(2020-01-16). Roscosmos engineers develop plan to BLIND foreign spy satellites flying over Russian territory. rt.com 
Engineers at the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos have developed a plan to block foreign orbital spy satellites from operating in the skies above Russian territory, in what could mark a new era of counterintelligence. | The engineers at the Russian Space Systems Corporation, a subsidiary of Roscosmos, propose establishing a database of all known foreign orbital spy satellites to best configure an array of ground-based jamming devices. | Once this database is compiled, the agency could then decide the best location and composition for a proposed array of ground-based radio-electronic stations which suppress and p…
(2020-01-16). Who's this guy? Jeopardy contestants fail to recognize impeachment 'hero' Adam Schiff & Twitter ROFLs. rt.com 
Rep. Adam Schiff might be leading an impeachment drive in the US, but it seems not everybody is familiar with the 'resistance' hero. At least, his photo did not ring any bells for contestants on the latest Jeopardy episode. | Schiff, a prominent Russiagater whose fame among the anti-Trump resistance camp reached new heights amid the ongoing Ukrainegate saga, might be a household name on Capitol Hill, but the question remains: Is the same true for the rest of the country outside of the Washington political swamp? If the classic trivia game show is any indication, it is not. | Just a reminder we live in a bubble…
(2020-01-16). House Leaders March Trump Impeachment Articles to the Senate. truthdig.com 
WASHINGTON — In a dramatic procession across the U.S. Capitol, House Democrats carried the formal articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate late Wednesday, setting the stage for only the third trial to remove a president in American history. | Trump complained anew it was all a "hoax," even as fresh details emerged about his efforts in Ukraine. | The ceremonial pomp and protocol by the lawmakers prosecuting the case against Trump moved the impeachment out of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Democratic-run House to the Republican-majority Sen…
(2020-01-16). Europe caved to US 'bully' by 'selling out' nuclear deal to avoid new Trump tariffs — Zarif. rt.com 
France, Britain and Germany have betrayed the 2015 nuclear deal after being threatened with US tariffs, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has claimed, noting that Europe has lost the moral high ground. | The three European states accused Tehran of non-compliance with the accord after buckling under pressure from the United Sates, Zarif wrote in a tweet, citing a Washington Post report detailing how the White House allegedly used strong-arm tactics to force the issue. The Iranian diplomat said that the European signatories had "sold out" what was left of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA…
(2020-01-16). France's Strike: Another Symptom of Neoliberalism's Legitimation Crisis. therealnews.com 
France's public sector strike against pension reform is in its seventh week, the most serious such strike in French history. It fits very well in the context of the global revolt against neoliberalism, says Prof. Gabriel Rockhill.
(2020-01-16). Iran is now enriching MORE uranium than before the 2015 nuclear deal — President Rouhani. rt.com 
Iran has boosted its nuclear enrichment to levels not even seen before the JCPOA deal, President Hassan Rouhani has proclaimed, shortly after the Islamic Republic accused three European nations of "selling out" to the US. | "We are enriching more uranium [than] before the deal was reached … Pressure has increased on Iran but we continue to progress," Rouhani said in a televised address on Thursday. | Tehran is now bound by "no restrictions on nuclear energy," Rouhani said, as Iran is "better off in terms of nuclear power." | Under the…
(2020-01-16). Erdogan sending Turkish troops to Libya ahead of Berlin peace talks. rt.com 
Turkey is sending troops to Libya to ensure the stability of the UN-backed government in Tripoli, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced. The move comes ahead of a Berlin summit on the security situation in the country. | Ankara has already deployed forces to train troops loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA), as part of a security cooperation agreement between the two countries. | Erdogan also said that, as part of a maritime agreement, it would no longer be possible for other states to conduct oil exploration and drilling off the coast of Libya without the approval of Ankara and Tripoli. | T…
(2020-01-16). Women are rated as 'less human' when they wear a lot of makeup. But do females want to look 'normal' or SEXY? rt.com 
