(2020-05-21). Podcast: Aaron Mate Debunks RussiaGate and Discusses How Liberals Came to Love Bush-Era Neocons. mintpressnews.com Investigative journalist Aaron Mate unpacks four years of Russiagate propaganda and how it was the gift that kept on giving for both the Trump administration and the Democratic Party.
(2020-05-21). How Germany's Courts Might Destroy the Euro. counterpunch.org 
Germany's highest court issued a ruling that could threaten the existence of the euro with a constitutional court decision that said the European Central Bank's bond-buying operations exceeded the ECB's legal remit, and violated German constitutional law. The U.S. equivalent of this would be a state Supreme Court limiting the ability of the U.S. Federal
(2020-05-21). Foreign Correspondent: Michael Flynn's Forgotten Turkish Connection. progressive.org Before Russiagate, the former national security advisor was an operative for Turkey, tilting foreign policy against the Kurds.
(2020-05-21). "KievGate" and the November Presidential Elections. Biden and Poroshenko Colluded in Ukraine. globalresearch.ca Money-controlled US elections are farcical when held — world's apart from what democracy in action is supposed to. | It's a notion long abhorred by both right wings of the one-party state — the war party, the money party, the anti-peace, …
(2020-05-21). "KievGate" and the November 2020 Presidential Elections. Biden and Poroshenko Colluded in Ukraine. globalresearch.ca Money-controlled US elections are farcical when held — world's apart from what democracy in action is supposed to. | It's a notion long abhorred by both right wings of the one-party state — the war party, the money party, the anti-peace, …
(2020-05-21). Media "tragically vindicated" Trump by overhyping Russiagate. zcomm.org "We were all so much more fascinated by this superficial, melodramatic espionage thriller that has completely destroyed the credibility of the U.S. media."
(2020-05-21). Teachers and students across Greece protest government's flawed educational policy. peoplesdispatch.org Protesters denounced a new bill on education proposed by the conservative New Democracy-led government in Greece. Critics claim the new bill is likely to worsen the operational running of schools in the country and increase class barriers to education…
(2020-05-21). COVID-19 pandemic exposes France's New Anti-capitalist Party. wsws.org The pandemic places workers in every country in irreconcilable conflict with pro-imperialist, middle class parties that the ruling class has long falsely presented as the left.
(2020-05-21). Frances Goldin and a Unique New York Story. counterpunch.org Death comes to us all but this is one that I feel acutely. For many years, I lived across from Frances on New York's East 11th Street, but I was not very familiar with her long history of housing activism. Our relationship began in 1981 when, overnight, little green trucks began towing cars supposedly illegally
(2020-05-21). France sees a spike in COVID-19 cases after schools reopen. peoplesdispatch.org At least 70 new cases of COVID-19 were reported from schools in France following their reopening last week by French authorities. Teachers' unions and student organizations criticized the government for the move…
(2020-05-21). Trump Condemned for Ditching Treaty That Has 'Helped Prevent Nuclear War for Nearly Three Decades'. commondreams.org In a move that alarmed nuclear experts, anti-war activists, and policymakers around the world, the U.S. government notified international partners on Thursday that President Donald Trump is withdrawing the country from the Treaty on Open Skies over alleged Russian violations. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-11862935441.jpg …
(2020-05-21). EU court rejects Nord Stream 2's complaint, insists it must share Russian gas pipeline to Europe with competitors. rt.com 
The operator of Nord Stream 2 plans to challenge a ruling by the European Court of Justice that could see Russia's Gazprom losing partial control of the massive gas pipeline project it spent years and billions to develop. | The companies operating the gas links between Russia and Germany, Nord Stream AG and Nord Stream 2 AG, filed the complaint in November last year, seeking a partial annulment of the amendment to European gas transportation rules, known as the EU Gas Directive. | The legislature requires that the rules governing the European gas market must apply to all pipelines to and from third countries,…
(2020-05-21). Italy's Conte announces reforms to cut red tape, revive virus-hit economy. rt.com 
Italy's government is preparing a raft of reforms to cut red tape, improve company governance and encourage investment to revive the coronavirus-battered economy, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told parliament on Thursday. | Conte promised a "simplification decree" to attract foreign capital by streamlining bureaucratic procedures, and said Rome would help the recapitalization of companies hit by the pandemic. | Red tape has long been blamed for delayed financial aid promised to business and families during a rigid lockdown to try to curb coronavirus contagion, Reuters said. | The European Commission has foreca…
(2020-05-21). 'R rate falling': Denmark opens museums and zoos weeks ahead of schedule. rt.com 
