(2020-02-01). Germany evacuates 100 from coronavirus-gripped Wuhan. rt.com 
Over 100 German citizens and family members have been flown from Wuhan to Frankfurt on Saturday. | None of the passengers have manifestations of the disease, which prompted the lockdown of the Chinese city in an attempt to stop the spread of the infection. However, they will be kept in quarantine for a checkup, since the virus may be spread by people without the pneumonia-like symptoms. | Health Minister Jens Spahn bemoaned the dissemination of conspiracy theories about the coronavirus on social media, saying they only "spread uncertainty" about the disease.
(2020-02-01). Merkel's coalition shoots down opposition bid to halt Germany's 'killer robots' development. rt.com 
Members of Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition have blocked legislation aimed at preventing Germany from creating fully autonomous weapons systems, after opposition lawmakers pushed for a moratorium. | Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), backed by their allies, the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU), defeated a motion brought by the Greens in the Bundestag on Friday which called for renewed efforts to bring about a global ban on weapons with no human input — colloquially referred to as "killer robots." | In a separate motion — also defeated by Merkel's parliamentary majority — t…
(2020-02-01). 'He's in our anthem, why not in constitution?' Russian Patriarch wants GOD mentioned in state charter. rt.com 
Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, says believers should pray for a constitutional amendment that would add a reference to God. He thinks the mention would be appreciated by all faiths alike. | "Most Russian citizens believe in God. Not just the Orthodox Christians — I speak about Muslims and many-many others," the patriarch said as cited by the Church spokesman. "If the anthem can have the words 'Our homeland protected by God', why can't the constitution say the same thing?" | Russia is currently preparing for a number of amendments to the basic law, which would somewhat redistri…
(2020-02-01). Russia stops processing Chinese work visas & scraps visa-free travel amid coronavirus epidemic. rt.com 
Moscow has temporarily halted issuing work visas to Chinese citizens and suspended visa-free travel for Chinese tourist groups in response to the coronavirus epidemic in the country. | The travel restriction come into force from Sunday. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who ordered them, stressed that the measures are temporary and are only meant to protect people in Russia from health risks posed by the infection — a point he asked the Foreign Ministry to make known to Beijing. | The agreement on visa-free travel for organized tourist groups works both ways, but the suspension by Russia applies only to…
(2020-02-01). Breaking the ice: Hockey-loving new US ambassador visits Moscow game… and reveals his favorite player is RUSSIAN. rt.com 
America's new ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, said ice hockey could help bring the two nations closer together as he visited a game in Moscow, also singing the praises of his favorite player, Russia's Alexander Ovechkin. | Sullivan took up his post earlier this year, and as an avid hockey fan wasted little time in arranging a visit to a game in the Russian capital. | The American diplomat was at the local derby between Moscow clubs Spartak and Dynamo on Saturday, where, suitably dressed in a Washington Capitals NHL jersey, he dropped the ceremonial first puck alongside Russian hockey legends Vyacheslav Fe…
(2020-02-01). Air Force planes to evacuate Russians from virus-hit Chinese cities — Moscow. rt.com 
Hundreds of Russians stranded in China will be brought home on military aircraft which have already departed from their bases, Moscow said just a day after it confirmed Russia's first coronavirus cases in two Siberian regions. | Russian Air Force planes will ferry Russian citizens from the cities most affected by the new coronavirus, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media. "They will start carrying out [evacuation] flights as of today," he explained. | At the moment, there are 300 Russians in Wuhan — the epicenter of the virus — while the other 341 are based in the surrounding Hubei pr…
(2020-02-01). 1 dead after café roof collapses in Novosibirsk, Russia, trapping visitors. rt.com 
A roof of a café came crashing down on diners in the city of Novosibirsk in southern Siberia, killing at least one woman and trapping several people under rubble. A rescue effort has been underway amid reports of dozens evacuated. | One person was confirmed dead, and four people, including a man in critical condition, were taken to hospital after the roof of a cloak-room adjacent to a cafe collapsed on Saturday night. The café was packed with diners at the time, and some 200 people managed to evacuate on their own, local emergency services said. | While the investigation into the incident is yet in its…
