(2020-05-27). EU Trying To Take Over Serbia-Kosovo Negotiations From U.S. globalresearch.ca French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas
(2020-05-27). U.S. tries to deflect COVID fiasco onto China. workers.org 
A growing world confrontation is roaring onto the political and economic scene. Not a day goes by without the corporate media in the U.S. carrying totally distorted and negative news attacks on the People's Republic of China. Republicans and Democrats are trading barbs over who is "soft" on China. Business . . . |
(2020-05-27). Pakistan's Role in Russia's Greater Eurasian Partnership. globalresearch.ca Connectivity is one of the key trends of the 21st century, which Russia is fully embracing with its Greater Eurasian Partnership (GEP) in order to counteract the chaotic processes unleashed throughout the course of the ongoing systemic transition from unipolarity …
(2020-05-27). European Commission to propose ‚Ǩ750B EU recovery package. truepublica.org.uk The European Commission plans to propose a Recovery Instrument of ‚Ǩ750 billion to combat the impact of the coronavirus crisis, Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said on Twitter Wednesday. Of the ‚Ǩ750 billion, ‚Ǩ500 billion would be distributed in the form of grants, and ‚Ǩ250 billion in the form of loans, according to a person familiar with the …
(2020-05-27). Lagarde: It's even worse than we thought. truepublica.org.uk European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned Wednesday the eurozone economy will "very likely" contract more than forecast after governments shut down business to contain the pandemic. The ECB now expects the euro club's economy to shrink between 8 percent and 12 percent, depending on how fast lockdown measures are lifted and economic activity picks …
(2020-05-27). First to close — first to reopen: Denmark's gain from virus response. truepublica.org.uk Denmark was one of the first European countries to close down its public spaces to stem the spread of coronavirus, shutting its borders, schools and restaurants in mid-March. Its swift response seems to have paid off. As Covid-19 cases plummeted, Denmark last month became the first EU nation to reopen primary schools. Its restaurants, hairdressers, …
(2020-05-27). Canada's Seat at the UN Security Council May be Coveted But is Far From a Sure Bet. counterpunch.org Next June the United Nations Assembly will hold elections at its 74th session for five non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council (UNSC) starting on January 1, 2021 for the period 2021—22. The UNSC has 15 members five of which are permanent veto-wielding members: U.S., Great Britain, France, Russia and China. The remaining ten seats are elected
(2020-05-27). FBI investigating Georgia officials who failed to arrest Ahmaud Arbery's killers. wsws.org Federal investigators are reportedly looking into potential criminal and civil violations on the part of the district attorneys who initially handled the Arbery case.
(2020-05-27). Update On Kings Bay Plowshare 7 Sentencing. popularresistance.org On Friday, May 22, Judge Lisa Godbey Wood of the Southern District Federal Court of Georgia in Brunswick assigned new dates for seven defendants, according to the Kings Bay Plowshares' attorney, Bill Quigley. Many of the defendants had asked the court to postpone their May 28th and 29th court dates to accommodate their right to be sentenced in person in open court, witnessed by the public and press and not by video. The seven were convicted of three felonies and one misdemeanor last October for their nonviolent, symbolic disarmament act at the Kings Bay Trident nuclear submarine base. | The defendants had also as…
(2020-05-27). EU Foreign Policy Chief Calls for Rapprochement with Russia and End of "American-led System" mintpressnews.com A recent address by the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borell, hints at a new pro-Asian political order on the continent as Germany gets ready to lead the 27-nation bloc. But, is it just a ploy to check Chinese hegemony?
(2020-05-27). Ryanair challenges Lufthansa's bailout package. truepublica.org.uk Low-cost carrier Ryanair challenged Germany's ‚Ǩ9 billion rescue package for Lufthansa on Tuesday (26 May), saying it distorted competition, while the German carrier moves towards finalising the deal next month. The government-backed aid will allow Lufthansa to "engage in below-cost selling" and make it harder for Ryanair, its Laudamotion subsidiary and rival low-cost carrier easyJet …
(2020-05-27). The Attacks on China Must Stop. counterpunch.org The world is supposed to be pulling together to defeat the Coronavirus and to some extent it is. Earlier on Russia sent special equipment to the US and recently the US has sent some to Russia. China has aided Italy and Africa with doctors and equipment. Tiny Cuba, with its deep pool of doctors, has
(2020-05-27). Defeating Trump more important: Tulsi Gabbard drops lawsuit against Hillary Clinton over 'Russian asset' smear. rt.com 
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) has chosen to let Hillary Clinton get away with calling her an agent of the Kremlin, dropping the defamation lawsuit for the sake of party unity and defeating President Donald Trump. | While Gabbard and her campaign "remain certain of the action's legal merit," the new reality of the Covid-19 pandemic requires them to "focus their time and attention on other priorities, including defeating Donald Trump in 2020, rather than righting the wrongs here," her attorney Dan Terzian wrote in the court filing withdrawing the lawsuit on Wednesday. | It was a far cry from the fiery t…
(2020-05-27). US ends ALL BUT ONE sanctions waivers for Iran nuclear facilities. rt.com 
The US is giving foreign governments 60 days to wrap up work on Iranian nuclear facilities — 90 days for the civilian reactor in Bushehr — or face Washington's sanctions, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced. | Washington has offered waivers for its sanctions against Tehran in connection with several civilian facilities since President Donald Trump unilaterally exited a nuclear deal with Iran in 2018. Now those waivers are being phased out entirely, Pompeo said on Wednesday. | European, Chinese and Russian companies working on nuclear projects in Iran will have two months to wrap up their o…
(2020-05-27). Italy & Spain would receive biggest share of EU's proposed €750 billion post-Covid recovery fund. rt.com 
The European Commission has finally put forward its plans for post-pandemic economic recovery and is set to propose that hardest-hit Italy and Spain will receive the biggest chunks of the ‚Ǩ750 billion set aside. | The Commission said the package of measures would be worth €1.85 trillion in total "to help kick-start" the economy and "ensure Europe bounces forward." | Out of the €750 billion 'Next Generation EU' recovery fund, Italy could get 173 billion, while Spain could get 140 billion — and the fund will be offered in a combination of grants and loans, a senior EU official…
(2020-05-27). Switzerland to reopen borders to all neighbors except Italy. rt.com 
The Swiss government unveiled plans on Wednesday to reopen borders with all neighboring countries except for Italy. Switzerland wants to restore free movement of people with other member countries of the Schengen Area by July 6. | Switzerland, which had previously closed its borders, reaffirmed plans with France, Germany and Austria to lift all travel restrictions among the four countries on June 15 due to the positive development of the pandemic, Reuters said. | The extraordinary situation that has been in place since March giving Bern heightened powers will be lifted on June 19. The government said that publ…
(2020-05-27). Italy and Belgium join France in rejecting hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19 treatment. rt.com 
Italy and Belgium have joined France in‚Äã moving to ‚Äã‚Äãban the‚Äã use of the controversial hydroxychloroquine‚Äã to treat Covid-19 patients as questions continue to mount over its safety. | On Wednesday, France revoked its decree authorizing the prescription of the anti-malarial drug for the novel coronavirus following a decision from the government's health advisory agency. | Now Belgium's health body has warned against using the drug outside of ongoing registered clinical trials. | Italy's health authorities also co…
(2020-05-27). 'Just a dwarf': Ex-German Chancellor Schroeder snubs Ukraine envoy who blasted him over calls for anti-Russian sanctions relief. rt.com 
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder brushed off criticism from the Ukrainian ambassador to Berlin, calling him "a dwarf" in his personal podcast. The diplomat had accused him of being a 'lobbyist' for Moscow. | The veteran politician, who is still deemed a talented orator in Germany, launched his own When spea…
(2020-05-27). Germany's states 'increasingly taking responsibility' for coronavirus steps — Merkel. rt.com 
The federal government is monitoring the coronavirus situation in Germany closely but practical responsibility lies increasingly with the 16 states, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday. Care must be taken to avoid the virus spreading fast again, she said. | "We are still at start of the pandemic," Merkel told reporters. "We can see… how fast it can happen that infections spread so we have to be very careful." | In a separate comment, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday that Merkel cannot confirm her physical presence at an envisaged summit of the Group of Seven (G7) in the United States yet. The decision…
