(2020-02-12). 'Nothing is truly Scandinavian' top Nordic airline SAS declares in ad — what could go wrong with that? rt.com 
SAS, the leading airline of Denmark, Norway and Sweden had to quietly remove a video commercial, which declared entire Scandinavian culture borrowed and featured a black guy saying he is no better than his 'Viking ancestors. ' | Hijacking a hot button social topic to generate some good publicity is a tricky task. Just ask Gillette with their last year
(2020-02-12). Suspected terrorists & war criminals that Sweden cannot deport given job permits & passports, warns migration chief. rt.com 
Sweden's top migration official has warned the country is a 'safe haven for war criminals and potential terrorists,' as it gives passports and benefits to suspected dangerous criminals, shielded from deportation by legislation. | The northern European country is remarkably welcoming to foreigners seeking refuge, but Sweden can reject an application on security grounds. The Swedish Security Service (SÄPO) has the authority to deport a person it deems to be a threat due to suspected links to terrorism or allegations that the applicant has committed serious crimes. | But ordering the deportation of such a pe…
(2020-02-12). 'Intel coup of the century': CIA used Swiss encryption firm to spy on dozens of nations for decades — reports. rt.com 
The CIA and German intelligence spied on the secret communications of governments around the world for decades in a covert partnership, controlling a top encryption company and installing backdoor vulnerabilities in its products. | Founded during the Second World War, the Swiss cryptography firm, Crypto AG, has provided top-of-the-line devices for encoding communications to some 120 countries. Starting in 1970, however, the CIA and then-West Germany's foreign intelligence service, the BND, secretly bought and controlled the company, using its devices to eavesdrop on enemies and allies alike, according to a joi…
(2020-02-12). Syrian army only targets terrorists, who are still active in Idlib despite de-escalation agreement with Turkey — Kremlin. rt.com 
The Syrian army carries out attacks against terrorists in the Idlib province, not civilians , Kremlin said after Turkey threatened Damascus with military action, accusing it of shelling its soldiers. | Turkey has failed to clear the de-escalation zone in Syria's Idlib Province of jihadist groups, despite promising to do so under the 2018 ceasefire agreement reached by Moscow and Ankara, the spokesperson for the Kremlin Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday. | "These groups are still attacking the Syrian forces from Idlib, as well as conducting aggressive actions against our military sites," he said. | Erdo…
(2020-02-12). Two explosions hit mailrooms in Netherlands, letter bombs suspected. rt.com 
Blasts have rocked mail facilities in two Dutch cities within half an hour of each other. Police suspect letter bombs as a series of mysterious packages containing explosives were mailed to various companies in recent weeks. | The first explosion occurred at a postal services office inside Amsterdam's Bolstroen business center shortly before 8am local time on Wednesday, police said. Half an hour later, it was followed by a second blast at a mail-sorting facility in the town of Kerkrade in the southeastern Limburg Province. Nobody was hurt in both incidents. | Amsterdam police said that the blast "presumably…
(2020-02-12). World War III's Newest Battlefield: the Arctic. counterpunch.org 
In early March, an estimated 7,500 American combat troops will travel to Norway to join thousands of soldiers from other NATO countries in a massive mock battle with imagined invading forces from Russia. In this futuristic simulated engagement — it goes by the name of Exercise Cold Response 2020 — allied forces will "conduct multinational
(2020-02-12). Lenin would be rolling in his grave, if he had one: Russian Communists back plan to put 'God' in constitution. rt.com 
It's not so long ago that they were known as the "Godless Communists." Which means it still comes as a surprise that the party has no objection to the idea of including a reference to the man upstairs in Russia's constitution.
(2020-02-12). Irish Election Result Is a Victory for Nationalism. globalresearch.ca Once upon a time Gerry Adams, the leader of Ireland's nationalist party, Sinn Fein, could not be heard speaking on the BBC. He was branded a terrorist and his voice was dubbed. How times have changed. Now his party, …
(2020-02-12). Der Spiegel is Citing Andy Ngo's Race-Scientist Ex-Editor to Attack Me and I'm Not Even Jewish: As the CEO of Antifa, I Must Object. counterpunch.org Europe's most widely-circulated news magazine, Der Spiegel, has a new piece up entitled "The Man Behind the Mask" that I was curious to read since it turns out to be about me. And to judge from the sub-headline, I've really let myself go: Journalist Barrett Brown supported the hacker collective Anonymous and was jailed for
(2020-02-12). Social Inequality and Universal Basic Income. indybay.org The welfare state in Germany is not as efficient as in the Nordic countries. In Gerrmany, more than twice as many people are at risk of income poverty-especially children and single parents (mostly mothers). We have to make a decision: entrepreneurial paradise or a little less faith in the market and high life satisfaction for the broad masses.
