2020-01-21: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

Climate Activists Sound Alarm on Mediterranean Natural Gas Pipelines
Staff | therealnews.com | 2020-01-21
Activists say the environmental risks of natural gas drilling are being ignored in the rush to challenge Russia's control of the European energy market.
therealnews.com/stories/climate-environment-mediterranean-natural-gas-pipelines

Defender and Spearheads
Victor Grossman | counterpunch.org | 2020-01-21
"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, but on January 12th 2020 in the otherwise peaceful if no longer prosperous Dortmund, in Germany's Ruhr Valley; once again, unexploded bombs were detected under…
counterpunch.org/2020/01/21/defender-and-spearheads/

In France's longest protests since 1968, striking workers continue the fight against neoliberalism
Alan MacLeod | mronline.org | 2020-01-21
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. | Source…
mronline.org/2020/01/21/in-frances-longest-protests-since-1968-striking-workers-continue-the-fight-against-neoliberalism/

Spanish PM Sanchez to meet head of Catalan govt Torra, independence referendum 'off the table'
rt.com | 2020-01-21
Spain's prime minister has said he will meet the head of Catalonia's regional government in early February, but discussion of an independence referendum will be off the table. | The meeting will come ahead of negotiations between Quim Torra's regional government and PM Pedro Sanchez, aimed at finding a way out of the political crisis that has rocked Spain since 2017 after a disputed referendum in the northeastern region. | Catalonia's oldest and largest pro-independence party, the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), demanded the talks about the region's place within Spain in exchange for its abstention in a co…
rt.com/newsline/478767-spain-pm-catalan-referendum/

Iran's civil aviation authority confirms 2 missiles fired at Ukraine airliner
rt.com | 2020-01-21
The civil aviation authority in Iran has confirmed two missiles were fired at a Ukrainian airliner that was brought down earlier this month. Investigators discovered that "two Tor-M1 missiles… were fired at the aircraft," the authority said in a preliminary report posted on its website late on Monday. | An investigation is ongoing to assess the bearing their impact had on the accident. The statement confirms a report in The New York Times which included video footage appearing to show two projectiles being fired at the airliner. | The Kiev-bound Ukraine International Airlines plane was shot down in error sho…
rt.com/newsline/478687-iran-missiles-ukraine-airliner/

Ankara Participates in NATO Naval Drill With European Allies – Defence Ministry
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-21
ANKARA (Sputnik) – Turkey is participating in the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 naval exercise in the eastern Mediterranean together with Italy, Germany, and Greece, the country's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.
sputniknews.com/military/202001211078094662-ankara-participates-in-nato-naval-drill-with-european-allies—defence-ministry/

China court sentences former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei to 13 years in prison for bribery
rt.com | 2020-01-21
Former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei, who was detained on a visit to China in 2018, was sentenced Tuesday to more than 13 years in prison for bribery. The case shook the international police organization. | Meng

Iran threatens to leave nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-01-21
The announcement comes after the UK, France and Germany proposed the invocation of the dispute settlement mechanism in the UNSC – a move that Iran alleges is based on US diktats…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/01/21/iran-threatens-to-leave-nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty/

Germany: New links found between Làºbcke murder, neo-fascist NSU and the secret service
wsws.org | 2020-01-21
The links between the series of murders carried out by the neo-Nazi terrorist group NSU, the murder of Kassel's District President Walter Làºbcke (CDU) and the secret service are closer than previously known.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/21/lubc-j21.html

Russian Scientists Propose Manned Base on Martian Moon to Control Robots Remotely on Red Planet
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-21
Academics believe a Martian moon base would be considerably cheaper to build than a base on the planet itself, while providing for the real-time control of robots stationed on Mars' surface.
sputniknews.com/science/202001211078094327-russian-scientists-propose-manned-base-on-martian-moon-to-control-robots-remotely-on-red-planet/

A Challenger Appears? Angelina Jolie's Lookalike From Russia Steals the Spotlight Online
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-21
While some social media users praise the Russian beauty's stunning good looks and marvel at her resemblance to the Hollywood celebrity Angelina Jolie, there are also those who claim that her appearance is merely a product of plastic surgery.
sputniknews.com/society/202001211078093841-a-challenger-appears-angelina-jolies-lookalike-from-russia-steals-the-spotlight-online/

BRICS open to new member states joining the club, says Russia's deputy FM
rt.com | 2020-01-21
The BRICS group of emerging economies, which is comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is open to welcoming new member countries, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. | Russia is focused on activities on the BRICS+ platform, which "makes it possible for interested countries to find ways to cooperate with the group's members," said Ryabkov, adding: "This is why it is possible to talk about the expansion of BRICS as a goal for the future." | According to Ryabkov, the Russian Sherpa in the five-nation trade bloc, "BRICS' existence is important in terms of creating new…
rt.com/business/478771-brics-new-member-states/

