'Berlin conference showed Moscow & Ankara have a huge role to play in solving Libya crisis'
rt.com | 2020-01-20
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.
rt.com/news/478673-berlin-libya-huge-role-russia-turkey/
Iran & US Relationships; Scottish Independence; and Protests in France
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-20
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.
sputniknews.com/radio-moats/202001201078084950-iran–us-relationships-scottish-independence-and-protests-in-france/
It Was Haftar Who Refused to Sign Agreement on Ceasefire in Berlin – Diplomatic Source
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-20
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.
sputniknews.com/world/202001201078085144-it-was-haftar-who-refused-to-sign-agreement-on-ceasefire-in-berlin—diplomatic-source/
Chairman of Czech Upper House of Parliament Jaroslav Kubera Dies
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-20
Jaroslav Kubera, chairman of the Czech Upper House of Parliament, has died at the age of 72, according to chamber's spokeswoman Sue Nguyen.
sputniknews.com/europe/202001201078085450-chairman-of-czech-upper-house-of-parliament-jaroslav-kubera-dies/
France Says Eight Nations Back European-Led Naval Mission in Strait of Hormuz
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-20
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.
sputniknews.com/world/202001201078085826-france-says-eight-nations-back-european-led-naval-mission-in-strait-of-hormuz/
Cyprus Dubs Turkey 'Pirate State' as Mediterranean Gas Drilling Dispute Simmers
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-20
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.
sputniknews.com/europe/202001201078086024-cyprus-dubs-turkey-pirate-state-as-mediterranean-gas-drilling-dispute-simmers/
Breathing new life into colonizing the Moon? ESA to begin producing oxygen from LUNAR DUST
rt.com | 2020-01-20
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…
rt.com/news/478697-esa-making-oxygen-moon-dust/
Pompeo Claims to Know Nothing, but Can We Believe Him?
Steven Sahiounie | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-20
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 | …
globalresearch.ca/pompeo-claims-to-know-nothing-can-we-believe-him/5701080
80 Hadi loyalist soldiers killed in Yemen attack
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-01-20
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…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/01/20/80-hadi-loyalist-soldiers-killed-in-yemen-attack/
This week in history: January 20-26
wsws.org | 2020-01-20
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.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/20/twih-j20.html
'Horrifying to imagine what was inside': 5 people killed as hot water pipe bursts in Russian hostel (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-01-20
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…
rt.com/russia/478684-perm-hot-water-pipe/
Russian Duma approves new prime minister
wsws.org | 2020-01-20
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.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/20/russ-j20.html
Putin's Weekly Schedule Includes No Meeting With Libya's Haftar – Kremlin
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-20
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.
sputniknews.com/world/202001201078086299-putins-weekly-schedule-includes-no-meeting-with-libyas-haftar—kremlin/
Putin submits candidacy of Investigative Committee deputy head for post of prosecutor general
rt.com | 2020-01-20
Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted for consideration by the Federation Council the candidacy of deputy head of the Investigative Committee Igor Krasnov for…
rt.com/newsline/478704-russia-general-prosecutor-putin/
US official delivers Trump's threatening message to Sri Lankan president
wsws.org | 2020-01-20
Sri Lanka is a key focus of intensifying rivalry between US and India, on one hand, and China and Russia, on the other.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/20/slus-j20.html
Russian Held in Indian state of Himachal Pradesh with 1.26 kg of Cannabis Worth $4,000
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-20
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.
sputniknews.com/india/202001201078085089-russian-held-in-indian-state-of-himachal-pradesh-with-126-kg-of-cannabis-worth-4000/
EU won't meet China halfway in investment talks
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-20
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…
yenisafak.com/en/world/eu-wont-meet-china-halfway-in-investment-talks-3510048
Bridge linking Denmark to Sweden to get new lick of paint in 13-year operation
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-20
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…
yenisafak.com/en/world/bridge-linking-denmark-to-sweden-to-get-new-lick-of-paint-in-13-year-operation-3510053
Erdogan says Turkey not yet sent troops to Libya, only advisers
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-20
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…
yenisafak.com/en/world/erdogan-says-turkey-not-yet-sent-troops-to-libya-only-advisers-3510049
Erdogan says Somalia has invited Turkey to explore for oil in its seas
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-20
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."
yenisafak.com/en/news/erdogan-says-somalia-has-invited-turkey-to-explore-for-oil-in-its-seas-3510050
Man gets life term for killing student in Turkey
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-20
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…
yenisafak.com/en/news/man-gets-life-term-for-killing-student-in-turkey-3510046
UK Seeks Canada-Style Free Trade Deal with EU Post-Brexit – Spokesman for British Prime Minister
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-20
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.