(2020-05-27). Germany sees SURGE in anti-Semitic and 'politically-motivated' crime. rt.com 
The German government has voiced alarm over the threat from the far right, after new figures showed a dramatic increase in anti-Semitic and politically motivated crime. | Anti-Semitic attacks rose by 13 percent in 2019, with more than 2,032 incidents recorded, and the number of politically motived crimes surged 14 percent to 41,177. | The statistics were presented by Interior Minister Horst Seehofer and the chief of the Federal Criminal Police Office, Holger Munch, at a media conference in Berlin. According to the data, more than a half of politically motivated crimes in 2019 were connected to the far right, w…
(2020-05-27). Germany sees SURGE in anti-Semitic and 'politically motivated' crime. rt.com The German government has voiced alarm over the threat from the far right, after new figures showed a dramatic increase in anti-Semitic and politically motivated crime. | Anti-Semitic attacks rose by 13 percent in 2019, with more than 2,032 incidents recorded, and the number of politically motivated crimes surged 14 percent to 41,177. | The statistics were presented by Interior Minister Horst Seehofer and the chief of the Federal Criminal Police Office, Holger Munch, at a media conference in Berlin. According to the data, more than a half of politically motivated crimes in 2019 were connected to the far right,…
(2020-05-27). Belgrade blocks flights from 'coronavirus-free' Montenegro as Podgorica doesn't welcome Serbians. rt.com 
The Serbian government has banned inbound flights by Montenegro's flag carrier Montenegro Airlines after Podgorica refused to open its borders to people from Serbia, where coronavirus persists. Serbia's Directorate for Civilian Aviation said it decided to act as Montenegro's move affects reciprocity in air transportation. | Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic declared his country free of coronavirus on Monday. The PM said Montenegro would open its borders to travelers from countries reporting no more than 25 cases of infection per 100,000 people. Serbia, where the infection rate is higher, was not on th…
(2020-05-27). Poland to scrap compulsory outdoor masks from May 30, cinemas reopen on June 6. rt.com 
Poles will be allowed to go outside without protective masks from May 30 and cinemas, theaters and gyms will reopen on June 6, the government said on Wednesday. Public gatherings of up to 150 people will be allowed in coming days, while limits on the number of people in churches will also be relaxed. | The country of 38 million people has so far reported 22,074 cases of Covid-19 and 1,024 deaths. | Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki reiterated the government's desire to hold a delayed presidential election next month, Reuters said. The election, originally set for May 10, was canceled due to the pandemic. | Sch…
(2020-05-27). Disgraced Russian politician TAKES PUTIN TO COURT over 'unlawful' firing. rt.com 
The former leader of Russia's Chuvash Republic is suing President Vladimir Putin over his dismissal. Mikhail Ignatyev was fired earlier this year due to "a loss of confidence" following an array of well-publicized scandals. | In January, Ignatyev came under fire after calling for journalists to be "wiped out" if they question the authorities. Later that month, he was caught on camera humiliating a local firefighter. While handing out keys for new fire engines, Ignatyev held a set above the head of an officer, forcing the firefighter to jump to reach them. On January 29, Ignatyev was handed his resignation pape…
(2020-05-27). 'Cancel Culture' reaches Russia: Legacy of Cheburaska author under threat after daughter's accusations of violence & abuse. rt.com 
"A domestic tyrant." That's how Tatyana Uspenskaya describes her late father Eduard, best known as the creator of Cheburashka. She wants his name removed from a children's literature prize, and the row has Russians enthralled. | It raises questions about how a society should treat a cultural giant, once their legacy has been tarnished by accusations of private transgressions. The story has parallels with Western battles over the music of Michael Jackson, the comedy of Louis CK, and the films of Woody Allen. | In an open letter, Uspenskaya, accuses her father of committing domestic violence throughout his adult…
(2020-05-27). Russian president, Saudi crown prince agree to further coordinate oil output cuts — Kremlin. rt.com 
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have agreed in a telephone call on further "close coordination" in restricting oil output, the Kremlin press service said on Wednesday. | They also noted the importance of joint efforts aimed at reaching agreements within the OPEC+ group in April on production curbs, the Kremlin said. | On April 10, the Russian president and the Saudi crown prince discussed issues relating to the OPEC+ talks on reducing oil production, and agreed to maintain bilateral contacts on the issue.
