(2020-01-04). US-led coalition members suspend Iraq operations as region submerged in outrage over Iranian general's killing. rt.com 
Members of the international coalition gathered to fight Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) have suspended operations in Iraq after the targeted assassination of a top Iranian general by the US. | Germany's Bundeswehr will put on pause all military missions in Iraq, it announced late on Friday night. That includes both operations aimed against IS and training of Kurdish troops. There are around 130 German soldiers deployed in Iraq at the m…
(2020-01-04). Zlatan trolls Ronaldo: Ibrahimovic returns to Serie A with AC Milan and jabs at Juventus ace with Messi jibe. rt.com 
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has never been shy of speaking his mind, and certainly hasn't been concerned about who he might upset when he does it. And his latest reported comments might not go down well with Cristiano Ronaldo. | Ibrahimovic was speaking in Italy after completing his move back to former club AC Milan following his stint Stateside with MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy. | And, when a journalist reportedly asked him if he was ready to compete with the world's best player, who also plays in the Italian top flight — a clear reference to Juventus' Portuguese ace Ronaldo — Ibrahimovic gave a reply that co…
(2020-01-04). Geopolitical puzzle: What is behind Pompeo's visit to Kazakhstan? rt.com 
Kazakhstan is one of the stops on US State Secretary Mike Pompeo's whirlwind trip shortly after the New Year, with hopes that Washington can make inroads with a government in the key region between Russia, China and Afghanistan. | Washington has chosen to start 2020 by bringing its already strained relations with Iran to a whole new level of confrontation, as it ordered the killing of one of Tehran's top generals, Qassem Soleimani. The high-profile assassination is bound to make things difficult for the State Department. | And that's not to mention that it is far from being the only problem Pompeo and his staf…
(2020-01-04). Tear gas, flares on Paris streets AGAIN as Yellow Vests & pension reform protesters are far from giving up (WATCH LIVE). rt.com 
France's capital is heading for a new chaotic weekend, as anti-government Yellow Vests and protesters defying the upcoming pension reform have descended simultaneously upon its streets. | France has endured a full month of protests against the controversial reform — on Saturday, the general strike reached its 31st consecutive day. Moreover, Saturday's action coincided with Act 60 of the anti-government Yellow Vests protests that have been plaguing France for over a year now. | The protesters carried the flags of various trade unions, as well as assorted banners that primarily targeted pension reform. S…
(2020-01-04). Tear gas, flares on Paris streets AGAIN as Yellow Vests & pension reform protesters are far from giving up (VIDEO). rt.com France's capital is heading for a new chaotic weekend, as anti-government Yellow Vests and protesters defying the upcoming pension reform have descended simultaneously upon its streets. | France has endured a full month of protests against the controversial reform — on Saturday, the general strike reached its 31st consecutive day. Moreover, Saturday's action coincided with Act 60 of the anti-government Yellow Vests protests that have been plaguing France for over a year now. | The protesters carried the flags of various trade unions, as well as assorted banners that primarily targeted pension reform. S…
(2020-01-04). Haftar-backing Libyan parliament votes to cut ties with Turkey over military deal, accuses PM of treason. rt.com 
The parliament of Libya, which opposes the UN-recognized government in Tripoli, has rejected the ratification of a military agreement with Turkey and voted to cut diplomatic ties with Ankara instead. | The Tripoli-based government of Al-Sarraj struck a military agreement with Turkey, which prompted Ankara to send its troops to Libya. Their aim is to confront Khalifa Haftar, the powerful Libyan military commander based in the eastern port of Tobruk. | The Libyan parliament, which backs Haftar, said on Saturday it refused to ratify the Turkey deal and called for pressing high treason charges against Fayez Al-Sar…
(2020-01-04). Finally got the 'Witcher' song out of your head? This Russian folk chorus will make you sing it again (VIDEO). rt.com 
Netflix's new fantasy epic may have met with a mixed response from critics, but the song 'Toss a Coin to Your Witcher' proved to be a real earworm, and the Russian-language version has inspired an unusual cover. | In case you've missed the meme, the TV series 'The Witcher' stars Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, a mutant monster hunter with weird looks, a bad attitude and all the publicity problems they bring. Coming to his rescue is Joey Batey's Jaskier, a bard ever ready to spin Geralt's misadventures with a song or two. Deviating from the reality of Geralt's deeds, Jaskier's tunes convince the common folk th…
(2020-01-04). Coup regime in Bolivia incites diplomatic conflict with Mexico and Spain. peoplesdispatch.org The de-facto government in Bolivia ordered the expulsion of the Mexican ambassador to Bolivia and two Spanish diplomats from the country on December 30. The self-proclaimed president, Jeanine àÅñez, at a press conference, called the Mexican ambassador, María Teresa Mercado, the business manager of the Spanish embassy, ‚Äã‚ÄãCristina Borreguero, and the Spanish consul, àÅlvaro Fernández, "persona non grata" and asked them to leave the country within 72 hours. | àÅñez said that "this group of representatives from the governments of Mexico and Spain have seriousl…
(2020-01-04). Spain: Electoral Authority Disqualifies Catalonia's President. telesurenglish.net Spain's Electoral Board (JEC) Friday dismissed Catalonia's Autonomous Government President Quim Torra from his position as a regional lawmaker. This decision implies his cessation as president since the Statute of Catalonia obliges the head of the Catalan Executive to be a lawmaker. | RELATED: | EU Parliament President Lifts Ban on Top Catalan Politicians | Approved with…
