Daily Archives: February 29, 2020

2020-02-29: News Headlines

RT (2020-02-29). Europe & US use Russia-Poland discord to their advantage, first post-Cold War Polish leader Walesa tells RT. rt.com Poland and Russia must lay "old ghosts to rest" as the US exploits their bitter strife to its own advantage, former Polish President Lech Walesa — who led the fight against Communist rule — told RT. | Moscow and Warsaw need to bury the hatchet and sort out their troubled shared history as part of an open and honest dialogue instead, Walesa believes, adding that the endless quarrels that have lasted for decades have so far led the two neighbors nowhere. | "We can't change history," the former president told RT. Still, Walesa — whose Solidarity trade union movement led the struggle against the C…

RT (2020-02-29). Russia, Turkey reaffirm commitment to deescalate Idlib hostilities — Moscow. rt.com Russian and Turkish diplomats, who held consultations in Ankara on the unfolding crisis in Syria's Idlib province, have reaffirmed their nations' commitments to deescalate the hostilities, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Both sides also agreed "to continue fighting against terrorist forces as designated by the UN Security Council" and to protect the civilian population, the statement said. | The talks in Ankara have been held amid a major escalation in northwestern Syria, where dozens of Turkish troops have been killed by Syrian forces amid an ongoing counter-terrorism offensive. Ankara demanded the withdra…

RT (2020-02-29). 'We've seen no evidence': Social media networks blow up US officials' claim of 'Russian coronavirus disinformation campaign'. rt.com Social media titans Twitter and Facebook poured cold water on the State Department's latest conspiracy theory, insisting they'd seen no sign "Russian operatives" were spreading falsehoods about Covid-19 on their platforms. | Weighing in after a number of senior State Department officials "In general, our investigation hasn't substantiated this cl…

RT (2020-02-29). Opposition activists flock to central Moscow to commemorate slain politician Nemtsov and condemn constitution amendments. rt.com Thousands of people are attending marches in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, on Saturday, to commemorate Russia's former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov, who was murdered five years ago in the Russian capital. | The memory of Nemtsov, a veteran politician who became a leading figure in the western-leaning opposition after the turn of the century, is a unifying point for various anti-Kremlin political groupings who are frequently at odds with one another. | Leaders of the march, who have described themselves as "pretty much the entire democratic spectrum" in Russia, expected that as many as 30,000 people would…

Alan MacLeod (2020-02-29). Media Stoop to 'Russian Assistance' to Explain Sanders' Rise. fair.org For over three years, Russia has been an issue of great concern, if not panic, in our media. Back in 2018, FAIR (

RT (2020-02-29). 'Get out of the way, let us deal with Assad regime', Erdogan says he told Putin regarding Idlib, Syria. rt.com As tensions in Idlib province reach the boiling point, Turkey has asked Russia to let it fight the Syrian government face-to-face, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed. | Erdogan asked Putin "to get out of the way" and let the Turkish troops deal with Syrian President Bashar Assad, the Turkish leader told his AK Party on Saturday. | Erdogan was explaining to lawmakers his government's handling of the escalation in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, where Turkish and Syrian troops have engaged in several clashes over the past weeks. The hostilities have all but ruined Turkey's 2018 agreement with Rus…

RT (2020-02-29). Secretive military base outside Paris hit by coronavirus, French defense minister confirms. rt.com Several people stationed at the 110 Creil air base outside Paris have fallen ill with coronavirus, the French military confirmed, with the base effectively being placed on lockdown. So far, 57 cases have been detected in France. | Defense Minister Florence Parly

WSWS (2020-02-29). Slovenian journalist Blaž Zgaga: If Assange is extradited "the same can happen to any of us" wsws.org "If journalists cannot write about war crimes allegedly committed by Western armed forces, what is the legitimacy of these democratic countries?"

teleSUR (2020-02-29). US Museum Covered With Life Jackets Worn by Refugees. telesurenglish.net The neoclassical columns at the entrance to the Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minnesota, United States, are covered by 2,400 life jackets, which were worn by refugees who crossed the Mediterranean, traveling from Turkey to Greece. | RELATED: | It is an art installation called "Safe Passage" by the renowned Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei. Those life jackets were once discarded, worn by refugees making the journey from Tu…

WSWS (2020-02-29). War tensions mount in wake of strike on Turkish troops in Syria. wsws.org Russia has sent two cruise missile warships to the Syrian coast as Moscow and Ankara continue to dispute the facts surrounding a strike that killed three dozen Turkish soldiers.

UCB Dep. Of Sociology (2020-02-29). UCB Forum Whither Turkey? Struggles, Setbacks, Possibilities. indybay.org 102 Wurster Hall | UC Berkeley…

UCB Sociology Dep. (2020-02-29). Whither Turkey? Struggles, Setbacks, Possibilities A Forum. indybay.org 102 Wurster Hall | UC Berkeley…

sputniknews (2020-02-29). Greek Police Use Tear Gas Against Refugees After Turkey Says It Cannot Stem Migrant Flow From Syria. sputniknews.com On Thursday, Turkey's ruling AK Party spokesman Omer Celik said that Ankara was no longer able to contain the flow of refugees from Syria toward the country's borders with Greece and Bulgaria.

sputniknews (2020-02-29). Moscow, Ankara Intend to Ease Tensions 'On Ground' to Combat Terrorists in Syria. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The situation in Idlib escalated after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorists launched a large-scale attack on the positions of the Syrian government forces prompting the army to return fire. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the Turkish servicemen, who were not supposed to be in the area, were also shelled.

sputniknews (2020-02-29). The 'Stolen Province': Why Turkey Was Given A Corner Of Syria By France 80 Years Ago. sputniknews.com Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is becoming more and more embroiled in a direct fight with Syria over Idlib Province. The fighting is directly across the border from Hatay, a province which was given to Turkey in 1939 after a disputed referendum.

sputniknews (2020-02-29). Syrian Interior Trade Minister Accuses US of Selling Syrian Oil to Other States via Turkey. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Syrian Interior Trade Minister Atef Naddaf has accused the US of selling oil from the Syrian oilfields through Turkey.

sputniknews (2020-02-29). Article by Journo Boris Johnson Possibly Inspired Margaret Thatcher's 'No, No, No' Parliament Speech. sputniknews.com Margaret Thatcher's now historical statement in the House of Commons on 30 October 1990, pushing back against then-European Commission president Jacques Delors, marked the downfall of the prime minister, whose views on the European Community were not shared by others in her Cabinet, as she was forced to resign from No. 10 the following month.

sputniknews (2020-02-29). Dashcam Footage of Meteor Exploding Over Croatia Goes Viral – Video. sputniknews.com Dashcam video footage of an object streaking across the sky above Croatia in spectacular fashion and subsequently exploding has since gone viral on social media…

yenisafak (2020-02-29). Migrant family crossing to Greece stranded on island. yenisafak.com A migrant family trying to cross to Greece from Edirne, a northwestern Turkish border province, has been stranded on an island in the middle of Meric River.Hundreds of irregular migrants hoping to cross to Europe from Turkey are trying sea vessels and land vehicles in order to make the trip.In one of the border villages on Friday, scores of irregular migrants swam or took boats in order to cross to Greece.One of these families' boat deflated in the middle of the river.The family of nine, including small children, climbed to an island, hoping to inflate the boat again.In the meantime, security forces in Greece fir…

yenisafak (2020-02-29). Turkish official briefs US envoy on situation in Idlib, Syria. yenisafak.com The Turkish deputy foreign minister briefed the top U.S. diplomat in the country on developments in the wake of Thursday's attack on Turkish troops by regime forces in Idlib, northwestern Syria.Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal met U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield in Ankara on Friday, according to diplomatic sources.He shared details of actions taken after 34 Turkish troops were martyred by Assad regime forces, and conveyed Turkey's expectations from the U.S. and NATO.Moreover, ambassadors of the UN Security Council's Permanent Members and NATO allies Germany and Belgium were also given a briefing at…

yenisafak (2020-02-29). US senator says Turkey 'doing the right thing' in Idlib. yenisafak.com Turkey is "doing the right thing" as it seeks to thwart a Syrian regime offensive on northwestern Syria, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton said Friday."Russia and the Assad regime are to blame for the humanitarian disaster unfolding in northwest Syria," the lawmaker from Arkansas said on Twitter. "Our NATO ally Turkey is doing the right thing. Putin and Assad must honor their commitments and stop the massacre."Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump "expressed his condolences and condemned yesterday's attack that killed Turkish personnel in Syria" during a telephone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, White House…

yenisafak (2020-02-29). Turkish operations in Syria spook Hezbollah militias. yenisafak.com Turkey's military operations have inflicted heavy losses on Hezbollah militias in Idlib, northwestern Syria, and their panic is evident in internal communications accessed by Anadolu Agency. | The Iran-backed Hezbollah militias support Assad regime forces against Syria's moderate opposition groups, and have been responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians. | They use WhatsApp groups for coordination and communication, and recent messages show their growing anxiety as Turkish forces make gains to protect Syrian civilians. | In messages seen by Anadolu Agency, the militia members blamed Russia for…

yenisafak (2020-02-29). Qatar confirms first case of coronavirus. yenisafak.com Qatar's Health Ministry reported the first case of the novel coronavirus in the country on Saturday.A 36-year old Qatari citizen who returned recently from Iran tested positive for the virus, the ministry said in a statement cited by the official QNA news agency.The ministry said the infected person was among Qatari nationals evacuated on Thursday from Iran, where 43 deaths were reported from the virus.Known as COVID-19, the novel coronavirus has now spread to more than 45 countries worldwide, including the U.S., U.K., Singapore, France, Russia, Spain and India.China, where the virus originated, is the worst-hit…

yenisafak (2020-02-29). More than 200 historical artifacts seized in NW Turkey. yenisafak.com A total of 209 pieces of historical artifacts were seized in an operation in northwestern Turkey, security sources said Friday.Provincial gendarmerie forces in Kocaeli, acting on a tip, launched an operation and arrested a suspect in Eskihisar district, identified only by the initials O.O.Among the artifacts seized were 207 coins, a pitcher and a tear catcher belonging to the Byzantine and Roman period.

yenisafak (2020-02-29). Syria issue is never adventure for Turkey: Erdogan. yenisafak.com Turkey is not in Syria for an "adventure" or to expand its borders, the nation's president said on Saturday."Syria issue is never an adventure or effort to expand its borders for Turkey," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a meeting with his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's Istanbul deputies.He said nearly four million refugees are recently moving towards Turkey's border with Syria due to the bloody attacks of Bashar al-Assad regime on civilians, while 1.5 million of them are already at the southern border."We have no interest in oil or the land there, we want to secure our borders with a safe zone," Erdogan sa…

yenisafak (2020-02-29). Turkey hails UK move to add PKK aliases in terror list. yenisafak.com Turkey welcomed Saturday the U.K. move to include the two aliases of the PKK terror group in the list of terrorist organizations."We welcome the entry into force on 28 February 2020 of the regulation which includes the incorporation of TAK and HPG, both extensions of PKK/KCK, as alias of the said terrorist organization to the terrorist organizations list of the U.K.," Hami Aksoy, spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, said in a written statement.Aksoy noted that it is typical for the PKK to use such "labels in order to avoid responsibility for heinous attacks targeting civilians and disguise its relation to…

yenisafak (2020-02-29). Turkish jets neutralize 6 PKK terrorists in N. Iraq. yenisafak.com Turkish jets neutralized at least six PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, Turkey's Defense Ministry said on Saturday.The terrorists plotting an attack were neutralized in an air-backed operation in Metina and Gara regions, the ministry said on Twitter. | It added that operations will continue undeterred. | Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.YPG/PKK terrorists often seek shelter in northern Iraq, just across the Turkish border, to plan terrorist attacks in Turkey.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PK…

WSWS (2020-02-29). Britain and European Union on collision course in Brexit talks. wsws.org The EU and the British government presented sharply divergent documents outlining their goals for upcoming talks on their future relationship.

RT (2020-02-28). 'Taken out of context': Russian senator slams WaPo for drastically cutting his constitutional reform intw in 'provocative' piece. rt.com A Washington Post story about Russia's constitutional reform has drawn the ire of Senator Andrey Klishas, who gave the outlet a lengthy interview but found only few of his lines in the text, which he believes is "provocative." | Klishas, who is a co-chair of the constitutional reform working group, met the Washington Post journalists to discuss the aspects of the impeding reform in every detail. "I gave a big, all-out interview, expecting it to be used in full," Klishas told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. | The senator also added that he hoped "western journalists would get best possible clarifications a…

M.K. Bhadrakumar (2020-02-28). A World no longer shaped by Atlantic powers. mronline.org The annual Munich Security Conference that took place February 14-16 this year turned out to be an iconic event, drawing comparison with the one held in the same Bavarian city on February 10, 2007, where in a prophetic speech Russian President Vladimir Putin had criticized the world order characterized by the United States' global hegemony […] |

Staff (2020-02-28). Catastrophic Humanitarian Crisis in Idlib as Syrian Troops Advance & Children Freeze to Death. democracynow.org In Syria, 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike by Russia-backed Syrian forces in rebel-held Idlib in a major escalation on Thursday. Turkey has vowed to respond in kind, as U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres calls for an immediate ceasefire, saying "the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour." Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly spoke by phone on Friday to discuss the crisis, as NATO urged rapid deescalation. The all-out offensive by the Syrian government is the single largest displacement in a nine-year war that has forced 13 million t…

RT (2020-02-28). Article 5 or 'Oh my gosh'? What will US do after Turkish troops die in Syrian strike. rt.com Turkey has reached out to NATO and the US following the deaths of its troops in Syria's Idlib province, fueling speculation that it might invoke Article 5 and get the alliance involved in a shooting war with Damascus — and Russia.

RT (2020-02-28). One more Turkish soldier killed in Idlib shelling, Turkish forces 'retaliate' — Ankara. rt.com Shelling by Syrian government forces has killed one Turkish soldier and injured two more in Syria's Idlib province, the Defense Ministry in Ankara said. Turkey is retaliating, as two countries remain on the brink of open war. | The newest casualties come less than a day after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in what has been reported as either an air strike or an artillery bombardment, also in Idlib. Turkey has sent thousands of troops and armor into the province, which is the last remaining stronghold of militants — some of them affiliated with Al-Qaeda — that once sought to overthrow the government…

The Canary (2020-02-28). 'Not good news' for flooded communities as Storm Jorge looms. thecanary.co "It's not good news" for flood-hit communities, forecasters say, as Storm Jorge will bring further heavy rain and strong winds across the UK over the weekend. | You may be wondering why Here's As well as windy conditions in northwestern Spain, the UK will also experience very strong winds this weekend. | Read more here:…

Kevin Gosztola (2020-02-28). Judge Orders Assange Held in Glass Box During Extradition Trial. mintpressnews.com In the United Kingdom, where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces extradition to the U.S., a magistrate court judge decided he must remain isolated in a glass box at the back of the courtroom.

Thomas Knapp (2020-02-28). Election 2020: Those Meddling Kids … counterpunch.org According to selected members of the "US intelligence community" ("selected" for their loyalty to, and willingness to promote the line of, the Democratic Party establishment) Vladimir Putin and the Russian government just love them some Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Can't get enough of 'em. If November is a Trump/Sanders shoot-out, the Kremlin wins either

Paul Antonopoulos (2020-02-28). Washington Ponders Imposing Sanctions on Serbia for Russian Weapon Purchases. globalresearch.ca With Russia delivering another round of the Pantsir S1 anti-missile defense system to Serbia on Tuesday, EU and U.S. officials have reacted. Both Brussels and Washington have sent their warnings to Serbia, with Washington even threatening sanctions against the Balkans …

WSWS (2020-02-28). Turkey bombs Syria after losing dozens of troops to Syrian-Russian airstrike. wsws.org The danger is growing that all-out war could erupt between the NATO alliance and the Syrian government's major international backers, Iran and Russia.

news.un (2020-02-28). Syria: UN urges Russia and Turkey to secure 'fresh ceasefire' as risk of military escalation grows. news.un.org With the Security Council meeting in emergency session on Syria following the death on the battlefield of dozens of Turkish troops, the UN strongly urged Russia and Turkey on Friday "to build on previous agreements to secure a fresh ceasefire" across the war-torn northwest.

