(2020-02-07). Russia's largest oil company's shares fall after reports of new US sanctions. rt.com 
Rosneft stock slumped nearly five percent during Friday trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange after reports claimed that the US wants to slap the Russian oil giant with new sanctions over its cooperation with Venezuela. | As of 2: 49pm Moscow time (11: 49am GMT) Rosneft shares were trading at 453.5 rubles (US$7.1) per share, down 4.65 percent from the previous session. | Read more | | The drop came less than two days after the Trump administration announced that it w…
(2020-02-07). Latin America free to make own policy choices — Russia's FM Lavrov on US threats & 'humiliating' Monroe Doctrine. rt.com 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hit back at threats from Washington over Moscow's support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, insisting Caracas and its neighbors deserve the option not to be US vassal states. | "I have heard the threats from Washington about punishing all those who work with Venezuela," Lavrov confirmed during a press conference in Mexico City on Thursday. "But we are used to that. We are used to American officials saying that yes, Washington is still true to the Monroe Doctrine." | Russia was merely offering Venezuela and its neighbors in the region a second option, beyond the sta…
(2020-02-07). Russia to drop dual citizenship restriction, make acquiring passport easier with 'revolutionary' new bill — Kommersant. rt.com 
Have you always fancied a Russian passport, but had doubts about relinquishing your current citizenship? Well, you may be in luck under new proposals apparently being drafted in Moscow. | Newspaper Kommersant, citing sources in a working group to reform state migration, says the Kremlin is poised to ditch its long-standing restrictions on dual citizenship. | The primary target is people from what Moscow considers "fraternal states," such as Belarus, Ukraine, and other former Soviet republics — many of which are mired in poverty. Russia, facing its own demographic issues, sees them as a convenient source o…
(2020-02-07). 'Take Hitler & Napoleon, who failed to conquer Russia': Imran Khan invokes world history to fend off Modi's 'bite the dust' remark. rt.com 
Pakistani premier Imran Khan has rebuffed his Indian counterpart's claims that it would take 10 days at most to take down Pakistan, citing the past failures of French general Napoleon Bonaparte and Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. | "Narendra Modi, you need to brush up on your history. It seems your degree was fake," Imran Khan Leaders who have shown such pride have always been defeated in the past … [take]…
(2020-02-07). Syrian Advance Sends Hundreds of Thousands Fleeing in Idlib. truthdig.com 
BEIRUT — Turkey on Friday sent more troops and tanks to bolster its military presence in northwestern Syria, where President Bashar Assad's forces have been advancing in a devastating, Russian-backed offensive that has sparked a massive wave of people fleeing in wet and blustery winter weather. | Syria's Idlib region near the border with Turkey is the last rebel-held bastion in the war-ravaged country. The push by Assad's forces into towns and villages in the province over the past months has uprooted more than a half-million people who fled the advancing troops. Many of them already have been displaced sev…
(2020-02-07). 'Unplanned meetings on Syria convene when UN-recognized terrorists are under attack' — Russia's envoy to Security Council. rt.com 
As Damascus forces repel attacks in terrorist-held Idlib, emergency Security Council sessions are called along a familiar pattern, Russia's UN envoy said. | As "violence only to terrorize and subdue" broke out in Idlib, the US, France and Britain convened an impromptu UN Security Council meeting on Thursday. The American representative slammed what she called an "unjustified military offensive" launched by Syrian government forces to defeat armed radicals led by Syria's main al-Qaeda faction HTS — still better known as the al-Nusra Front despite multiple rebrandings. | Moscow's envoy to the international…
(2020-02-07). Largest city in Russia's Far East to introduce 'mask regime' from Monday as coronavirus fears spread. rt.com 
Located only 20km (12.4 miles) from China and straddling the banks of the shared Amur River, Khabarovsk in Russia's Far East is especially vulnerable to the new coronavirus sweeping its southern neighbor. | So far, however, the city of over 600,000 people has not reported any infections. Nevertheless, officials are not taking any chances. From Monday, a compulsory "mask regime" will be introduced, as a precautionary measure. The move follows the closure of border crossings last week. | The rule will apply to almost every category of worker who deals with the public including teachers, doctors, retail and bank…
(2020-02-07). Syria: With an Eye on Energy Dominance, Russia is Aligning with Israel Against Iran. mintpressnews.com 
In the second of a three-part series, Agha Hussein investigates Russia's financial motivation for teaming up with Israel and wealthy Gulf Arab states to curb Iran's influence in post-war Syria.