(2020-02-01). Israel-Palestine: Time for Russia to Step up to the Plate. dissidentvoice.org 
Is Israel US property? In many ways, yes. Despite its willful ways, Israel is always pushing the envelope with the US. It has been getting away with murder since it was founded, abetted and funded by the US. But the US has failed, and Jared Kushner is the perfect envoy for this latest ultimatum, crafted …
(2020-02-01). WATCH breathtaking fireball burst into life as it rains down on Russia's Urals. rt.com 
A meteor which put on a spectacular show as it sped across Russia's Urals region was caught on camera lighting up the night sky as it erupted in a blaze of glory this week. | Photographer Ilya Jankowsky captured the stunning spectacle in the town of Irbit in Sverdlovsk Oblast on Thursday night. | The amateur astronomer captured footage of the impressive natural light show as a meteor shower swept across the Urals. The meteor erupted into life as it burned up while entering Earth's atmosphere shortly after 3am local time. | The dazzling burst of light was so bright that it was observed around 800km away in O…
(2020-02-01). Pompeo says US can cover 100% of Belarus' oil needs amid Minsk row with Moscow. rt.com 
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has offered to cover all Belarus oil needs with American product at competitive prices. The sales pitch comes after Belarus lost access to low price crude from Russia. | The top US diplomat is visiting Minsk on Saturday to court its longtime leader, President Aleksandr Lukashenko. Belarus is currently struggling to replace Russian crude, which it had imported for years at low prices to refine and resell at a considerable premium. Pompeo seized the opportunity to offer American supplies as an alternative. | "The United States wants to help Belarus build its own sovereign countr…
(2020-02-01). Pompeo vows to name US envoy to Belarus as Lukashenko praises him for RISK to visit Minsk & scrutinize country's democracy. rt.com 
Mike Pompeo has tried to de-ice relations with Belarus, a country sanctioned by the US over a decade ago, promising to appoint an ambassador to Minsk along with other perks for siding with Washington. | "We are confident that together we can make real progress across every dimension of our relationship," Pompeo told President Alexander Lukashenko as he greeted him on Saturday. | Returning the charm offensive, the Belarusian leader said it was "very good that you risked coming to Minsk after various misunderstandings between Belarus and the US." | Lukashenko, whom Western media notoriously labeled "Europe's las…
(2020-02-01). France's Anti-Neoliberal Protesters Get Their Second Wind. zcomm.org The strikers protesting President Macron's pension reform are expanding their target to the whole neoliberal system…
(2020-02-01). Sanders Beats Trump and Trump Throws Dynamite in the Powder Keg. indybay.org With Sander's election as the Democratic Party candidate, the US would have been the only country to have had a free health insurance policy since Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s… The USA and also Turkey have in fact long since left NATO and are following their own interests without taking their previous "partners" into consideration.
(2020-02-01). Campaigner criticises government over failure to tackle domestic violence crisis. thecanary.co This article contains description of domestic violence and abuse that some readers and survivors may find distressing. | A young abuse campaigner has criticised the Irish government for failing to tackle the deepening domestic violence crisis in Ireland at a special conference in the UK. | Ainie Grainger, a co-founder of Stop Domestic Violence in Ireland (SDVII), accused the government of paying lip service to the problem of domestic violence. | Addressing the audience from the stage at the Cambridge Union, Grainger urged the next government to listen to survivors and to introduce legislation to make domestic vio…
(2020-02-01). Int'l Community Offer Aid, Support as China Fights Virus. telesurenglish.net Countries around the world are offering recognition of China's efforts to battle the novel coronavirus outbreak, showing confidence in the ultimate triumph over virus and pledging aid and support. | RELATED: | In his call to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered sympathies over the pain and loss inflicted on Chinese families and wished each patient a speedy recovery. | He expressed be…
(2020-02-01). South Korea deploys naval unit to Strait of Hormuz. wsws.org Behind the backs of the South Korean working class, Seoul is supporting US war plans that could lead to a wider conflict with China and Russia.
