(2020-01-20). Breathing new life into colonizing the Moon? ESA to begin producing oxygen from LUNAR DUST. rt.com 
The European Space Agency (ESA) has fired up its prototype oxygen plant to begin producing the element out of simulated moondust, with a view to creating a sustainable breathable air production facility on the Moon. | "Being able to acquire oxygen from resources found on the Moon would obviously be hugely useful for future lunar settlers, both for breathing and in the local production of rocket fuel," says Beth Lomax of the University of Glasgow, a researcher working on the prototype at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC). | The current prototype is set up in a lab in Noordwijk in the Net…
(2020-01-20). Iran will leave pact barring it from getting nukes if complaint over 2015 deal filed with UN — Zarif. rt.com 
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned that the country will ditch the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if EU states file a complaint over its nuclear commitments with the UN Security Council. | "If the Europeans continue their improper behavior or send Iran's file to the Security Council, we will withdraw from the NPT," Zarif said on Monday, as quoted by IRNA. | Last week, France, Germany and Britain formally lodged a complaint that Tehran is violating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program. The countries now have up to 60 days to resolve the dispute. Ot…
(2020-01-20). 'Berlin conference showed Moscow & Ankara have a huge role to play in solving Libya crisis'. rt.com 
The Berlin peace summit shows that Russia and Turkey still have an important role to play as they are among the few countries that can really influence the situation in Libya, Yusuf Erim, a Turkish foreign policy expert, said. | The peace conference on Libya convened in Berlin succeeded in bringing together a host of world leaders to try and find a way out of the civil war plaguing the war-ravaged land for years, Erim told RT. However, it also clearly showed that very few nations can really move the Libyan peace process forward, as most lack a strategy and the will to translate words into action. | Also on rt.
(2020-01-20). Putin submits candidacy of Investigative Committee deputy head for post of prosecutor general. rt.com 
Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted for consideration by the Federation Council the candidacy of deputy head of the Investigative Committee Igor Krasnov for…
(2020-01-20). Iran & US Relationships; Scottish Independence; and Protests in France. sputniknews.com Join George Galloway on the new home for the Mother of All Talk Shows – this week we discuss latest on Iran and US relationships; Scottish independence, and protests in France.
(2020-01-20). It Was Haftar Who Refused to Sign Agreement on Ceasefire in Berlin – Diplomatic Source. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A conference on Libyan settlement was held on Sunday in Berlin, with representatives of Russia, the United States, Turkey, Egypt, the European Union, the United Nations and other countries invited to attend.
(2020-01-20). Pompeo Claims to Know Nothing, but Can We Believe Him? globalresearch.ca Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated in a Friday radio interview that he had not been previously aware that former US Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch had been under surveillance in Ukraine. "Until this story broke, the best of my recollection, I'd …
(2020-01-20). France Says Eight Nations Back European-Led Naval Mission in Strait of Hormuz. sputniknews.com Multiple European states began mulling a 'maritime security mission' in the Persian Gulf last summer amid simmering tensions between the UK and Iran, but the initiative seemed to have been put on hold after London announced that it would be joining a US-led maritime coalition instead.
(2020-01-20). Cyprus Dubs Turkey 'Pirate State' as Mediterranean Gas Drilling Dispute Simmers. sputniknews.com Turkey resumed gas exploration drilling in the Mediterranean Sea off Cyprus's coast last week amid overlapping claims between Nicosia and the Turkish-backed de facto state of Northern Cyprus regarding the extent of their maritime economic zones.
(2020-01-20). Chairman of Czech Upper House of Parliament Jaroslav Kubera Dies. sputniknews.com Jaroslav Kubera, chairman of the Czech Upper House of Parliament, has died at the age of 72, according to chamber's spokeswoman Sue Nguyen.
(2020-01-20). 80 Hadi loyalist soldiers killed in Yemen attack. peoplesdispatch.org Since 2015, Yemen is witnessing a brutal international war with Hadi forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, the US, United Kingdom and France (international coalition), launching violent airstrikes and ground assaults against the Houthi forces…
(2020-01-20). US official delivers Trump's threatening message to Sri Lankan president. wsws.org Sri Lanka is a key focus of intensifying rivalry between US and India, on one hand, and China and Russia, on the other.
(2020-01-20). This week in history: January 20-26. wsws.org 25 years ago: Nuclear war scare caused by Norwegian rocket On January 25, 1995, the Russian military mistook a Black Brant XII rocket—launched by a team of Norwegian and US scientists to research the northern lights over Svalbard—as an incoming Trident missile launched as a high-altitude nuclear attack by the US Navy. It was the first time a Russian leader used the nuclear briefcase in a real alert.
(2020-01-20). Scottish Nationalists Urge Johnson to Unveil Report on Alleged Russian Meddling — Reports. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The leader of the Scottish National Party in the UK parliament has urged the UK prime minister to publish a report alleging Russian meddling in the nation's political affairs, including the EU vote, media said Monday.
