(2021-12-22). Moscow reveals preparations for possible conflict. rt.com 
Russia does not want an armed conflict with Ukraine, but will continue to take steps to defend itself, Moscow's top diplomat has said, as Kiev claims Moscow could order an offensive against its neighbor. | Speaking on Wednesday in an exclusive interview with RT, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia "would not want to choose the path of confrontation," referring to tensions with Kiev. | He warned "hot heads" in Ukraine against military confrontation and said that Russia will respond to any provocations.However, the diplomat said that "the choice is up to our partners." | According to him, "the fact…
(2021-12-22). Russia Warns NATO Membership for Ukraine Would Mean WW III. moderndiplomacy.eu Just like when U.S. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy's American Government, during the 1962 Cuban Crisis, warned that Soviet missiles in Cuba would mean World War 3, Russia's President Vladimir Putin's Russian Government warned, on 20 December 2021, that if its adjoining nation of Ukraine becomes a NATO member (which would present the danger of U.S. …
(2021-12-22). Chris Hedges on the Persecution of Julian Assange (Video). scheerpost.com 
In July 2010, Wikileaks published Cablegate, one of the biggest leaks in the history of the US military, including evidence for war crimes and torture. Julian Assange, the founder and spokesman of Wikileaks, immediately found himself a target, accused of hacking, and later sexual assault. He spent the next seven years in asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, fearful that he would be extradited to Sweden to face the accusations of assault and then sent to US. In 2019, Assange was handed over to the British police. On the same day, the US demanded his extradition. He faces up to 175 years in prison for…
(2021-12-22). Moscow reveals when Russia & US will hold crucial security talks. rt.com 
Russian and American negotiators will hold talks early next year on reducing the worsening tensions between Moscow and NATO, the two nations' top diplomats confirmed on Wednesday. | Speaking as part of an exclusive interview with RT, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the countries were planning to hold talks in January, confirming a statement his counterpart in Washington, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, had made to journalists the day before. | Asked about the US reaction to a series of security proposals put forward by Moscow earlier this month, Lavrov said, "Speaking about the real reaction, no…
(2021-12-22). Iran FM arrives in Baku to meet Azeri high-ranking officials. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in the Azeri capital of Baku to meet with high-ranking officials of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
(2021-12-22). Manchester City defender Mendy charged with seventh rape. rt.com 
A court has heard that Benjamin Mendy, the Manchester City defender accused of six counts of rape, has been charged with a further offense. | Former France international Mendy appeared at Chester Crown Court in the UK on Thursday, when the lifting of restrictions allowed the emergence of a further rape charge to be revealed against the 27-year-old. | The charge comes in addition to six counts of rape and one of sexual assault which Mendy has already been charged with. | Mendy stands accused of a total of eight offenses against five different women, with the rape charges concerning four women. | ü&…
(2021-12-22). Headlines for December 22, 2021. democracynow.org Biden Announces New Measures, Defends Vaccine Mandates, Amid Omicron Surge, TX Man Is 1st Omicron-Linked U.S. Death; States Announce Incentives, New Rules to Fight Surge, Rep. Barbara Lee, Govs. Hogan and Walz Announce Breakthrough COVID Infections, U.S. Military to Announce Highly Effective COVID Vaccine, Israel Rolling Out 4th Dose of COVID Vaccine; France Expected to Reach 100,000 New Cases Per Day, Oxfam Files Complaint Against Moderna; EU Approves Novavax COVID Vaccine, Biden Says There Is Still Hope for Build Back Better as Mining Union Urges Manchin to Support Bill, Kellogg's Workers End 11-Week Strike Aft…
(2021-12-22). France extends Covid vaccination to children aged 5-11. rt.com 
French Health Minister Olivier Veran has announced that the Covid vaccination campaign for children aged 5-11 is now open, proceeding with a plan announced last week to help protect youngsters from the threat of new variants. | The country's National Authority for Health (HAS) backed opening up the country's Covid vaccination scheme to young children on Monday, stating that it should be done "as soon as the pediatric formulation" of Pfizer's Covid vaccine is ready. | In France, officials were already administering the Covid vaccine to children who are "at risk" of contracting a severe form of the virus but the…
(2021-12-22). What "Centers of Power" are Trying to Set Turkey and Russia at Odds? journal-neo.org 
"Moscow and Ankara did not fall into the trap set by the organizers of the assassination of the Russian ambassador to the Turkish capital, Andrei Karlov. They failed to destroy the friendship of the two countries," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with RIA Novosti in connection with the fifth anniversary of the Russian …
(2021-12-22). Turkey on the lookout for allies. moderndiplomacy.eu The scaling down of the US presence in the Middle East and the possible strengthening of Iran's positions following the lifting of the American sanctions are forcing the leading regional powers to reset their relations with their neighbors. Above all, with Israel, the existential enemy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), and with Syria, …
(2021-12-22). Tehran to host 18th Astana summit. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Russia, Iran, and Turkey have agreed to hold the next Astana format summit in Tehran in February-March 2022, Senior Assistant to Iranian Foreign Minister for Special Political Affairs Ali Asghar Khaji said on Wednesday.
(2021-12-22). Employee of US Diplomatic Mission in Beirut Who Sold Passport Arrested in Turkey. sputniknews.com ANKARA (Sputnik) – An employee of the US diplomatic mission to Lebanon who sold his passport to a Syrian person has been arrested in Turkey, the Istanbul security authority said on Wednesday.
(2021-12-22). Tanker blocks Bosphorus traffic. ecns.cn Fishing boats at sea with seagulls flying around drop their nets to the waters of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, Dec. 21, 2021.
(2021-12-22). Venezuela and Turkey Agree to Strengthen Cooperation Projects. orinocotribune.com This Tuesday, December 21, President Nicolás Maduro reported that he had a pleasant phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to consolidate the cooperation agreements that both nations develop in different areas. | "We talked about the great challenges for the coming years and the need to advance in all areas of cooperation for shared development. Venceremos!" says the tweet shared by the president. |
(2021-12-22). State Duma committee backs Gryzlov as Russian ambassador to Belarus. tass.com Gryzlov, a former Duma speaker, is a senior United Russia official and a presidential envoy for the settlement in eastern Ukraine…
(2021-12-22). Seven people detained in Belarus for attempted terror attacks — Lukashenko. tass.com It is mentioned that attacks were planned against the officials…
(2021-12-22). External forces plan to destroy Belarusian state — parliament speaker. tass.com Natalia Kochanova also believes that the "principal and decisive upholding of national interests and delivering the truth about Belarus to the world is extremely important"
(2021-12-22). Lukashenko 'fan shop' opens in Minsk. rt.com 
A pop-up shop selling merchandise bearing quotes by embattled Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has opened its doors in Minsk. The somewhat unlikely concept follows mass protests in 2020 after a disputed election. | The launch of the boutique was captured on video last weekend by a Telegram channel run by self-described fans of the strongman, who has ruled the Eastern European nation since 1994. The footage seemed to show customers streaming into the outfitters, eager to get their hands on its wares. | | A woman tries on a hoodie during the opening of a branded store with merch from Belarusian President…
(2021-12-22). Ryanair flight Russian asks for pardon. rt.com 
Sofia Sapega, the Russian partner of the detained political activist Roman Protasevich, has applied for clemency from the Belarusian president, after being charged with inciting social hatred, her stepfather has revealed. | Speaking to radio station Echo of Moscow, Sergey Dudich said that Sapega had asked Alexander Lukashenko to let her off with the charges, which could see her spend many years behind bars. | "Such a decision may be taken only after the trial. But we still hope for a presidential pardon. I know that Sofia has written a petition for clemency to the president of Belarus," said Dudich. | Read mor…
(2021-12-22). Real-world data provides valuable insights into COVID vaccine roll-out. imperial.ac.uk Analysis of Europe's largest patient data record has provided valuable insights into the UK's COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, an Imperial expert has said.
(2021-12-22). Fifth COVID-19 vaccine authorized in Europe as Omicron continues to surge. ecns.cn The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has added a fifth vaccine to its anti-COVID arsenal as the Omicron variant continued to spread across Europe.
(2021-12-22). Germany ditching nuclear power at worst possible time. rt.com 
Germany is on track to close nearly half of its nuclear reactors before the end of 2021. The shutdowns are set to place a huge burden on European power grids in the face of one of the worst energy crises ever.
(2021-12-22). Russia Says 'Provocative Activity' by US, NATO in Black Sea Aims to Hamper Nord Stream 2. sputniknews.com Russia has repeatedly warned against politicising the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, which was completed in September and is currently undergoing certification by European and German regulators.
(2021-12-22). Finland to Reestablish Border Control With Other EU Nations From 28 December Amid Omicron Surge. sputniknews.com HELSINKI (Sputnik) – Finland will reestablish border controls with other EU countries and will require travellers arriving from the European Union to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from 28 December, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin told reporters.
(2021-12-22). Russia gets nuclear boost in the Pacific. rt.com 
The Russian Navy has added two brand new nuclear-propelled vessels. The ballistic missile submarine Knyaz Oleg and the cruise missile submarine Novosibirsk have become part of the Pacific Fleet. | Both entered military service on Tuesday during a ceremony at the Sevmash shipyard, the nation's primary builder of nuclear-powered submarines, which incidentally celebrated its birthday on the same day. The event in the city of Severodvinsk in the European north was attended virtually by President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu via a video link. | The Knyaz Oleg — named for a 10th century Pri…
(2021-12-22). German government refuses to take action to avert Omicron disaster. wsws.org The criminal inaction of European governments has allowed the highly contagious Omicron variant to spread across the continent. To this day, the German government refuses to take any action to prevent the looming catastrophe.