(2020-05-27). Russian capital to see quarantine rules relaxed as govt outlines anti-coronavirus plan until 2021. rt.com 
Starting next Monday the strict quarantine in Moscow will be lifted as the biggest hotspot of the Covid-19 epidemic in Russia eases restrictions. But many rules are here to stay, at least until the end of the year. | Moscow accounts for roughly half of all Covid-19 cases in Russia, but now the outbreak seems to be subsiding, so more quarantine measures will be lifted starting next week. Mayor Sergey Sobyanin on Wednesday outlined his plan to steer the city further out of the lockdown. | Arguably the most welcome change will be the relaxation of the stay-at-home order, under which Muscovites lived for almost tw…
(2020-05-27). Technological leaps, more risk or dawn of private space exploration? How SpaceX's 1st manned mission could change things FOREVER. rt.com 
Elon Musk's SpaceX will launch its first manned mission into orbit on Wednesday — a feat already being hailed by some as 'historic'. RT has asked veteran cosmonauts what it would mean for the US, Russia, and space exploration. | The company's Falcon 9 rocket, carrying its Crew Dragon capsule, will blast off into space from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida — the first ever launch conducted by a private spacecraft firm. NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are expected to link up with the ISS and spend between one and four months in orbit, depending on how well the equipment performs. | If s…
(2020-05-27). Iran convenes newly elected parliament amid pandemic. rt.com 
Iran's newly elected parliament convened on Wednesday under strict social distancing regulations. The country is grappling with one of the deadliest outbreaks in the Middle East, with more than 7,500 fatalities among over 139,500 confirmed cases. | Turkey has the region's largest outbreak, with 156,800 confirmed cases and more than 4,300 deaths. | All 268 lawmakers who were in attendance on Wednesday have tested negative for the coronavirus, according to Iranian state TV. | The newly elected house is dominated by 220 conservative lawmakers, including more than 50 who are close allies of former President Mahmou…
(2020-05-27). Masks up, pants down? Ukrainian woman dons UNDERWEAR on her face to meet Covid-19 safety demands (VIDEO). rt.com 
The coronavirus face mask game has hit a new height — or rather low — at a post office in Ukraine, where a woman without the protective gear instead chose to strip off her panties and wear them on her face to comply with the law.
(2020-05-27). Sweden's "herd immunity" policy produces one of world's highest fatality rates. wsws.org Sweden's policy has been praised by reactionary political forces and the corporate media internationally to bolster their criminal back-to-work campaigns.