Denmark began re-opening museums and zoos ahead of schedule on Thursday as virologists said the virus epidemic was slowing despite the lifting of quarantine measures. Museums, zoos, theaters and cinemas were due to stay shut until June 8 but the Danish government has decided to accelerate the end of the lockdown. | The Danish health agency SSI said the coronavirus rate of transmission (R) had fallen to 0.6, down from 0.7 on May 7, meaning that the outbreak is slowing. An R rate of 0.6 means that 100 virus patients typically infect another 60 people, meaning that the number of cases falls over time. | Danish au…
(2020-05-21). French care homes face manslaughter investigation: Victims' lawyer tells RT details of 'scandal amid epidemic'. rt.com 
Relatives of elderly people who didn't survive the Covid-19 epidemic in France's care homes want management to be held accountable for what they say was inaction and a cover-up that saw their loved ones die, their lawyer told RT. | Several French retirees, some as old as 89 and 96, died in nursing homes in March and April, amidst the coronavirus epidemic that is still raging in France. | Now, their families have filed a lawsuit against the care facilities, accusing their staff of being appallingly slow to test and safeguard the elderly, lawyer Fabien Arakelian, who represents the plaintiffs, said on RT. | Thei…
(2020-05-21). N. Ireland won't use UK's contact-tracing app, will use own version to 'interact' with Republic of Ireland's one, minister says. rt.com 
The health minister for Northern Ireland has said the NHS Covid-19 tracing app is "not compulsory" to download, urging people to wait for a separate app being developed to work in conjunction with the Republic of Ireland's one. | Speaking to the Northern Ireland Assembly's Committee for Health, Robin Swann said that, since NI is part of the UK, residents will have access to the NHS app "whether we want it or not." | He did not suggest downloading it, however, as a "Northern Ireland version" is being created which "can interact with" with the Republic's one. | Northern Ireland is the only one of the UK's devolv…
(2020-05-21). Dutch emergency services battle fire at abandoned NUCLEAR PLANT, urge residents to lock windows and doors (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Dozens of firefighters have been deployed to tackle a blaze at a disused nuclear facility in Dodewaard in the Netherlands. Police have asked the public to stay away and lock all doors and windows to avoid exposure to the fumes. | The fire broke out shortly before noon local time on Thursday in Dodewaard, which is roughly 100 km from Amsterdam. Eyewitness video from the scene shows fire crews battling the blaze on the roof. | De brandweer is met veel menskracht aanwezig in
(2020-05-21). Polish govt aims for June 28 for presidential election previously postponed. rt.com 
Poland's PM Mateusz Morawiecki said on Thursday that his government is aiming for June 28 as the date of the presidential election that was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The poll, in which conservative President Andrzej Duda is vying for reelection against nine other candidates, was originally set for May 10. | It was postponed four days before it was due to take place amid coronavirus restrictions and political infighting over how and when to hold the vote. The ruling coalition had pushed for an all-postal vote, but the necessary legislation was not ready. | The legislation currently being worked…
(2020-05-21). Russia's newest radar can track 1,000+ fast-moving & HYPERSONIC weapons, and is now available to foreign buyers. rt.com 
Russia once claimed gold in the race for hypersonic dominance after rolling out a range of ultra-fast projectiles. Now it's offering unique radar protecting against weapons of the same kind — even if they come in huge numbers. | Having unbeatable offensive weapons — for example hypersonic missiles — could be a game-changer in the age of modern, fast-paced warfare. But it's equally crucial to have something that shields you from those designed or deployed by an adversary. | And Russia's newest radar station is able to fit the bill, Rosoboronexport, the government agency in charge of arms trade,…
(2020-05-21). Trump to withdraw US from Open Skies Treaty, will inform Russia on Friday — report. rt.com 
Donald Trump is set to withdraw the United States from one of the few remaining arms control mechanisms — the Open Skies Treaty — this week, senior administration officials have said, according to the New York Times. | The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that Moscow had not yet received any official notification from Washington. | The Open Skies Treaty, which has been in force since 2002, allows for unarmed aerial surveillance flights to be conducted over the territories of its participants. American personnel are on board the Russian flights over the US, while Russian personnel are…
(2020-05-21). Number of Covid-19 cases surpasses 5 million worldwide — Johns Hopkins University. rt.com 