#VictoryPages: Young Russian designers create 'Endless Letter' using Instagram Stories
rt.com | 2020-01-21
RT's historical tribute to the 75-year anniversary of victory over fascism, #VictoryPages, launches 'Endless Letter' on Instagram. Starting this January the project will run until May. | The Instagram account @Pobeda.Page will post several stories daily that will eventually add up to hours of art, quotes and music combined. | "Today we live, but tomorrow or in an hour, a minute you are gone," "Mom! Don't make a mistake, don't join the army, stay at home," "The city is destroyed… Sorry for Rostov"

Employees of German Federal Government Have Outdated Windows 7 on Computers – Reports
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-21
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – At least 33,000 computers used by the German federal government's employees have Windows 7, an outdated operating system, installed on them, media reported on Tuesday, citing the Interior Ministry's response to a parliamentary inquiry by the Greens.
sputniknews.com/europe/202001211078094363-employees-of-german-federal-government-have-outdated-windows-7-on-computers—reports/

'Great Havoc' as Twin Blast Hits Stockholm – Photo
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-21
Around 50 people were evacuated when two major blasts hit the Kista and Husby districts of Stockholm. Given the extent of the damage, it is surprising that only one person was taken to hospital with injuries.
sputniknews.com/europe/202001211078094215-great-havoc-as-twin-blast-hits-stockholm/

Facebook Pledges 1,000 New London Hires to Improve Online Safety
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-21
The social media giant's announcement comes amid vocal concerns from business leaders regarding the lack of certainty over the UK's post-Brexit relationship with the European Union.
sputniknews.com/business/202001211078093276-facebook-pledges-1000-new-hires-in-london-to-improve-online-saftey/

Turkey eyes over $190B in exports
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-21
Turkey aims to exceed $190 billion in exports in 2020, the head of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) said on Tuesday.The country's exports, which were around $30 billion in 2000, were $180.5 billion last year, Ismail Gulle noted during the opening ceremony of the 16th International Istanbul Furniture Fair (CNR IMOB).Gulle said the furniture sector's exports amounted to $3.5 billion in 2019

Three arrested in Turkey for alleged drone shipment to Syria
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-21
Turkish police arrested three suspects on Tuesday for allegedly sending a shipment of four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to terrorist groups in Syria, security sources said.The suspects were arrested in Istanbul and the southern Adana province, while another of Syrian nationality was held in the southern Hatay province, said the sources who asked not to be named, due to restrictions on speaking to the media.Acting on a tip-off received earlier this month, Adana police detained another suspect in a cargo office, while allegedly trying to send drones to people with links to terrorist groups in Syria.Prosecutors…
yenisafak.com/en/news/three-arrested-in-turkey-for-alleged-drone-shipment-to-syria-3510127

Trump says China tariffs to remain during Phase 2 talks
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-21
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday reaffirmed that tariffs on China would remain in place during negotiations for a second phase trade deal with Beijing.Delivering opening remarks at the 50th edition of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump called his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping "extraordinary," saying relations between the two rivals had improved following a "rough patch.""He [Xi Jinping] is for China, I am for the U.S.

50 civilians killed in Syria's Idlib since Jan. 12
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-21
Dozens of civilians have lost their lives in Syria's Idlib and tens of thousands of others have been displaced since Jan. 12, as the regime forces and its allies continued to violate cease-fire.According to data obtained from the country's Response Coordination Group, the Assad regime has conducted 89 airstrikes while Russian jets hit the city for 232 times during this period.The airstrikes have claimed lives of 50 civilians, including 13 children, three women and a civil defense employee.Notably, Syrians weary of airstrikes were forced to flee their homes; some 31,500 people have migrated to zones cleared of ter…
yenisafak.com/en/world/50-civilians-killed-in-syrias-idlib-since-jan-12-3510126

Russia lauds 'constructive' Putin, Johnson meeting
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-21
The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the Berlin Conference on Libya was "brief but constructive", a Russian official said on Tuesday.The character of the contacts was different from what the U.K. premier office announced following the meeting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in the capital Moscow."In general, the contact was brief, but at the same time, let's say, quite constructive, with elements of a conciliatory attitude. Apparently, the spirit of the contact is clearly different from the crux of the Downing Street message…
yenisafak.com/en/news/russia-lauds-constructive-putin-johnson-meeting-3510131

