(2020-03-02). ENTIRE regional govt of Italy's Lombardy region to be screened for coronavirus after official tests positive for illness. rt.com 
Members of the local government in Lombardy, Italy will undergo medical screening, after tests revealed that a regional councilor tested positive for coronavirus. Italy has reported hundreds of new cases of the deadly illness. | Lombardy's regional governor, Attilio Fontana, has reportedly quarantined himself after his government councilor for economic development was found to be carrying the virus. All members of the local government will now be required to be tested for the illness. Necessary procedures keeping with established protocols will be activated, depending on the results, the regional government sa…
(2020-03-02). Erdogan to visit Moscow on March 5, Ankara confirms, as Turkey-Syria conflict escalates. rt.com 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow, following a worrying rise in violence between Turkish forces and Russia's Syrian allies. | Ankara has confirmed that Erdogan will make the trip to Moscow on March 5. The Kremlin had announced on Sunday that it was hoping to arrange a meeting between Erdogan and Putin in an effort to resolve the situation in Syria's Idlib region. The visit is expected to last for one day only. | Last week, 34 Turkish troops were reportedly killed by Syrian air strikes, prompting a military response from Ankara. Russia s…
(2020-03-02). Changing fortunes: US now races to CATCH UP with Russia on hypersonic weapons — Putin. rt.com 
Since the Cold War-era, Moscow has always played catch up with American military technological prowess. However, its newest hypersonic weapons have turned the tide for the first time in modern history, Vladimir Putin believes. | Back in the day, the Americans were the first to make a nuclear bomb, build a strategic aircraft able to carry it, and develop ballistic missiles, leaving the USSR eating dust. This left Moscow always playing second fiddle, the Russian president pointed out in the latest episode of news agency TASS' series '20 Questions to Vladimir Putin'. | "We always had to catch up to our strategic…
(2020-03-02). Ceasefire in Idlib will hopefully be achieved after talks with Putin — Erdogan ahead of upcoming meeting in Moscow. rt.com 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has high hopes for his upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin, saying he's optimistic an agreement will be reached with the Russian leader on ending hostilities in Idlib, Syria. | "We will evaluate the developments [in Idlib]. I hope that we [can lay the groundwork for] a ceasefire or take other steps and that we will get the job done quickly," Erdogan said in a recent speech in Ankara. | Earlier in the day, it was confirmed that Erdogan's much-anticipated visit to Moscow will take place on March 5. The Kremlin has expressed similar expectations for the meeting, saying the…
(2020-03-02). The Viral Blame Game: Xenophobia, Attribution and Coronavirus. counterpunch.org Moralising the way diseases and viruses are transferred is a very human, and particularly nasty trait. "We don't need this kind of riff-raff on our shores," screamed The New York Times in 1892 in response to Russian Jewish immigrants arriving at Ellis Island by boat. (The occupants hosted lice which, in turn, led to typhus.)
(2020-03-02). Idlib war escalates as Turkey announces military operations against Syria. wsws.org Turkey shot down two Syrian jets after a Syrian air strike claimed the lives of 34 Turkish soldiers.
(2020-03-02). Did Turkey Just Sacrifice Their Own Troops to Protect Al-Qaeda? dissidentvoice.org After 33 Turkish troops were killed in a Syrian army offensive on February 27 amidst the current Russia-backed campaign to liberate Idlib, Erdogan responded by laying the blame entirely on Russia and Syria — successfully avoiding all mention of the uncomfortable fact that Turkey has been protecting radical terror networks not only in Idlib but …
(2020-03-02). Over 117,000 migrants leave Turkey to reach Europe. yenisafak.com The number of irregular migrants leaving Turkey for Europe has reached 117,677 on Monday, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Twitter.The migrants are leaving Turkey through northwestern Edirne province bordering Greece and Bulgaria.Thousands of migrants flocked to Edirne's Pazarkule border crossing to Greece after Turkish officials announced Friday they would no longer try to stop irregular migrants from reaching Europe.It followed an attack by Syrian regime forces on Turkish troops in the Idlib de-escalation zone, which martyred 34 soldiers last week. Turkish soldiers are working to protect local c…
(2020-03-02). Turkey neutralizes 32 YPG/PKK terrorists in N. Syria. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces neutralized 32 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Monday.The terrorists attempted to infiltrate into the southern area of Operation Peace Spring, Turkey's anti-terror offensive in northern Syria, the Turkish ministry said on Twitter.Operation Peace Spring was launched last October to eliminate terrorist YPG/PKK east of the Euphrates River to secure Turkey's borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria's territorial integrity.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered o…