(2020-05-27). Erdogan Warns that Turkey 'Will Not Allow' Israel to Annex West Bank. globalresearch.ca Turkey's President "We are witnessing a new plan of occupation…
(2020-05-27). One Rule for Me and Another for Everyone Else: The Cummings Coronavirus Factor. counterpunch.org Leaving crises to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's management skills will never disappoint those who favour chaos and the attractions of vague direction. The double standard is to be preferred to the equal one. With the United Kingdom sundered by death and the effects of COVID-19 (the PM himself having had his battle with the virus),
(2020-05-27). Mail-Order Presidency: Democrats Will Do Anything to Beat Trump in November. strategic-culture.org Just like in 2016 when WikiLeaks revealed that the DNC was feeding Hillary Clinton debate questions, 2020 will be no different with the Democrats employing every dirty trick in the book to oust Donald Trump from office. | Following on the backs of Russiagate, Impeachment, and now mass-media hysteria over Coronavirus, which of course has dealt Trump a major blow with regards to his hopes for reelection in November, is there anyone still not convinced that the Democrat machine is prepared to do absolutely anything to win in November? | Liberals are painfully aware that if Trump wins another four years in office all…
(2020-05-27). Four EU states warn Israeli regime over West Bank annexation. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 27 (MNA) — Four European countries namely France, England, Spain, and Italy warned Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the dire consequences of the illegal annexation of the West Bank.
(2020-05-27). Iran exports face mask production machinery to Denmark: Sattari. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 27 (MNA) — For the first time, the Islamic Republic of Iran has exported face mask production machinery to Denmark, said Vice President Sattari.
(2020-05-27). Over 1 in 6 youth out of work due to COVID-19: ILO. yenisafak.com "The COVID-19 economic crisis is hitting young people — especially women — harder and faster than any other group," said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder at a video press conference in Geneva."If we do not take significant and immediate action to improve their situation, the legacy of the virus could be with us for decades," said Ryder.The estimated number of overall jobs lost around the world in the second quarter of 2020 remains unchanged at 305 million, said the ILO.From a regional perspective, the Americas (13.1%), and Europe and Central Asia (12.9%) present the most substantial losses in hours work…
(2020-05-27). Turkey hails US denial of parole for diplomat's killer. yenisafak.com Turkey on Wednesday welcomed a US governor's decision to reject the parole request of Hampig Sassounian, an Armenian who assassinated a Turkish diplomat in Los Angeles in 1982."Turkey has welcomed this decision that shows once again that terrorism, which is the utmost point of hate speech and extremism in the world, will not go unpunished," the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement, referring to California Governor Gavin Newsom's denial of a parole request by Sassounian on Monday.Newsom reversed the Board of Parole Hearings' decision which earlier found Sassounian suitable for parole."After reviewing and c…
(2020-05-27). Germany can't confirm Merkel will attend G7 in person. yenisafak.com German Chancellor Angela Merkel cannot confirm her physical presence at an envisaged summit of the Group of Seven (G7) in the United States yet, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday, adding that this would depend on how the coronavirus pandemic develops.President Donald Trump believes there would be "no greater example of reopening" than holding a summit of Group of Seven leaders in the United States near the end of June, the White House said on Tuesday.
