution.