(2021-02-12). The Russian Alternative: How Moscow is Capitalizing on US Retreat in Palestine, Israel. counterpunch.org 
Israeli anxiety was palpable when it was reported that Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was not contacted by the new American President, Joe Biden, for days after the latter's inauguration. While much is being read into Biden's decision, including Washington's lack of enthusiasm to return to the 'peace process', Moscow is generating much attention as
(2021-02-12). 'An anti-Turkey alliance': Ankara slams Greece for hosting 'hostile' meeting with regional countries. middleeasteye.net 
'An anti-Turkey alliance': Ankara slams Greece for hosting 'hostile' meeting with regional countries | Turkey brands Athens meeting between Greece and six other nations an attempt to form an alliance against it | Fri, 02/12/2021 – 10: 28 | Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L), speaks with Emirati minister Reem Ebrahim Al-Hashimy (R) and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud (C) on 21 F…
(2021-02-12). Catalan election campaign draws to an end in Spain. yenisafak.com Another tense election campaign is wrapping up in the Spanish region of Catalonia on Friday, though political divisions and the separatist drive are expected to endure long after Sunday's vote.Spain's Socialist Party and its Catalan chapter, the PSC, have been hoping to lead a change in the region that has been ruled by governments vowing to separate from Spain since 2012.To draw on momentum, and perhaps a certain amount of voter fatigue around the issue of independence, the Socialists brought in one of their most high-profile leaders. Salvador Illa, who acted as Spanish health minister throughout the pandemic, s…
(2021-02-12). Spain's Catalonia region poised for elections. laprensalatina.com Madrid Desk, Feb 12 (efe-epa).- Two weeks of rancorous political campaigning for the elections in Spain's Catalonia region came to a close on Friday, two days before the electorate chooses a new parliament and local president. There are nine candidates vying for the Catalan regional presidency but polls are predicting that no party will walk …
(2021-02-12). NATO's Road To Perdition With Ukraine. strategic-culture.org The US-led NATO military alliance is moving ever closer to accepting Ukraine as a new member. This is an incredibly incendiary step towards war that could escalate into a nuclear conflagration. | Despite repeated and long-standing warnings by Russia, the US-led NATO military alliance has indicated it is moving ever closer to accepting Ukraine as a new member. This is an incredibly incendiary step towards war that could escalate into a nuclear conflagration. And, risibly, this reckless initiative is being driven by an alliance which proclaims to be about upholding peace and security. | This week NATO secretary gen…
(2021-02-12). COVID fuelling risk of recruitment and use of children in conflict, UN and EU warn on International Day. news.un.org More children could be pushed into the joining armed forces and armed groups due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, senior United Nations and European Union (EU) officials said on International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, observed on Thursday.
(2021-02-12). Turkey's Cappadocia region hotspot for Valentine's Day. yenisafak.com Couples are flocking to Turkey's picturesque Cappadocia region for Valentine's Day getaways, with occupancy rates at local accommodation topping 80% for this weekend, including the big day, Feb. 14.Cappadocia offers guests fabulous holiday opportunities with its unique natural, historical and cultural richness, tailor made for special couples' weekends.Abdullah Inal, a local tourism official, told Anadolu Agency that after quiet months due to the pandemic, the increased bookings for Valentine's Day have been welcome, and stressed the steps taken for guests' safety.Cappadocia uses Turkey's groundbreaking Safe Tour…
(2021-02-12). EU recovery package signed amid pandemic crisis. yenisafak.com The European Union's €672.5 billion ($814 billion) recovery package was signed on Friday.The largest stimulus package in the bloc's history aims at relaunching the European economy after the COVID-19 crisis by channeling EU funds to preserve jobs, to maintain social security systems and to invest in health care.The act was signed by Portuguese premier Antonio Costa on behalf of the EU member countries, as the chair of rotating presidency of the Council of European Union, and European Parliament President David Sassoli.The recovery package is "vaccine to save lives, vitamin to boost the economy"
(2021-02-12). Where Are the Witnesses? Ralph Nader Says Democrats' Impeachment Case Is "Prescription for Defeat" democracynow.org 
As the historic Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump continues, we speak with longtime consumer advocate, corporate critic and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, who says Democrats have set themselves up for defeat by rushing proceedings and failing to call witnesses — including Trump himself. "The narrow approach of the articles of impeachment keep the Democrats from having a full hand," says Nader. "They have like 10 arrows in their quiver and they're using one or two."
(2021-02-12). Ralph Nader on Corporate Crime, Holding Boeing Accountable for 737 MAX Deaths & Biden's First Weeks. democracynow.org 
Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and hold Boeing fully accountable. "This is just another example of giant companies getting away with their corporate criminal…
(2021-02-12). Over 3.5M people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Turkey. yenisafak.com The number of people in Turkey who were vaccinated against the coronavirus crossed the 3.5 million mark, the country's health minister said on Friday.Vaccination for people over 65 years started as of Friday, Fahrettin Koca added on Twitter.Turkey began its mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign on Jan. 14, starting with healthcare workers along with top officials to encourage public confidence in the vaccines.Since last December, Turkey has also been implementing curfew on weeknights and a full weekend curfew to curb the spread of the virus.As of Thursday, Turkey registered a total of 27,187 deaths from COVID-19, wh…
(2021-02-12). Turkey reports over 7,500 new coronavirus cases. yenisafak.com Turkey on Thursday reported 7,590 additional coronavirus cases, including 660 symptomatic patients, according to the Health Ministry.The country's case tally is over 2.5 million, while the nationwide death toll has reached 27,187, with 94 fatalities over the past day.As many as 7,811 more patients in the country won the battle against the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to over 2.45 million.More than 31.1 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in Turkey to date, with 130,313 since Wednesday.The latest figures show that the number of COVID-19 patients in critical condition stands at 1,256.On…
(2021-02-12). European regulator begins review of CureVac jab. yenisafak.com The European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Friday announced it has started a rolling review of German company CureVac's COVID-19 vaccine.The CHMP, the EMA's human medicines committee, decided to begin the review of the CVnCoV vaccine "based on preliminary results from laboratory studies (non-clinical data) and early clinical studies in adults," the agency said."These studies suggest that the vaccine triggers the production of antibodies and immune cells that target SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID‚Äë19," read a statement."The rolling review will continue until enough evidence is available for a…
(2021-02-12). Ralph Nader: Biden Must Hold Boeing Accountable for Deaths Due to Faulty Planes. truthout.org 
Legendary consumer advocate Ralph Nader says the U.S. is experiencing a "corporate crime wave," and that the Trump administration's $2.5 billion settlement with Boeing over the manufacturer's faulty 737 MAX jets amounts to a "slap on the wrist." Boeing's faulty planes were involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, including Nader's 24-year-old grandniece Samya Stumo. Nader says the Biden Justice Department should reopen the previous administration's settlement and…
(2021-02-12). NATO again goes to war against Kurdistan. greenleft.org.au Turkey has opened a new front in its ongoing war of annihilation against the Kurdish liberation movement, writes Marcel Cartier.
(2021-02-12). Is Russia waking up? Behind January's protests. greenleft.org.au Last month's protests in Russia may have been sparked by the arrest of opposition figure Aleksey Navalny, writes Aleksandr Buzgalin, but they were mostly a mass response to the social and economic suffering of the people.
(2021-02-12). Djokovic battles injury, Thiem prevails in Aussie Open marathon. laprensalatina.com By Lobsang DS Subirana Bangkok Desk, Feb 12 (efe-epa).-Serbia's Novak Djokovic battled through an injury to his oblique muscle Friday to beat American Taylor Fritz 7-6(1), 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the third round of the Australian Open but there will be doubts as to how long he will last in the competition. "This is …
(2021-02-12). Navalny in court to face charges of slandering WW2 veteran. laprensalatina.com Moscow, Feb 12 (efe-epa).- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was back in court Friday to face charges of slandering a World War II veteran who appeared in a video last year in support of constitutional changes that would allow President Vladimir Putin to remain in power until 2036. Navalny tweeted that those who appeared in …
(2021-02-12). If Navalny deserves support, why not Issa Amro? zcomm.org Where is the U.S. government on a Palestinian activist at a time when it has highlighted the freedom of other groups to protest (notably the imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Russia)…
(2021-02-12). Turkish-American group slams US Senate letter on Turkey. yenisafak.com The US-based Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC) said Thursday it is "appalled" by a letter by 50 US senators that characterizes the Turkish government as "authoritarian administration and violators of Human Rights.""Turkey's government was determined by a free and fair election by all citizens regardless of their background," senior names of the committee said in a statement. "The Turkish people made it clear that no one can temper with their future when they took to streets and resisted a coup attempt on July 15th, 2016. The Turkish people made it clear to the world that they value their democra…
(2021-02-12). Turkey's December industrial output growth beats G20 countries. yenisafak.com With posting the largest rise in industrial production in December 2020, Turkey left behind all G20 countries, the country's industry and technology minister said on Friday."Solid rise in industrial output in the last quarter of 2020 proves that Turkey will be one of the few countries to close out the year with a positive gross domestic product (GDP) growth," Mustafa Varank said on Twitter.His comments came after the Turkish Statistical Institute released figures on the country's industrial output.The industrial production index in December 2020 increased 1.3% on a monthly basis and 9% on an annual basis.The figu…
(2021-02-12). EU Parliament calls for ban on arms sale to Saudi, UAE. yenisafak.com The European Parliament on Thursday called on EU member states to ban arms sale to Saudi Arabia and the UAE over violations of human rights in Yemen.A joint motion adopted by the European Parliament recalled Germany's arms sale ban to Saudi Arabia and Italy's ban to UAE and Saudi Arabia. Lawmakers said some EU countries are also planning to join the ban while others continue arms sale to these countries and violate the common stance of the EU Council.The European Parliament also welcomed the US decision to halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia and to suspend the transfer of F-35 jets to the UAE.Lawmakers also called on…
(2021-02-12). At least 12 Iran-backed terrorists killed in airstrike in Syria. yenisafak.com At least 12 Iranian-backed terrorists fighting with the Bashar al-Assad regime were killed in an airstrike conducted by US-led anti-Daesh coalition forces in eastern Syria, sources said Thursday.Warplanes targeted a convoy of terrorist groups in Deir ez-Zor province.Pipelines and trade routes from Iraq and Jordan pass through the province.The terrorists are under the command of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.With the help of Russia and Iranian-backed militias, the central and the western areas of Deir ez-Zor fell to the regime after Daesh terrorists retreated from the region.The majority of Iranian-back…
(2021-02-12). ANALYSIS: Albania, Greece taking issue of maritime jurisdiction zones to The Hague. yenisafak.com The Greek move to double its waters, which drew criticism and sparked debates in Albania in recent months, raised questions about exclusive economic zones on Albania's continental shelf and determining the maritime jurisdiction zones between the two countries.- History of disputeThe first document establishing borders between Albania and Greece goes back to the 1912-1913 London Conference of Ambassadors. Later, on Jan. 25, 1925, a protocol establishing maritime borders was signed. The final judgment concerning Albanian maritime borders was drafted on July 30, 1926, at the Paris Conference of Ambassadors, signed b…
(2021-02-12). Turkish cemetery in Sofia to be restored. yenisafak.com The Turkish Embassy in Bulgaria and the grand mufti's office in the country will launch a joint initiative to restore a historical Turkish cemetery in the capital Sofia.Turkey's Ambassador in Sofia Aylin Sekizkok and the Grand Mufti of Bulgaria Muslims Mustafa Alis Haci visited the cemetery, also known as "Turkish plot (No. 42)," in the Orlandovtsi district of Sofia.The "Turkish plot (No. 42)" is part of the central cemetery in Sofia, according to the grand mufti's office.Sekizkok and Haci agreed that the cemetery, where Ottoman Sultan Murat V's daughter Fatma Sultan is also buried, need renovation.Speaking to An…
(2021-02-12). Turkish museum exhibits 2,600-year-old perfume bottles. yenisafak.com A collection of 2,600-year-old perfume bottles is on display in Izmir, on the Aegean coast of Turkey, through February.The Izmir Archaeology Museum showcases priceless artifacts being preserved in its warehouse every month as part of a project called You Will See What You Can't See.With a 2,800-year-old princess belt from the Urartian age exhibited in January, February hosts storage vessels known as Attic red-figure squat lekythos.The potteries which were produced by the red-figure technique in the ancient Greece and used as oil and perfume containers, were found to be processed in the Potters Bazaar in Athens 2,…
(2021-02-12). At least 38 PKK terror suspects arrested across Turkey. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces arrested 38 people over their alleged links to the PKK terror group, officials said on Friday.Some 13 of the suspects were arrested when police conducted raids at different addresses in the northwestern Kocaeli province.Organizational documents and digital materials related to the terror group were seized in the operation.Also, commando teams of Turkish gendarmerie forces in the southern Osmaniye province seized a cache of ammunition belonging to the PKK terror group in a shelter in Mt. Amanos.Meanwhile, provincial gendarmerie forces in the southeastern Mardin province seized arms, ammunit…
(2021-02-12). 'Russia ready for breakup with EU if sanctions imposed'. yenisafak.com Moscow is ready to break ties with the European Union if it follows through on its plan to impose sanctions, Russia's foreign minister said on Friday.In an interview on the Soloviev Live YouTube channel, Sergey Lavrov said Russia has no desire to be isolated from the world but needs to be prepared for any eventuality.To a question on whether Russia is heading towards a breakup with the bloc, Lavrov said: "We believe that we are ready; if we see once again, as we already have more than once, that sanctions are being imposed in some areas that create risks for our economy, including the most sensitive areas.""We do…