The number of people worldwide who have tested positive for coronavirus has passed 5 million, according to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University. Globally, there have been over 328,000 Covid-19 related deaths. | The widely-cited dashboard said that confirmed cases reached 5,000,038 on Thursday. | Although believed to have started in Wuhan, China, the virus spread westward, with the United States becoming the new epicenter of the health crisis. With more than 1.5 million infections, the US currently has the highest number of confirmed cases. | Russia has the second-highest number of cases, at over 308,…
(2020-05-21). Civil war among 'Russia disinformation' crowd: How RT watchers fell out over not hating RT enough. rt.com 
Though awash with cash, the Western 'Russian disinformation' racket is at the mercy of the political winds. Thus, its gatekeepers need to ensure the officials who manage the money tree don't realise the emperor has no clothes. | You may remember a report last month from British academics revealing how "
(2020-05-21). US 'KILLS' Russian draft seeking UNSC support for Venezuela amid sanctions & suspected coup attempt. rt.com 
The US has rejected a draft statement condemning terrorism and voicing support for Venezuela's sovereignty at the UN Security Council. The Russian-sponsored draft did not assign blame for the botched incursion. | The short statement was watered down to sound "politically neutral" in hopes it would not face any opposition from the UNSC members, the Russian mission to the United Nations said. | However, despite the text not even mentioning the recent boat incursion that led to the capture of two former US Green Berets, Washington did not give the document any chance, "killing" it "within 9 minutes" from the star…
(2020-05-21). Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov hospitalised in Moscow with suspected coronavirus – reports. rt.com 
The head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov is reportedly under medical supervision because of suspected Covid-19. Moscow news agency Interfax broke the news on Thursday afternoon, citing a source in health care circles. | Rumours of his evacuation to the Russian capital by private jet had been circulating on anonymous social media channels earlier in the day, and were picked up by several popular news outlets. "Kadyrov is suspected of having coronavirus, he is under the supervision of doctors," Interfax quoted its source as saying. | The news agency emphasised that it does not have official confirmation.
(2020-05-21). Prison for buying bitcoin? Proposed law could see Russians serving time for using cryptocurrencies. rt.com 
Politicians in Russia have suggested punishment of up to 2 million rubles and seven years in jail for the illegal use of digital assets and currencies. Some say the proposed law amounts to a total ban on cryptocurrencies. | Members of the State Duma, Russia's parliament, are in the process of creating legislation that would introduce criminal liability for using digital financial assets and currencies. | Under the new law, Russians could be penalized for any use of cryptocurrency, from full-blown operations like owning an exchange or mining farm, to smaller transactions, such as buying bitcoin with a Russian b…
(2020-05-21). US donates 50 ventilators to Moscow's Pirogov Center. rt.com 
US Ambassador John Sullivan handed 50 ventilators to Moscow's Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center on Thursday. The $5.6 million humanitarian aid donation will eventually include a total of 200 US-produced ventilators to save lives in Russia, the envoy said, adding that the two countries are facing a common threat. | The United States is donating 100 percent of the cost, delivery, and startup supplies for the ventilators being delivered. "The US and Russia have helped each other in times of crisis in the past and will no doubt do so again in the future," Sullivan said. | The remaining 150 ventilators w…
(2020-05-21). Top Russian, Turkish diplomats support Libya ceasefire, discuss Syria in phone call. rt.com 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu backed an immediate ceasefire in Libya during a phone call, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. | The two diplomats also supported the resumption of the United Nations political process in the North African country, it said. | Lavrov and Cavusoglu spoke a day after the Libyan National Army of eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar said it had pulled back from some Tripoli frontlines amid its year-long offensive aimed at seizing the capital, Reuters reports. | The ministers also discussed Syria and conf…
(2020-05-21). Trump says US will withdraw from Open Skies Treaty, blames Russia. rt.com US President Donald Trump has notified allies he will withdraw from one of the few remaining arms control mechanisms — the Open Skies Treaty — this week, citing alleged Russian 'violations' of the pact. | "Russia did not adhere to the treaty," Trump told reporters on his way to Michigan on Thursday afternoon. He added that the US could return to the treaty, or negotiate a new one with Moscow, without elaborating. | The Open Skies Treaty, which has been in force since 2002, allows for unarmed aerial surveillance flights to be conducted over the territories of its participants. American personnel are…
(2020-05-21). Ankara warns against attacks on its interests in Libya amid anti-Haftar forces' advances. rt.com 
