(2020-02-15). Zero-emission champion Tesla allowed to keep building Europe's 1st Gigafactory by… sweeping out woods near Berlin. rt.com 
While Elon Musk advances his sustainability agenda, his 'environmentally-friendly' venture Tesla wages — and wins — a legal battle with locals who oppose leveling a pine forest to erect the company's giant factory. | Defying protests among locals and an appeal by environmentalist groups, a local court gave the green light to Elon Musk's Gigafactory 4 construction in the middle of a serene forest in the Gruenheide municipality — a place that ironically has the word 'Green' in its name if translated from German. | The ruling in favor of Tesla sank a lawsuit by two local environmentalist groups…
(2020-02-15). Chinese tourist dies in France, becomes first coronavirus fatality in Europe – French health minister. rt.com 
Marking the first fatality on European soil, an 80-year-old Chinese tourist succumbed to the coronavirus at a Paris hospital, Health Minister Agnes Buzin reported as the death toll of the epidemic has surpassed 1,500. | The elderly Chinese man had been hospitalized in Paris, Buzin told journalists on Saturday. He was put into quarantine, but his condition "had deteriorated rapidly," the minister told local media. She said the 80-year-old arrived in France from the virus-hit province of Hubei. | The patient's daughter, also suffering from the 2019-nCoV, as the virus is officially called, was also hospitalized,…
(2020-02-15). Turkey warns it will take action over Idlib flare-up if diplomacy fails. rt.com 
Ankara seeks a diplomatic resolution to an uptick in fighting in Idlib, Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said, but it is prepared to take other steps if talks with Russia fall through. | A Turkish delegation will arrive in Moscow on Monday to hold talks over the crisis in Idlib, Cavusoglu told reporters during the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. The senior Turkish diplomat said he will also meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. | Ankara is "working to maintain diplomacy" regarding the situation in Idlib, Cavusoglu claimed, while warning that necessary steps will be taken…
(2020-02-15). Shot down: Russia set to lose top spot in Sochi Olympics medals table AGAIN after biathlete Ustyugov accused of doping. rt.com 
In a well-worn story with more ups and downs that a playground seesaw, Russia could again lose top spot in the 2014 Sochi Olympics medals table after biathlete Evgeny Ustyugov was reportedly found guilty of doping violations. | The International Biathlon Union (IBU)
(2020-02-15). On the fast track: Russian speed skater Pavel Kulizhnikov earns World Championship sprint gold. rt.com 
The leader of the Russian speed skating team Pavel Kulizhnikov has proved again he is one of the world's fastest sprinters by winning the men's 500m gold at the World Championships in Salt Lake City in the US. | The 25-year-old clocked a time of 33.72 seconds, which was enough to claim gold on the shortest speed skating distance. | Fellow Russian Ruslan Muras…
(2020-02-15). Sinn Féin begins efforts to form leftwing coalition in Ireland. zcomm.org Mary Lou McDonald will talk to Greens and others but pact with Fianna Fáil is also possible…
(2020-02-15). Turkey destroys 903 mines, 1,720 explosives in N.Syria. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces have destroyed 903 mines and 1,720 improvised explosives in areas under its latest anti-terror operation in northern Syria, the country's National Defense Ministry said on Saturday.On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey's borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria's territorial integrity.The ministry said in a statement children were often the victims of mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by PKK/YPG terrorists in the Operation Peace Sprin…
(2020-02-15). NATO chief warns against EU defense ambitions. yenisafak.com NATO's secretary general warned European members of the alliance against undermining transatlantic ties by their plans to build a European military.In a speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Jens Stoltenberg welcomed EU plans to boost defense capabilities and spending, but also cautioned allies against duplicating military efforts and alienating the U.S."Some say that the answer is more Europe, and I agree. But this is only part of it because more Europe cannot mean Europe alone," he stressed."Any attempt to distance Europe from North America not only weakens the transatlantic bond and our ability…
(2020-02-15). France confirms first coronavirus death in Europe. yenisafak.com An 80-year-old Chinese man has died from the coronavirus in France, French health authorities said Saturday.The announcement of the first death due to the fatal virus in Europe was made by Health Minister Agnes Buzyn.The man, a tourist originally from Hubei Province, China, has been hospitalized at the Bichat Hospital in Paris since Jan. 25.This is the first reported coronavirus death both in Europe, as well as outside Asia.