(2020-02-07). 'Of course we are not alone': Russian scientist says we're using wrong tools to hunt for aliens. rt.com 
A Russian scientist believes that the only way we can finally discover extraterrestrial life is for experts and researchers from different branches to work together. | Alexander Panov, a leading researcher at Moscow State University's Research Institute of Nuclear Physics, has spent many years working on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) at the Scientific Council of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Radio Astronomy. | In a recent
(2020-02-07). Israeli airstrikes on Damascus suburbs put at risk civilian flight with 172 passengers on board — Russian MoD. rt.com 
Israeli strikes on Damascus suburbs put a civilian aircraft in serious danger and forced it to divert to Russia's Khmeimim airbase as the Syrian air defense was activated to repel the attack, the Russian military said. | An Airbus A320 flying from Tehran to the Syrian capital was forced to make an emergency landing following an Israeli missile attack, the Russian Defense Ministry said. It added that using civilian aircraft as a "shield" is "commonplace" for Israeli Air Force pilots. | The aircraft was about to land at Damascus International Airport, but was unable do so as the Syrian air defense systems engage…
(2020-02-07). Well known Russian journalist Milashina & lawyer Dubrovina brutally attacked in Chechnya. rt.com 
Gruesome details have emerged of an assault on a Russian journalist and her lawyer colleague after they arrived in Chechnya ahead of the high-profile local trial of a local activist. | Elena Milashina claims that she was attacked on Thursday evening, along with her companion Marina Dubrovina, in the local capital Grozny. According to Milashina's Facebook page, they were beaten by a large group of people inside the Kontinent Hotel, where they were was staying. | The group, numbering at least 15 members, approached the pair and, after a short verbal confrontation, brutally beat them for about a quarter of an hou…
(2020-02-07). Long-Bailey pledges right to switch off work phones out of hours. thecanary.co 
Labour leadership candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey will pledge to help end the 24/7 work culture by giving employees the right not to be contacted outside working hours.The shadow business secretary will commit on Friday to giving workers the freedom to switch off phones so they do not have to be anxious about receiving emails and calls during leisure time.While her campaign team gave few details, a "right to disconnect" in France obliges organisations with more than 50 workers to define employees' rights to ignore their mobiles.Long-Bailey is among the favourites to replace Corbyn (Stefan Rousseau/PA)Long-Bailey wa…
(2020-02-07). Elegance & beauty: World-leading gymnasts open Olympic season in Moscow (PHOTOS). rt.com 
With just six months to go before the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, rhythmic gymnasts have presented their newly-created programs at the season-opening Grand Prix event in Moscow. | Top-class gymnasts, including reigning world and European champions the Averina twins, showed their breathtaking routines in front of a packed crowd at Viner-Usmanova's gymnastics center. | Mesmerizing performances where ballet artistr…
(2020-02-07). Macron warns that European nations 'cannot remain spectators' in the face of a potential nuclear arms race. rt.com 
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned of a looming arms race and called for new controls to limit the proliferation of conventional and nuclear weapons. | The French leader, speaking in Paris on Friday, argued that the European Union faces new security challenges following Britain's exit from the bloc. | "Europeans must realize collectively that in the absence of a legal framework, they could rapidly face a new race for conventional weapons, even nuclear weapons, on their own soil," Macron said. He stressed that Europeans "cannot remain spectators" in the face of such threats and urged leaders to create…
(2020-02-07). In Thuringia, Germany, a fascist coup. peoplesworld.org 
BERLIN — While millions this week stared at Iowa and Washington with worried amazement, confusion or anger, Germany, too, had its own messy confusion — which turned into a frightening alarm signal! For the very first time, a state government — in Thuringia — was able to achieve rule with the support of the far, …
(2020-02-07). A Fascist Coup Attempt in Germany. counterpunch.org 
While millions this week stared at Iowa and Washington with worried amazement, confusion or anger, Germany, too, had its own messy confusion — which turned into a frightening alarm signal! For the very first time, a state government — in Thuringia — was able to achieve rule with the support of the far, far right
(2020-02-07). Risk of Nuclear War Rises as U.S. Deploys a New Nuclear Weapon for the First Time Since the Cold War. democracynow.org 
