(2021-01-28). End of Anti-Russian Electioneering; Palestinian Funding Restored. indybay.org One week after the Inauguration, Pres. Biden called Pres. Putin to extend the START nuclear arms control treaty, due to expire 2/5/21. Pres. Biden's administration also announced restoration of relations with Palestine and aid to Palestinians.
(2021-01-28). Russia's population decline accelerated in 2020, losing 500,000 residents amid Covid deaths, falling birth rate & less immigration. rt.com 
Russia has recorded its largest annual population decline in 15 years. According to Rosstat, the official government statistics service, the number of people permanently living in the country dropped by 510,000 in just 12 months. | The national population now totals 146.24 million, a steep drop from 146.75 million at the start of 2020. The last time the country saw such a significant decline was in 2005, when the number of people decreased by 564,500. | Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Moscow was already concerned about the country's falling number of inhabitants. Russia's population peaked at the start of 2018 a…
(2021-01-28). Opposition mounts to Spanish government's refusal to implement coronavirus measures. wsws.org The blame for the explosion of cases and deaths in Spain lies squarely on the shoulders of the Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government, which has refused point-blank to take any serious measures to control the pandemic.
(2021-01-28). EU orders raid of AstraZeneca vaccine plant in Belgium as row over Covid jabs escalates. rt.com 
Belgian regulators carried out an inspection of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine production site near Brussels at the behest of the European Commission, amid an ongoing spat over the deployment of the company's Covid-19 vaccine. | During the inspection ordered by the European Union's executive branch, samples and records were taken from the Novasep factory, in the town of Seneffe, outside Brussels, to be analyzed by officials from Belgium's Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAGG). | The inspection marks an escalation in the ongoing row between the bloc and the pharmaceutical company over Covid…
(2021-01-28). France's Covid-19 vaccine woes continue as more regions SUSPEND first doses of Pfizer jab. rt.com 
Two more local public health agencies in France are suspending people's appointments for receiving their first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech, due to supply shortages. | The eastern Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region and the Île-de-France area surrounding Paris both said on Thursday that they would be axing Covid immunization appointments. | The Parisian ARS health agency said injections of first doses will stop there from February 2 and hospitals won't receive deliveries for the time being, although already-arranged second-dose appointments will still go ahead. | A spokesperson for AR…
(2021-01-28). The UK is now the world hotspot for COVID-19. peoplesworld.org 
UNITED KINGDOM—This time last year, and up to the end of 2020, the threat of coronavirus overtaking the whole island was a constant concern, but never a conceptual reality. Yet, reality came crashing down without warning—there were no sirens, or readymade shelters for those sick and injured. The U.K's official death toll in the coronavirus …
(2021-01-28). Washington Bullets: A History of the CIA, Coups, and Assassinations. peoplesworld.org 
The 20th century saw a wave of anti-colonial, anti-imperialist, national liberation movements transform the world, often with the aid of Soviet, Eastern European, and Cuban Communists. Just as often, these revolts against the old world — the racist, sexist world of subjugation and oppression of entire peoples — were violently suppressed. In the first two …
(2021-01-28). 'Shameful': Amnesty condemns use of French weapons against protesters in Lebanon. middleeasteye.net 
'Shameful': Amnesty condemns use of French weapons against protesters in Lebanon | Rights group identifies French-made weapons including tear gas, rubber bullets, and grenade launchers used to quell protests | Thu, 01/28/2021 – 19: 56 | "> | Amnesty International urged France to halt weapons sales to Lebanon, saying French-manufactured rubber bullets, tear gas grenades and launcher…
(2021-01-28). US calls on Turkey and Russia to 'immediately' withdraw forces from Libya. middleeasteye.net 