(2020-01-04). Rail Strike Becomes Longest in France's History Since May 1968. telesurenglish.net The ongoing train strike in France in opposition to pension reforms proposed by the government has become the largest continuous period of industrial action in the history of the country's state rail company. | RELATED: | 'New Strikes Against Pension Reform Are Ready', French Workers | Entering its 29th consecutive day, the current strike by SNCF workers against President Emmanuel Macron's bid to overhaul France's pensions has surpassed the previous record of 28 days, which was se…
(2020-01-04). Russia, Ukraine reach last minute gas transit deal. wsws.org The EU pushed for the Ukraine and Russia to accept a deal following the US announcement of sanctions against the Russian-German pipeline Nord Stream 2.
(2020-01-04). Trump Is Doing the Bidding of Washington's Most Vile Cabal. zcomm.org While the media focus for three years of the Trump presidency has centered around "Russia collusion" and impeachment, the most dangerous collusion of all was happening right out in the open — the Trump/Saudi/Israel/UAE drive to war with Iran…
(2020-01-04). French anti-terror prosecutor now probing Paris suburb knife attack. rt.com 
France's anti-terrorism prosecutor has taken over the investigation into Friday's fatal knife attack near Paris. The incident left two people, including the suspect, dead and two more injured. | The 22-year-old suspect, identified only as Nathan C, went on a rampage at a park to the south of the French capital. The attacker managed to kill a 56-year-old man and injure two more people before the police gunned him down. | It apparently took over a day for the French authorities to attribute a terrorist motive to the stabbing, as the case was referred to the country's anti-terrorism prosecutor late on Saturday. T…
(2020-01-04). Total inflow to Turkish gas system down 6.33% in 2019. yenisafak.com Natural gas inflow to Turkey's gas network saw a year-on-year decrease of around 6.33% to 46.83 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2019, according to data from the Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) on Saturday.In 2018, around 50 bcm of natural gas entered the Turkish natural gas system, the majority of which, at around 49.33 bcm, was consumed.As Turkey's natural gas export volume is very low, the total consumption is expected to be close to the amount of inflow.In 2017, Turkey saw the highest inflow level in the country's history at 53.86 bcm.According to the Twitter account of Turkey's Energy and Natural…
(2020-01-04). ANALYSIS: Libyan crisis transforms geopolitics in Mediterranean. yenisafak.com The crisis in Libya and disputes over the eastern Mediterranean's energy resources have been at the top of the international agenda since two agreements were reached between Turkey and Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).The Maritime Boundary Delimitation Agreement and Military Cooperation Agreement were signed at a meeting in Istanbul on Nov. 27 between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of Libya's Tripoli-based government.Following this, it was announced that Turkey might send troops to Libya to support the GNA in defending the capital against an offensive…
(2020-01-04). Turkey neutralizes 2 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq. yenisafak.com Turkish fighter jets neutralized two PKK terrorists in an operation in northern Iraq, Turkey's National Defense Ministry said Saturday.The ministry said on Twitter that the terrorists were plotting an attack and were neutralized in the Avasin-Basyan region. | It added that operations would continue undeterred. | Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.PKK terrorists often use northern Iraq to plan cross-border terrorist attacks in Turkey.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist…
(2020-01-04). Tripoli awaits Turkish soldiers amid Haftar attacks. yenisafak.com Living under the nearly year-long assault of forces loyal to renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar, residents of the Libyan capital Tripoli said they are "relieved" that a motion authorizing the deployment of Turkish troops was ratified in Turkey's parliament. The Turkish parliament ratified on Thursday a motion authorizing the government to send troops to Libya following deals on military cooperation and maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean that were struck between Ankara and Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) on Nov. 27. | Calling the recent deals "a historic step", Libya…
(2020-01-04). Turkish, Iranian FMs talk over Soleimani's killing. yenisafak.com Turkey's Mevlut Cavusoglu and Iran's Javad Zarif discussed the killing of senior Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad, the sources said on condition of anonymity.Soleimani's death marked a dramatic escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which have often been at a fever pitch since President Donald Trump chose in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw Washington from a 2015 nuclear pact world powers struck with Tehran.Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who gave Soleimani the country's highest honor last year, vowed "severe retaliation" in response to his killing.Soleimani was the long…
(2020-01-04). Over 77 kg heroin seized in eastern Turkey. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces seized around 77.5 kilograms (170.8 pounds) of heroin in the eastern province of Van, local police announced Saturday.Anti-narcotics police and a sniffer dog searched a suspicious van on a motorway between Van and the southeastern Hakkari provinces, uncovering three bags containing 150 packages of heroin in the trunk of the vehicle, said the statement.One suspect was arrested for alleged drug smuggling.Efforts continue in the area against illicit drug trafficking, transport and storage, it added.