(2021-02-12). Turkey's specialized free zones to attract investments. yenisafak.com "More RD activities will be carried out, a significant level of intra-sector interaction will be ensured, and there will be a concentration of qualified human resources in those zones," Ruhsar Pekcan told a meeting in the capital Ankara touting the zones.Noting that the share of high-tech products in Turkey's total exports is 3.4% while the figure in free zones is nearly three times that, at 9%, Pekcan said specialized free zones aim to boost those rates. ÔªøThe groundwork for Turkey's next-generation specialized free zone model was laid in a January 2020 presidential decree."With this model, we…
(2021-02-12). Black Citizenship Forum: Black Citizenship And The Problem Of 'Coloniality'. popularresistance.org For this edition of The Black Agenda Review's Black Citizenship Forum, political scientist Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni writes on the impact of the ongoing legacy of colonialism — through the idea and practice of "coloniality" — on present-day citizenship in Africa. Professor Ndlovu-Gatsheni argues that coloniality provides the basis and justification for European exploitation of the world and that this was done through colonial legal orders, territorial boundaries, racial hierarchies, ethnic and tribal categorizations, and class identifications. Meanwhile, formal decolonization enshrined a neocolonial A…
(2021-02-12). Fernando Alonso undergoes jaw surgery after cycling accident. laprensalatina.com Geneva, Feb 12 (efe-epa).- Double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has undergone surgery on his upper jaw after a cycling accident and is expected to restart training after few days of recovery, the Alpine F1 team said Friday. "Following his cycling accident yesterday, Alonso was kept under observation in a hospital in Switzerland. Doctors …
(2021-02-12). Thiem prevails in Aussie Open marathon, Zverev cruises to 4th round. laprensalatina.com By Lobsang DS Subirana Bangkok Desk, Feb 12 (efe-epa).- Austria's Dominic Thiem produced a plethora of box office tennis to beat home crowd favorite Nick Kyrgios in an enthralling match Friday night at the Australian Open. The No. 3 seed prevailed 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 and marched onto the tournament's fourth round before an …
(2021-02-12). Caskets for life's end in Czech town called 'Beginnings'. laprensalatina.com Pocatky, Czech Republic, Feb 12 (epa-efe).- The town of Pocatky (Czech for 'Beginnings') is, perhaps ironically, home to the country's largest manufacturer of coffins, Setora, which in 1991 took over Lisek, a former cooperative that had been building wooden caskets since 1949. Last year, death rates in the central European country jumped by 14 percent …
(2021-02-12). Italy's Draghi presents new gov't. laprensalatina.com Rome, Feb 12 (efe-epa).- Italy's new prime minister, Mario Draghi, presented Friday a government including representatives of all but one of the main parties along with several technocrats in key positions. The former head of the European Central Bank submitted the list of perspective Cabinet ministers to President Sergio Mattarella for his approval ahead of …
(2021-02-12). Renewed global pressure to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE. peoplesdispatch.org More than 90 human rights and anti-war organizations wrote a letter to the US president demanding cancellation of billions of dollars of arms sales to the two countries on the day that the European Parliament adopted a resolution asking member countries to do the same…
(2021-02-12). 15 Of Many Things We Can Learn From the European Union. indybay.org fewer wars, no executions, free health care, lower drug costs, better animal rights and environment legislation, less censorship etc…
(2021-02-12). Strained Russia-EU Relations. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | In a telephone interview on Thursday (11 February) the Ambassador of …
(2021-02-12). The Dynamic of Revolutionary Struggle in Turkey. dissidentvoice.org Since January 4, 2021, student protests have been going on in Turkey. At Bogazici University in Istanbul, rectors are elected through free and fair elections by faculties. The only time in the institution's history when these democratic processes were suspended was in the aftermath of the 1980 coup d'état. In today's time, it is again …
(2021-02-12). 'We demand that the Netherlands leaves the imperialist unions'. peoplesdispatch.org The Communist Youth Movement in the Netherlands discusses the situation facing the masses in the country amid the deepening crisis of capitalism. They affirm that struggle is the only way out of the crisis…
(2021-02-11). German court closes loophole that put government health website first in Google search results. rt.com 
A loophole used by the German authorities and Google to put a government health website ahead of others in search results represented unfair competition and threatened freedom of the press, a Munich court has ruled. | Last November, the German Health Ministry and Google joined forces in an attempt to steer German-language searches on the top 160 most common diseases to a government-funded website. The aim was for people to access verified information on those illnesses from a single source, with Health Minister Jens Spahn insisting that the coronavirus pandemic had highlighted the importance of such a move "as…
(2021-02-11). Coronavirus Scandal Breaking in Merkel's Germany. False Positives and the Drosten PCR Test. globalresearch.ca First posted by Global Research on December 11, 2020 | The widely-praised German model of the Angela Merkel regime to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic is now engulfed in a series of potentially devastating scandals going to the very heart of …
(2021-02-11). Europe passes three quarters of a million COVID-19 deaths. wsws.org The capitalist class is at war with society. The scale of death being witnessed in Europe and across the globe is unprecedented outside of wartime.