Those who like their foundation heavy may be a little disturbed by a new study that shows that they are perceived as less human and not taken seriously under the layers of makeup. But what if that's the desired effect? | In the study, 1,000 participants, mostly from America and the United Kingdom, were asked to evaluate women's faces with or without heavy makeup. Most participants reported as heterosexual and the sample included women as well as men. Both men and women perceived heavily made up women's face…
(2020-01-16). 1 killed, 1 injured after gunman opens fire inside magistrates' court in Russia's Siberia. rt.com 
One man died and a woman was seriously injured when a gunman opened fire inside a courthouse in the city of Novokuznetsk in southwestern Siberia. The suspect, who was armed with a rifle, has been apprehended. | The prosecutor's office in Kemerovo Region, where the magistrates' court is located, has launched a probe into the attempted murder. | The attack unfolded at around 9: 20am local time on Thursday. The assailant was detained at the scene and taken into custody. | A male court officer suffered a gunshot wound to his stomach in the attack and died in an ambulance en route to hospital. | A woman, who was att…
(2020-01-16). Russian MPs confirm Mikhail Mishustin as new prime minister after cabinet resignation. rt.com 
Mikhail Mishustin has been ratified as next Prime Minister of Russia by MPs, after a cabinet resignation on Wednesday. Vladimir Putin had earlier proposed Mishustin, formerly head of the Federal Tax Service, as a candidate. | In an overwhelming vote on Thursday, 383 lawmakers supported Mishustin's candidacy. Not a single MP cast their vote against the Prime Minister, but 41 MPs — members of Russia's Communist Party — chose to abstain, RIA Novosti reported. | Mishustin has already promised a major cabinet reshuffle, meaning that some fresh faces could emerge as new ministers. On the previous day, he h…
(2020-01-16). Amendments to Constitution aimed at reinforcing 'rule of law & welfare state' in Russia — Putin. rt.com 
The sweeping amendments proposed in the annual state-of-the-nation address don't change the basics of Russia's Constitution, but seek to turn Russia into a welfare state that embraces the rule of law, Vladimir Putin declared. | "The meaning of these amendments is to ensure the further development of Russia as a welfare state [governed by] rule of law, increase efficiency of our country's institutions," Vladimir Putin told a task group set up to lay groundwork for prospective changes to Russia's basic law. | Outlined in the annual state-of-the-nation address this Wednesday, the amendments are aimed at strengthe…
(2020-01-16). Malians protest to demand departure of French occupation troops. wsws.org Anger is exploding against the carnage produced by the French war in Mali and against official lies that France is waging a global war on terror.
(2020-01-16). Who Targeted Ukraine Airlines Flight 752? Iran Shot It Down but There May be More to the Story. globalresearch.ca The claim that Major General Qassem Soleimani was a "terrorist" on a mission to carry out an "imminent" attack that would kill hundreds of Americans turned out to be a lie, so why should one believe anything else relating to …
(2020-01-16). German captain of refugee rescue ship "Lifeline" acquitted of criminal charges in Malta. wsws.org Despite the acquittal neither Malta nor the EU have retreated from its inhumane and murderous anti-refugee policy with Valletta continuing to prevent NGO ships from entering its waters.
(2020-01-16). Founding congress of the Marxist Left in Slovakia and the Transcarpathian Ukraine. peoplesdispatch.org On January 16, 1921, the Marxist Left in Slovakia and the Transcarpathian Ukraine holds its founding congress in ƒΩuboch≈àa. It was one of the forerunners of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. After the defeat of the Hungarian Soviet Republic, many revolutionary refugees arrived in Czechoslovakia and intermingled with the local political movements. The emergence of the Marxist Left originated in a split in the Slovak Social Democratic Party in 1920, among sections dissatisfied with the counterrevolutionary line of…
(2020-01-16). 'Grévolution': first round of a general strike. mronline.org Since the middle of December, France has been gripped by a wave of large scale strikes. In this article the French collective Plateforme d'Enquêtes Militantes analyses the composition of the strikes, and the potential for its continued escalation. | Source
(2020-01-16). German Defence Minister Confirms Reports of Trump's Threats to Slap EU With Higher Tariffs Over Iran. sputniknews.com Three European signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as Iran nuclear deal, initiated the accord's dispute mechanism on 14 January thus threatening to put an end to the agreement's existence following the US withdrawal from it in 2018.
(2020-01-16). French Unions Rally Against Pension Reform in Paris – Video. sputniknews.com A nationwide strike started in early December last year in response to the government's plans to replace 42 different pension schemes with a universal, points-based system. The decision has infuriated many public service employees.
