(2020-01-14). French pension reform activists set up mobile barbecue on Nice TRAM TRACKS mid-protest (VIDEO). rt.com 
As widespread protests against pension reform in France continue, rail workers who have been on strike for the past 41 days came up with an ingenious way to both lift their spirits and make use of the out-of-order tram tracks. | At around 10: 45am local time in Nice's Place Masséna, pension protestors including rail workers, prison guards and nurses began their march through the city. It didn't take long for hunger to set in, but thankfully the rail workers had a novel solution to keep the march going: a mobile barbecue that was custom-built to fit the tram tracks. | Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. | A mobil…
(2020-01-14). 'Saddest moment of my life': Doubles world no.1 blames contaminated meat for failed doping test as he misses Australian Open. rt.com 
Men's doubles world number one Robert Farah of Colombia has been tested positive for banned drug Boldenon, claiming that the anabolic entered his body through contaminated meat. | On Tuesday the winner of the Wimbledon and US Open doubles announced he would not participate in the season-opening Grand Slam, citing personal reasons for his abrupt withdrawal. | READ MORE: 'Never experienced anything like it': Australian Open chiefs slammed as Slovenian star COLLAPSES on court amid bushfire smoke | Hours…
(2020-01-14). Chilling VIDEOS show inferno at Spanish chemical plant. rt.com 
Video footage has emerged showing the aftermath of a deadly chemical plant explosion in Tarragona, Spain. As a pillar of fire and smoke looked over the historic streets of the city, panicked residents fled in terror. | The plant, located just outside the port city of Tarragona, caught fire and exploded on Tuesday evening. Local authorities dispatched firefighting teams to the scene and urged nearby residents to stay inside and close their doors and windows as a precaution against a chemical leak. On…
(2020-01-14). Germany to host Libya conference on Sunday, invites Sarraj & Haftar. rt.com 
Germany confirmed on Tuesday it will host a conference on Sunday in Berlin to support the UN's efforts to achieve reconciliation in Libya after months of violence. | Representatives from the United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, Turkey, Italy and the UN will be among the participants, the German government said in a statement. | Germany has also invited Fayez al-Sarraj, who heads the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, and General Khalifa Haftar, who leads the eastern-based Libyan National Army, Reuters reported. | Turkey and Russia failed to convince Haftar on Monday to sign a binding t…
(2020-01-14). Non-commitment probe into Iran by France, Germany & UK 'groundless,' only increases tensions around nuclear deal — Russia. rt.com 
The European trio's accusation that Iran violates the key restrictions of the nuclear deal are unjustified, the Russian Foreign Ministry said urging the countries not to increase tensions that could endanger the pact. | Paris, Berlin and London officially reported Iran's non-compliance with the 2015 agreement to the Joint Commission under the Dispute Resolution Mechanism. This step could potentially lead to the UN Security Council being forced to decide on whether or not to bring back sanctions against Tehran. | "We can't rule out that the ill-considered actions of the European trio will lead to a new escalati…
(2020-01-14). Russia hopes triggering dispute resolution mechanism in Iran deal won't complicate situation. rt.com 
Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, commented on Tuesday on the decision by the UK, Germany and France to launch a dispute resolution mechanism within the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear deal. | "They stated that they did it 'in good faith' to preserve the deal and that it has nothing to do with maximum pressure policy," the Russian diplomat tweeted. "Let's hope that this step will not complicate the situation further." | The three European states said they have been left with "no choice, given Iran's actions, but to register to…
(2020-01-14). Iran warns against 'destructive measures,' promises firm response as EU trio starts nuclear deal 'non-compliance' investigation. rt.com 
Iran will firmly respond to anyone acting to damage the 2015 nuclear deal, but welcomes "good faith" measures to save it, the foreign ministry said as three EU signatories triggered a non-compliance investigation against Tehran. | "It is necessary to explain that the action taken by the three European countries is a passive and weak position," Abbas Mousavi, spokesman for the foreign ministry, warned in a statement. | He spoke shortly after Germany, France and the UK initiated a special dispute resolution procedure under the 2015 deal citing Iran's alleged non-compliance with the pact. | Now, the Islamic Repub…
(2020-01-14). Johnson calls for 'Trump deal' to resolve Iran tensions. thecanary.co 
Donald Trump should produce a replacement for the Iran nuclear deal, Boris Johnson said as he called for tensions in the Gulf to be "dialled down".The UK, along with European allies, has remained part of the troubled nuclear deal despite the US president's opposition.The prime minister said one of the problems the American leader had with the agreement was that it was negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama, so putting in a replacement "Trump deal" would be a way out of the current crisis. | The US has pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which eased sanctions in return for Iran agree…