Turkey warned on Thursday that attacks on its interests in Libya by Khalifa Haftar's forces will have "very grave consequences," after advances by the country's Ankara-backed government. Turkey has provided military support to the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya, which has been battling to fend off a year-long offensive by Haftar's eastern forces to take control of the capital, Tripoli. | Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) had received warplanes with "foreign support" and that they had vowed to target Turkish positions…
(2020-05-21). The Real UkraineGate Scandal: There's No Longer Any Question that Joe Biden Carried Out a Cover-Up in Ukraine. globalresearch.ca Trump stands vindicated for accusing Biden of trying to cover up his son's corruption in Ukraine after one of that country's lawmakers released audio recordings of the former Vice President's numerous conversations with former President Poroshenko to that effect, proving …
(2020-05-21). French Left group to introduce bill for public production of medicines. peoplesdispatch.org Deputies from La France Insoumise (LFI) and the French Communist Party (PCF) have demanded state-owned production and distribution of medicines. Caroline Fiat, MP from LFI, will introduce a bill on the subject in the French national assembly by next week…
(2020-05-21). Florida scientist was fired for 'refusing to manipulate' COVID-19 data. wsws.org The state governments of both Florida and Georgia have been charged with manipulating their coronavirus case counts and death tolls in order to prematurely reopen their economies.
(2020-05-21). Canada's official opposition attacks Trudeau for "appeasing" China. wsws.org Conservative leader Scheer's inflammatory comment, likening the Liberal government's policy towards Beijing to British imperialism's attempt to reach an accommodation with Nazi Germany, marks a new high point in the Canadian elite's frenzied anti-China campaign.
(2020-05-21). Spring cleaning takes on a new importance during COVID-19 pandemic. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released reopening guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools and homes. Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert, suggests taking a practical approach to spring cleaning. If no one in your household has been infected, he says standard spring cleaning practices …
(2020-05-21). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: COVID-19 news briefing. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, covers the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Poland discusses how the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is changing, and how scientists and researchers are rapidly gaining new knowledge about the virus and the disease that it …
(2020-05-21). A Machiavellian US in the Middle East. counterpunch.org The war in Syria has dropped out of the news, like almost everything else, in a time when the Coronavirus seems to dominate all discourse and reporting. But the regime of Bashar al-Assad continues to strangle its own country. The Russians continue to bomb on his behalf, terrifying civilians and hospitals. The Americans work semi-clandestinely
(2020-05-21). COVID-19 Hits Hard, but Challenges BRICS. globalresearch.ca By and large, the coronavirus pandemic has taken a huge toll on Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) since it was declared late January by the World Health Organization (WHO). It allegedly originated (yet to be proved) from …
(2020-05-21). Blaming Russia, China, Iran — to profit from Covid-19 vaccine. truepublica.org.uk By Craig Murray: On 5 May, the British security services released to their pet media the claim that Russia, China and Iran were attempting to hack into British research institutes conducting coronavirus research. The BBC reported it. Britain's shameful copy and paste media all, without exception, just copy and pasted the government press release. …
(2020-05-21). US prepares anti-Russian war games amid COVID-19 pandemic. wsws.org In a little over two weeks, 6,000 US and Polish troops will simulate ground and airborne attacks about 35 miles from the Russian territory of Kaliningrad.
(2020-05-21). Ukraine's Port Odessa Welcomes First U.S. Crude Oil Cargo. Undermines Russia's Oil and Gas. globalresearch.ca The Ukrainian port Odessa on the Black Sea will receive its first-ever crude oil cargo of WTI Crude from the United States, after the U.S. shipped its first oil to Ukraine just last year as it looks to wean off …
(2020-05-21). French Businessman Proposes Selling Mona Lisa to Help Nation Amid COVID-19 Pandemic. sputniknews.com In late-April, France's national statistics agency, INSEE, reported that the country fell into recession as it's GDP contracted 5.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to the coronavirus lockdown imposed in March.
(2020-05-21). Russia Ready to Sell Abroad New Radar Locator Detecting Hypersonic Targets – Defense Exports Agency. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia's state intermediary agency for defence exports, Rosoboronexport (part of Rostec Corporation), said on Thursday it was ready to sell abroad a new radar locator, capable of detecting hypersonic targets.