(2020-01-16). Ukrainian Interior Ministry Opens Investigation Into Claims of Russia Hacking Burisma – Report. sputniknews.com On Tuesday, Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries said that the Dems would look into media reports alleging that Russian military hackers conducted cyberattacks against Ukrainian energy company Burisma.
(2020-01-16). Germany: Auto manufacturer Opel to wipe out 4,100 jobs. wsws.org After these cuts are completed in 2029, less than half of the company's 19,000 jobs in Germany before its sale to PSA in 2017 will remain.
(2020-01-16). Egypt Rejects Turkey's Criticism Over Detention of Anadolu Reporters – Foreign Ministry. sputniknews.com CAIRO (Sputnik) — Egypt rejects Ankara's criticism over the arrest of Anadolu Agency workers in Cairo on suspicion of distorting Egypt's international image, as all measures that were taken fell within the confines of the law, the Foreign Ministry said.
(2020-01-16). Erdogan Announces Turkey is Sending Troops to Libya. sputniknews.com Ankara and the UN-backed Government of National Accord previously signed an agreement to deploy Turkish troops to the war-torn country. Turkey noted though that the deployment would only happen if General Haftar's army continues its offensive.
(2020-01-16). The Longue Durée: Commemorating RIC and Black & Tan Colonialism. counterpunch.org Most histories of modern Ireland tend to marginalise or completely disregard questions of language and culture. This neglect occurs within various fields, be it the study of the conquests of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the rise to power of Ascendancy Ireland during the eighteenth century, the expansion of the modern technocratic state during the nineteenth century as well as in the study of quasi-independent Ireland during the twentieth century. More
(2020-01-16). Putin Introduces Post of Deputy Chairman of Russian Security Council, Appoints Medvedev. sputniknews.com Dmitry Medvedev, who resigned as Russia's prime minister a day earlier, will remain the leader of the governing party United Russia, according to secretary of the party's General Council Andrey Turchak.
(2020-01-16). 'A Very Stable Genius': Trump Declared Himself 'Russia Expert' After Meeting Putin, New Book Claims. sputniknews.com The book is based on hundreds of hours of interviews with hundreds of sources, internal memos, and even private video recordings. The authors claim that Trump initially agreed to be interviewed by them, but later declined during his tensions with the media.
(2020-01-16). S-400 For Iraq: Will Americans Be Able to Hamper the Deal? sputniknews.com Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal quoted Karim Elaiwi, a member of the Iraqi parliament's Security and Defence Committee, as saying that Baghdad was considering purchasing Russian S-400 systems amid concerns that the US may stop supporting the country.
(2020-01-16). Russian Lower House Approves Mishustin's Nomination as Prime Minister. sputniknews.com The entire Russian government resigned on 15 January, with ex-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev saying this was done to enable President Vladimir Putin to implement the goals outlined in his address to the legislature.
(2020-01-16). The World as Seen by Russian Diplomats' Wives. sputniknews.com The Community of Russian Diplomats' Wives was created about two years ago in Russia and today it includes about 250 wives of Russian diplomats in some 60 countries.
(2020-01-16). Russian government resigns after Putin's state of the nation address. wsws.org The resignation of the widely unpopular Russian government comes amid mounting social conflict and escalating war tensions between the US and Iran which threaten to draw in the entire South Caucasus region and Russia itself.
(2020-01-16). Why Health, Crime and Brexit Will Be Big Issues When Ireland Goes to the Polls Next Month. sputniknews.com Voters in the Republic of Ireland will go to the polls on 8 February. So what chance has Leo Varadkar – who has never fought an election as prime minister – of retaining the top job?