(2020-03-02). Assad regime committed war crimes attacking medical sites: UN. yenisafak.com Syria's Assad regime committed war crimes attacking medical facilities around the Idlib de-escalation zone, the United Nations Commission into Syria said on Monday."In attacking medical facilities, pro-government forces repeatedly committed the war crime of deliberately attacking protected objects and intentionally attacking medical personnel," said the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria at the launch of its newest report.The commission also said it has "reasonable grounds" to believe that Russian aircraft participated in bombing incidents around July and August last year."The Russian Air Force did not direct the…
(2020-03-02). UK says any system for resolving US investor disputes will be fair. yenisafak.com The British government said any system to protect U.S. companies' interests in the country after a free trade agreement – typically a sensitive issue for civil society groups worried about the power of multinationals – would have to be fair and transparent."The government also notes the range of perspectives regarding the potential inclusion of investment protection and an associated Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism," the government said in a document outlining its approach to the talks with Washington.ISDS became the focus of criticism of a proposed trade deal between the European Union and the…
(2020-03-02). Coronavirus rapidly spreads across Europe. yenisafak.com Fresh cases of coronavirus were reported on Monday across Europe, raising concerns about public health.At least 35 people have died in Italy from the virus officially known as COVID-19, with 1,689 cases confirmed so far in the country, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.Greece reported three new cases over the weekend, with the total number of cases reaching seven.France confirmed 130 coronavirus cases on Sunday evening, rising from 100 recorded earlier in the day.Some 116 of the reported ill were hospitalized, nine of those in serious clinical situations. Previously, 12 cases had…
(2020-03-02). Greece to conduct military exercise near Turkish border. yenisafak.com The Greek Army has announced it will conduct a 24-hour military exercise with real ammunition on Monday near Turkish border.The Fourth Army Corps, based in Xanthi, northeastern Greece, announced Sunday that the exercise is set to take place at bordering Kipoi and Kastanies areas.Officials warned citizens to stay away from the area as machine guns, rifles and pistols will be used during the military exercise.
(2020-03-02). Turkey refrains from targeting civilians: US expert. yenisafak.com Unlike Russia, Iran and the Assad regime, Turkey does not target civilians in Syria, said an American foreign policy expert on Monday."Assad's soldiers now move around in ambulances in order to camouflage themselves from the Turks, who have achieved total air superiority in Idlib," Michael Doran, a senior fellow at Hudson Institute, said in a tweet."We learn from this, obviously, that the Turks refrain from attacking ambulances," added Doran, who specialises in the Middle East.Doran shared a video, which went viral on social media, showing Assad regime soldiers moving in an ambulance in northwestern Syria to avoi…
(2020-03-02). UK Foreign Secretary Raab to visit Turkey on Tuesday. yenisafak.com In a statement on Monday, the ministry said Raab will hold talks with Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu during the visit.The duo will discuss bilateral issues following Brexit on Jan. 31.The talks will also cover current regional and international issues, including Syria.
(2020-03-02). Turkey deals blows to Daesh terrorists in February. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces successfully foiled planned attacks of terrorist Daesh organization in February with its active and resolute struggle.To prevent further attacks of Daesh terrorists, Turkish security forces conducted numerous terror operations across the country.According to Anadolu Agency's compiled data, 89 suspects including the so-called decision makers of the terrorist organization, were arrested in February. Organizational documents were also confiscated during the operations.- Several operations carried out in FebruaryIn an operation in central Anatolian province of Kirsehir, one of the seven relati…
(2020-03-02). Turkey's banking sector net profit at $1.33B in January. yenisafak.com Turkey's banking sector posted a net profit of 7.9 billion Turkish liras ($1.33 billion) in January, the country's banking watchdog said Monday.The figure jumped 147% year-on-year in the first month of 2020, from 3.2 billion Turkish liras ($615 million) from the previous January, the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency data showed.Total assets of the sector totaled 4.53 trillion Turkish liras ($760.7 billion), up 17.3% from January 2018.Total banking sector loans — the largest sub-category of assets — soared 13% year-on-year to hit 2.68 trillion Turkish liras ($453.7 billion) in January.On the l…
(2020-03-02). Erdogan Warns 'Millions of Refugees' Will Move to Turkey's Border With EU. sputniknews.com The dire situation in Syria's Idlib province caused by fighting that has pitted Syrian government forces against Turkish troops and Turkish-backed militias has created a wave of refugees trying to flee the conflict. In recent days, Turkey has announced the opening of its borders with Europe, citing its inability to take in any more refugees.