sputniknews.com/uk/202001201078085505-uk-seeks-canada-style-free-trade-deal-with-eu-post-brexit—spokesman-for-british-prime-minister/
Iran Denies Claims They Were Sending Black Boxes to Ukraine
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2020-01-20
(ANTIWAR.COM)
What's happening in Russia: Putin's proposed constitutional changes explained
Anya Parampil | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-19
Red Lines host Anya Parampil speaks with Moscow-based international affairs analyst Mark Sleboda about Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent decision…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/19/whats-happening-in-russia-putins-proposed-constitutional-changes-explained/
Southern Peace Activists Help Soldiers Become Conscientious Objectors
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-01-19
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
Syrian Rebels Caught on Film Getting Transferred to Libya on Commercial Plane
Tyler Durden | theantimedia.com | 2020-01-19
(ZH)
Libya Summit Agree to Respect Arms Embargo, Push Ceasefire
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-19
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/Libya-Summit-Agree-to-Respect-Arms-Embargo-Push-Ceasefire-20200119-0006.html
'Detailed proposals for Libyans to take up': Roadmap for settling every field of Libya war agreed in Berlin, Lavrov says
rt.com | 2020-01-19
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
Matteo Salvini Vows to Recognize Jerusalem as Israeli Capital
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-19
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/Matteo-Salvini-Vows-to-Recognize-Jerusalem-as-Israeli-Capital-20200119-0003.html
UK, France Reiterate Commitment to Maintain Iran Nuclear Deal
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-19
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/UK-France-Reiterate-Commitment-to-Maintaining-Iran-Nuclear-Deal–20200119-0007.html
France's Popular Uprising: Revolution or Frozen Conflict?
Diana Johnstone | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-19
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
2,000 World's Richest Hold More Wealth Than 4.6B Poorest: Oxfam
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-19
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/2000-Worlds-Richest-Hold-More-Wealth-Than-4.6B-Poorest-Oxfam-20200119-0017.html
Putin's Now Purged the West from the Kremlin. Medvedev Cabinet dissolved
Tom Luongo | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-19
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 …
globalresearch.ca/putin-purged-west-kremlin/5700995
SpaceX simulated failure test: Elon Musk checks if Crew Dragon astronauts are as safe as Soyuz crews (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-01-19
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
France: Macron Evacuated From Parisian Theater Due to Protests
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-18
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/France-Macron-Evacuated-From-Parisian-Theater-Due-to-Protests-20200118-0002.html
Video: Turkish Invasion of Libya? Erdogan Sends Troops
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-18
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 …
globalresearch.ca/turkish-invasion-libya/5700898
Nuclear Weapons: Trump Regime Pressured E3 Countries (UK, France, Germany) to Trigger JCPOA Dispute Mechanism
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-18
Post-WW II, Washington transformed Western European countries into virtual US colonies
Javid slammed after he issues 'catastrophic' post-Brexit warning to business leaders
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-01-18
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
The bombs of the last war and preparations for the next rattle Germany
Victor Grossman | peoplesworld.org | 2020-01-17
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 …
peoplesworld.org/article/the-bombs-of-the-last-war-and-preparations-for-the-next-rattle-germany/
Defender and spearheads
Victor Grossman | mronline.org | 2020-01-17
Troop movements today promise anything but peace. Every two years military maneuvers encircle Russian borders; every nine months a new brigade of 4500 U.S. soldiers was flown over to "gain experience". This year it will be a division of 20,000, joined by soldiers from 18 countries, 37,000 in all. | Source…
mronline.org/2020/01/17/defender-and-spearheads/
In France's Longest Protests Since 1968, Striking Workers Continue the Fight Against Neoliberalism
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-01-17
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.
mintpressnews.com/france-longest-protests-since-1968-strike-neoliberalism/264194/
Capacity of cities to tackle climate change key in 'crucial battle' for planet's preservation, says UN chief
news.un.org | 2020-01-17
Cities
Turkey Cuts Deal with Russia, Intensifying the War for Gas in Libya
Staff | therealnews.com | 2020-01-17
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.
therealnews.com/stories/turkey-cuts-deal-with-russia-intensifying-the-war-for-gas-in-libya
Interest in its Natural Resources Is Tearing Libya Apart
Staff | therealnews.com | 2020-01-17
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…
therealnews.com/stories/dly011620_shupak_libya
The Rumbling ESAS Methane Enigma
Robert Hunziker | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-01-17
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 …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/01/the-rumbling-esas-methane-enigma/
The Rumbling Methane Enigma
Robert Hunziker | counterpunch.org | 2020-01-17
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.
counterpunch.org/2020/01/17/the-rumbling-methane-enigma/
France: Macron makes more concessions to strikers but the battle continues
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-01-17
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…
greenleft.org.au/content/france-macron-makes-more-concessions-strikers-battle-continues
France: Protests, ports shut down against pension attacks
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-01-17
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…
greenleft.org.au/content/france-protests-ports-shut-down-against-pension-attacks
Prospects for Peace in the Ukraine Conflict
Brendan Oswald | progressive.org | 2020-01-16
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.
progressive.org/dispatches/prospects-for-peace-in-the-ukraine-conflict-oswald-200116/
Pelosi wants new impeachment witnesses, says Trump broke the law in withholding Ukraine aid
rt.com | 2020-01-16
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…
rt.com/usa/478457-pelosi-impeachment-new-witnesses/