Staff (2020-02-28). Children Are Freezing to Death in Syria as Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies. truthout.org In Syria, 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike by Russia-backed Syrian forces in rebel-held Idlib in a major escalation on Thursday. Turkey has vowed to respond in kind, as U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres calls for an immediate ceasefire, saying "the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour." Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly spoke by phone on Friday to discuss the crisis, as NATO urged rapid deescalation. The all-out…

Eric Zuesse (2020-02-28). President Tayyip Erdogan Now Claims Syria's Idlib Province Belongs to Turkey. globalresearch.ca On February 26th, Turkey's President, told his Islamist political party that Idlib, which is the most heavily jihadist of all of Syria's provinces and the province where Syria had been sending jihadists who had been defeated but not killed by …

Tony Cartalucci (2020-02-28). Turkey's Losing Bet in Syria. globalresearch.ca Turkey has allegedly lost another 33 troops in Syria this week amid its refusal to withdraw from Syrian territory amid Syrian government gains in the northern governorate of Idlib. | The BBC in its article, "

teleSUR (2020-02-28). Switzerland Suspends Public Events to Contain Covid-19 Outbreak. telesurenglish.net Switzerland's Federal Council Thursday declared that the country is in a "special situation" and announced measures to contain the progress of COVID-19, a disease that has affected 15 people in this European country. | RELATED: | "The Federal Council is aware that its decision has important consequences for the population but it will allow its effective protection," the Swiss authorities said and added t…

Brad Parker (2020-02-28). I Was Meant to Talk About Palestinian Kids at the UN. Israel Forced Me Out. globalresearch.ca Belgium caved into Israeli pressure to disinvite me from the Security Council. In doing so, they helped undermine human rights work for Palestinian children. | *** | Last week, the government of Belgium caved in to intense Israeli government pressure and effectively …

teleSUR (2020-02-28). French Authorities to Increase Measures to Prevent Covid-19. telesurenglish.net Due to a quick increase in confirmed cases of coronavirus, now at 57, French authorities have asked people to refrain from shaking hands to prevent infection. | RELATED: | Two days ago, France reported the second death of a patient because of respiratory infection.

M. K. Bhadrakumar (2020-02-28). Turkey, Russia tiptoe toward 'unnecessary war'. iranian.com A military confrontation between Turkey and Syria has erupted in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib. Latest reports say that at least 34 Turkish soldiers were killed on Thursday in a Syrian air attack. A Turkish retaliation commenced last night itself. The Syrian airstrike in Idlib took place in an area between the towns Baluon and …

True Publica (2020-02-28). Brexit Lie — Johnson Now Looking to Break Agreement with EU on Northern Ireland Checks. globalresearch.ca The lies are unravelling, aren't they? We've had so many from this government it's time someone in the UK got a Johnson-lie-tracker online. Unfortunately,

Manlio Dinucci (2020-02-28). The Fear Virus Pandemic. "Fake News"? "Look at the Numbers. It's not a Pandemic". globalresearch.ca While they raise the greatest alarm for the coronavirus, they hide the fact that seasonal flu, a much more deadly epidemic, has caused in Italy during the 6th week of 2020 — according to the Higher Institute of Health — …

Juan Cole (2020-02-28). Turkey Mobilizes for War With Syria and Russia as Nearly 3 Dozen Turkish Troops Killed in Airstrike. commondreams.org More refugees from Syria are expected to enter Turkey as a result of the air strike in Syria yesterday that killed nearly 3 dozen Turkish soldiers. (Photo: Getty) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/screen_shot_2020-02-28_at_12.00.02_pm.png

RT (2020-02-27). MSM's insatiable anti-Sanders venom forces them to dig through archives & smear veteran American reporter (because Russia!). rt.com Mainstream outlets are so determined to derail Bernie Sanders' campaign, they've dug up a 2016 interview of his wife with RT's late host Ed Schultz — shot before the "collusion" was a thing — to smear both as Russian stooges. | A clip of the Democratic presidential hopeful's wife Jane Sanders complaining on RT America about the unfairness of closed primaries — in which only registered Democrats can vote for the party's nominee — was trending on Wednesday morning, boosted by smug blue-checks crowing some variation on "I told you so." | Bernie Sanders' wife went on Russian TV to explain wh…

2020-02-29: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

Slovenian journalist Blaž Zgaga: If Assange is extradited "the same can happen to any of us"
wsws.org | 2020-02-29
"If journalists cannot write about war crimes allegedly committed by Western armed forces, what is the legitimacy of these democratic countries?"
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/29/zgag-f29.html

Opposition activists flock to central Moscow to commemorate slain politician Nemtsov and condemn constitution amendments
rt.com | 2020-02-29
Thousands of people are attending marches in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, on Saturday, to commemorate Russia's former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov, who was murdered five years ago in the Russian capital. | The memory of Nemtsov, a veteran politician who became a leading figure in the western-leaning opposition after the turn of the century, is a unifying point for various anti-Kremlin political groupings who are frequently at odds with one another. | Leaders of the march, who have described themselves as "pretty much the entire democratic spectrum" in Russia, expected that as many as 30,000 people would…
rt.com/russia/482009-nemtsov-opposition-protest-moscow/

Media Stoop to 'Russian Assistance' to Explain Sanders' Rise
Alan MacLeod | fair.org | 2020-02-29
For over three years, Russia has been an issue of great concern, if not panic, in our media. Back in 2018, FAIR ( 7/27/18) warned that if Bernie Sanders or another progressive movement picked up steam, corporate media would claim that "any challenge to the establishment is likely a Kremlin-funded astroturf effort." For establishment Democrats, we wrote: Russiagate allows them to ignore calls for change and not scrutinize why they lost to the most unpopular presidential candidate in…
fair.org/home/media-stoop-to-russian-assistance-to-explain-sanders-rise/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=media-stoop-to-russian-assistance-to-explain-sanders-rise