The Federation of American Scientists revealed in late January that the U.S. Navy had deployed for the first time a submarine armed with a low-yield Trident nuclear warhead. The USS Tennessee deployed from Kings Bay Submarine Base in Georgia in late 2019. The W76-2 warhead, which is facing criticism at home and abroad, is estimated to have about a third of the explosive power of the atomic bomb the U.S. dropped on Hiroshima. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) called the news "an alarming development that heightens the risk of nuclear war." We're joined by William Arkin, longtime reporter…
(2020-02-07). 'We will be independent,' Catalonia's regional leader vows. rt.com 
Catalonia's succession from Spain is "absolutely irreversible," regional leader Quim Torra said, adding that he is ready negotiate the date of a new independence referendum with the central government in Madrid. | Torra met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Barcelona on Friday to outline the agenda for the larger talks on Catalonia's future to be held later in February. They've met for the first time in over a year after the previous talks collapsed in late 2018. | But it seems Madrid and Barcelona are once going to the negotiating table with completely opposite stances. Sanchez, who vigorously reje…
(2020-02-07). Right-wing Nicaraguan opposition boasts of support from US and EU in campaign to oust Sandinista gov't. thegrayzone.com The US embassy and European Union are meeting with right-wing Nicaraguan opposition leaders and pressuring them to unite against elected…
(2020-02-07). Iowa debacle fueled by anti-Bernie billionaires, Russiagate hucksters, failed DNC elites. thegrayzone.com Max Blumenthal breaks down the shadowy network of billionaires, Democratic elites, and Russiagate profiteers behind the Shadow app that ruined…
(2020-02-07). Venezuela: Sergei Lavrov Met National Dialogue Representatives. telesurenglish.net Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Friday met with the "National Dialogue" representatives in Caracas where he stressed that the U.S. sanctions against Venezuela are unacceptable and illegal. | RELATED: | "Unfortunately, the crisis Venezuela is going through comes from a campaign led by the United States to overthrow the legitimate government chaired by President Nicolas Maduro," L…
(2020-02-07). Russia Says Israel Used Civilian Plane as Human Shield During Syria Strikes. theantimedia.com Russia accused Israel of "making a total mockery of the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians."
(2020-02-07). Russia's Foreign Affairs Minister to Meet President Maduro. telesurenglish.net Russia's RELATED: | After visiting Cuba and Mexico, Lavrov arrived in Caracas on Thursday ni…
(2020-02-07). Israeli Attack Endangers Civilian Aircraft in Damascus. telesurenglish.net A civilian aircraft flying from Tehran to Damascus narrowly avoided fire from Syria's air defense systems, which were activated in response to an Israeli missile attack on Friday. | RELATED: | Due to the Israeli strike, the aircraft, an Airbus A320, was unable to land at Damascus Airport and had to divert to Russia's Khmeimim airbase, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. | The surprise attack, which was made by four Isra…
(2020-02-07). Break-up of Astana Partnership Was Inevitable. The Turkey-Russia Relation in Jeopardy? globalresearch.ca Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered his forces to strike Syrian army positions in retaliation for targeting a Turkish military convoy bound for the Saraqeb in Syria's north-western Idlib province. His forces obeyed on Monday and allegedly struck a …
(2020-02-07). The 2019 China Wuhan Coronavirus & (BSL-4) Biotech Warfare Labs with Dr. Francis Boyle. indybay.org Dr. Frances Boyle talks about the Wuhan Coronavirus and how in his view it is a genetically engineered bioweapon that was accidentally released from the Wuhan Biosafety (BSL-4) laboratory.
(2020-02-07). World Conquest: The United States' Global Military Crusade (1945- ). globalresearch.ca The first period was characterized by US military intervention in Europe, the second by a concern to confine the Communist bloc and to prevent the emergence of pro-communist regimes elsewhere in the world, and the third, focused on gaining control over the former Soviet republics and the oil-rich Middle East.
(2020-02-07). Neocolonialism and Geopolitical Rivalry in Sri Lanka. globalresearch.ca Sri Lanka's historical narrative has been defined by geopolitical rivalry, external aggression and internal resistance to that aggression. The early historical era experienced successive waves of invasion from South Indian kingdoms. These were followed by European conquest and consecutive rule …
(2020-02-07). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org Some 15,000 Finnish forestry and paper workers have extended their strike while public sector workers struck across Portugal and South Africa Toyota workers struck over the withholding of bonuses.