(2020-01-14). 'I don't like disposable champions': Figure skating coach compares new generation skaters to single-use plastic cups. rt.com 
Prominent figure skating coach Rafael Arutyunyan, who has spoken in favour of raising the age limit in ladies single skating, has compared the success of young champions to single-use plastic cups. | The renowned coach underlined that young female skaters should only enter senior events after going through puberty, when they have "well-trained and healthy" bodies. | READ MORE: Anna Shcherbakova performs INSANE quad-jumping routine to win Russian figure skating championship (VIDEO) | Current rules w…
(2020-01-14). Libya's Haftar positive about outcome of Moscow talks, but needs 2 days for discussions with tribal leaders — Russian MoD. rt.com 
The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier said that Haftar left for Benghazi without signing the agreement and wanted two days to discuss it. The Government of National Accord (GNA) delegation, headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, signed the agreement before leaving Moscow for Istanbul. | The Russian MoD said Haftar's assessment of the final statement after negotiations with the rival GNA was "positive." | But before signing, he took two days to discuss the paper with the leader of the tribes that support the LNA. | Libya remains divided since 2011 following NATO's bombing campaign which led to the overthrow o…
(2020-01-14). GOP Debate on Impeachment Witnesses Intensifies as Pelosi Prepares to Send Articles to Senate. democracynow.org 
The impeachment trial of President Trump is anticipated to proceed this week, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to send the two articles of impeachment to the Senate as early as Wednesday. The House impeached Trump in December for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to Trump's effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden. A growing number of Republican senators are pushing for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to hold a vote on whether to allow witnesses to speak at the Senate trial. The timing of the Senate impeachment trial could impact the 2020 presidentia…
(2020-01-14). Headlines for January 14, 2020. democracynow.org "It Doesn't Really Matter": Trump Changes Story on Soleimani Killing, Six Democratic Candidates Will Take Stage for Debate in Iowa Tonight, Warren: Sanders Said Woman Couldn't Win in 2020, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Launching New PAC to Support Progressive Democrats, Trump Plans to Divert Additional $7.2 Billion from Military Budget to Border Wall, Turkey and Russia Broker Ceasefire for Idlib, Syria, France to Send More Troops to West Africa Amid Rising Violence in Sahel, 55 Die in Avalanches in Pakistan, Study: 2019 Was Hottest Year for World's Oceans on Record, AG Barr and Apple Face Off over Phone of Alleged Pen…
(2020-01-14). The international witch-hunt of Julian Assange. wsws.org The prosecution of Assange is a travesty of justice that will forever stain the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden and Ecuador.
(2020-01-14). Putin's Orthodox Christmas Visit to Damascus Plays Up Assad's Syria as Enclave of Peace — While Rest of Middle East Burns. globalresearch.ca Russian leader Vladimir Putin made a surprise Christmas visit to Syria, where he met with the country's president, Bashar Assad. The tranquility of their meeting was in sharp contrast to the hell breaking out in neighboring Iraq. | The unannounced …
(2020-01-14). Russia's Unsuccessful Libyan Peace Summit Was a Good Start. globalresearch.ca Russia's Libyan peace summit in Moscow didn't succeed with its stated objective of getting the warring parties to agree to a ceasefire agreement after they failed to find any common ground with one another, but it was nevertheless a good …
(2020-01-14). At Least One Reported Dead, Four Injured Following Explosion in Spanish Tarragona Province. sputniknews.com The Catalan Civil Defence Agency has advised people living close to the affected area to stay inside until the extent of the chemical accident is known.
(2020-01-14). An Interview with Embattled Catalan President Quim Torra. counterpunch.org The Catalan conflict is generating a constitutional crisis in Madrid with far-reaching implications for the future of the European Union. In a stunning and legally questionable move on January 3, Spain's Central Electoral Commission voted to remove Catalan President Joaquim Torra from office immediately. In a speech the same evening, Torra rejected the legitimacy of the ruling, saying he responds only to the will of the Catalan people and the Catalan Parliament. The following day, the Catalan Parliament robustly backed him and his position on the matter. Meanwhile, during the investiture debate of Socialist Prime…
(2020-01-14). Understanding France's General Strike. zcomm.org Yellow Vests and Global Class Warfare…
(2020-01-14). European States' Decision to Launch Dispute Resolution Mechanism May Doom Iran Nuclear Deal – Moscow. sputniknews.com On Tuesday, France, the UK and Germany moved to trigger the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal's dispute mechanism and called on Tehran to cancel any measures which may violate the deal's terms.