(2020-02-12). Trump removes restrictions on land mine use by US military. wsws.org The move is part of the preparations by the Trump administration for aggressive war and, in particular, plans for military conflict with ground forces against the primary rivals of US imperialism, Russia and China.
(2020-02-12). Hundreds of thousands denied pensions in Russia. wsws.org The effect of Russia's 2018 pension reform is becoming clear, with 800,000 people who would have met the age requirement to receive funds no longer eligible.
(2020-02-12). 'We Need to Reinvent BP' Says New Chief Executive as He Plans to Halve Carbon Emissions. sputniknews.com Bernard Looney, who was born in Ireland, has taken over as chief executive from Bob Dudley. Last week BP shut down its head office in London after climate change protesters tried to block the entrance.
(2020-02-12). BBC's Sir David Clementi to Argue Scrapping Licence Fees May Trigger 'Weakened United Kingdom'. sputniknews.com The top executive at Britain's largest news service will deliver a speech on Wednesday arguing for continued support for licencing fees aimed at financing the corporation's work, amid concerns and calls to rethink the funding scheme by senior Cabinet officials.
(2020-02-12). AfD Mulls Legal Action Against Angela Merkel for Abuse of Position Amid CSU Crisis. sputniknews.com Amid a government crisis in the state of Thuringia, Angela Merkel criticised elected Minister-President Thomas Kemmerich from the centrist FDP for getting support from the right-wing AfD. Kemmerich's resignation has opened the way for new elections and resulted in the Christian Democratic Union losing popularity in the region.
(2020-02-12). Britain Third-Fastest Growing Economy in G7 Despite Brexit and Gloomy Predictions — Report. sputniknews.com With two missed Brexit deadlines and continuing uncertainty surrounding the UK's departure from the European Union, the British economy has still managed to show a relatively robust performance, as recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals.
(2020-02-12). Dutch Police Investigate Suspicious Package in Maastricht After Two Letter Bomb Blasts. sputniknews.com AMSTERDAM (Sputnik) – A third suspicious package has been intercepted in a bank in the town of Maastricht, Limburg police spokesman Richard Mes stated.
(2020-02-12). Kremlin Refuses to Comment on Conviction of 'Network' Terror Group. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Kremlin will not comment on the ruling in a high-profile case involving a group of people who were convicted of plotting terror attacks, the presidential spokesman told reporters on Wednesday.
(2020-02-12). Kuwait 'Pays Lip Service' to Human Rights as UN Delegates Urge Action Amid Lazareva Ruling – Lawyer. sputniknews.com Delegates from the international community have urged a key Gulf nation to review and improve its human rights record following a ruling in November which condemned a prominent Russian businesswoman to 22 years hard labour, sparking criticisms over the country's history of arbitrary detention and persecution of foreign nationals.
(2020-02-12). Put me on trial, defiant Salvini says in Italian migrant boat case. yenisafak.com Senators were due to vote during the day on whether to lift Salvini's immunity after magistrates said they wanted to charge him for refusing to let a group of migrants dock last July as he waited for other European Union states to agree to take them in.Salvini, an anti-immigrant populist who was serving as interior minister at the time, could eventually face up to 15 years in jail if found guilty at the end of Italy's tortuous legal process which normally takes years.Conviction could also bar him from political office, dashing his ambitions to lead a future government.With the vote in parliament almost certain to…
(2020-02-12). 'Turkey's fight against all terrorists continue'. yenisafak.com Turkey's fight against all terrorist groups is continuing, and the country is committed to bring peace and stability to the region, Turkey's defense minister said Wednesday. | Turkey is especially continuing its fight against FETO — the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey — the YPG/PKK and Daesh/ISIS along with other terror groups, said Hulusi Akar ahead of a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels. | Akar also met with Turkey's ambassador to NATO and Turkish military representatives at NATO headquarters. | Akar said that it is important to explain Turkey's objectives, commitments and sa…
(2020-02-12). Top UAE officials to face legal cases in UK, US, Turkey. yenisafak.com A group of solicitors have filed a request for the opening of a new case against top officials of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in three countries, revealing new evidence of extrajudicial killings in Yemen since 2015.The legal team of the London-based Stoke and White law firm has submitted new evidence to authorities in the U.K., the U.S. and Turkey on the attacks that targeted civilians and the members of Yemen's Al-Islah party."This evidence provides compelling legal grounds for authorities to investigate and prosecute under Universal Jurisdiction laws in the United Kingdom and the United States and Turkey," t…
(2020-02-12). Vodafone joins Mobile World Congress exodus. yenisafak.com Vodafone, the world's second largest mobile operator, said it was pulling out of Barcelona's Mobile World Congress because of the coronavirus outbreak, joining an exodus of major European players on Wednesday."Vodafone has been carefully monitoring the news on the coronavirus and has noted the recent warnings from the World Health Organization," the company said."After careful consideration, we have decided to withdraw from this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona."