(2020-01-16). 'Indian, Turkish partnership can evolve new global order'. yenisafak.com Trade between Turkey and India has shown strong growth over recent years, however, both countries need to be more ambitious to increase trade and economic exchanges, Indian Ambassador to Turkey Sanjay Bhattacharyya told Anadolu Agency.Bhattacharyya, who came to Ankara in 2018, is departing after completing his term later this week. Ahead of his farewell, Indian Ambassador in a freewheeling interview spoke about several issues ranging opportunities challenges in relations with Turkey, India's issues with Pakistan, Kashmir crises, the Afghan peace process and also his country acquiring Russian-made S-400 missile de…
(2020-01-16). Russia, Turkey to bring peace to Libya: MP. yenisafak.com The joint efforts by Russia and Turkey have the potential to bring peace to conflict-hit Libya, a Russian parliamentarian said Thursday. "The format that has been found, the format that the Russian and Turkish leaders have proposed for Libya, I think is rational," Leonid Slutsky told Anadolu Agency."The fact that we managed to get the signatures of Fayez al-Sarraj in the first meeting is a great success," he said, referring to the head of Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).Commenting on the position of eastern Libya-based commander Khalifa Haftar, who took two days to decide whether to sign…
(2020-01-16). Iran accuses Europe of yielding to 'high school bully' Trump in nuclear row. yenisafak.com Iran said on Thursday three European states had succumbed to "high school bully" Donald Trump when they triggered a dispute mechanism in a nuclear pact the U.S. president opposes, a step that could eventually lead to reimposing U.N. sanctions.The pact, known as the JCPoA, was agreed in 2015 between Tehran and world powers, offering Iran relief from sanctions if it curbed its nuclear work. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed U.S. sanctions, telling Tehran he wanted a more stringent deal on nuclear and other issues.Iran has responded to the U.S. sanctions by scaling back its compliance with the deal,…
(2020-01-16). EU car market boosts by 1.2% in 2019. yenisafak.com EU's new-car registrations in 2019 increased by 1.2%, reaching more than 15.3 million units in total and marking the sixth consecutive year of growth, an industry group said on Thursday. The year started on weak footing due to the lasting impact of the introduction of Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) in September 2018, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).Under conditions defined by EU law, the WLTP is used to measure fuel consumption and carbon emissions from passenger cars, as well as their pollutant emissions."Yet, the final quarter of 2019, and Decembe…
(2020-01-16). Erdogan says Turkey to reach new heights in 2020. yenisafak.com Turkey is all set to reach new heights in 2020 by protecting its rights, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday."Through strengthening production, export and employment rate and protecting our rights on the international front, especially in the Mediterranean region, we are opening doors of a new rising period," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the Annual Evaluation Meeting for 2019 at Bestepe National Congress and Culture Center in Ankara.Erdogan stressed that this year Turkey will demonstrate its historic achievements for its freedom and future regardless of the circum…
(2020-01-16). Body of missing man found in southern Turkey. yenisafak.com The body of a man was found on Thursday after two guards who sailed for fishing went missing in Mediterranean Turkey.Search and rescue works for Oktay Avci, 32, and Omer Ozer, 32, who went missing on Jan. 11, continued over the night in Tarsus district of southern Mersin province.The Turkish Coast Guard's search and rescue teams, police divers, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) team and gendarmerie plus locals joined the search and rescue works.A family member of Ozer noticed a body in the sea during the search efforts and informed officials. The body was found to be belonging to Ozer.Re…
(2020-01-16). Turkey's Central Bank cuts interest rates 75 bps. yenisafak.com Turkey's Central Bank on Thursday reduced its one-week repo rate 75 basis points.The policy rate
(2020-01-16). Turkey launches Operation Kapan-4 Mava in its southeast. yenisafak.com Turkey launched its Kapan-4 Mava anti-terror operation to eliminate terrorists in the country's southeast, the Interior Ministry announced Thursday.In a written statement, the ministry said Kapan counter-terrorism operations launched last week were underway despite winter conditions.In order to back earlier such operations in the region, authorities launched Operation Kapan-4 Mava to neutralize terrorists thought to be sheltering in the Mava district of the southeastern province of Batman, the statement said.A total of 795 security personnel including gendarmerie and police as well as village guards are taking pa…
(2020-01-16). At least 313 civilians killed in Idlib since Nov. 2019 in Syria. yenisafak.com More and more civilians are losing their lives or getting displaced in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib as the regime, Iran-backed groups and Russia intensify airstrikes. | A total of 313 civilians, including 100 children, were killed, 1,843 others injured and 382,466 Syrians were forced to flee their homes since November 2019, according to data provided by the Coordinators of Interventions in Syria, a local rights group. | The strikes also targeted many civilian buildings including 48 mosques, three civil defense centers, one ambulance, nine health teams, 15 health facilities, 11 tent cities, eight water s…