(2020-01-14). European Parliament Discusses Situation in Iran and Iraq Amid Tensions in Region – Video. sputniknews.com Tensions in the Middle East flared up when a US drone strike killed Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani on 3 January, prompting Iran to retaliate with a ballistic missile attack on US bases in Iraq, causing widespread fears of an open conflict. US troops have since failed to comply with Iraq's request that they leave the country.
(2020-01-14). EU to Help Implement Any Decisions Taken at Berlin Conference on Libya – Spokesman. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The European Union sees Libya as a priority and will help implement any decisions that may be taken at the upcoming conference in Berlin, EU Spokesman Peter Stano said.
(2020-01-14). Huawei VP Reaffirms Duty to Build UK 5G Networks as Europe, ASEAN Top Chinese Export Partners List. sputniknews.com A senior figure for the top Chinese tech firm made the comments ahead of key measures aimed at easing tensions between the world's two largest economies.
(2020-01-14). Berlin, London and Paris threaten Iran over 2015 nuclear treaty. wsws.org After the recent US assassination of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, the European powers are denouncing not Washington, but Tehran, as a threat to the Middle East.
(2020-01-14). UN moves to tackle 'hidden abuse' and violence against Europe's children. news.un.org Each year, at least 55 million children in Europe suffer some form of physical, sexual, emotional or psychological violence, the UN health agency (WHO) said on Tuesday.
(2020-01-14). European Parliament Holds Discussion on Situation in Libya – Video. sputniknews.com On Monday, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar, and the Prime Minister of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, met in the Russian capital for talks, mediated by Russia and Turkey, to discuss an unconditional and open-ended ceasefire.
(2020-01-14). NIAC Statement on European Powers Triggering JCPOA Dispute Resolution Mechanism. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-01-14). Rush elections are like a non violent coup against public consciousness. zcomm.org Ireland's leader Leo Varadkar, has just announced snap election for February 8th? that's about 3 weeks, how does a legitimate public debate and campaign by opposition party's have a proper chance to lodge an alternative to this self proclaimed 'Government of Ireland' who instead of getting any real progress on the fundamental outstanding problems people Read more…
(2020-01-14). Social Democrat Milanović wins presidential election in Croatia. wsws.org The Social Democrat unexpectedly won against incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, who ran for the right-wing Croatian Democratic Community.
(2020-01-14). US House Democrats to Look Into Reports of Russia Hacking Burisma – Congressman. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US House Democrats intend to look into media reports accusing "Russian military hackers" of a cyberattack against the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries said during a press conference on Tuesday.
(2020-01-14). Khalifa Haftar refuses to formalize Libyan ceasefire. peoplesdispatch.org The warlord who had initially agreed to the ceasefire proposed by Russia and Turkey withdrew saying that it did not address his concerns. His rival group, the Government of National Accord, has already signed the agreement…
(2020-01-14). Pundits Go Nuts Over New Russian Hacking Conspiracy. theantimedia.com (CJ Opinion) — The New York Times reports that GRU operatives launched a successful "phishing attack" on the Ukrainian gas company at the heart of scandalous allegations about Joe Biden, and establishment pundits are falling all over themselves to tweet the hottest take on this exciting new Russia conspiracy. The story itself fails the smell test on a …
(2020-01-14). Irish PM Varadkar calls parliamentary election for February 8. rt.com 
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Tuesday called a parliamentary election for February 8. Varadkar's Fine Gael and the fellow center-right Fianna Fail are closely matched in opinion polls, and some distance ahead of their other rivals. | After Britain's exit from the EU dominated politics in neighboring Ireland following the last election in 2016, Varadkar sought to put Brexit at the center of the campaign. He also acknowledged more had to be done for people to feel the strength of the economy in their pockets, Reuters said. | "Brexit is not done yet," the prime minister said, adding that the next step is t…
(2020-01-14). Boris Johnson may see 'the hand of the future' but there's a very significant past in Northern Ireland he can't ignore. thecanary.co On 13 January, Boris Johnson visited Belfast to meet the leaders of the restored government. Johnson claimed he could "see the hand of the future". It was an imitation of Blair's "I feel the hand of history upon our shoulders" comment. Blair used this during the 1998 Good Friday Agreement ( GFA) negotiations. | And o…
(2020-01-14). Pompeo: Killing Soleimani Part of 'Broader Strategy' Applying to China, Russia. theantimedia.com (ANTIWAR.COM) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo still has not totally abandoned the pretext that the US assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani was based on an "imminent threat," but is moving to rebrand the operation as part of a broad new strategy "that also applies to China and Russia." Pompeo set this rather disturbing claim out in …
(2020-01-14). Germany invited Libya's Serraj, Haftar to conference. yenisafak.com Germany confirmed on Tuesday it will host a conference on Sunday in Berlin to support the United Nations' effort to achieve peace and reconciliation in Libya after months of violence. Representatives from the United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, Turkey, Italy and the U.N. will be among the participants, said the German government in a statement.Germany has also invited Fayez al-Serraj, who heads the internationally recognised government in Tripoli, and General Khalifa Haftar, who leads the eastern-based Libyan National Army, it said.