(2020-02-12). Experts cool on prospects of swift UK-Turkey trade deal. yenisafak.com Turkey will be one of post-Brexit Britain's top destinations for a trade deal after the European Union and the U.S., but despite the strong bilateral desire to strike a trade pact, experts are cool on the prospects of it happening anytime soon. | The U.K. formally left the EU on Jan. 31, 2020 but will remain in a transition period with the EU and Turkey until Dec. 31 this year. | During the year, the U.K. will continue to be subject to trade terms set by the EU but will also be free to strike new trade deals. | Earlier this month, the Turkish Trade Ministry said Ankara and London would discuss a free trade deal t…
(2020-02-12). German report reveals extent of | Islamophobic attacks against women. yenisafak.com Islamophobic attacks reached a fever pitch last year in Germany where far right extremism and Neo-Nazism is on the rise with every passing day.Muslims, mosques and Islamic foundations were targeted at least 184 times in 2019, the Berlin-based daily Tageszeitung (TAZ) said, based on a report published by the Interior Ministry in response to an inquiry launched by the Left Party (Die Linke).According to the report, 64 of the total attacks consist of crimes such as provoking the public, hate speech, threats, insults, and property damage.Every second day, an Islamophobic attack was organized last year, especially aga…
(2020-02-12). Winter wonderland in Turkey attracts 1.3M tourists. yenisafak.com Erzurum, a winter wonderland in eastern Turkey, hosted more than 1.3 million tourists last year, provincial authorities said Wednesday.The province achieved its million-tourist target set last year with its historical sites, hot springs and ski resorts.Its ski resort on the slopes of Mount Palandoken is a majestic wintry hinterland.Palandoken offers paragliding, night skiing with its state-of-the-art lighting system, ski jumping ramps and shooting ranges for biathlon.Moreover, the popular ski resort is only 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away from the city center.Cemal Almaz, head of the provincial culture and tourism…
(2020-02-12). Gà∂beklitepe-themed opera to be performed in Ankara. yenisafak.com Turkey's Gà∂beklitepe, the world's oldest known temple, is the subject of the new upcoming opera directed by Murat Karahan, the tenor of the Turkish State Opera and Ballet.The Turkish State Opera and Ballet has finalized preparations to present a great piece of art that reflects the mystery and value of history.In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Karahan said that artists and technical team were working "very successfully" and that the stage bears a striking resemblance to Gobeklitepe.He said Gobeklitepe is a place that changes the history of the whole world. "It is a place where the world takes a great int…
(2020-02-12). Turkey's presidential spokesman, US envoy discuss Syria. yenisafak.com Turkey's presidential spokesman and the U.S. special envoy for Syria discussed the latest developments in northwestern Syria on Wednesday.Ibrahim Kalin and James Jeffrey met in the Turkish capital Ankara over the latest situation and developments in the region.Targeting Turkish army's observation posts by Assad regime in Idlib is unacceptable, Kalin and Jeffrey stressed.During the meeting, Turkey's determination on protecting Turkish soldiers and civilians as part of Idlib deal was strongly highlighted.Jeffrey arrived in Turkey on Tuesday to meet Turkish officials and re-evaluate the recent developments in the re…
(2020-02-12). Top 10: Turkey's most-visited museums in 2019. yenisafak.com Anatolia, one of the oldest settlements in the world, bears the remnants of many of the world's major empires and civilizations from the time of the Hittites up to the Ottoman period.The rich history, culture and art offered at the museums across Turkey attract millions of domestic and international tourists alike.According to official data, Turkey's museums and archaeological sites, which operate under the Culture and Tourism Ministry, welcomed a total of 35.048.417 visitors, a 24 percent rise compared to the previous year.In 2018, the number of the visitors stood at 28.145.550.One of Istanbul's famous landmarks…