(2020-01-15). Trump deal instead of Iran nuclear deal? I agree! US president gives Twitter nod to BoJo. rt.com 
Boris Johnson's suggestion that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal be replaced with a new one — named after Donald Trump — received an enthusiastic response from the US president. | "Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, stated, 'We should replace the Iran deal with the Trump deal.' I agree!" Trump proclaimed in a tweet released Wednesday. | Earlier, Johnson said he understands American concerns over the "flawed" 2015 pact with Iran, which saw the Islamic Republic dramatically reducing its nuclear program in exchange for lifting crippling economic sanctions. | Prime Minister of the United Ki…
(2020-01-15). Trump's ex-adviser Flynn moves to withdraw guilty plea in Mueller investigation — court papers. rt.com 
The former national security advisor to the US president, General Michael Flynn, has asked the court to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming Russiagate prosecutors forced him to lie and make statements they knew were untrue. | In a court filing on Tuesday, lawyers for Flynn argued that the prosecutors "concocted the alleged 'false statements'" the general was accused of making in relation to his company's violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). | "The prosecutors concocted the alleged 'false statements' by their own misrepresentations, deceit, and omissions." | The newly-released court papers st…
(2020-01-15). Putin Engineers Shakeup That Could Keep Him in Power Longer. truthdig.com 
MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin engineered a surprise shakeup of Russia's leadership Wednesday, proposing changes to the constitution that could keep him in power well past the end of his term in 2024. | Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned his post after Putin announced the proposed constitutional amendments. Putin kept his longtime ally in the Kremlin's leadership structure, appointing him to the newly created post of deputy head of the presidential Security Council. | The shakeup sent shock waves through Russia's political elites who were left pondering what Putin's intentions were and speculating a…
(2020-01-15). Unintended Consequences: Did Trump Just Give the Middle East to China and Russia? globalresearch.ca By the series of actions in recent months in Iraq and across the Middle East, Washington has forced a strategic shift towards China and to an extent Russia and away from the United States. If events continue on the present …
(2020-01-15). Ceasefire Failure as Haftar Leaves Russia to Resume Military Operations in Libya. globalresearch.ca Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin made a joint statement last week regarding the civil war raging in Libya to "declare a sustainable ceasefire, supported by the necessary measures to be taken for stabilizing the situation …
(2020-01-15). Britain, France and Germany (E3) Trigger JCPOA Dispute Mechanism, a Hostile Action Against Iran. globalresearch.ca The nuclear deal dispute resolution mechanism and sanctions snapback provision can take effect if one JCPOA signatory claims another failed to meet its obligations under the deal — depending on the specific complaint, along with following required procedures. They're complicated….
(2020-01-15). Scotland's Independence Project. globalresearch.ca On Tuesday Boris Johnson submitted a letter to Nicola Sturgeon, rejecting outright her request for powers to be transferred to the Scottish parliament to call a second referendum on independence. It read: | "The UK government will continue to uphold …
(2020-01-15). European Union Mission Heads Visit Occupied East Jerusalem. imemc.org European Union (EU) Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah, on Monday, visited Al-'Isawiya, a neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem, the Palestine News Network reported. The European diplomats met with Palestinian residents and representatives of civil society organisations, and they were briefed about the unprecedented number of Israeli police and …
(2020-01-15). Iran's Rouhani Demands US, EU Troops Leave the Middle East or Face "Danger" theantimedia.com (ZH) — A day after European signatories to the Iran nuclear deal took took the drastic step of triggering the agreement's dispute resolution mechanism regulating conformity to the deal by formally notifying the EU Iran is in breach, seen as the harshest measure taken thus far given it means EU sanctions are possible, President Hassan Rouhani has responded with …
(2020-01-15). European powers move toward scrapping nuclear accord with Iran. wsws.org Berlin, London and Paris, emboldened by Tehran's weak response to the US murder of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, are escalating attacks against Iran.
(2020-01-15). Poland: Record Fine to Volkswagen Over "Dieselgate" Scandal. telesurenglish.net A record-high fine of 120.6 million Polish zloty (31.8 million U.S. dollars) has been imposed on automaker Volkswagen Group Poland for misleading customers about the emissions of its vehicles, the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) said here on Wednesday. | RELATED: | 91 US Fortune 500 Companies Paid $0 in Income Tax in 2018: Report | " Volkswagen manipulated the emissions indicators and it misled consumers by…