(2020-05-27). German-Turkish mother seeks help from Merkel to rescue daughter. yenisafak.com A German-Turkish mother has called on Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday to help mothers who struggle to rescue their children from the terrorist PKK group.Maide T. told reporters in front of the Chancellory that she would continue demonstrations to get her voice heard by Merkel and the government."Please help us to rescue our children. Monitor cultural associations used by the PKK. These are not cultural houses, these are the houses of the PKK," she said, stressing that the outlawed group has been using such cultural centers in Germany for brainwashing children, and recruiting them to the group.She said her…
(2020-05-27). Brits may not be allowed to travel to Spain this summer. yenisafak.com While Spanish authorities have invited foreign tourists to start planning their holidays to Spain, the country's top epidemiologist cautioned that travelers from countries that do not have coronavirus under control could be banned from entering.That message could be especially relevant to Brits, who are one of Spain's leading source markets for tourism, but have been struggling to contain the infection."We have to evaluate the risk of importing [coronavirus]," said Fernando Simon, Spain's chief epidemiologist, at a press conference on Tuesday, adding: "It's not an easy task."He said Spain will judge the risk of v…
(2020-05-27). Turkey exports more than 1,000 mechanical ventilators. yenisafak.com Turkey has exported more than 1,000 mechanical ventilators crucial in treating COVID-19 so far, the country's industry and technology minister said on Wednesday.Addressing a meeting of a local trade chamber via a video link, Mustafa Varank said Turkey is also carrying out apace innovative projects for diagnostic kits and systems that will make a name for the country worldwide.Varank pointed that many countries face crisis of producing basic medical equipment."The discrimination between developed or developing countries has disappeared."Countries boasting their economic and technological power have been late in co…
(2020-05-26). North Atlantic vs. Eurasia: EU Admits that "American-led System" Nears Its End. globalresearch.ca European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell told a gathering of German ambassadors on Monday that "analysts have long talked about the end of an American-led system and the arrival of an Asian century. This is now happening in front …
(2020-05-26). Other Nations Lead the Way. progressive.org How China, South Korea, and Germany developed effective strategies for fighting COVID-19.
(2020-05-26). The power of propaganda: Americans think Trump's COVID-19 performance better than China's. mronline.org 
Americans rate their own government's response, along with that of the UK and Italy, higher than that of China despite those countries having much higher death and infection rates.
(2020-05-26). Racism and Bias at the Court of Arbitration for Sports. dissidentvoice.org 
Sun Yang Over the past 5 years, the sports "anti doping movement" has been distorted into a political tool to attack Russia and now China. This article reveals the bias behind the decision to ban Chinese athlete Sun Yang for eight years. For example, the president of the panel tweeted against a "yellow faced Chinese …
(2020-05-26). Pointless Damage: Robert Koch's Own Calculation Shows Germany's Lockdown Was Unnecessary and Ineffective. anti-empire.com 
In an interview with Citing data from Robert Koch Institute (RKI) : | In the interview, the prominent professor, once an adviser to former chancellor Gerhard Schrà∂der, cited a chart from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) that was issued on April 15th: |
(2020-05-26). Spain Cuts Virus Death Toll by 2,000. anti-empire.com 
Spain's government on Monday revised downward the country's death toll from the coronavirus by nearly 2,000, bringing the total number of deaths recorded to 26,834. | A new system of gathering data had allowed them to identify cases that were counted twice and exclude deaths wrongly attributed to the virus, said Fernando Simon, the health ministry's emergencies coordinator. | "A variation of 1,900, that's a lot," he added. "We are trying to check that it's correct, but these are the figures that we have at the moment." | The
(2020-05-26). Why Did Russia Refuse Venezuela's Request but Iran Accepted It? ahtribune.com 
Iranian tankers were 2200 km from the US coast when the Iranian-flagged "Fortune", followed by "Forest", entered Venezuelan waters, challenging the US embargo and the US's threats. The Islamic Republic was broadcasting loud and clear a strong message. | The first message was dispatched to the US administration after Gulf and Arab Leaders conveyed a direct message to the Iranian leaders: "Washington is determined to stop the Iranian tankers sailing to Venezuela". Iran responded to all messages received that "its five tankers will sail to Venezuela and if any of these tankers is intercepted, Iran will respond in…
(2020-05-26). Democracy: Or How to Choose A Candidate in United States Elections. ahtribune.com 
I am both a Swiss and US citizen and vote in both jurisdictions. In Switzerland I participate in its semi-direct democratic system, characterized by voting on issues, initiating legislation, approving or rejecting laws and regulations by referendum. We can even decide whether a bridge or a tunnel is built over Lake Geneva — or decide not to build it at all. Governance by the people and for the people works rather well, guided by the old principle salus populi suprema lex (the well-being of the people is the highest law, Cicero De legibus 3,3,8). | Everybody hails "democracy" and "democratic values", but…