(2020-02-07). Italy and the Changing — But Not Waiting — World. globalresearch.ca Recently the French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, admitted that NATO should be considered cerebrally dead. Such a statement, although influenced by the search for domestic consent, certainly reflects a deep impatience with European and Atlantic limitations by French intellectuals …
(2020-02-07). Ireland's Sinn Fein has offered citizens a truly just and constructive Manifesto for Ireland's 8th February 2020 Election. zcomm.org On the 14th of January last month Ireland's Taoiseach (Leader) announced a snap election for 8th February 2020. On that day I wrote this Z.Net blog on how I thought about that. Now this new blog hopes you may have first read that, instead of me repeating it to much in this one. (I'm not
(2020-02-07). Far-right AfD plays role of kingmaker in German state election. wsws.org For the first time since the end of the Third Reich, a state premier was elected on Wednesday with the votes of a far-right, fascist party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
(2020-02-07). Risk of Nuclear War Rises as US Deploys New Nuke for First Time Since Cold War. truthout.org The Federation of American Scientists revealed in late January that the U.S. Navy had deployed for the first time a submarine armed with a low-yield Trident nuclear warhead. The USS Tennessee deployed from Kings Bay Submarine Base in Georgia in late 2019. The W76-2 warhead, which is facing criticism at home and abroad, is estimated to have about a third of the explosive power of the atomic bomb the U.S. dropped on Hiroshima. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) call…
(2020-02-07). Syria and Turkey Face War as Syrian Arab Army Poised to Take Idlib. globalresearch.ca Tensions between Damascus and Ankara have never been higher over the past nine years. Turkey's
(2020-02-07). Russian delegation to arrive in Ankara on Saturday to discuss Idlib: FM. yenisafak.com In the wake of the regime's attack on Turkish troops in Idlib, Syria, a Russian delegation is expected to arrive in Ankara on Saturday to discuss the escalating situation, Turkey's foreign minister said on Friday.The announcement by Mevlut Cavusoglu came at a joint news conference in the capital city with his Slovakian counterpart Miroslav Lajcak.Earlier this week, Syrian regime forces attacks killed seven Turkish soldiers and one civilian. In retaliation, the Turkish military targeted more than 50 positions and neutralized over 70 regime troops, according to Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.Cavusoglu said Turkey, wh…
(2020-02-07). French president lays out nuclear strategy in address. yenisafak.com French President Emmanuel Macron Friday morning addressed the trainees of military academy outside Paris, as well as the military community, giving a speech on the strategy of defense and deterrence.In what is expected to be a milepost, Macron will address the threats posed by nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, stepping in proactively to a shifting chess game on the world stage.Macron has earlier raised his concerns on the recent actions of the U.S., as it pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Weapons Treaty last year.With the U.K. now absent from the EU, France rem…
(2020-02-07). France ready to partner with Europe on nuclear deterrence, says Macron. yenisafak.com President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that France wanted to open a strategic dialogue with its European partners about the role of French nuclear deterrence policy in European security.The overture to Europeans chimes with Macron's insistence that Europe should reinforce its strategic autonomy in the face of growing global threats and stop relying solely on the United States and the transatlantic alliance for its defence.In a much-anticipated speech on French nuclear deterrence, a ritual for every French president under the Fifth Republic, Macron said that European nations who wanted to do so, could be associa…
(2020-02-07). Turkey exports 60M roses ahead of Valentine's Day. yenisafak.com Turkish flower producers have exported 60 million roses to 50 countries
(2020-02-07). Turkey to hit back any attack in Syria, says Defense Ministry. yenisafak.com In the wake of Syrian regime attack on Turkish troops in Idlib, Turkey's Defense Ministry vowed to retaliate against any attack."All kind of attacks will to be retaliated in proportion, our observation posts [in Idlib] will continue their duties," Col. Olcay Denizer, a Defense Ministry spokesman, told a press briefing in the capital Ankara.On Monday, Assad regime attack in Idlib, northwestern Syria, martyred seven Turkish soldiers and one civilian contractor working with the Turkish military. Thirteen individuals were injured but are in good condition, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar had said.In retaliation…
(2020-02-07). Sparkle fades as coronavirus risks wiping out luxury goods growth. yenisafak.com The luxury goods industry normally relishes the spotlight, but in the case of China's coronavirus it is rueing being one of the most globally exposed sectors to an epidemic that risks all-but wiping out its sales growth this year.Brands from Burberry to Estee Lauder are shutting stores and cutting profit forecasts as business in the industry's biggest market has virtually ground to a halt."Shopping malls are closed, the few stores that are still open are working on reduced hours and above all there is no (customer) traffic," said Stefano Sassi, CEO of Italy's Valentino.Burberry was the latest big brand to warn of…
(2020-02-07). India, Russia Agree to Develop Advanced Ignition Systems to Propel Futuristic Rockets, Missiles. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): The DRDO is seeking to boost the power of all of its systems and the deal is expected to provide much needed support to the Indian missile industry.