(2020-02-01). Want A Little Bit of Food Porn? Russian 'Striptease' Skater Opens Up About Her Eating Habits. sputniknews.com Russian figure skater Elizaveta Tuktamysheva is known for making bold and memorable fashion statements during her gala performances, as well as for having strong opinions about her preferred qualities in men and their earnings.
(2020-02-01). Russian Aerospace Forces to Evacuate Russians From Virus-Stricken China – Kremlin. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces will be engaged in bringing Russian nationals from China's provinces that are most affected by the novel coronavirus beginning on Saturday, Dmitry Peskov, said.
(2020-02-01). Incredibly Bright Fireball Illuminates Sky Like a Sun in Russia – Video. sputniknews.com According to reports, the object was seen in Russia's Sverdlovsk, Tyumen, Omsk, Chelyabinsk, and Kurgan regions. It is not clear whether the meteor hit the ground, as rocks as bright as this one usually explode in the atmosphere.
(2020-02-01). Astonishing Meteor Streaks Across Sky in England – Photo, Video. sputniknews.com Approximately 54 tonnes of extra-terrestrial rocks reach Earth every day, including interplanetary dust, meteoroids and asteroids, according to the European Space Association (ESA).
(2020-02-01). Turkish, Palestinian presidents speak over phone. yenisafak.com Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday held a phone conversation with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas, according to the Turkish communications directorate.Erdogan and Abbas talked about the latest developments and regional issues.The Turkish president reiterated his country's support to Palestine in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called Middle East peace plan.On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump released his plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian dispute at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with no Palestinian officials present.During the event…
(2020-02-01). Turkey urges joint effort against extremism in Europe. yenisafak.com Turkish foreign minister Friday called for joint effort to ward off extremist ideas in Europe."We should fight against these extremist ideas no matter in which country they are. Our common values will continue to wear off if we do not challenge movements that are racist and hate everybody except themselves," said Mevlut Cavusoglu in Sofia, Bulgaria's capital.His remarks came in a news conference alongside his Bulgarian counterpart Ekaterina Zakharieva, in the wake of a racist attack of independent Greek member of European Parliament (EP) against Turkish flag.Addressing the EP on Wednesday, Ioannis Lagos tore up a…
(2020-02-01). Turkish plane lands in Mongolia with evacuees. yenisafak.com A Turkish cargo plane, en route to Turkey on Saturday to evacuate Turkish citizens from Wuhan, the heart of deadly coronavirus outbreak, landed in Mongolia's capital to refuel after three hours flight. Turkish Armed Forces' A400M type cargo plane departed from Wuhan, China on Saturday airlifting 42 people, including the citizens of Turkey and other nearby countries.Passengers' health conditions are good and their oxygen levels as well as body temperature are normal, the officials told Anadolu Agency reporter on board.With 11 military personnel, six health employees, two press members and one Foreign Ministry rep…
(2020-02-01). Turkey hails common political will on relations with UK. yenisafak.com Turkey welcomed "the existing common political will" to further develop the relations with the U.K. after Brexit, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday."In the new period, relations between Turkey and the U.K. will provide significant opportunities to enhance regional and global stability as well as both parties' interests," the ministry said in a written statement.Three-and-a-half years after 2016 referendum, when the clocks strike 11 p.m. (2300GMT) in London or midnight in Brussels, the U.K.-EU partnership will be done and dusted in technical terms.The ministry underlined that while leaving the EU, the U.K. will…
(2020-02-01). China orders 200M masks from Turkey amid virus outbreak. yenisafak.com China has put in orders for a total of 200 million protective face masks from Turkish medical firms over the past 10 days, as the country wrestles an outbreak of the novel coronavirus.Anadolu Agency reached out to a stakeholder, Fatih Arpaci, in a medical firm based in Turkey's western province.Arpaci said as a "surprising" turnout of events, Chinese firms ordered a total of 200 million face masks in one go."It is surprising to us as China is one of the biggest face mask producers in the world. Turkey produces a total of 150 million face masks in one year. But they wanted 200 million face masks," he said."Demands…