(2020-02-12). 'Turkey made $12.5B profit from wheat over 17 years'. yenisafak.com International wheat trade generated $12.5 billion profit for the Turkish economy in the last 17 years, the country's agriculture and forestry minister said on Wednesday.While Turkey imported 63.7 million tons of wheat worth $17.5 billion between 2002 and 2019, the country exported 75.7 million tons of wheat and wheat products such as flour, pasta, and biscuits worth $29.9 billion, Bekir Pakdemirli said in a statement.This means, he said, that Ankara generated an income of nearly $12.5 billion from wheat trade in the 17 years."Turkey is a self-sufficient country with its wheat production of 20 million tons, and co…
(2020-02-12). Special envoy for Syria says US stands by NATO ally Turkey. yenisafak.com The U.S. stands with its NATO ally Turkey, the U.S. special envoy for Syria said on Wednesday over the latest developments in Syria, according to diplomatic sources.James Jeffrey arrived in Turkey on Tuesday to meet Turkish officials and re-evaluate the recent developments in the region.During his meeting with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal, Jeffrey also extended condolences for the Turkish troops martyred by the regime attacks in Idlib on Monday, following a similar attack last week martyring seven soldiers and a civilian contractor working with the Turkish military.Onal, for his part, stressed the i…
(2020-02-11). Headlines for February 11, 2020. democracynow.org New Hampshire Voters Head to Polls for First Primary of 2020, Coronavirus Death Toll Tops 1,000, with Over 42,000 Confirmed Cases, Chuck Schumer Calls for Investigation into Trump's Retaliation-Motivated Firings, DOJ Reviewing Ukraine Info from Giuliani, DOJ Charges 4 Chinese Military Hackers in 2017 Equifax Breach, El Salvador President Bukele and Armed Officers Confront Lawmakers over Military Funding, Fears Mount for 5 Activists Detained in Philippines, Sinn Féin Scores Major Victory in Ireland, Syrian and Turkish Forces Step Up Attacks as 100,000s Face Humanitarian Disaster, Massive Locust Swarms Threaten Cro…
(2020-02-11). Video: The Battle for Idlib is Ongoing. Turkish Forces to the Rescue of "Peaceful Al Qaeda Militants" globalresearch.ca During the last few days, Turkey deployed approximately 1,000 units of military equipment, including self-propelled howitzers, M06T and Leopard 2A4 battle tanks, in the Syrian province of Idlib. According to local sources, the number of Turkish troops and special forces …
(2020-02-11). The Mideast's Place in Russia's Greater Eurasian Partnership. globalresearch.ca Russia's Greater Eurasian Partnership envisages the supercontinent peacefully coming together in the shared interests of peace, stability, and development, brought about by Moscow's "balancing" strategy in recent years which was first practiced in the Mideast region, one of the most …
(2020-02-11). Democrats Ignore Trump's Real Violations. globalresearch.ca This week the latest Democratic Party attempt to remove President Trump from office — impeachment over Trump allegedly holding up an arms deal to Ukraine — flopped. Just like "Russiagate" and the Mueller investigation, and a number of other attempts …
(2020-02-11). Leftist European Lawmakers Demand Concrete Actions on Palestine. telesurenglish.net Leftist MEPs on Tuesday demanded concrete actions from the European Union (EU) in favor of Palestine and the end of an association agreement with Israel, following the U.S. plan for the Middle East. | The EU must stand firm and continue to support a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state a…
(2020-02-11). Capitalism's Political Servants: Trump and Johnson. counterpunch.org For the last half-century, US and UK capitalisms led the way in undoing the parallel legacies of the New Deal and Europe's social democracies. From its ascending Thatcher-Reagan couple to its descending Trump-Johnson imitation, neoliberal capitalism replaced Keynesian capitalism. Private corporate capitalists funded effective campaigns to celebrate neo-liberalism. The US and UK institutionalized it by de-regulating and privatizing further and faster than anywhere else
(2020-02-11). Russian-Belarusian energy talks fail as Minsk moves closer to the US, NATO. wsws.org The recent flaring up of tensions is taking place as the US is aggressively escalating its push toward drawing Minsk into its orbit.