(2020-01-04). Turkish, Russian foreign ministers speak over phone. yenisafak.com Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke with his Russian counterpart over the phone on Saturday.According to diplomatic sources, Cavusoglu and Sergey Lavrov discussed the situation Syria, Libya and Iraq, as well as other recent developments in the region.Cavusoglu also spoke with his South African counterpart, Naledi Pandor, over the phone without disclosing further information about the discussion, the sources added.*Writing by Sena Guler…
(2020-01-03). Protests mount as Bolivia coup regime expels Mexican, Spanish diplomats. peoplesworld.org 
Over the past several days, the coup regime in Bolivia has escalated its campaign against diplomats from Mexico and Spain over their assistance to overthrown President Evo Morales. Flouting international agreements covering diplomatic relations, the Bolivian government has gone from harassing embassy personnel to outright expulsion. Coup "president" Jeanine àÅñez on Dec. 30 ordered Mexican …
(2020-01-03). Catalan president barred from holding office by Spain's electoral board. rt.com 
The head of Catalonia's regional government Quim Torra has been barred from office by Spain's Central Electoral Board (JEC). The official was earlier found guilty of disobedience after he failed to remove pro-independence signs. | The decision to dismiss Torra from the office was made by the JEC on Friday, with the board annulling an earlier ruling by a local Catalan electoral body, which had said Torra could remain in power until he exhausts all appeal options. | The Catalan leader was found guilty of disobedience by a Spanish court on December 19, was fined the hefty sum of €33,000 and banned from holdi…
(2020-01-03). Russian pranksters strike again: Fake Greta Thunberg convinces eager US politician that she has dirt on Trump. rt.com 
US Congresswoman Maxine Waters has allegedly fallen for a prank call in which she thought activist Greta Thunberg was offering her a tape of Donald Trump confessing to pressuring Ukraine into investigating his political rivals. | YouTube pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov, who go by the names Vovan and Lexus, are claiming they tricked Waters (Dem-Calif.) into thinking she was speaking to teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg. | Vovan and Lexus made names for themselves by previously pranking Congressman Adam Schiff (Dem-Calif.) into thinking there were nude photos of US President Donald T…
(2020-01-03). Nord Stream 2: US Sanctions. dissidentvoice.org 
Does Mr. Trump really not grasp that his sanctions left and right — and now on the Russian-German gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 — is committing economic suicide, not for himself, of course, but for the United States? He attempts to punish not only Russia, but all the corporations, construction companies, Russian, German and from …
(2020-01-03). The Syrian Conflict is Awash with Propaganda, Chemical Warfare Bodies Should not be Caught Up in It. counterpunch.org In the very early spring of this year, I gave a lecture to European military personnel interested in the Middle East. It was scarcely a year since Bashar al-Assad's alleged use of chlorine gas against the civilian inhabitants of the Damascus suburb of Douma on 7 April 2018, in which 43 people were said to have been killed. Few More
(2020-01-03). Brussels Court Suspends Extradition of Catalan Leader Puigdemont. telesurenglish.net A Brussels court has suspended the extradition of former Catalan pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont, his lawyer said on Thursday. | RELATED: | EU Parliament President Lifts Ban on Top Catalan Politicians | Puigdemont cheered the suspension on Twitter and called on Spain to free Junqueras from prison. | "Spain must act in the same way as Belgium has done and respect the law," he said in a tweet. | Paul Beckaert told Reuters that the Belgian judge in charge of the case…
(2020-01-03). Across the Balkans: Serbia and Its Discontents. counterpunch.org An account of a journey from Croatia to Kosovo, by way of Bosnia-Hercegovina and Serbia, and with a detour into Montenegro. This is part VII of a series. Except for the cigarette smoke in my Serbian riverside restaurant—it will do in more Serbs than the Hague—I was happy to linger, as the view from the More
(2020-01-03). Europe Is Telling Gay Asylum Seekers They Are Not Gay Enough. thenation.com Europe Is Telling Gay Asylum Seekers They Are Not Gay Enough…