(2020-02-07). Turkey on S-400 Row: US Blackmail 'Unacceptable'. sputniknews.com Last year, Pentagon chief Mark Esper said that if Turkey gets rid of the S-400 missile systems, which it has bought from Russia, Ankara can count on returning to Washington's F-35 programme and acquire the jets it ordered.
(2020-02-07). Copenhagen Airport Terminal Cordoned Off due to Coronavirus Suspicions – Reports. sputniknews.com A Chinese woman has been taken to hospital with flu-like symptoms from the Copenhagen airport, DR News reported, citing the airport's press service.
(2020-02-07). Turkey Deploys Special Forces to Observation Posts in Idlib – Reports. sputniknews.com Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that agreements relating to Syria's Idlib and the area east of the Euphrates did not work.
(2020-02-07). UK wants to ease trade restrictions on some Russian imports. rt.com 
The British government is looking to lift anti-dumping measures on Russian goods, imposed by the EU back in 2015. The restrictions could be removed in 2021 when the 11-month Brexit transition period ends. | The UK's Department for International Trade said in a statement published Thursday that it is going to review all anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, and safeguard measures currently in place, including the import duties on products originating from Russia. | "Transition reviews will assess whether the current measure is appropriate for the UK market and whether it should be varied, changed or terminated," it said.
(2020-02-07). France gets tough with UK, demands BoJo sign up to EU rules in return for Brexit trade deal — reports. rt.com 
France has warned the UK that they must agree to "dynamic alignment" on EU rules if they want a favorable post-Brexit trade deal with the bloc, in a move that could trigger tensions between the two countries. | French President Emmanuel Macron has told the European Commission that British PM Boris Johnson needs to agree to abide by EU rules for tax, state aid, the environment and social standards, the Telegraph Agreeing to dynamic alignment means Brit…
(2020-02-07). Call to safeguard movement of patient records during Brexit negotiations. thecanary.co 
The movement of patient health records across the border in Ireland should be safeguarded as part of Brexit negotiations, a policy expert has said.The City of London wants the EU to urgently agree that the UK meets its requirements for data security, to preserve the ease with which people from one side of the border use health services on the other.Catherine McGuinness is policy chair at the UK's main financial district and is visiting Derry and Donegal this weekend.Catherine McGuinness (City of London/PA)She said: "One issue is particularly concerning me and is particularly acute in Northern Ireland, and that is…
(2020-02-06). Historian: With Impeachment Acquittal, the GOP Has Given Trump a Blank Check to Do Anything He Wants. democracynow.org 
The U.S. Senate has acquitted President Trump of two impeachment charges in just the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history. Trump was accused of abusing power and obstructing Congress to aid his re-election campaign by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden. Every Democratic senator voted to remove President Trump from office, but they were joined by just one Republican: Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, who supported impeaching Trump on abuse of power. Romney became the first senator ever to vote against his own party's president in an impeachment trial. President Trump respond…
(2020-02-06). Fascists align with conservatives to kick out Die Linke in eastern Germany. peoplesworld.org 
Protests were sparked in Germany's eastern state of Thuringia Wednesday after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party—which has ties to neo-Nazis—joined forces with two conservative parties in the state parliament to oust incumbent Die Linke (Left Party) President Bodo Ramelow. State elections were held in October, but the left-wing premier was unable to form …
(2020-02-06). Migrants in Serbia Protest for Passage to Hungary and EU. telesurenglish.net Dozens of migrants, trapped in Serbia, set out in freezing and windy weather on Thursday to walk about ten kilometers to the Hungarian border, demanding free and secure passage toward Western Europe, police said. | RELATED: | The protest in the northern city of Subotica, just outside European Union member state Hungary, came after migrants' attempt to force their way through a border checkpoint last month. | Serbian…