US calls on Turkey and Russia to 'immediately' withdraw forces from Libya | The deadline for withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries passed on Saturday with no movement observed on ground | Thu, 01/28/2021 – 21: 38 | Haftar failed in his bid to wrest control of Tripoli last year, ultimately leading to stalemate with GNA (AFP) | The United States has called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian and Turki…
(2021-01-28). Irish official sees aid efforts at Turkey-Syria border. yenisafak.com A top Irish official on Thursday observed humanitarian aid efforts in the southern Turkish province of Hatay, bordering Syria, as part of his two-day visit to the country.After visiting local officials in the city along with his delegation, Simon Coveney, Ireland's foreign affairs and defense minister, went to a UN logistics center for humanitarian aid in Reyhanli district of Hatay, where he was briefed on its work.Then he proceeded to the Cilvegozu border crossing with aid materials to be sent to Syria, and saw the aid transfer point in the buffer zone.In January, Ireland began its two-year term as a non-permane…
(2021-01-28). 'Both doses of COVID-19 jab should be from same vendor'. yenisafak.com People should get both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the same vendor, a Turkish scientist has said.Taking different types of jabs is not the "right approach", said Dr. Afsin Emre Kayipmaz, a member of Turkey's Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board.Kayipmaz said the vaccination campaign will accelerate as two batches of the Chinese Sinovac have reached the country. A total of 9.5 million doses of the vaccine are expected boost mass immunization against the virus.The doctor said that vaccination will provide at least six months of protection, adding that the respiratory tract infections are expected to rise ag…
(2021-01-28). Portugal restricts foreign travel as Covid continues to surge. laprensalatina.com Lisbon, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- Portugal will tighten the rules on its citizens leaving the country for the next 15 days starting from Sunday. Covid-19 is spreading out of control in the Atlantic nation, where health authorities on Thursday reported 303 deaths and 16,432 new infections, both record numbers in the country of just over 10 …
(2021-01-28). WHO warns against premature lifting of Covid restrictions in Europe. laprensalatina.com Copenhagen, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- The World Health Organization's Europe office warned on Thursday against the premature lifting of restrictions as transmissions of Covid-19 remain high, coupled with the risks posed by new coronavirus variants. "Let us not forget the lessons we have learned so harshly. Opening and closing, locking down and opening up rapidly is …
(2021-01-28). Extending the time between Covid jabs: pragmatic or a gamble? laprensalatina.com By Guillermo Ximenes London, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- The decision in the United Kingdom to extend the period between Covid-19 vaccine doses has divided expert opinion as some see it as a pragmatic move to confront the emergency situation while others worry it could be too much of a gamble. Sir Chris Whitty, the chief medical …
(2021-01-28). As the Olympics and Euro 2020 hang in the balance, should elite athletes be fast-tracked for the Covid-19 vaccine? rt.com 
Considerable question marks remain as to the possibility of holding two of this summer's largest sporting events amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, but should athletes be allowed jump the vaccine queue to ensure they go ahead? | The rollout of the various vaccines to combat Covid-19, including Russia's Sputnik V jab, have promised a glimmer of light amid the global Coronavirus chaos which has affected practically every person on the planet in one way or another. | However, the rollout of the various vaccines has brought with it another debate: to whom should they be available, and where should the early applica…
(2021-01-28). Sturgeon Accused of 'Petty Politics' for Taking EU Side as COVID Vaccine War Hots Up. sputniknews.com The European Union's vaccine trade war with the UK continued to escalate on Thursday, with a surprise swoop ordered at AstraZeneca's facility in Belgium coming to light and European Council President Charles Michel vowing tougher measures to force the UK to hand over supplies of the jabs.