(2020-01-20). Russian Held in Indian state of Himachal Pradesh with 1.26 kg of Cannabis Worth $4,000. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): In India, general cultivation, consumption or possession of cannabis, cocaine, and opium is prohibited under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. However, the use of cannabis is allowed for medicinal and research purposes.
(2020-01-20). Putin's Weekly Schedule Includes No Meeting With Libya's Haftar – Kremlin. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin does not have a meeting with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), scheduled for this week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
(2020-01-20). Russian Duma approves new prime minister. wsws.org Putin and sections of the Russian oligarchy regard Mishustin as better equipped than former Prime Minister Medvedev to carry out major attacks on the working class and to facilitate a closing of ranks in the ruling class.
(2020-01-20). EU won't meet China halfway in investment talks. yenisafak.com The European Union wants to agree a deal with China this year to protect foreign investment and increase investment market access, but it will not meet Beijing halfway, EU trade chief Phil Hogan said on Monday.Hogan told a conference held by business lobby group BusinessEurope that the EU wanted to see "concrete progress" from China on opening up its markets."Meeting halfway will not work for the EU. Our markets are largely open, probably the most open in the world. We have therefore have made it very clear that we expect and are demanding a rebalancing of the asymmetry."China and the EU launched negotiations on…
(2020-01-20). Bridge linking Denmark to Sweden to get new lick of paint in 13-year operation. yenisafak.com The Oresund Bridge, made famous by the Nordic noir TV crime series 'The Bridge', needs the fresh coat of paint to maintain its steel structure. The project will involve painting some 300,000 square metres of bridge."The top layer of the five-layer painting system will wear out within the next 10 years, so we have to apply a new top layer to be able to maintain the lower levels, which protect the steel from corrosion," project manager Johan Nord told Reuters.The bridge was last painted in sections on land before being assembled over the waterway. This time, a special platform has had to be mounted beside the bridg…
(2020-01-20). Erdogan says Somalia has invited Turkey to explore for oil in its seas. yenisafak.com Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Somalia had invited Turkey to explore for oil in its seas, after Ankara and Libya's internationally recognised government signed a maritime delimitation agreement last year, according to broadcaster NTV."There is an offer from Somalia. They are saying: 'There is oil in our seas. You are carrying out these operations with Libya, but you can also do them here.' This is very important for us," Erdogan was cited as saying by NTV. "Therefore, there will be steps that we will take in our operations there."
(2020-01-20). Erdogan says Turkey not yet sent troops to Libya, only advisers. yenisafak.com Turkey has not yet sent any troops into Libya to support the country's internationally-recognised government, President Tayyip Erdogan was cited as saying on Monday, adding that Ankara had only deployed military advisers and trainers so far.Last week, Erdogan had said Turkey has begun sending troops to Tripoli. He has also previously said Ankara would deploy troops.Speaking to reporters on a flight back from a Libya summit in Berlin, Erdogan said Turkey's efforts at the summit had set the groundwork for a ceasefire between the warring parties, according to broadcaster NTV. He added that Turkey's presence in the N…
(2020-01-20). Man gets life term for killing student in Turkey. yenisafak.com A Turkish court sentenced university student Ceren Ozdemir's murder suspect to aggravated life imprisonment on Monday.Ozdemir, 20, a music student at Ordu University, was stabbed to death outside of her house on Dec. 3, 2019.In the second trial of the case held in the Black Sea province of Ordu, Heavy Penal Court No. 1 sentenced Ozgur Arduc to aggravated life imprisonment, based on his atrocious feelings during the crime.The defendant confessed the crime last month to prosecutors in the province.Ozdemir family's lawyer said the crime was completely enlightened.The Court determined continuation of detention of the…
(2020-01-20). UK Seeks Canada-Style Free Trade Deal with EU Post-Brexit – Spokesman for British Prime Minister. sputniknews.com The UK is working towards terminating its EU membership on 31 January in accordance with Article 50 of the EU Treaty. London is still set to continue trade talks with the bloc but is opposed to any "alignment" with the European Union after its withdrawal.
(2020-01-20). Iran Denies Claims They Were Sending Black Boxes to Ukraine. theantimedia.com (ANTIWAR.COM) — Iran has denied claims that began to emerge Saturday that they were going to send the black boxes from the Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 to Ukraine, saying that they are still in the process of reading them and have made no decision yet on sending them elsewhere. The previous report had said Iran had decided that …
(2020-01-20). 'Horrifying to imagine what was inside': 5 people killed as hot water pipe bursts in Russian hostel (VIDEO). rt.com 
Five people have died and three have been hospitalized with severe burns after a hot water pipe burst at a hostel in Russia. | The incident happened in Perm, some 1,155km (718 miles) east of Moscow. The pipe burst around 2am local time on Monday, sending steam and boiling-hot water throughout the small hostel, located on the basement floor of an apartment complex. | "There was steam, and water has reached the hostel's entrance. I'm afraid to imagine what was going on inside the building," one witness told local media. | A video from the scene shows clouds of thick white steam coming from the hostel's doors and…
(2020-01-19). 'Detailed proposals for Libyans to take up': Roadmap for settling every field of Libya war agreed in Berlin, Lavrov says. rt.com 
A set of measures to overcome the ongoing Libyan crisis has been agreed in a wide-ranging document at the Berlin talks, the acting Russian FM said — and it is up to the Libyans themselves to take up the peace process baton.