(2020-02-01). Pakistani premier says war averted in Middle East, things still tense. yenisafak.com Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said diplomatic efforts have brought down tension in the Middle East following the recent U.S.-Iran conflict."We feel we played our part in bringing down tensions and we have averted war," Khan said during his interview with Anadolu Agency on Thursday evening.But things are still tense and need some more efforts for a permanent solution, he warned.Speaking about his country's relations with Turkey, Khan said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Islamabad in the middle of February and hoped this visit would further strengthen the brotherly relationship bet…
(2020-02-01). Barƒ±≈ü Manàßo: Turkish music legend, cultural envoy. yenisafak.com Baris Manco, one of Turkey's most important figures
(2020-02-01). Russian armed forces aircraft to evacuate citizens from China. yenisafak.com Russia's aerospace defence forces, part of the armed forces, will start evacuating Russian citizens on Saturday from China due to the coronavirus outbreak, news agencies reported, citing the Kremlin spokesman.Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters the evacuation would take place in regions that had been most affected by the outbreak, Interfax and TASS news agencies reported.Russia joins other countries in evacuating their citizens from China, where the number of cases of the new virus is rising.Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said on Friday that Russia planned to evacuate more than 600 of its citizens now…
(2020-02-01). Poland signs off on purchase of 32 F-35s worth $4.6B. yenisafak.com The U.S. welcomed Friday Poland's decision to purchase 32 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters in a deal estimated to be worth $4.6 billion."We commend President Duda, Prime Minister Morawiecki, and the Polish government's commitment to continue modernizing Poland's military through the acquisition of the world's most advanced fighter aircraft, which will improve Poland's ability to provide collective and self-defense," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement."We look forward to working with our NATO Ally Poland on this project and continuing to enhance our long-term strategic partnership," she adde…
(2020-02-01). 'What should I do? Hide in the cellar?' Nigel Farage tells RT's Going Underground he'll be a Brexit 'watchdog'. rt.com 
With Britain's departure from the EU representing the culmination of his political career thus far, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage told RT's Going Underground that he'll be keeping an eye on proceedings for the next year. | "Everyone said to me it was impossible, I'm wasting my time, should go back to business, but it just shows you that actually… there was a massive disconnect between how Westminster saw the European issue and how the country saw the European issue," he told Going Underground's Farhaan Ahmed on Saturday. "And what I did was to go in there and expose it." | The United Kingdom formally e…
(2020-02-01). Britain leaves the EU but Johnson's Brexit saga is far from over. thecanary.co 
The UK has left the European Union, but the Brexit saga still has a long way to run.A series of crucial issues need to be resolved with Brussels in the coming months.What happens now?: The UK and European Union need to reach agreements by the end of the year to prevent what is effectively another no-deal scenario. | The challenges that Europe faces, and the opportunities that it can grasp, have not changed because of
(2020-02-01). French fishermen temporarily barred from waters off Normandy coast as Brexit takes hold. rt.com 
French fishermen were among the first to feel the direct effects of Britain's exit from the European Union, after discovering that they are temporarily barred from waters that were governed by a now-defunct treaty. | Access to waters around Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of Normandy, was granted under a European fisheries accord that expired automatically on Friday evening with the UK's departure from the bloc. | London still needs to negotiate a new trade agreement with Brussels, but a transition period will allow "business as usual" until the end of the year. However, Guernsey, a British…
(2020-01-31). Riot Police beat up striking Firefighters as media looks the other way. mronline.org 