(2020-01-14). Spain's Sanchez to seek negotiations with EU Commission on budget deficit. yenisafak.com Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday that he would aim to soon start negotiations with the European Commission on public deficit targets."The economic conditions have changed for some time now, so this is a negotiation process that we will have to open with the European Commission … and we will start that negotiation as soon as possible," Sanchez told a news conference.
(2020-01-14). 'French Spider-Man' scales Total tower in support of pension strikes. yenisafak.com Alain Robert, the free climber dubbed the "French Spider-Man", on Monday scaled the Tour Total, a 48-storey skyscraper in Paris, to demonstrate support for workers striking against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform plans.Robert, 57, stood with both arms aloft after reaching the summit of the 187-metre (613-foot) high tower, which stands in the French capital's business district, La Defense."I am trying to use my fame for something I find meaningful," Robert told Reuters, adding that he was himself "deeply concerned" by the pension reform plans."Sponsors only give me money if I climb," he said.France has…
(2020-01-14). Germany to invest 86 bln euros to upgrade ageing railway network. yenisafak.com Germany and its dominant railway operator Deutsche Bahn signed an agreement on Tuesday to invest 86 billion euros over the next 10 years to upgrade its network in the country's "biggest modernisation project ever".The federal government will contribute 62 billion euros, it said, resulting in an average annual spend of 8.6 billion euros to renovate rails, stations, signalling control and power supply.The plan is part of Germany's efforts to step up measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions for the fight against climate change.The country has for years faced calls from its euro zone partners and the International…
(2020-01-14). Ireland to go to polls in general election on Feb. 8. yenisafak.com Ireland will go to the polls for general election on Feb. 8, the prime minister told his cabinet Tuesday morning.Leo Varadkar is expected to initiate the parliament dissolution in the afternoon as the election campaigns have already got underway.Irish premier spoke to the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin after the cabinet meeting, informing the main opposition head of his intention to seek the dissolution of the Dail (Irish parliament), the Irish Times reported.The Fine Gael party under previous leader and former Prime Minister Enda Kenny won 50 of 158 seats in the 2016 election, losing 26 seats. Fienna Fail inc…
(2020-01-14). One more body found days after Bosphorus crash in Istanbul. yenisafak.com "Body of I.D., one of the missing fishers, has been recovered [from the sea]," the Office of Istanbul Governor said in a statement. His body was recovered from some 77-meter (252 feet) depth.The collision of Russian-flagged GLARD 2 tanker and Turkish-flagged Dursun Ali Coskun boat took place on Friday at around 6.35 a.m. local time (0335GMT) off Istanbul's Sariyer district. The fishing boat sank after the collision.Authorities were able to rescue three out of the six people on board, while the others went missing. As a result of intense efforts, body of one of the fishers was found on Saturday.The Governor's Offi…
(2020-01-14). Huge explosion rocks chemical plant in Spain, locals urged to stay indoors (VIDEOS). rt.com 
A huge fire has broken out at a chemical plant in Tarragona, Spain following an explosion at the site. One person is reported dead and another six injured. | Catalonia's civil defense agency is warning locals to shelter indoors until the extent of the blast is known. | The moment of the initial blast and resulting fireball was caught on camera. The explosion occurred at a chemical plant between Bonavista and La Canonja which processes ethylene oxide. | Spanish media reported that one person was killed in the blast and six were injured, some with serious burns. | AHORA: El momento en que se registra una fuerte…
(2020-01-13). Turkey's Bounty on Ex-Palestinian Security Chief Reveals Web of Intrigue. therealnews.com 
Palestinian security chief Mohammed Dahlan was involved in mercenary operations in Palestine and Yemen, and was expelled from Palestine's Fatah party. Evidence of his involvement in the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey reveals his operations are more extensive than previously thought.