(2020-02-15). Turkey, Turkish Cypriots reject deadlock on Cyprus. yenisafak.com The people of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will not accept deadlock as the fate of the long-divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, said Turkey's vice president on Saturday.Fuat Oktay's remarks came during a meeting on the legal, political and economic aspects of reopening the abandoned town of Maras
(2020-02-15). 'Turkey has fulfilled responsibilities in Syria's Idlib in line with agreements'. yenisafak.com Turkey has fulfilled its responsibilities in the northwestern Syrian region of Idlib in line with the agreements it made with Russia and Iran, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Saturday, after violence spiked in recent weeks.Turkey and Russia back opposing sides in the conflict, and agreed in 2018 to set up a de-escalation zone in the region. A Syrian regime offensive disrupted Ankara and Moscow's fragile cooperation, after 13 Turkish soldiers were martyred in the past two weeks.Oktay told broadcaster NTV that Turkey was determined to stop the Syrian regime advances in Idlib, repeating a threat that Ankara would…
(2020-02-15). Russia detains Ukrainian vessel in Sea of Azov. yenisafak.com The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said it detained a vessel with four Ukrainian nationals in the Sea of Azov on Saturday.Upon inspection, the crew was found to lack the necessary identification and licenses to fish in the area, it said in a statement."The ship's captain failed to comply with the border patrol's legal requirement to stop and attempted to escape," it said, noting that more than 290 specimens of flounder-kalkan fish were found, as well as an illegal fishing net.The vessel and its crew were delivered to the port of Kerch for further investigation, it added.
(2020-02-15). 'The West is winning', US' Pompeo tells China, Russia. yenisafak.com Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday defended the United States' global role and launched a scathing attack on China and Russia, vowing that the West's ideals and values would prevail."I'm happy to report that the death of the transatlantic alliance is grossly exaggerated. The West is winning, and we're winning together," Pompeo said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference.
(2020-02-15). Turkish delegation to go to Moscow for talks on Idlib. yenisafak.com A Turkish delegation will visit Russia next week to hold talks on clashes in Idlib, Syria, Turkey's foreign minister said on Saturday."The Turkish delegation on Monday will attend talks in Moscow [on Idlib, Syria]," Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters after a meeting with his German counterpart Heiko Maas on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.For his part, Maas urged Russia to use its influence on the Assad regime to "stop attacks in Idlib."In September 2018, Turkey and Russia agreed to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.But more than 1,800 civilians…
(2020-02-15). Turkey to take steps if talks with Russia on Syria's Idlib fail. yenisafak.com Turkey wants to solve issues with Russia over the northwestern Syrian region of Idlib through diplomacy but will take other steps if necessary, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday.Turkey and Russia back opposing sides in the conflict, but have collaborated to reach a political solution. A Syrian regime offensive disrupted Ankara and Moscow's fragile cooperation, after 13 Turkish troops were martyred in two weeks.Speaking to reporters during the Munich Security Conference, Cavusoglu also said a Turkish delegation would go to Moscow on Monday to hold talks over Idlib, adding that he would also meet…
(2020-02-15). Ireland remembers how 19th-century aid from Sultan Abdulmejid changed fate of thousands. yenisafak.com Potatoes have a special place in Irish culture, as for centuries the people of the Emerald Isle have depended on this tuber as a diet staple.A seven-year famine in the 19th century, known as the Great Famine or Potato Famine, killed more than a million people in Ireland, and stories from that time have left deep scars on the national psyche.The famine in Ireland, which was under British rule at the time, was triggered by the potato blight or late blight, a disease caused by a fungus-like organism causing collapse and decay.The greatest single disaster Ireland has ever suffered
(2020-02-15). Turkey says Libya's Haftar violating ceasefire, must be stopped. yenisafak.com Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu accused Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar on Saturday of constantly violating a ceasefire in the country, saying he "must be stopped" so a political solution could be found.Turkey backs the internationally-recognised government of Fayez al-Serraj in Libya and has sent military personnel to the country in support of Serraj. President Tayyip Erdogan has also warned that Ankara may deploy troops there if necessary.Speaking at a news conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at the Munich Security Conference, Cavusoglu said that Haftar, who is based in east Li…
(2020-02-15). Protesters Rally in Erfurt, Germany Against Joint FDP, CDU and AfD Vote in Thuringia – Video. sputniknews.com Earlier this month, a political crisis emerged in German's Thuringia state after Thomas Kemmerich of the Free Democrats (FDP) party overcame incumbent The Left party candidate Bodo Ramelow in a narrow 45 to 44 vote to become the state's premier, after gaining support from the right-wing AfD.