(2020-01-19). SpaceX simulated failure test: Elon Musk checks if Crew Dragon astronauts are as safe as Soyuz crews (VIDEO). rt.com 
SpaceX has simulated a rocket failure to find out if its abort system designed to save astronauts' lives in case of an accident could match that of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft's — which saved a Russian-American ISS crew in 2018. | On Sunday, SpaceX conducted an in-flight abort test — a necessary prerequisite for it to be eventually certified to fly American astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The company launched one of its Falcon 9 rockets with a Crew Dragon spacecraft on top of it from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to see if the vehicle — and its crew — would survive a poten…
(2020-01-19). What's happening in Russia: Putin's proposed constitutional changes explained. thegrayzone.com Red Lines host Anya Parampil speaks with Moscow-based international affairs analyst Mark Sleboda about Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent decision…
(2020-01-19). Southern Peace Activists Help Soldiers Become Conscientious Objectors. truthout.org The South is arguably the engine of the U.S. war machine. The region is home to Fort Bragg, the largest U.S. military base in the world. Southern states supply more soldiers than others; the region is home to three of the five states with the highest military recruitment numbers in 2016 — Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Its congressional delegations have historically been some of the most militaristic, and military contractors hav…
(2020-01-19). Syrian Rebels Caught on Film Getting Transferred to Libya on Commercial Plane. theantimedia.com (ZH) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has continued warning that terrorist groups as well as a 'flood of refugees' will show up on Europe's shores if the Tripoli government were to fall to renegade General Khalifa Haftar, amid his continued offensive to control the Libyan capital. Erdogan's statement came a day before he heads to Berlin for a major peace conference …
(2020-01-19). Libya Summit Agree to Respect Arms Embargo, Push Ceasefire. telesurenglish.net An agreement to respect the disregarded international arms embargo on Libya was the result of Sunday's Germany-led peace summit, attended by countries with interests in the conflict and the two warring sides. | RELATED: | Turkey to Officially Send Troops to Libya: Erdogan | "We agreed on a comprehensive plan forward," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, adding that they all "agree that we should respect the arms embargo and that the arms embargo should be controlled more strongly than it…
(2020-01-19). Iran — The EU — The Three Trigger Dispute Mechanism in the Iran Nuclear Deal and Trump's Bluff. globalresearch.ca Why, after so many assurances to the contrary, have the three European Iran's Nuclear Deal Partner's — Germany, France, the UK — decided to go after Iran, to follow the US dictate again? | The short answer is because the cowards. …
(2020-01-19). Matteo Salvini Vows to Recognize Jerusalem as Israeli Capital. telesurenglish.net Matteo Salvini recently conducted an interview with Israel's Ynet News to discuss Italian-Israeli relations and his bid for the premiership of the Mediterranean country. | RELATED: | Israel, Greece, Cyprus to Sign Pipeline Deal in Mediterranean | In his interview with Ynet, Salvini said he would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, despite harming relations with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank region. | "Yes, absolutely", Salvini said, answering the reporter's…
(2020-01-19). UK, France Reiterate Commitment to Maintain Iran Nuclear Deal. telesurenglish.net British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed Sunday their commitment to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and conceded a long-term framework was needed, Johnson's office said. | RELATED: | Iran Welcomes "Constructive" Measures to Save Nuclear Deal | "On Iran, the leaders reiterated their commitment to the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) and also acknowledged the need to define a long-term framework to prevent Iran acquiring a nuclear weapo…
(2020-01-19). France's Popular Uprising: Revolution or Frozen Conflict? globalresearch.ca The people are angry with their government. Where? Just about everywhere. So what makes ongoing strikes in France so special? Nothing, perhaps, except a certain expectation based on history that French uprisings can produce important changes — or if not, …
(2020-01-19). 2,000 World's Richest Hold More Wealth Than 4.6B Poorest: Oxfam. telesurenglish.net The world's billionaires, representing 2,153 people, had more money than the poorest 4.6 billion combined in 2019, a report conducted by Oxfam revealed Monday. | RELATED: | As Drivers Sleep in Cars, Uber Co-Founder Buys a $72.5M Mansion | The charity noted in its study titled "Time to Care" and released ahead of the annual World Economic Forum of political and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland, that "this great divide is based on a flawed and sexist economic system that va…
(2020-01-19). Putin's Now Purged the West from the Kremlin. Medvedev Cabinet dissolved. globalresearch.ca It came as the biggest shock of the day on Wednesday. The Russian government resigned. The day before President Vladimir Putin gave his State of the Nation address and outlined a slate of constitutional changes. | That speech prompted an overhaul …
(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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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…