(2021-01-28). 'I just wanted to cry': Russian high jump champ Lasitskene backs hurdles king as he vows to contest 'ridiculous' doping violation. rt.com 
Prominent Russian high jumper Maria Lasitskene has voiced her support for fellow athlete Sergey Shubenkov after reports emerged in the Russian press of an alleged doping violation, triggering speculation that he could face a ban. | Multiple Russian sports outlets reported on Thursday that the prohibited substance furosemide – a masking agent that can help to rid the body of traces of doping – had been detected during Shubenkov's doping probe. | The medicine is not a performance enhancing drug and the hurdler has described the news as an "outrageous lie." | "During my entire career, I have never taken prohibite…
(2021-01-28). Mega-investors punished with $70 BILLION LOSSES as GameStop and other shorted firms see stock surge — data analysts. rt.com 
Short-selling investors lost a staggering $70.8 billion this month, according to financial data analytics firm Ortex. Their losses were partly driven by small traders pumping money into stocks like GameStop. | Short-sellers lost $70.87 billion on US companies this year so far, according to analysis from Ortex reported by Reuters on Thursday. To put the loss in perspective, $70.87 billion is half a billion dollars more than the GDP of Slovenia, according to CIA statistics. | In just a few short days, the American people realized their power and took down $70 BILLION in predatory trading. We're not even finished…
(2021-01-28). 6 killed, scores injured after chemical leak at factory in Georgia. rt.com 
At least six people have been killed and more than 100 treated by medics after a liquid nitrogen leak at a food processing plant in the US state of Georgia, local officials said on Thursday. | The incident occurred at the Prime Pak Foods plant in Gainesville, Hall County, at around 10am local time Thursday. | A spokesperson for the Northeast Georgia Health System said multiple people are receiving emergency treatment, with at least 10 people hospitalized. | Five people reportedly died at the scene, while a sixth succumbed to injuries after being rushed to hospital. | One eyewitness to the aftermath of the inci…
(2021-01-28). Announce Khabib: Russian champ receives public offer to make professional debut in 'the football UFC' as club bids to sign him up. rt.com 
Khabib Nurmagomedov could officially join a football club for the first time next month if he accepts an offer from FC Kamaz, a Russian Professional Football League team who have made an ambitious public bid for the UFC champion. | Playfully producing an image of football-loving Nurmagomedov in their shirt, promotion-chasing Kamaz gave the unbeaten lightweight king a list of enticements to sign for them following his session at a Spartak Moscow training school in Dubai earlier this week. | Responding to a tantalizing post offering his services to clubs, Kamaz declared that their aim is to score a knockout blow…
(2021-01-28). Turkey's central Bank reserves hit 93.3$B in December. yenisafak.com The Turkish Central Bank's reserves amounted to $93.3 billion at the end of December 2020, the bank announced on Thursday.Total reserve assets rose 12.8% in December from the end of November, according to the bank's international reserves and foreign currency liquidity report.Foreign currency reserves — in convertible foreign currencies — totaled $48.5 billion, up 17.8% compared to the previous month.In December, the bank's gold reserves — including gold deposits and, if appropriate, gold swapped — increased 8.1% on a monthly basis to $43.2 billion.Short-term predetermined net drains of the government and the…
(2021-01-28). Turkey starts vaccination for people aged 75 and older. yenisafak.com Turkey has begun administering the coronavirus vaccine on people aged 75 and above.Nationwide vaccination started on Jan. 14 after the Chinese Sinovac was granted emergency use approval by Turkey's drug regulatory authority.So far, senior citizens over 90 and 80 years old at care homes or their residences have been vaccinated.Also, vaccination is ongoing for employees at pharmacies and students studying the subject at university level.According to the official figures released by the Health Ministry, Turkey has vaccinated 1.524 million people as of Thursday morning, including frontline health workers.The vaccine…
(2021-01-28). Turkey's economic confidence up 1.6% in January. yenisafak.com The confidence in the Turkish economy rose month-on-month in January, said the country's statistical authority on Thursday.The economic confidence index reached 96.2 this month, up 1.6% from 94.7 in December, TurkStat said.The monthly rise was driven by increases in consumer and services confidence indices.‚Ä® ‚Ä®The consumer confidence index posted the largest increase with 4% in the same period. The reading for retail trade and construction slipped by 0.1% and 5.2%, respectively.This month, the services confidence index was up by 2.9% compared to last month, while the real sector p…