US Museum Covered With Life Jackets Worn by Refugees
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-29
The neoclassical columns at the entrance to the Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minnesota, United States, are covered by 2,400 life jackets, which were worn by refugees who crossed the Mediterranean, traveling from Turkey to Greece. | RELATED: | US: Washington Sees Unveiling of First Palestinian Art Museum | It is an art installation called "Safe Passage" by the renowned Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei. Those life jackets were once discarded, worn by refugees making the journey from Tu…
telesurenglish.net/news/US-Museum-Covered-With-Life-Jackets-Worn-by-Refugees-20200228-0020.html

Europe & US use Russia-Poland discord to their advantage, first post-Cold War Polish leader Walesa tells RT
rt.com | 2020-02-29
Poland and Russia must lay "old ghosts to rest" as the US exploits their bitter strife to its own advantage, former Polish President Lech Walesa

'Get out of the way, let us deal with Assad regime', Erdogan says he told Putin regarding Idlib, Syria
rt.com | 2020-02-29
As tensions in Idlib province reach the boiling point, Turkey has asked Russia to let it fight the Syrian government face-to-face, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed. | Erdogan asked Putin "to get out of the way" and let the Turkish troops deal with Syrian President Bashar Assad, the Turkish leader told his AK Party on Saturday. | Erdogan was explaining to lawmakers his government's handling of the escalation in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, where Turkish and Syrian troops have engaged in several clashes over the past weeks. The hostilities have all but ruined Turkey's 2018 agreement with Rus…
rt.com/news/482006-erdogan-russia-syria-fighting/

War tensions mount in wake of strike on Turkish troops in Syria
wsws.org | 2020-02-29
Russia has sent two cruise missile warships to the Syrian coast as Moscow and Ankara continue to dispute the facts surrounding a strike that killed three dozen Turkish soldiers.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/29/turk-f29.html

'We've seen no evidence': Social media networks blow up US officials' claim of 'Russian coronavirus disinformation campaign'
rt.com | 2020-02-29
Social media titans Twitter and Facebook poured cold water on the State Department's latest conspiracy theory, insisting they'd seen no sign "Russian operatives" were spreading falsehoods about Covid-19 on their platforms. | Weighing in after a number of senior State Department officials told AFP that thousands of "Russian malign actors" were hawking "disinformation about coronavirus" on social media, two of the largest networks have cast serious doubt on the assertion. | "In general, our investigation hasn't substantiated this cl…
rt.com/news/481983-twitter-facebook-russia-coronavirus/

Whither Turkey? Struggles, Setbacks, Possibilities A Forum
UCB Sociology Dep. | indybay.org | 2020-02-29
102 Wurster Hall | UC Berkeley…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/27/18831106.php

UCB Forum Whither Turkey? Struggles, Setbacks, Possibilities
UCB Dep. Of Sociology | indybay.org | 2020-02-29
102 Wurster Hall | UC Berkeley…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/28/18831122.php

Secretive military base outside Paris hit by coronavirus, French defense minister confirms
rt.com | 2020-02-29
Several people stationed at the 110 Creil air base outside Paris have fallen ill with coronavirus, the French military confirmed, with the base effectively being placed on lockdown. So far, 57 cases have been detected in France. | Defense Minister Florence Parly confirmed on Friday that a number of coronavirus cases have been registered at the military facility, located to the north of the French capital. While Parly did not provide the exact tally, earlier reports by local media suggested that at least four p…
rt.com/news/481965-french-air-base-coronavirus/

Greek Police Use Tear Gas Against Refugees After Turkey Says It Cannot Stem Migrant Flow From Syria
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-29
On Thursday, Turkey's ruling AK Party spokesman Omer Celik said that Ankara was no longer able to contain the flow of refugees from Syria toward the country's borders with Greece and Bulgaria.
sputniknews.com/europe/202002291078438559-greek-police-use-tear-gas-against-refugees-after-turkey-says-it-cannot-stem-migrant-flow-from-syria/

Moscow, Ankara Intend to Ease Tensions 'On Ground' to Combat Terrorists in Syria
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-29
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The situation in Idlib escalated after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorists launched a large-scale attack on the positions of the Syrian government forces prompting the army to return fire. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the Turkish servicemen, who were not supposed to be in the area, were also shelled.
sputniknews.com/middleeast/202002291078437780-moscow-ankara-intend-to-ease-tensions-on-ground-to-combat-terrorists-in-syria/

The 'Stolen Province': Why Turkey Was Given A Corner Of Syria By France 80 Years Ago
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-29
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is becoming more and more embroiled in a direct fight with Syria over Idlib Province. The fighting is directly across the border from Hatay, a province which was given to Turkey in 1939 after a disputed referendum.
sputniknews.com/middleeast/202002291078432455-the-stolen-province-why-turkey-was-given-a-corner-of-syria-by-france-80-years-ago/

Syrian Interior Trade Minister Accuses US of Selling Syrian Oil to Other States via Turkey
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-29
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Syrian Interior Trade Minister Atef Naddaf has accused the US of selling oil from the Syrian oilfields through Turkey.
sputniknews.com/middleeast/202002291078438094-syrian-interior-trade-minister-accuses-us-of-selling-syrian-oil-to-other-states-via-turkey/

Article by Journo Boris Johnson Possibly Inspired Margaret Thatcher's 'No, No, No' Parliament Speech
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-29
Margaret Thatcher's now historical statement in the House of Commons on 30 October 1990, pushing back against then-European Commission president Jacques Delors, marked the downfall of the prime minister, whose views on the European Community were not shared by others in her Cabinet, as she was forced to resign from No. 10 the following month.
sputniknews.com/uk/202002291078437178-article-by-journo-boris-johnson-possibly-inspired-margaret-thatchers-no-no-no-parliament-speech/