(2020-02-15). Russian Prosecutor General: Netherlands Avoiding Comprehensive Probe in MH17 Crash. sputniknews.com In December, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that the Netherlands was seeking to hide its own faults in the MH17 plane crash probe by making claims against Moscow.
(2020-02-15). Affaire Mila: French Elites Defend 'Right to Blasphemy' in Row Over Schoolgirl Who Criticised Islam. sputniknews.com A 16-year-old French girl has earned fame and infamy after a live-stream on Instagram in which she called Islam a "religion of hatred". The teen is staying home from school and has been put under police protection.
(2020-02-15). First Death From Coronavirus Confirmed in Europe. sputniknews.com France was the first country in Europe to confirm cases of the Novel Coronavirus in late January, with President Emmanuel Macron saying that the nation was on "extreme alert" due to the new virus, which emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
(2020-02-15). Nancy Pelosi Accuses Huawei of 'Insidious Aggression', Warns Allies Not to 'Go Near' Company. sputniknews.com Washington has been fighting a losing battle with the Chinese tech giant as key allies including France, Germany, and most recently the United Kingdom have allowed the company to take part in the rollout of their 5G network infrastructure despite US concerns.
(2020-02-15). China to Continue Promoting Strategic Partnership With Russia – Foreign Minister. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – China will keep on strengthening the strategic cooperation with Russia and promoting their comprehensive partnership, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.
(2020-02-15). 'He Must Be Stopped': Turkish Foreign Minister Claims LNA's Haftar 'Constantly' Violating Ceasefire. sputniknews.com On 19 January, an international conference on Libyan reconciliation took place in Berlin and was attended by 16 states and entities, including Russia, Turkey and the US.
(2020-02-15). Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Speaks on Sidelines of Munich Security Conference – Video. sputniknews.com Russia's top diplomat is expected to touch upon a wide range of issues regarding the country's current foreign policies.
(2020-02-15). Nevermind Coronavirus Outbreak: St Valentine's Day Celebrations in Asia. sputniknews.com The new coronavirus outbreak in China showing no signs of abating (the latest figures say that the infection has claimed the lives of 1,523 people in China, one person in the Philippines and another one in France), but life does not stop, even in the worst-affected regions.