(2020-01-03). Turkey Transfers Ottoman Archives to the Palestinian Authority to Counter Israel's Land Claims. globalresearch.ca Turkey has given a copy of Ottoman-era archived documents to the Palestinian Authority (PA) to help Palestinians legally counter the Israeli occupation's land claims, according to Hebrew news sources. | The archives include tens of thousands of land registries from the …
(2020-01-03). Headlines for January 3, 2020. democracynow.org U.S. Assassinates Powerful Iranian General Qassem Soleimani at Baghdad Airport, New Emails Show Trump Directly Ordered Hold on Ukraine Aid, Julián Castro Drops Out of Presidential Race, Sanders Campaign Raised $34.5 Million in Third Quarter, Australia Braces for "Blast Furnace" as Heat & Winds Fuel Wildfires, Amazon Threatens to Fire Workers over Environmental Activism…
(2020-01-03). The Real Reason Trump Assassinated Qassem Soleimani. truthdig.com Ann Arbor — The madman in the White House has been sulking and raging for weeks about his impeachment proceedings, tweeting manically on some days more than 100 times. With the release by JustSecurity.org of unredacted emails on the Ukraine scandal showing that Trump personally (and illegally) withheld congressionally mandated military aid to an ally, the Republican defense of the president is collapsing. Some GOP senators such as Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski seem to be weak…
(2020-01-02). "The Genocidal Regime Is Still in Power": Assad Forces Push into Idlib, Last Rebel Stronghold. democracynow.org 
The United Nations says a quarter of a million people have fled the Russian-backed Syrian government offensive in the northwestern province of Idlib. Aid groups are now warning the offensive in Idlib could become the worst humanitarian crisis in the nine-year war in Syria. Nearly 200,000 Syrian civilians have fled toward the Turkish border as Syrian government ground troops advance into Idlib, the last major rebel-held territory, where about 3 million people live. Displaced civilians have sought refuge in several camps along the border, where they struggle with harsh winter conditions, flooding and mud due to hea…
(2020-01-02). Top 20 The Grayzone stories of 2019: From Venezuela coup attempt to Russiagate delusions, information warfare to new cold war. thegrayzone.com 2019 was a big year for The Grayzone. We traveled the world and broke many stories, exposing the empire's schemes…
(2020-01-02). Italian organizations demand release of veteran communist Nicoletta Dosio. peoplesdispatch.org The progressive sectors of Italian society have expressed shock and outrage at the arrest and imprisonment of 73- old-year veteran communist and activist Nicoletta Dosio. She was arrested and imprisoned in Turin on December 30 in relation to a 2012 protest against the Turin—Lyon high-speed railway organized by the No TAV campaign. | Various events have been organized across Italy, including in Rome, Pisa, Milan, Bologna and Florence, in solidarity with Nicoletta Dosio and calling for her immediate release. | On January 1, she wrote from prison, "I'm fine. I am happy with the choice I made because it is the…
(2020-01-02). Russiagate Investigation Now Endangers Obama. dissidentvoice.org Former U.S. President Barack Obama is now in severe legal jeopardy, because the Russiagate investigation has turned 180 degrees; and he, instead of the current President, Donald Trump, is in its cross-hairs. The biggest crime that a U.S. President can commit is to try to defeat American democracy (the Constitutional functioning of the U.S. Government) …
(2019-12-31). France's Undocumented Migrants Are Fighting for Their Rights. thenation.com France's Undocumented Migrants Are Fighting for Their Rights…
(2019-12-31). Headlines for December 31, 2019. democracynow.org Protests Rage Outside U.S. Embassy in Iraq After U.S. Airstrikes Kill 24, Hate Crime Charges Filed Against Suspect in Hanukkah Stabbing in NY, Texas Church Shooter Had Long Criminal History, NYT: Top Officials Failed to Convince Trump to Release Withheld Ukraine Aid, Death Toll from Crackdown on Protests in India Rises to 27, Five Kashmiri Political Leaders Released from Detention, Sudanese Court Sentences 29 to Death for Killing Teacher in Anti-Protest Crackdown, Thousands Flee to the Ocean to Escape Australia Wildfires, Former Nissan Head Flees Japan to Lebanon to Escape Trial on Financial Crimes, New York Sett…
(2019-12-30). French unions want retirement 'reform' scrapped. workers.org 
It was a tough holiday for transportation strikers in France. Their pay packet for December was basically empty. A dancing picket line, Paris, Dec. 24 The struggle on the national railroad (SNCF) at 23 days is longer than a similar struggle over the SNCF retirement plan in 1995 and shows . . . | Continue reading French unions want retirement 'reform' scrapped at Workers.org