Syrian Regime uses evacuation as means of seizing Idlib
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-21
The head of Syria's White Helmets (Civil Defense) Tuesday said the Syrian regime sought to capture opposition-controlled northwestern Idlib city of Syria through forced evacuations.In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Raed al-Saleh commented on the Bashar al-Assad regime and its allies' aggression on the city and violation of cease-fire agreements."The cease-fire in Idlib seems to be collapsed, it was relatively better. Those who migrated would return home, but the regime and Russia did not abide by the cease-fire same as before," Saleh said."The regime attempts to seize Idlib through evacuation," he sa…
yenisafak.com/en/world/syrian-regime-uses-evacuation-as-means-of-seizing-idlib-3510135

The Mad Geopolitics of Israel's EastMed Gas Pipeline
F. William Engdahl | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-20
At just a time when the world holds its collective breath over risk of a World War over the US assassination of Iran's leading general and other provocations, Israel has chosen to sign a natural gas pipeline deal with Greece …
globalresearch.ca/geopolitics-israel-eastmed-gas-pipeline/5701114

Biden campaign warns media not to spread 'debunked' claims about his activities in Ukraine or else
rt.com | 2020-01-20
Joe Biden's presidential campaign has issued a warning to the media cautioning journalists against spreading what he called "debunked" theories about his controversial role in having a Ukrainian prosecutor removed from office. | In the memo first reported by NBC News, Biden's campaign accuses President Donald Trump of "spreading a malicious and conclusively debunked conspiracy theory" that the former VP engaged in wrongdoing when he pressured Ukraine to fire former Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin. | Biden has previously bragged about his role in having Shokin fired, even admitting on camera that he presented…
rt.com/usa/478746-biden-warns-media-ukraine/

Iran Warns of Quitting Global Nuclear Treaty If Case Goes to UN
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-20
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said Monday that Iran could leave the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if Britain, France, and Germany pursue their "unjustifiable behavior" and send the country's nuclear case to the United Nations Security Council. | RELATED: | Moscow Hopes Iran Won't Quit Global Nuclear Pact | "If the Europeans continue their improper behavior or send Iran's file to the Security Council, we will withdraw from the NPT," Iranian news agencies quoted Zarif sa…
telesurenglish.net/news/Iran-Warns-of-Quitting-Global-Nuclear-Treaty-If-Case-Goes-to-UN-20200120-0007.html

UN Experts Unveil Letter Condemning Germany's Targeting of BDS Movement
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2020-01-20
Five United Nations special rapporteurs have unveiled a letter to the German government censuring a German law that targets a pro-Palestinian boycott movement while insisting that criticism of the Israeli regime "is not anti-Semitic." The UN experts made the letter public this week, after the 60-day reply period ended …
imemc.org/article/un-experts-unveil-letter-condemning-germanys-targeting-of-bds-movement/

The Libya Conference and "The New Scramble for Africa"
Johannes Stern | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-20
A major international conference on Libya will convene in Berlin on Sunday. At the invitation of Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, heads of state and top officials of the leading imperialist powers in Europe and the US will come together to …
globalresearch.ca/libya-conference-new-scramble-africa/5701174

Moscow Hopes Iran Won't Quit Global Nuclear Pact
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-20
Moscow hopes that Iran will not withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying Monday. | "We warn the Iranian side against reckless steps in terms of maintaining the obligations of the Islamic Republic under the NPT," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Ryabkov as saying. | RELATED: | Venezuelan FM Makes Official Visit to Iran to Boost Relations | "We talk about this openly and consider t…
telesurenglish.net/news/Moscow-Hopes-Iran-Wont-Quit-Global-Nuclear-Pact-20200120-0005.html

MSNBC's Joy Ann Reid Invites Quack Body Language Expert on to Trash Sanders
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-01-20
MSNBC's Joy Ann Reid has a history of strongly racist and homophobic remarks. She was one of the chief proponents of the RussiaGate narrative and history of anti-Muslim and homophobic comments.
mintpressnews.com/msnbc-joy-ann-reid-invites-jeanine-driver-trash-bernie-sanders/264219/

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

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/

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

Syrian Rebels Caught on Film Getting Transferred to Libya on Commercial Plane
Tyler Durden | theantimedia.com | 2020-01-19
(ZH)

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

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

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

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/

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/

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/

France's Strike: Another Symptom of Neoliberalism's Legitimation Crisis
Staff | therealnews.com | 2020-01-16
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.
therealnews.com/stories/france-strike-neoliberalism-pension-crisis

Putin Proposes Sweeping Changes to Russian Constitution, Possibly Prolonging His Grip on Power
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-01-16
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…
www.democracynow.org/2020/1/16/russia_putin_medvedev_tony_wood

Russia: A Groundbreaking Powershift?
Peter Koenig | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-01-16
In groundbreaking news President Putin announced today, 15 January, in his annual address to the Nation, major changes in his government. First, he announced that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his entire cabinet resigned and will eventually be replaced by a new PM and a new cabinet. A timeline was not given. In the meantime, …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/01/russia-a-groundbreaking-powershift/