(2020-05-21). Ankara Warns of 'Serious Consequences' After Haftar's Air Force Reveals Plan to Strike Turkish Units. sputniknews.com Turkey began sending troops to Libya in January to shore up the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). Before that, Ankara provided the GNA with military equipment to assist Tripoli in its ongoing campaign against the Tobruk-based government and the Libyan National Army (LNA) of Gen. Khalifa Haftar.
(2020-05-21). EasyJet to restart some flights in June with compulsory masks. yenisafak.com British low-cost airline easyJet said it would restart a small number of flights on June 15, becoming the latest airline to plan for the return of European travel by making face masks mandatory onboard.EasyJet's planes have been grounded since late March when the novel coronavirus spread across Europe. The airline said it would restart primarily domestic flights in Britain and France, before adding other destinations.Flights would restart with new safety measures including the wearing of masks by passengers and cabin crew, enhanced cleaning of aircraft and no food service onboard.EasyJet shares, which have sunk 6…
(2020-05-21). Hungary to scrap border zones for holding asylum seekers after EU court ruling: PM aide. yenisafak.com Hungary will scrap border transit zones where asylum seekers were held while authorities reviewed their applications after a European court ruling that deemed the practice unlawful, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff said on Thursday.The European Union's top court ruled last Thursday that four asylum seekers stuck in a transit zone on the Hungarian-Serbian border had effectively been detained and that a local court should release them immediately."The Hungarian government disagrees with the ruling, we consider it a risk with regard to European security, but as an EU member state, we will adhere to all c…
(2020-05-21). France: End of lockdown sees bicycle use balloon. yenisafak.com Since the coronavirus lockdown was lifted in France, bicycle usage has gone up 44% nationwide, as reported by cycling advocacy group Velo et Territoire. | The data was gathered by 182 counters who counted bicycles on popular cycling routes nationwide. | Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has pushed for the continued use of bikes throughout the Paris region during the crisis, feeling it was the right move to keep traffic at bay, thus reducing the spread of infection where possible. | To that end, Paris will add 50 kilometers of temporary cycling lanes, while towns and villages in the region will add 150 km of lanes. | The F…
(2020-05-21). US: FedEx to rehire two black employees after viral video. yenisafak.com American cargo company FedEx said early Thursday it offers reemployment to two African-American workers who were fired after sharing a confrontation video with a white costumer."We are aware of the incident in GA [Georgia] that led to the release of two drivers employed by a service provider. We're offering employment while investigating to ensure an appropriate outcome," it said on Twitter.The company added that it takes allegations of "discrimination, retaliation, or improper employment actions" seriously.A driver of FedEx shared the video on Twitter Wednesday, which went viral within hours, saying he and a co-…
(2020-05-21). Dining dummies help cafe-goers keep a fashionable distance in Vilnius. yenisafak.com Mannequins dressed in clown hats and couture frocks have taken up seats in restaurants in Lithuania's capital, to coax real customers back after the coronavirus lockdown and help them out with social distancing.Bernie ter Braak said he came up with the idea when he reopened his Cozy restaurant in Vilnius' old town and saw how empty it looked.Even when customers started coming back in, he had to obey restrictions and keep every second table clear, killing the atmosphere.So he asked local designers to dress up some mannequins and seat them at the quarantined tables."When we had all the mannequins sitting in their p…
(2020-05-21). Turkey distributes food aid to hundreds in Lesotho. yenisafak.com Turkey's state-run aid agency distributed food aid in Lesotho to hundreds of vulnerable families and fasting Muslims affected by the economic impact of the novel coronavirus."The distribution was done in four districts of Lesotho, which include, Maseru, Berea, Leribe and Botha Bothe," the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) told Anadolu Agency on Thursday.TIKA said the food aid was meant to help fasting Muslims during the month of Ramadan as well as vulnerable non-Muslims affected by the restrictions introduced to curb the spread of COVID-19, which have stopped millions from working for several wee…
(2020-05-21). Turkey says Haftar forces will be 'legitimate target' if Ankara's interests attacked. yenisafak.com Turkey reiterated Thursday it will respond to putschists Khalifa Haftar's elements in Libya as a "legitimate target" if they attack Turkey's interests in the country."We remind it once again that in case of targeting Turkish interests in Libya, this will have very heavy consequences and the putschist Haftar elements will be considered as a legitimate target," Hami Aksoy, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said in a written statement.Aksoy's statement came after eastern Libya-based renegade Gen. Haftar's militias said they would target Turkish forces and interests."It is noteworthy that the statement, which is…