The media, quick to condemn violence against protesters elsewhere in the world, largely ignored the brutal crackdown on firefighters joining months-long nationwide protests in France. |
(2020-01-31). Pipeline or a Pipe Dream: Israel, Turkey Hydrocarbon Conflict is Brewing in the Mediterranean. counterpunch.org 
Massive natural gas discoveries off the coast of Israel and Palestine are slated to make Tel Aviv a regional energy hub. Whether Israel will be able to translate positive indicators of the largely untapped gas reserves into actual economic and strategic wealth is yet to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the Middle
(2020-01-31). Climate activists from Africa speak out about the marginalisation of African voices. thecanary.co 
Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate and peers from other African nations have made an urgent appeal for the world to pay more attention to the continent that stands to suffer the most from climate breakdown despite contributing to it the least.The Fridays For Future movement and activist Greta Thunberg held a news conference with the activists in Sweden to spotlight the marginalisation of African voices."African activists are doing so much": Nakate — along with Makenna Muigai of Kenya, Ayakha Melithafa of South Africa, and climate scientist Ndoni Mcunu of South Africa — pointed out the challe…
(2020-01-31). Libyan government must honor its promise, release 'illegally detained' employees – Russian NGO. rt.com 
A Russian NGO has accused the government in Tripoli of breaking the pledge it made during peace talks by refusing to release two of its employees, arrested last year on charges of "meddling" in an election that never happened. | Maxim Shugalei and Samer Hassan Ali Seifan worked for the Foundation for National Values Protection, a Russian nonprofit. They were arrested in May 2019 by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). | "We consider that one of the objectives of this arrest of Russian citizens was the urge to prevent the leak of the results of their social studies, which prove the absence of…
(2020-01-31). How government and media are prepping America for a failed 2020 election. mronline.org 
Russia, China and Iran are already being blamed for using tech to undermine the 2020 election. Yet, the very technologies they are allegedly using were created by a web of companies with deep ties to Israeli intelligence. |
(2020-01-31). Headlines for January 31, 2020. democracynow.org Senate Poised to Acquit President Trump in Impeachment Trial, World Health Organization Declares International Public Health Emergency, U.S. Special Envoy Warns of International Crisis in Idlib, Syria, Britain Formally Withdrawing from European Union Tonight, Pentagon Deploys 1st Low-Yield Nuclear Warhead-Armed Submarine, Trump Admin Poised to Loosen Restrictions on Use of Landmines, Human Rights Groups Condemn Mexico for Crackdown on Central American Migrants, Mexican Butterfly Conservationist Found Dead, Bolivia's Movement for Socialism Candidate Luis Arce Returns to Bolivia, U.S. Pushes EU to End Ban on Chemic…
(2020-01-31). Erdogan's Outburst Against Russia Reveals Frustration. globalresearch.ca Back in November 2015, a Turkish F-16 fighter jet shot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24M near the Syria—Turkey border on the allegations that the Russian warplane had violated Turkish airspace for 17 seconds — an interesting casus belli considering that …
(2020-01-31). French GDP Decreased Last Quarter 2019: Set Back for Macron. telesurenglish.net France's real GDP fell 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019, for the first time under the presidency of Emmanuel Macron, according to a report published by the French National Institute of Statistics and Studies (INSEE) on Friday. | RELATED: | The French economy, one of the largest in the EU, has failed to meet expectations in a dramatic drop after expansion by 0.3 percent in July-September, which represents a full-y…
(2020-01-31). Trump and Putin Made this the Best Week Ever for Netanyahu. globalresearch.ca Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is coasting into his country's third elections on March 2 with the success of two tremendous achievements over the past week that was interestingly made possible by both American and Russian Presidents. U.S. President …
(2020-01-31). Do not confuse food charity with 'right to food', UN expert tells Italians, labelling food system exploitative. news.un.org A sophisticated Italian food system is placing a heavy burden on Italy's workers and farmers, an independent UN human rights expert said on Friday, following an 11-day visit to the country that many regard as the world's food capital.