(2021-01-28). Turkey's FM hails new Canadian, Afghan officials. yenisafak.com Turkey's foreign minister spoke with his newly appointed Canadian counterpart over the phone, according to diplomatic sources.In their phone conversation, Mevlut Cavusoglu congratulated Marc Garneau on his appointment this January as foreign minister.Separately, Cavusoglu also met in the Turkish capital Ankara with Qudratullah Zaki, Afghanistan's transport minister.On Twitter, Cavusoglu "congratulated my brother Qudratullah Zaki, Minister of Transport of Afghanistan, for his new post.""Thanks to statesmen like Qudratullah Zaki who studied in Turkey, our brotherly ties with Afghanistan are even stronger," Cavusogl…
(2021-01-28). Could Turkey-EU relations normalize? yenisafak.com The volatile climate that marked US foreign policy in the Donald Trump era not only harmed EU-Turkey relations, but also adversely affected US relations with the European Union. There is no question that this is not the first crisis in the transatlantic relations. For instance, the Bush administration's unilateral policies widened the gap between Washington and Brussels in 2003, as Europe and the USA, two transatlantic partners, "lost each other somewhere between Kabul and Baghdad," as Robert Kagan put it. Around the same time, we have started to hear about what began to be referred to as "two Wests". According t…
(2021-01-28). NGOs | sue Macron gov't for 'humiliating, degrading' ID checks against | Blacks, Arabs. yenisafak.com Following long-lasting complaints by residents with diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds in France, a group of six non-governmental organizations (NGOs) decided to launch a rare class-action lawsuit against Macron's government, urging authorities to take concrete steps to end racial profiling in ID checks by law enforcement.The NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and four others, contended that French law enforcement particularly stop people of African or Arab descent more often than other ethnic groups during ID checks, an entrenched discriminatory problem, also acknowledged by President E…
(2021-01-28). Turkey's exports of home textile products fetch $2.49B. yenisafak.com Turkey exported home textile products worth over $2.49 billion to 194 countries and autonomous regions last year, according to data released by an industry group.A majority of the exports were made to the Western countries — Germany ($480.6 million), the US ($295.4 million), and the UK ($128.7 million), according to data by the Turkish Home Textile Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TETSIAD) compiled by Anadolu Agency.The exports worth $904.8 million to these three countries accounted for 36.33% of the total home textile sales.‚Ä®They were followed by Italy and the Netherlands with $107…
(2021-01-28). Hacking network Emotet dismantled by int'l operation. yenisafak.com Law enforcement agencies across six European countries, the US and Canada have disrupted a global hacking network Emotet.In a written statement Wednesday, Europol described Emotet as the "world's most dangerous malware"."Investigators have now taken control of its infrastructure in an international coordinated action," EU's law enforcement agency added.Among the countries that participated in the operation are the Netherlands, Germany, the US, the UK, France, Lithuania, Canada and Ukraine, with international activity coordinated by Europol and Eurojust."The EMOTET infrastructure essentially acted as a primary doo…
(2021-01-28). 'Turkey third country worldwide with vaccines at clinical phase'. yenisafak.com Joining just two other vaccines in the world, vaccines developed in Turkey are now set to enter the clinical study phase, said the nation's president on Thursday."Three innovative [Turkish] vaccine candidates are on the verge of starting phase studies. Work by our professors has the potential to become the third vaccine candidate in the clinical stage in its category in the world," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told an award ceremony for the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and Turkish Academy of Sciences (TUBA) in the capital Ankara.According to the World Health Organization, Turkey has t…
(2021-01-28). Turkey sends 20,000 more vaccine doses to N.Cyprus. yenisafak.com Turkey on Thursday delivered another batch of coronavirus vaccine produced by China's Sinovac to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).As many as 20,000 doses of CoronaVac were brought to the TRNC in air ambulance belonging to the Turkish Health Ministry."Turkey has always been by our side, and the supply of vaccines is further proof," TRNC Health Minister Ali Pilli told Anadolu Agency.He appreciated the Turkish leadership for their efforts, adding that thanks to Ankara the vaccination campaign will continue.On Jan. 14, Turkey sent the first shipment of 20,000 doses, soon after which TRNC began the immun…