Dashcam Footage of Meteor Exploding Over Croatia Goes Viral – Video
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-29
Dashcam video footage of an object streaking across the sky above Croatia in spectacular fashion and subsequently exploding has since gone viral on social media…
sputniknews.com/science/202002291078437611-dashcam-footage-of-meteor-exploding-over-croatia-goes-viral—video/

Migrant family crossing to Greece stranded on island
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-29
A migrant family trying to cross to Greece from Edirne, a northwestern Turkish border province, has been stranded on an island in the middle of Meric River.Hundreds of irregular migrants hoping to cross to Europe from Turkey are trying sea vessels and land vehicles in order to make the trip.In one of the border villages on Friday, scores of irregular migrants swam or took boats in order to cross to Greece.One of these families' boat deflated in the middle of the river.The family of nine, including small children, climbed to an island, hoping to inflate the boat again.In the meantime, security forces in Greece fir…
yenisafak.com/en/news/migrant-family-crossing-to-greece-stranded-on-island-3513003

Turkish official briefs US envoy on situation in Idlib, Syria
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-29
The Turkish deputy foreign minister briefed the top U.S. diplomat in the country on developments in the wake of Thursday's attack on Turkish troops by regime forces in Idlib, northwestern Syria.Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal met U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield in Ankara on Friday, according to diplomatic sources.He shared details of actions taken after 34 Turkish troops were martyred by Assad regime forces, and conveyed Turkey's expectations from the U.S. and NATO.Moreover, ambassadors of the UN Security Council's Permanent Members and NATO allies Germany and Belgium were also given a briefing at…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkish-official-briefs-us-envoy-on-situation-in-idlib-syria-3513007

Turkish operations in Syria spook Hezbollah militias
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-29
Turkey's military operations have inflicted heavy losses on Hezbollah militias in Idlib, northwestern Syria, and their panic is evident in internal communications accessed by Anadolu Agency. | The Iran-backed Hezbollah militias support Assad regime forces against Syria's moderate opposition groups, and have been responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians. | They use WhatsApp groups for coordination and communication, and recent messages show their growing anxiety as Turkish forces make gains to protect Syrian civilians. | In messages seen by Anadolu Agency, the militia members blamed Russia for…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkish-operations-in-syria-spook-hezbollah-militias-3513009

Qatar confirms first case of coronavirus
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-29
Qatar's Health Ministry reported the first case of the novel coronavirus in the country on Saturday.A 36-year old Qatari citizen who returned recently from Iran tested positive for the virus, the ministry said in a statement cited by the official QNA news agency.The ministry said the infected person was among Qatari nationals evacuated on Thursday from Iran, where 43 deaths were reported from the virus.Known as COVID-19, the novel coronavirus has now spread to more than 45 countries worldwide, including the U.S., U.K., Singapore, France, Russia, Spain and India.China, where the virus originated, is the worst-hit…
yenisafak.com/en/world/qatar-confirms-first-case-of-coronavirus-3513011

US senator says Turkey 'doing the right thing' in Idlib
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-29
Turkey is "doing the right thing" as it seeks to thwart a Syrian regime offensive on northwestern Syria, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton said Friday."Russia and the Assad regime are to blame for the humanitarian disaster unfolding in northwest Syria," the lawmaker from Arkansas said on Twitter. "Our NATO ally Turkey is doing the right thing. Putin and Assad must honor their commitments and stop the massacre."Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump "expressed his condolences and condemned yesterday's attack that killed Turkish personnel in Syria" during a telephone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, White House…
yenisafak.com/en/news/us-senator-says-turkey-doing-the-right-thing-in-idlib-3512999

Turkish jets neutralize 6 PKK terrorists in N. Iraq
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-29
Turkish jets neutralized at least six PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, Turkey's Defense Ministry said on Saturday.The terrorists plotting an attack were neutralized in an air-backed operation in Metina and Gara regions, the ministry said on Twitter. | It added that operations will continue undeterred. | Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.YPG/PKK terrorists often seek shelter in northern Iraq, just across the Turkish border, to plan terrorist attacks in Turkey.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PK…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkish-jets-neutralize-6-pkk-terrorists-in-n-iraq-3513001

More than 200 historical artifacts seized in NW Turkey
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-29
A total of 209 pieces of historical artifacts were seized in an operation in northwestern Turkey, security sources said Friday.Provincial gendarmerie forces in Kocaeli, acting on a tip, launched an operation and arrested a suspect in Eskihisar district, identified only by the initials O.O.Among the artifacts seized were 207 coins, a pitcher and a tear catcher belonging to the Byzantine and Roman period.
yenisafak.com/en/news/more-than-200-historical-artifacts-seized-in-nw-turkey-3513006

Turkey hails UK move to add PKK aliases in terror list
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-29
Turkey welcomed Saturday the U.K. move to include the two aliases of the PKK terror group in the list of terrorist organizations."We welcome the entry into force on 28 February 2020 of the regulation which includes the incorporation of TAK and HPG, both extensions of PKK/KCK, as alias of the said terrorist organization to the terrorist organizations list of the U.K.," Hami Aksoy, spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, said in a written statement.Aksoy noted that it is typical for the PKK to use such "labels in order to avoid responsibility for heinous attacks targeting civilians and disguise its relation to…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-hails-uk-move-to-add-pkk-aliases-in-terror-list-3513002