(2019-12-30). Headlines for December 30, 2019. democracynow.org Man Stabs 5 Jewish Worshipers Celebrating Hanukkah at Rabbi's Home in New York, Gunman Shoots and Kills 2 Worshipers During Church Service in Texas, U.S. Launches Airstrikes in Iraq & Syria After U.S. Contractor Killed in Iraq, 250,000 People Flee Syrian Government Offensive in Idlib, Bombing Kills 79 in Mogadishu, Somalia, Taliban Agrees to Temporary Ceasefire in Afghanistan, 10 Killed in Strike on Military Parade in Southern Yemen, Politico: Democratic Party Insiders Now Think Sanders Could Win Nomination, WaPo: Giuliani Held Back-Channel Call with Maduro, France: Strikes Against Pension Overhaul Enter 25th Day…
(2019-12-27). Romania: 30 years removed from socialism. liberationnews.org 
Capitalism's restoration in Romania and the former Socialist Bloc has brought with it all its inherent contradictions.
(2019-12-26). After Democrats Push Bill to Send Fracked Gas to EU, Trump Includes in Budget. therealnews.com 
The European Energy Security and Diversification Act, legislation offering $1B to promote sending U.S. fracked gas to EU countries, was inserted into the federal budget bill signed into law by President Donald Trump. Democrats invoked "Russiagate" in their PR push for the bill.
(2019-12-22). Seemingly Coordinated ISIS/al-Qaeda Attacks On Syrian Oil/Gas Fields & US' Russia/Libya Hypocrisy. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/21/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
(2019-12-20). Democrats Invoke Russiagate to Advance Bill Lobbied for by Big Oil. therealnews.com 
Two bills that would allow the United States to expand its fossil fuel infrastructure in the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries have advanced to the the Senate—and Democrats backing them have invoked "Russiagate" to push them through.
(2019-12-19). Queen's Speech takes 'wrecking ball' to Scotland's foundations, SNP claims. thecanary.co The SNP has accused Boris Johnson and the UK Government of "taking a wrecking ball" to Scotland with its plans in the Queen's Speech. | SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford spoke out after a speech that did not mention Scotland by name — although the queen said the "integrity and prosperity" of the United Kingdom was of "the utmost importance" to the UK Government. | Blackford argued the Withdrawal Agreement Bill that ministers will bring forward will hurt Scotland's economy and cost thousands of jobs north of the border. | He was also critical of plans on immigration and said the UK Government was failing…
(2019-12-18). A Secret CBP Team is Targeting and Detaining Innocent Travelers. We're Suing. aclu.org U.S. Customs and Border Protection is deploying secret teams that target, detain, and interrogate innocent travelers. We're suing to expose their activities. | In November 2018, three CBP officers detained Andreas | Gal, a former chief | technology officer at Mozilla Corporation and current Apple employee, at San | Francisco International Airport after he landed from a business trip to Sweden. | Andr…
(2019-12-13). UN Counters US Claims Of "Proof" Iran Attacked Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu Impunity & Turkey Sanctions. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/12/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
(2019-12-13). Someone Interfered in the UK Election, and It Wasn't Russia. theantimedia.com Hardly anyone will care because this election interference has been happening right out in the open, and was perfectly legal.
(2019-12-10). US Army Prepares Biggest Deployment to Europe in 25 Years. theantimedia.com In 2020, the US Army will be carrying out its biggest deployment in 25 years into Europe.
(2019-12-09). Finland's Economy Really Is Highly Socialized. peoplespolicyproject.org Over the weekend, Anu Partanen and Trevor Corson published a piece in the New York Times that argues Finland is actually a capitalist paradise. The article is a very familiar one to those who keep track of this debate. It notes that Finland has high taxes and a generous welfare state, but then says that it is otherwise quite capitalist and perhaps even more capitalist than America. | Unlike most people who write this sort of piece, the authors here are not being m…
(2019-12-04). Red Cross Chief: Venezuela Aid Being Politicized to 'Destabilize the Country'. venezuelanalysis.com Francesco Rocca slammed the underfunding of aid programs as a problem of "political will."