(2021-01-28). Borsa Istanbul down at Thursday open. yenisafak.com Turkey's benchmark stock index opened at 1,450.54 points on Thursday, down 1.12% or 16.46 points from the previous close.Borsa Istanbul's BIST 100 index dropped 4.50% to close at 1,467.00 on Wednesday, with a daily trading volume of 34.3 billion Turkish liras ($4.7 billion).The US dollar/Turkish lira exchange rate dropped to 7.4100 as of 9: 30 a.m. local time (0630GMT), from 7.4110 at the previous close.The euro/Turkish lira exchange rate rose to 8.9800 from 8.9610, while one British pound traded for 10.1400 Turkish liras, up from 10.1350.One barrel of Brent crude oil sold for around $55.20 as of 10 a.m. local tim…
(2021-01-28). Iranian foreign minister to visit Turkey on Friday. yenisafak.com Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif will pay a visit to Turkey on Friday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.During Zarif's visit, "all aspects of our bilateral relations will be discussed and views on regional and international issues will be exchanged," a ministry statement said.
(2021-01-28). Re-thinking open-source intelligence in the information age and digital change. yenisafak.com It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us …"Charles Dickens' abovementioned opening lines in his classic "A Tale of Two Cities" masterfully depicts the zeitgeist in the heart of Europe at the time, London and Paris, avalanching en route to the coming French Revolution. Indeed, periods of great changes in long-establis…
(2021-01-28). Snow-fed waterfall offers unique view in central Turkey. yenisafak.com Kapuzbasi Waterfall, fed by snow masses and glaciers at the summit of Mt. Aladag and overflowing with a recent heavy snowfall, attracts visitors with its unique views in central Turkey.Kapuzbasi Waterfall comprises seven waterfalls flowing from the mountain slopes on an area of 500 square meters (around 5,382 square feet), and is located in Aladaglar National Park around 190 kilometers (118 miles) from the city center of the Kayseri province.As a wonder of nature, the place has become a frequent destination for visitors overwhelmed with cold water, pouring down from a height of about 75 meters (246 feet).The gorg…
(2021-01-28). Alexei Navalny Grows More Powerful Every Time Putin Talks About Him. thenation.com Alexei Navalny Grows More Powerful Every Time Putin Talks About Him…
(2021-01-28). Whether Trump or Biden, Europeans Are Still Uncle Sam's Vassals. strategic-culture.org Biden's presumption of telling the Europeans that Nord Stream-2 is a bad deal shows that ultimately the Europeans are considered to not have sovereignty when it comes to setting their energy policy. | The European Union got a rude memo this week indicating there may be a new president residing in Washington, but it's still the same American policy of treating them like vassals. | Democrat President Joe Biden may have more transatlantic finesse and sensibility when compared with rough-edged Republican Donald Trump. But the bottomline is Biden feels every bit as entitled as his predecessor did to order the European…
(2021-01-28). German Neo-Nazi handed life sentence for 2019 murder of politician. laprensalatina.com Berlin, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- A Frankfurt court on Thursday sentenced Neo-Nazi Stephan Ernst to life in prison for the 2019 murder of conservative politician Walter Làºbcke in what was the first political murder trial in Germany since the 1970s. Làºbcke was a member of Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union party and a regional governor in …
(2021-01-28). Colleen Anderson, surviving an Irish mother and baby home. laprensalatina.com Dublin, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- Colleen Anderson was born in 1965 at the now infamous Sean Ross Abbey mother and baby home in County Tipperary, in the center of the Republic of Ireland. The Congregation of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary ran the home between 1939-69 for mothers and their "illegitimate" children, who would be …
(2021-01-28). EU: Lack of clarity on AstraZeneca vaccine but constructive talks with firm. laprensalatina.com (Update: changes headline; re-ledes with results of meeting between Kyriakides, AstraZeneca CEO; adds details) Brussels, Jan 27 (efe-epa).- The European Commission on Wednesday lamented the "lack of clarity" from AstraZeneca after "constructive" talks between the company's CEO and the European Union's commissioner for Health and Food Safety on when the EU can expect delivery of …
(2021-01-28). Asylum seekers subject to systematic pushbacks at Europe's borders, says UNHCR. news.un.org UN refugee agency, UNHCR, called on Thursday for an end to "systematic" expulsions and pushbacks of refugees and asylum-seekers at Europe's land and sea borders.