Syria issue is never adventure for Turkey: Erdogan
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-29
Turkey is not in Syria for an "adventure" or to expand its borders, the nation's president said on Saturday."Syria issue is never an adventure or effort to expand its borders for Turkey," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a meeting with his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's Istanbul deputies.He said nearly four million refugees are recently moving towards Turkey's border with Syria due to the bloody attacks of Bashar al-Assad regime on civilians, while 1.5 million of them are already at the southern border."We have no interest in oil or the land there, we want to secure our borders with a safe zone," Erdogan sa…
yenisafak.com/en/news/syria-issue-is-never-adventure-for-turkey-erdogan-3513000

Britain and European Union on collision course in Brexit talks
wsws.org | 2020-02-29
The EU and the British government presented sharply divergent documents outlining their goals for upcoming talks on their future relationship.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/29/brex-f29.html

Judge Orders Assange Held in Glass Box During Extradition Trial
Kevin Gosztola | mintpressnews.com | 2020-02-28
In the United Kingdom, where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces extradition to the U.S., a magistrate court judge decided he must remain isolated in a glass box at the back of the courtroom.
mintpressnews.com/judge-orders-julian-assange-glass-box-extradition-trial/265315/

Election 2020: Those Meddling Kids
Thomas Knapp | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-28
According to selected members of the "US intelligence community" ("selected" for their loyalty to, and willingness to promote the line of, the Democratic Party establishment) Vladimir Putin and the Russian government just love them some Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Can't get enough of 'em. If November is a Trump/Sanders shoot-out, the Kremlin wins either…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/28/election-2020-those-meddling-kids/

A World no longer shaped by Atlantic powers
M.K. Bhadrakumar | mronline.org | 2020-02-28
The annual Munich Security Conference that took place February 14-16 this year turned out to be an iconic event, drawing comparison with the one held in the same Bavarian city on February 10, 2007, where in a prophetic speech Russian President Vladimir Putin had criticized the world order characterized by the United States' global hegemony […] | Source…
mronline.org/2020/02/28/a-world-no-longer-shaped-by-atlantic-powers/

Turkey Mobilizes for War With Syria and Russia as Nearly 3 Dozen Turkish Troops Killed in Airstrike
Juan Cole | commondreams.org | 2020-02-28
More refugees from Syria are expected to enter Turkey as a result of the air strike in Syria yesterday that killed nearly 3 dozen Turkish soldiers. (Photo: Getty) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/screen_shot_2020-02-28_at_12.00.02_pm.png
commondreams.org/views/2020/02/28/turkey-mobilizes-war-syria-and-russia-nearly-3-dozen-turkish-troops-killed-0?cd-origin=rss

Catastrophic Humanitarian Crisis in Idlib as Syrian Troops Advance & Children Freeze to Death
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-28
In Syria, 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike by Russia-backed Syrian forces in rebel-held Idlib in a major escalation on Thursday. Turkey has vowed to respond in kind, as U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres calls for an immediate ceasefire, saying "the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour." Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly spoke by phone on Friday to discuss the crisis, as NATO urged rapid deescalation. The all-out offensive by the Syrian government is the single largest displacement in a nine-year war that has forced 13 million t…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/28/idlib_syria_assad_turkey_russia

Washington Ponders Imposing Sanctions on Serbia for Russian Weapon Purchases
Paul Antonopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-28
With Russia delivering another round of the Pantsir S1 anti-missile defense system to Serbia on Tuesday, EU and U.S. officials have reacted. Both Brussels and Washington have sent their warnings to Serbia, with Washington even threatening sanctions against the Balkans …
globalresearch.ca/washington-ponders-imposing-sanctions-serbia-russian-weapon-purchases/5704976

'Taken out of context': Russian senator slams WaPo for drastically cutting his constitutional reform intw in 'provocative' piece
rt.com | 2020-02-28
A Washington Post story about Russia's constitutional reform has drawn the ire of Senator Andrey Klishas, who gave the outlet a lengthy interview but found only few of his lines in the text, which he believes is "provocative." | Klishas, who is a co-chair of the constitutional reform working group, met the Washington Post journalists to discuss the aspects of the impeding reform in every detail. "I gave a big, all-out interview, expecting it to be used in full," Klishas told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. | The senator also added that he hoped "western journalists would get best possible clarifications a…
rt.com/news/481968-russia-constitutional-reform-wapo-provocative/

Turkey bombs Syria after losing dozens of troops to Syrian-Russian airstrike
wsws.org | 2020-02-28
The danger is growing that all-out war could erupt between the NATO alliance and the Syrian government's major international backers, Iran and Russia.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/28/turk-f28.html

Syria: UN urges Russia and Turkey to secure 'fresh ceasefire' as risk of military escalation grows
news.un.org | 2020-02-28
With the Security Council meeting in emergency session on Syria following the death on the battlefield of dozens of Turkish troops, the UN strongly urged Russia and Turkey on Friday "to build on previous agreements to secure a fresh ceasefire" across the war-torn northwest.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/02/1058361

Children Are Freezing to Death in Syria as Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-02-28
In Syria, 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike by Russia-backed Syrian forces in rebel-held Idlib in a major escalation on Thursday. Turkey has vowed to respond in kind, as U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres calls for an immediate ceasefire, saying "the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour." Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly spoke by phone on Friday to discuss the crisis, as NATO urged rapid deescalation. The all-out…
truthout.org/video/children-are-freezing-to-death-in-idlib-as-humanitarian-crisis-intensifies/