(2020-03-02). Drone Spotted at Frankfurt Airport, Flights Currently Suspended – Aviation Authority. sputniknews.com Last month, the operations at Frankfurt airport were temporarily suspended due to what police described as "targeted disruptive action" by drones in the area.
(2020-03-02). Bank of England Taking 'All Necessary Steps' to Offset Impacts of Coronavirus – Report. sputniknews.com The organisation for Economic Cooperation and Growth predicts that the UK economy will slow down by 0.20% in 2020. This comes amid the worst recorded drop in European share prices, triggered by the global virus outbreak, since the height of the financial crash in 2008, according to analysts.
(2020-03-02). Coronavirus Confirmed for Russian Citizen Who Returned From Italy. sputniknews.com According to the country's health authorities, the patient is in a satisfactory condition, and his symptoms are mild.
(2020-03-02). Turkish Customs Official Injured in Attack on Vehicle Near Border With Iran – Interior Minister. sputniknews.com Both countries are facing low-intensity insurgencies from Kurdish militants, the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) in the case of Turkey and the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) in Iran.
(2020-03-02). Watch: Sputnik Turkey Office After Police Search. sputniknews.com The search was authorised by the Istanbul chief public prosecutor; it followed a Saturday attack by unidentified Turkish nationals on three Sputnik employees in Ankara.
(2020-03-02). Combined Wealth of Russia's Richest Drops by Almost $30 Billion, Bloomberg Billionaires Index Shows. sputniknews.com Last week even billionaires took a hit, with combined fortunes of the world's 500 richest people dropping by $444 billion due to the spreading coronavirus as jittery equity markets reacted worldwide.
(2020-03-02). 'We Don't Plan to Go to War With Anyone': Putin Reveals Why Russia is Developing Hypersonic Weapons. sputniknews.com Late last year, Russia deployed a hypersonic nuclear-capable missile system Avangard, which is outfitted with pioneering advances in speed and manoeuverability, as part of the country's drive to move forward with the development of hypersonic weapons.
(2020-03-02). Iran and Hezbollah warn Turkey: all your forces are in our line of fire. iranian.com The Iranian Advisory Center in Syria, which takes part in the fighting in northern Syria, issued a press release through the news agency U-News in reaction to the recent confrontation between the Syrian army and the Turkish army. It should be noted that the Iranian Advisory Center is made up of the group of Iranian …
(2020-03-01). Virus Spreads Worldwide: Italy Cases Surge 50%; France Closes the Louvre. truthdig.com 
New fronts in the battle to contain the virus open rapidly, deepening a sense of crisis that has already sent financial markets plummeting.
(2020-03-01). Refugees Mass at EU Border as Turkey-Syria Conflict Intensifies. truthdig.com 
KASTANIES, Greece—Thousands of migrants and refugees massed at Turkey's western frontier Sunday, trying to enter Greece by land and sea after Turkey said its borders were open to those hoping to head to Europe. In Syria, Turkish troops shot down two Syrian warplanes after the Syrian military downed a Turkish drone, a major escalation in the direct conflict between Syrian and Turkish forces. | Turkey's decision to ease border restrictions came amid a Russia-backed Syrian government offensive into Syria's northwestern Idlib province. That offensive has killed dozens of Turkish troops and led to a surge of nea…
(2020-03-01). Refugees stranded at borders as fighting between Syria and Turkey escalates. thecanary.co 
Thousands of refugees massed at Turkey's western frontier on 1 March, trying to enter Greece by land and sea after Turkey
(2020-03-01). Greek Police Clashes With Migrants as Turkey Opens Borders. telesurenglish.net On the second day of violence, Greek police fired tear gas Sunday against migrants gathered at the border with Turkey that demand entry to the European country. | RELATED: | The clashes occurred in the evening at the Kastanies crossing after riot police came to reinforce security there. No further details were immediately available as officers were keeping media away from the border, citing safety reasons. | Despit…
(2020-03-01). Bernie Sanders and the Resurrected Russiagate Smear. globalresearch.ca Even after the "Russiagate" claim of supposed Russian interference in the last US Presidential Election was irrefutably debunked, members of the Democratic Party elite and sections of the US "Deep State" of National Security/Intelligence in alliance with sections of the …