(2020-01-13). "A System Failure": Iran Admits to Downing Airplane, Sparking Renewed Anti-Government Protests. democracynow.org 
Iranian protesters have taken to the streets for a third day, after the Iranian military acknowledged it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner last week, killing all 176 people on board, including 82 Iranians and 57 Canadians. Iran initially denied downing the plane, but Iran's Revolutionary Guard took responsibility for what authorities now describe as a "disastrous mistake." The plane was downed hours after Iranian forces fired 22 rockets at military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops, in retaliation for the U.S. assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Millions of Iranians took to the streets la…
(2020-01-13). Danish trade unions demand hike in minimum wages. peoplesdispatch.org Ahead of the 'OK 2020' collective bargaining negotiations with the industry, trade unions in Denmark on January 8, Wednesday, mobilized for an increase in the minimum wage. Demonstrations at the Copenhagen City Hall Square on Wednesday saw the participation of hundreds of activists from several professional trade unions in the private and public sectors. | As of now, there is no statutory minimum wage in Denmark. The current minimum salary in Copenhagen for a full-time position holder is reportedly around DKr 110 (USD 16.37) per hour or DKr 17,000 (USD 2,580) per month. | Trade unions representing 2,30,000 worker…
(2020-01-13). Headlines for January 13, 2020. democracynow.org Esper Says He Did Not See Specific Evidence Soleimani Was Planning Embassy Attacks, Iran Admits It Mistakenly Shot Down Plane Last Week, Sparking Protests, House Expected to Vote to Send Articles of Impeachment to Senate This Week, Coveted New Hampshire Union SEIU Local Endorses Sanders, White House Press Secretary Under Pressure to Hold Press Briefing, Volcanic Eruption in Philippines Forces Residents to Evacuate Homes, French Government Backing Down on Efforts to Raise Retirement Age, Taiwan: Voters Re-elect President Tsai Ing-wen in Rebuke to Beijing, Malta: New Prime Minister to Be Sworn In, After Journalist'
(2020-01-13). Spain's new PSOE-Podemos government commits itself to austerity and war. wsws.org Described by its architects as Spain's most progressive government since the Second Republic (1931-1939), it is in fact committed to austerity, repression and militarism.
(2020-01-13). Tayseer Barakat's "Shoreless Sea": A Visual Account of Refugees' Mayhem Journeys Across the Mediterranean. imemc.org Zawyeh Gallery is glad to announce the opening of Tayseer Barakat's solo exhibition "Shoreless Sea" on Wednesday, 15 January, in Ramallah. The exhibition includes a series of new artworks which manifest as an account on refugees' desperate journeys to cross the Mediterranean to Europe in search for a normal life. …
(2020-01-13). Iran admits to inadvertently shooting down Ukraine International Airlines jet, killing 176. wsws.org The felling of Flight 752 came amid a war crisis fomented by Washington's campaign of "maximum pressure" on Tehran and its January 3 assassination of Suleimani.
(2020-01-12). 'Impeached for life': Pelosi sets off Twitter fireworks, falsely claims Dems pursuing subpoena-defying witnesses. rt.com 
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made numerous odd claims about Trump impeachment in a new interview, including that Dems are pursuing subpoena-defying witness from the Ukraine investigation. | While speaking on ABC's 'This Week' Pelosi told host George Stephanopoulos that "this president is impeached for life, regardless of any gamesmanship on the part of Mitch McConnell." | While Congress passed articles of impeachment against the president, he still technically needs to go through a trial in the Senate to determine his guilt. One is not "impeached" until a decision is made through a trial. Congress merely conduct…
(2020-01-09). Peace activists in South say 'No war on Iran'. liberationnews.org 
Reports from North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Kentucky.