Article 5 or 'Oh my gosh'? What will US do after Turkish troops die in Syrian strike
rt.com | 2020-02-28
Turkey has reached out to NATO and the US following the deaths of its troops in Syria's Idlib province, fueling speculation that it might invoke Article 5 and get the alliance involved in a shooting war with Damascus

Turkey's Losing Bet in Syria
Tony Cartalucci | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-28
Turkey has allegedly lost another 33 troops in Syria this week amid its refusal to withdraw from Syrian territory amid Syrian government gains in the northern governorate of Idlib. | The BBC in its article, " Syria war: 33 Turkish troops …
globalresearch.ca/turkey-losing-bet-syria/5704993

President Tayyip Erdogan Now Claims Syria's Idlib Province Belongs to Turkey
Eric Zuesse | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-28
On February 26th, Turkey's President, told his Islamist political party that Idlib, which is the most heavily jihadist of all of Syria's provinces and the province where Syria had been sending jihadists who had been defeated but not killed by | …
globalresearch.ca/turkey-now-claims-syria-idlib-province-turkish-territory/5705033

French Authorities to Increase Measures to Prevent Covid-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-28
Due to a quick increase in confirmed cases of coronavirus, now at 57, French authorities have asked people to refrain from shaking hands to prevent infection. | RELATED: | Switzerland Suspends Public Events to Contain Covid-19 Outbreak | Two days ago, France reported the second death of a patient because of respiratory infection. Jerome Salomon, the country's director-general of health, told Al Jazeera that the diseased had tra…
telesurenglish.net/news/french-authorities-to-extreme-measures-to-prevent-coronavirus-20200228-0009.html

Switzerland Suspends Public Events to Contain Covid-19 Outbreak
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-28
Switzerland's Federal Council Thursday declared that the country is in a "special situation" and announced measures to contain the progress of COVID-19, a disease that has affected 15 people in this European country. | RELATED: | WHO Warns Against Danger of Complacency in Global Coronavirus Fight | "The Federal Council is aware that its decision has important consequences for the population but it will allow its effective protection," the Swiss authorities said and added t…
telesurenglish.net/news/Switzerland-Suspends-Public-Events-to-Contain-Covid-19-Outbreak-20200228-0001.html

I Was Meant to Talk About Palestinian Kids at the UN. Israel Forced Me Out
Brad Parker | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-28
Belgium caved into Israeli pressure to disinvite me from the Security Council. In doing so, they helped undermine human rights work for Palestinian children. | *** | Last week, the government of Belgium caved in to intense Israeli government pressure and effectively …
globalresearch.ca/i-was-meant-talk-about-palestinian-kids-un-israel-forced-me-out/5704980

'Not good news' for flooded communities as Storm Jorge looms
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-02-28
"It's not good news" for flood-hit communities, forecasters say, as Storm Jorge will bring further heavy rain and strong winds across the UK over the weekend. | You may be wondering why #StormJorge wasn't called #StormEllen… | Here's @alexdeakin to explain. | As well as windy conditions in northwestern Spain, the UK will also experience very strong winds this weekend. | Read more here:…
thecanary.co/discovery/news-discovery/2020/02/28/not-good-news-for-flooded-communities-as-storm-jorge-looms/

Turkey, Russia tiptoe toward 'unnecessary war'
M. K. Bhadrakumar | iranian.com | 2020-02-28
A military confrontation between Turkey and Syria has erupted in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib. Latest reports say that at least 34 Turkish soldiers were killed on Thursday in a Syrian air attack. A Turkish retaliation commenced last night itself. The Syrian airstrike in Idlib took place in an area between the towns Baluon and …
iranian.com/2020/02/28/turkey-russia-tiptoe-toward-unnecessary-war/

The Fear Virus Pandemic. "Fake News"? "Look at the Numbers. It's not a Pandemic"
Manlio Dinucci | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-28
While they raise the greatest alarm for the coronavirus, they hide the fact that seasonal flu, a much more deadly epidemic, has caused in Italy during the 6th week of 2020

MSM's insatiable anti-Sanders venom forces them to dig through archives & smear veteran American reporter (because Russia!)
rt.com | 2020-02-27
Mainstream outlets are so determined to derail Bernie Sanders' campaign, they've dug up a 2016 interview of his wife with RT's late host Ed Schultz

'Princess Diana would've been alive in America': Conservative speaker manages to offend both Brits & French in anti-medicare rant
rt.com | 2020-02-27
A speaker at CPAC claimed the late Princess Diana died not because of her tragic car accident, but because France's socialized medicine prevented her from getting proper medical care. | Conservative fears of socialized medicine

PLO Official Slams Israel's Settlement Plans, Calls on EU to Intervene
IMEMC & Agencies | imemc.org | 2020-02-27
Saeb Erekat, the Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), on Wednesday, urged the European Union (EU) to intervene to prevent Israel from building a settlement in E1 area, east of occupied Jerusalem, as announced by Israeli Premier, Benjamin Netanyahu. During a meeting at his office, …
imemc.org/article/plo-official-slams-israels-settlement-plans-calls-on-eu-to-intervene/

Airstrike in Syria's Idlib Kills 33 Turkish Soldiers
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-27
An air strike – allegedly by Syrian government forces – in Syria's northwestern Idlib region killed 33 Turkish soldiers, the local governor in the southeastern province of Hatay said early on Friday. | RELATED: | Russia to Complete Observation Flight Over Turkey | Rahmi Dogan, the governor of Hatay, the Turkish province bordering Syria's Idlib region, said the soldiers were killed Thursday. | In the meantime, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan chaired an emergency security meeting late on Thu…
telesurenglish.net/news/Airstrike-in-Syrias-Idlib-Kills-33-Turkish-Soldiers-20200227-0023.html