(2020-02-14). Anti-BDS laws are meant to censor & control speech, journalist Abby Martin tells RT after suing Georgia govt over cancelled talk. rt.com 
Barred from speaking at a public university over her refusal to sign a pledge of allegiance to Israel, journalist Abby Martin is now suing the state of Georgia, arguing its anti-BDS legislation sets fire to the First Amendment. | Slated to give a keynote talk at a media literacy conference at Georgia Southern University later this month, Martin was asked to sign what amounts to a loyalty oath to the State of Israel, mandated under a 2016 Georgia law barring the government from hiring contractors who boycott Israeli products or associate with the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Martin t…
(2020-02-14). Strange bedfellows: Pelosi finds rare common ground with Trump in denouncing Huawei at Munich Security Conference. rt.com 
A large group of US lawmakers and officials descended upon the Munich Security Conference, trying hard to yet again warn European allies of the dangers of Huawei-provided 5G and the threat to democracy it allegedly poses. | All of them, regardless of party affiliation, spoke against the Chinese tech giant — with even the US House Speaker and Donald Trump's arch-enemy Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) sounding exactly like her hawkish Republican rivals, warning of the "digital autocracy" the company's 5G networks might help to spread. | "Nations cannot cede telecommunications infrastructure to China for financial exp…
(2020-02-14). Barr assigns outside prosecutor to review Russiagate's Michael Flynn's case — report. rt.com 
General Michael Flynn seems to be getting a lifeline from the attorney general following his claim that prosecutors in the Mueller investigation "concocted the alleged false statements" he was accused of making. | Attorney General William Barr has assigned an outside prosecutor to examine the criminal case against US President Donald Trump's former national security advisor, according to a report from the New York Times. | St. Louis prosecutor Jeff Jenson is heading the team reexamining the Justice Department's case against Flynn. The second look at Flynn's case is part of a larger probe by Barr to go over pol…
(2020-02-14). Hundreds more homes face flooding as 'perfect storm' Dennis approaches. thecanary.co 
A "perfect storm" of heavy rain, strong winds and melting snow could leave hundreds of homes across the UK flooded this weekend, experts have warned.Storm Dennis is forecast to batter large swathes of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with 70mph winds and up to 140mm (5.5inches) of rain in some areas.The Environment Agency (EA) said the flood impact from the weather system is likely to be worse than last weekend's Storm Ciara due to rain falling on already saturated ground. | Are you prepared for Find ou…
(2020-02-14). Irish unification back on agenda after election, but it won't be simple. peoplesworld.org 
The victory by Ireland's left-wing Sinn Fein Party in the Republic's recent election has not only overturned some 90 years of domination by the island's two center-right parties, it suddenly puts the issue of Irish reunification on the agenda. While the campaign was fought over bread and butter issues like housing, the collapsing health care …
(2020-02-14). One Billion Rising: Eve Ensler & Taína Asili Mark V-Day and Campaign to End Sexual Violence. democracynow.org 
This Valentine's Day, people around the world are taking to the streets to protest violence against women and girls. From the Philippines to India to Italy to Bolivia, thousands of women in more than 100 countries will reclaim public space through dance and performance as part of a global movement called One Billion Rising. The movement takes its name from the shocking statistic that one in three women across the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. One Billion Rising started on Valentine's Day 2012 and has continued to grow every year since. Participants say they won't stop dancing until violence…
(2020-02-14). North Macedonia Is Being Used by NATO to Target Serbia and Russia. globalresearch.ca The North Macedonian House of Representatives unanimously approved on Monday for their country to accept the NATO Accession Protocol, taking the former Yugoslav Republic a step closer towards accession into NATO which is expected to be completed and finalized in …
(2020-02-14). EU Lawmakers: Trump's Mideast Plan Unlawful. imemc.org An overwhelming majority of the European Union's parliamentary lawmakers have censured a US-devised Middle East proposal on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying the contentious plan flies in the face of international law. During a session in Strasbourg, on Tuesday, EU lawmakers said the plan that the administration of US President Donald …
(2020-02-14). World Leaders Meet in Munich to Discuss Global Security. telesurenglish.net Germany's President Frank Walter Steinmeier Friday opened the 2020 Munich Security Conference (MSC), a high-level event bringing together decision-makers mostly from developed countries. | RELATED: | Until Saturday, politicians, and academics will discuss issues related to "threats" to Western economic, cultural and religious institutions. | For this reason, there will be topics such as the situation of the Middle East conflict, the ongoing…
(2020-02-14). Far-Right Group Arrested for Xenophobic Plans in Germany. telesurenglish.net German authorities detained a group of 12 men for allegedly setting up a far-right organization with the goal of carrying out attacks against politicians, asylum seekers and Muslims, the Federal Prosecutor's Office (GBA) informed. | RELATED: | Prosecutors confirmed that four of the suspects took part in a plan to organize a "terrorist organization" in September last year and regularly met and contacted each other by phone, on o…
(2020-02-14). Growth of fascistic attacks on refugees in Greece. wsws.org A thousand threads tie the fascistic thugs on the streets hunting down refugees to the ruling Greek capitalist party, New Democracy.