(2020-01-31). British Medical Association says issues around medicine supplies after Brexit still unresolved. thecanary.co 
More work is needed to ensure the supply of vital medicines is not disrupted after Brexit, leading doctors have said.Practical questions surrounding the transport of prescription drugs across the Irish border still need to be resolved, according to the BMA in the north of Ireland.Chair Dr Tom Black expressed concern: With just 11 months to finish negotiations on our future relationship with the EU, there are still issues to be resolved: current cross-border health services must be able to continue and indeed expand; the practicalities around the transport of medicines over the border still needs to be resolved and…
(2020-01-31). A pivot to China, a stronger economy or total collapse? Politicians & experts on what's next for the UK post-Brexit. rt.com 
With Brexit done, where is Britain headed next? Will London allignwith Washington, Beijing, or both? Will the departure usher in a new era of prosperity, or the collapse of the UK itself? RT spoke to experts and politicians. | Business as usual, but pivoting to China: | John Laughland, academic and author: | Boris Johnson is, you know, very close to Donald Trump. Trump may well be reelected, and that means that for four years Johnson will have in Trump a strong political ally, and he will seek to capitalize on that. | I think it's pretty unlikely that relations with Russia will improve. Johnson was for…
(2020-01-31). 'Boris, everything you've said has been marvelous, but we will be watching you' — Farage to PM Johnson ahead of Brexit trade talks. rt.com 
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has hailed the moment of the UK's withdrawal from the EU as the "most significant in modern British history," adding that Brexit will lead to the "beginning of the end of the European project." | Speaking to RT UK moments before Britain officially left the bloc on Friday, the prominent Leave campaigner and MEP hailed it as the "point of no return" in the country ending it's EU membership and becoming a "free, independent nation." | "It's a big day, it's a great day," he added. | "Boris, we will be watching you." | Nigel Farage tells RT UK that he will 'be watching' Boris Johnso…
(2020-01-31). Brexit Day Has Come: The United Kingdom Quits European Union. telesurenglish.net At 23: 00 on Friday, Jan. 31, RELATED: | For proponents, Brexit is a dream "independence d…
(2020-01-31). England Came and Went, Leaving Europe in a Mess. UK Leaves EU. globalresearch.ca Whew. Finally, at last, the UK is formally leaving the European Union on January 31. Here in Paris, the champions of French withdrawal from the EU are celebrating. They see Brexit as the harbinger of a future "Frexit", a French departure from undemocratic governance, and the end of a failed project to unify Europe around the demands of neoliberal capitalism.
(2020-01-31). On Holocaust Memorial Day US Embassy Falsely Claims America Liberated Auschwitz. mintpressnews.com 
The statement was immediately met with scorn from those who felt it was another example of Soviet erasure and an insult to the enormous sacrifice the Soviet Union made to defeat fascism in Europe.
(2020-01-30). Ex-Solicitor General: Alan Dershowitz Is Wrong. Trump Is Not Above the Law & Should Be Impeached. democracynow.org 
President Trump's legal team offered an extraordinary new defense during Trump's impeachment trial on Wednesday. Attorney Alan Dershowitz said that a sitting president could take any action to boost his re-election chances if he felt his re-election was in the public interest. "If a president does something which he believes will help him get elected in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment," Dershowitz said. Trump was impeached by the House last month for freezing military aid to Ukraine in an effort to pressure Ukraine to open an investigation of Trump's politi…
(2020-01-30). Fix is in, Trump team makes radical shift in his defense. peoplesworld.org 
Ditching months of claims by President Trump that his dealings with Ukraine were "perfect," Trump's TV lawyers and GOP lawmakers are now asserting that a quid-pro-quo of aid for political favors — even if proven beyond a shadow of a doubt — is not grounds for impeachment. They have taken the logic offered them Monday …