(2020-03-01). Turkey Announces New Operation Against Syrian Military. telesurenglish.net Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Sunday that Turkey has launched a fresh operation in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib in the wake of the recent attack of Syrian government on Turkish troops there. | RELATED: | "Operation Spring Shield, which was launched following the heinous attack on Feb. 27, is successfully being carried out," Akar said at Turkey's southern province of Hatay bordering Syria, according to semi-offic…
(2020-03-01). Even NATO Is Unwilling to Touch Turkey's Idlib Mess with a Ten-foot Pole. globalresearch.ca Having been hit by the Syrian Air Force in Idlib, Turkey has called on NATO's protection, but as much as the alliance would like a fight with Assad and his ally Russia, it's refused to back Ankara's questionable adventure. | Turkey …
(2020-03-01). World's Strongest Paralympian Siamand Rahman Dies at 31. iranian.com The strongest ever Paralympian Siamand Rahman passed away at the age of 32 on Sunday. Rahman died after suffering a heart attack at the Nabi-akram Hospital in Oshnavieh, West Azerbaijan. Powerlifting superstar Rahman, a two-time gold medalist in London 2012 and Rio 2016, was preparing to win his third successive gold at the Tokyo 2020 …
(2020-02-29). Boris Johnson still awol as Storm Jorge brings fourth weekend of severe weather. thecanary.co 
Storm Jorge has heralded its arrival with heavy rain and strong gales as Britain endures its fourth weekend of severe weather. Boris Johnson has been widely criticised for his absence amid ongoing floods and continued weather chaos.This month's third named storm is bringing rain, gales and snow, prompting weather warnings stretching from Cornwall to the north of Scotland and across to Northern Ireland.Police in flood-hit South Wales declared a temporary "critical incident" on Saturday morning as emergency services, councils and other bodies worked to protect property and infrastructure and protect residents.Peopl…
(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 (
(2020-02-29). 50 Former EU Officials: Trump's "Peace Plan" Risks Fuelling the Conflict. imemc.org In a letter published Thursday in the British newspaper, the Guardian, 50 former European foreign ministers, presidents, party leaders, NATO officials and others have expressed grave concern about US President Donald Trump's so-called "Peace to Prosperity" plan for the Middle East, saying it envisages an outcome with characteristics similar to …
(2020-02-29). EU Official: European Union and All Member States Must Recognize the State of Palestine. imemc.org A European Union (EU) official, on Thursday, stressed the necessity of the EU's recognition of the State of Palestine, the WAFA Palestinian News Agency reported. The Chair of the EU's Delegation for Relations with Palestine, Manuel Pineda stated that it is now imperative that the EU and all member states …
(2020-02-29). Ecuador Confirms First Case of Coronavirus Imported From Spain. telesurenglish.net Ecuador's Health Minister Carolina Andramuño Saturday confirmed that an Ecuadorian citizen, who returned from Madrid, is affected by the Covid-19. | RELATED: | The patient is a 70-year-old woman who arrived in Guayaquil city on Feb. 14. Upon entering the country, she had no symptoms of the disease; at this time, however, she is in critical condition. | Ecuadorian authorities also reported that about 80 people who had…
(2020-02-29). Trump Considering Restrictions at Mexican Border Over Coronavirus. telesurenglish.net The United States is considering shutting the country's southern border with Mexico to control the spread of the new coronavirus, President Donald Trump said on Saturday, as his administration announced new limits on travelers who have visited Iran and recommended against travel to hard-hit areas of Italy and South Korea. | RELATED: | Mexico's government said on Friday it had detected three cases of coronavirus infection…
(2020-02-29). 'We Won't Stop and They Won't Stop Us' Catalonia's Leader Says. telesurenglish.net Tens of thousands of people Saturday gathered in Perpignan, France, to demonstrate their support for the independence of Catalonia and to demand the release of Catalan political prisoners. | RELATED: | One of the protagonists of this impressive rally was
(2020-02-29). Greece Closes Turkey Border to Prevent Refugees From Crossing. telesurenglish.net Greece's government spokesman Stelios Petsas Saturday announced that RELATED: | According to this official, the people who are on the Greco-Turkish borde…
(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…
(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.
(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.
(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…
(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 […] |
(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.
(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 …
(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.