(2020-02-11). Syrian Military in Full Control of Northwestern Syria Highway. telesurenglish.net The Syrian government forces established full control over a highway in northwest Syria for the first time since 2012 on Tuesday, as talks ended between Turkey and Russia on stopping clashes that killed 13 Turkish soldiers in a week. | RELATED: | The Syrian military established full control over the main highway linking Damascus and Aleppo, also known as the M-5, after launching a large-scale offensive in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib at th…
(2020-02-11). Recession Engineered by the Creditors: Seven Years of Demanding the Impossible in Greece. globalresearch.ca In a recent presentation of his book,
(2020-02-11). A New World War Could Break Out in the Arctic. thenation.com A New World War Could Break Out in the Arctic…
(2020-02-11). China, Russia to Defy US Sanctions Over Support to Venezuela. globalresearch.ca The Russian government rejected on Monday the U.S. threats to impose new sanctions against several Russian companies for their cooperation with Venezuela in the oil sector. | Last week, the United States special representative for Venezuela, Elliott Abrams, warned Russia …
(2020-02-11). Trump Wants US To Be World's Most Powerful Nuclear Force. telesurenglish.net U.S. President Donald Trump stated at a White House Business Session with governors on Monday that he is seeking to make the U.S. the world's most powerful nuclear force. Trump's comments come just a few months after he abandoned the arms control treaties with Russia and China, something that was widely criticized across the world. | RELATED: | "Now, at the same time, Russia and China both want to negotiate with…
(2020-02-11). A Turquia ameaàßa retaliaàßà£o contra a Rússia e contra a Síria se atacarem a Al Qaeda na província de Idlib, na Síria. globalresearch.ca O Presidente turco, Tayyip Erdogan, disse num discurso, em 5 de Fevereiro, ao Partido Islâmico do AKP que, se as tropas sírias ou os aviàµes russos atacarem a Al Qaeda, na província de Idlib, na Síria, a Turquia estará em …
(2020-02-11). Brussels chief 'surprised' at Boris Johnson's Brexit stance. thecanary.co 
Boris Johnson's suggestion that the UK could be prepared to accept an 'Australian-style' relationship with the EU without a formal trade deal has "surprised" Brussels.European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen pointed out that even Australia wants a better trading relationship with the bloc than the one it currently has.She said the UK and EU should be "way more ambitious" about reaching a full trade deal.European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen talks to EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier (Jean-Francois Badias/AP)In a speech setting out the UK's negotiating objectives, Johnson said the qu…
(2020-02-10). Journalist Abby Martin Sues State of Georgia Over Law Requiring Pledge of Allegiance to Israel. mintpressnews.com "This censorship of my talk based on forced compliance to anti-BDS laws in Georgia is just one level of a nationwide campaign to protect Israel from grassroots pressure."
(2020-02-09). Sinn Fein vows to work with like-minded parties to form government. thecanary.co 
Sinn Fein's president has vowed to work with like-minded parties to form Ireland's next government after a sensational general election performance.While it remains unclear whether it will ultimately be part of any future coalition, the support gained by Mary Lou McDonald's party has sent shockwaves across the Irish political landscape.The final declaration of seats remains a long way off, but tallies suggest the party is set to top constituency polls across the country, challenging the 90-year power duopoly of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.The party appears to be faring better than an exit poll that reported an extr…
(2020-02-09). Inside Iowa's Irregularities. dissidentvoice.org 
There are few things in life more surreal than being on the ground when election fraud is taking place, feeling that knot in the stomach growing as tales of intrigue trickle in like slow-drip coffee on a particularly rough morning. I was in Georgia in 2018, when the gubernatorial race between Republican Brian Kemp and …
(2020-02-09). Israel's "Peace Camp" Flirts with Oblivion. dissidentvoice.org For Israel's so-called peace camp, the past 12 months of general elections — a third ballot is due on 2 March — have felt more like a prolonged game of Russian roulette, with ever-diminishing odds of survival. Each time the electoral gun barrel has been spun, the two parliamentary parties associated with liberal Zionism, Labor …
(2020-02-08). Iraq and Russia Prepare to Boost Military Ties as US Threatens Sanctions. theantimedia.com Iraq and Russia are preparing for deepening military coordination.