(2021-01-28). 'The Doll' to vie at US, Italian film festivals. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 28 (MNA) — Iranian short film 'The Doll' directed by Nasrin Gol-Reyhan is slated to vie at two international film festivals in Italy and the US.
(2021-01-28). 6-party mechanism important way to increase coop.: Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 28 (MNA) — Upon arrival in Turkey on Thursday afternoon, the FM Javad Zarif said that a 6-party mechanism outlined by President Erdogan of Turkey matters a lot to increase cooperation in the transit field.
(2021-01-28). Protests set to intensify across Poland as abortion ban comes into effect. peoplesdispatch.org The National Women's Strike in Poland called for countrywide protests after the controversial judgment by the Polish constitutional court banning abortions in case of fetal defects came into effect on Wednesday…
(2021-01-28). Poland mobilizes yet again in opposition to abortion ban. peoplesdispatch.org Massive protests were held across Poland on January 27 condemning the government's announcement to enact the ban on abortions. The enactment had been stalled till January 27 due to popular outcry.
(2021-01-28). German Vaccine Commission Only Recommends AstraZeneca Jabs for Under-65s. sputniknews.com The committee pointed in its recommendations to a lack of scientific data, which prevents it from advising the use of the British-Swedish flagman coronavirus inoculation in older age groups.
(2021-01-28). Behind Biden's warnings to Putin about election meddling lies a deep hypocrisy. thecanary.co Newly elected US president Joe Biden had a But the corporate-owned media has been glossing over one major piece of hypocrisy. It seems to be repeating unchallenged Biden's implication that Russia has all the answering to do when it comes to electoral interference. But the reality is that it's the…
(2021-01-28). France Vows 'Symbolic Actions,' No Apologies For Colonisation Of Algeria. popularresistance.org On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron received a much anticipated report on France's 132-year colonial rule of Algeria and the war that led to Algeria's independence in 1962, as part of an effort towards reconciliation of historical memory between the two countries. | A specialist of contemporary Algerian history, French historian Benjamin Stora, was tasked by Macron in July with "making a precise and just inventory of the progress done in France of colonisation and the Algerian war", which remain painful subjects for millions of Algerian and French citizens nearly 60 years later. | Algerian President Ab…
(2021-01-28). For a European-wide strike against school openings! wsws.org This statement was adopted by a meeting of the Network of Action Committees for Safe Education.
(2021-01-27). How a US-Backed Coup in Serbia Inspired the DC Insurrection. mintpressnews.com 
A MintPress News investigation reveals that the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol drew inspiration from the 2000 overthrow of Serbian president Slobodan Milošević and a conspiratorially-minded Serbian scientist who issued calls for violence.
(2021-01-27). The American state, the fascists and the Soviet Union's ex-revolutionaries. wsws.org Author Benjamin Tromly explores the relationship between America's post-war spy agencies and anti-communist Russian and Soviet émigrés dedicated to regime change in the USSR.