(2021-02-11). Three Turkish soldiers killed in Iraq after anti-PKK operation launched. middleeasteye.net 
Three Turkish soldiers killed in Iraq after anti-PKK operation launched | Scores of civilians have died in recent years as Turkey has targeted Kurdish rebels in Iraq's north | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 10: 04 | A Turkish jet fighter performs during the celebration to mark the country's Independence Day (AFP) | Three Turkish soldiers have been killed after Ankara launched a new military operation a…
(2021-02-11). Turkey quickly gets into fight with Biden over Osman Kavala. middleeasteye.net 
Turkey quickly gets into fight with Biden over Osman Kavala | US State Department criticises Ankara over its human rights record while top officials avoid calling Turkish counterparts | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 12: 04 | A journalist stands in front of a poster featuring jailed businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala during a press conference of his lawyers on 31 October 2018 (AFP) | Tensions rose between Tu…
(2021-02-11). 7 arrested for alleged bomb-making and plotting terrorist attack in Denmark. rt.com 
Police in Denmark and Germany have arrested seven people for allegedly trying to manufacture explosives and plotting terrorist attacks, the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) said in a statement on Thursday. | All seven have been charged with planning one or more terrorist attacks or attempting to participate in terrorism. | The men allegedly procured components to make bombs and other weapons, the statement said. | Police in Denmark's Central and West Zealand region — home to the capital Copenhagen — detained six of the men in raids between February 6 and 8. The other suspect from the gr…
(2021-02-11). Beirut explosion: Port was 'lucky' says German firm clearing blast-hit dockside. middleeasteye.net 
Beirut explosion: Port was 'lucky' says German firm clearing blast-hit dockside | Heavy lift transport company Combi Lift says Lebanese capital only escaped a second chemical inferno by chance | Thu, 02/11/2021 – 14: 26 | The 4 August explosion was caused by tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been inadequately stored for more than six years (AFP) | After a blast of historic proportions at…
(2021-02-11). Russian Navy joins major multinational AMAN-2021 drills in Pakistan, NATO countries also expected to attend (VIDEO). rt.com 
Russia's navy ships have arrived in Pakistan to take part in the multinational exercise AMAN-2021. The drills are expected to see China and several NATO nations in attendance. | Russian vessels arrived in Karachi on Thursday. They were greeted by Pakistan's military officials, as well as the Russian diplomats working there, and they took a brief tour of the ships. RT's footage from the scene shows the vessels being prepared for the drills, expected to kick off on Friday. | The Russian Navy is represented by the country's Black Sea Fleet, which dispatched frigate Admiral Grigorovich and patrol vessel Dmitriy…
(2021-02-11). PSOE-Podemos facilitates fascist attacks on migrants in Canary Islands. wsws.org In leaked WhatsApp chats and videos, neo-fascists discussed plans to kill and maim migrant workers interned on Spain's Canary Islands.
(2021-02-11). Belarusian President Lukashenko says he'll leave office when 'peace and order' is restored, promises to hold 'open election'. rt.com 
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has claimed that he will leave his post, once and for all, if protests subside and the unrest which has gripped the country since his disputed election victory last year comes to an end. | The veteran leader was speaking on Thursday at the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, where he also promised that a draft for a new constitution would be prepared this year and would be submitted for a national referendum in 2022. His plan to leave office is contingent on the new constitution process being completed. | "My main condition for leaving power is peace and order in the cou…
(2021-02-11). UN political affairs chief warns against 'backsliding' in Ukraine. news.un.org Although a ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine has led to a significant decrease in civilian casualties, the overall situation remains fragile unless progress is made on the security and political fronts, the UN's political affairs chief told the Security Council on Thursday.