(2020-02-14). Unified rejection of Johnson's 'vanity project' bridge as a total waste of money. thecanary.co Boris Johnson's "vanity project" bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland would be a waste of money, ministers on both sides of the Irish Sea have said. | Johnson has said work is underway to establish the feasibility of a road crossing between Portpatrick in Dumfries and Galloway and Larne in Co Antrim. | The devolved administrations said the estimated £20bn cost should fund vital projects in both countries instead and expressed anger that they had not been consulted. | Scottish transport secretary Michael Matheson said: "I strongly believe that if £20bn is available for investment in infrastruct…
(2020-02-14). Osman Kavala and Two Others Face Aggravated Life Sentences in Turkey as Landmark Verdict Expected in Gezi Trial. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-02-14). UK Government Approves Net Censorship — British Free Speech Dies. globalresearch.ca The United Kingdom has become the first Western nation to move ahead with large-scale
(2020-02-14). Fueled by US Under Trump, Global Military Spending in 2019 Had Biggest Increase in a Decade. commondreams.org The amount the United States increased in defense spending between 2018 and 2019 was nearly the same as the United Kingdom's entire defense budget. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/global-military-spending-2019.jpg …
(2020-02-14). Selected Articles: Real and "Fake" Elections: US, Bolivia, Ireland. globalresearch.ca 
By The next Bolivian presidential elections were scheduled for May 3. The scenario in the country remains troubled, marked by the unrest …
(2020-02-13). State-backed Alliance for Securing Democracy disinfo shop falsely smears The Grayzone as 'state-backed'. thegrayzone.com In painting critical reporting on the Iowa caucuses debacle as a Russian plot, a Western government-backed information warfare shop smeared…
(2020-02-13). European left and green MPs support Kurdish struggle. greenleft.org.au 
(2020-02-13). Ireland: Political earthquake as Sinn Féin wins election. greenleft.org.au 
(2020-02-13). France: Struggle to defend pensions enters new phase. greenleft.org.au 
(2020-02-12). Former Goldman Sachs CEO says Sanders presidency would 'ruin our economy,' gets blasted on Twitter. rt.com 
An ex-CEO of Goldman Sachs who helped cause the 2008 financial crisis has claimed Bernie Sanders would ruin the economy and "screw up the US" if elected president, prompting Twitter to remind him of the Great Recession. | Billionaire Lloyd Blankfein tweeted on Wednesday that Sanders is "just as polarizing as Trump AND he'll ruin [the American] economy and doesn't care about [the American] military," before adding: "If I'm Russian, I go with Sanders this time around." | If Dems go on to nominate Sanders, the Russians will have to reconsider who to work for to best screw up the US. Sanders is just as polarizing…
(2020-02-12). Foreign fighters: 'One of the most serious dimensions' in global counter-terrorism struggle. news.un.org Over the past few years, ISIL and Al-Qaida terrorist fighters have posed an "unprecedented threat to international peace and security", the UN counter-terrorism chief said on Wednesday in Vienna, at the close of a joint UN- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) regional conference on addressing challenges posed by terrorists who have gone to fight overseas.
(2020-02-12). Italy tries to kick out the Right-Wing Extremist Steve Bannon from the "Gladiator Cloister" dissidentvoice.org Steve Bannon, a former White House strategist and Breitbart editor, was finally kicked out of an Italian monastery, which even Newsweek wittily described as a "far-right boot camp". This author, along with a few others, has been warning for some time that the former Trump's top advisor had crossed all lines, and began directly interfering …
(2020-02-11). Headlines for February 11, 2020. democracynow.org New Hampshire Voters Head to Polls for First Primary of 2020, Coronavirus Death Toll Tops 1,000, with Over 42,000 Confirmed Cases, Chuck Schumer Calls for Investigation into Trump's Retaliation-Motivated Firings, DOJ Reviewing Ukraine Info from Giuliani, DOJ Charges 4 Chinese Military Hackers in 2017 Equifax Breach, El Salvador President Bukele and Armed Officers Confront Lawmakers over Military Funding, Fears Mount for 5 Activists Detained in Philippines, Sinn Féin Scores Major Victory in Ireland, Syrian and Turkish Forces Step Up Attacks as 100,000s Face Humanitarian Disaster, Massive Locust Swarms Threaten Cro…