(2021-12-22). Berlin forces EU satellite operator to take RT's German TV broadcast off air. rt.com 
European satellite operator Eutelsat has removed the 24-hour German-language RT DE channel from its platform under pressure from Berlin. RT has called the move illegal. | German media regulator MABB (Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg) has forced European service Eutelsat to remove the broadcast of RT's new Moscow-based German-language channel RT DE from its 9B satellite on Wednesday. | "It is inappropriate for the German regulator, MABB, to overreach and ignore the European Convention on Transfrontier Television, under which it is subject, thereby forcing Eutelsat to remove RT DE from the carrier solely due to…
(2021-12-22). Germany sees massive job cuts in all sectors. wsws.org Workers' protests are nipped in the bud by pitting workers against one another, either factory against factory or along national lines.
(2021-12-22). Moscow: Berlin Doing Everything to Make RT Satellite Broadcasting in Germany Impossible. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Berlin, without any legal basis, is doing everything to make the broadcasting of Russia's RT DE channel via satellite impossible, which is a direct obstacle to the work of journalists, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.
(2021-12-22). New German Defense Minister visits German combat troops in Lithuania. wsws.org Eighty years after the Third Reich's war of annihilation against the Soviet Union, the German Defense Minister denied Russia the right to even criticize the threatening military build-up on its border.
(2021-12-22). Up to 15 Percent of New COVID-19 Cases in Netherlands Attributed to Omicron Strain. sputniknews.com PARIS (Sputnik) – Between 10-15 percent of new positive COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands are attributed to the Omicron variant, the chairman of the country's outbreak management team, Jaap van Dissel, said.
(2021-12-22). An expert's take on what omicron tells us about the state of the pandemic. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Researchers at Mayo Clinic and around the world continue to monitor the omicron variant and study how it behaves. Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, who has decades of experience in the field of infectious diseases, offers some insight into what the emergence of omicron tells us about the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic and where it may be headed. Watch: Dr. Gregory Poland discusses the state of the pandemic. youtu.be/VYpUsGCayZQ…
(2021-12-22). Destruction of the Soviet Union: a Crime Without Statute of Limitations. orinocotribune.com 
Statement of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the United Communist Party of Russia (OKP) in connection with the 30th anniversary of the unconstitutional liquidation of the USSR in December 1991. | In December 1991, the largest state on the planet, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the first ever socialist state of workers and peasants, disappeared from the political map of the world. | In the context of the general crisis of Gorbachev's "perestroika" policy, few people paid attention to the blatant violation of all conceivable and inconceivable constitutional procedures during the "dissolution" of…
(2021-12-22). US decision to withdraw from JCPOA like shooting in its leg. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) — Referring to the US 2018 withdrawal from the JCPOA, Russia's representative in Vienna talks said that the decision to withdraw from the JCPOA was like shooting in one of the US legs.
(2021-12-22). Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest 2022 Opens for Entries. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The 8th Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest on Wednesday began with the reception of submissions by Russian and foreign reporters aged 18-33.
(2021-12-22). US brings botulinum toxin to Ukraine — Donetsk Republic. tass.com According to deputy chief of the People's Militia Directorate Eduard Basurin, a 300-kilogram container of this warfare agent, used as a spray, was brought to Mariupol and then moved to the Kharkov region…
(2021-12-22). US and Ukraine fail to condemn nazis. indybay.org The United states and Ukraine would be the ones to vote against this UN resolution.
(2021-12-21). Cyprus: Turkish Occupation and Unpunished Crimes Against Women and Children. moderndiplomacy.eu On December 16 and 17, Democracy Today, an NGO that focuses on human rights issues, organized its annual international conference in Armenia's capital of Yerevan. This was part of a cooperation with the Working Group (WG) on women and gender realities in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) region. This year's agenda …
(2021-12-21). Azerbaijan: NATO's Caspian flank. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijan Upholds Multilateralism Developing Relations With NATO — OpEd On 14 December, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev visited the NATO Headquarters. Being the seventh visit of President Aliyev to the NATO Headquarters, the visit celebrated the fruitful and multilayered cooperation between Azerbaijan and the transatlantic alliance in many areas. Azerbaijan….embarked on the cooperation with the NATO …
(2021-12-21). Britain and France sued over Channel deaths. peoplesworld.org 
(2021-12-21). United States and Israeli Intransigence vis-à -vis Iran. dissidentvoice.org 
In 2015, the United States signed what is popularly referred to as the JCPOA (the joint comprehensive plan of action) a deal involving Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) designed to limit the capacity of Iran to develop nuclear weapons. In exchange for their signature, the …
(2021-12-21). French government rejects scientists' calls to limit spread of Omicron variant. wsws.org Health Minister Olivier Véran claimed the Omicron variant would only have a "fleeting" impact, although hundreds of cases have already been detected in France.
(2021-12-21). The Path to Corruption in France. moderndiplomacy.eu Whereas Germany takes an extremely libertarian approach to corruption, and even allows foreigners to donate secretly and in any amount to support a candidate, France has one of the world's best anti-corruption legal systems, so that virtually the only pathway by which a person can legally perpetrate corruption of the French Government is indicated by …
(2021-12-21). Simmering Tensions in PSG Dressing Room as Players Divided Into Two Camps, French Press Claims. sputniknews.com Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is a club with global appeal and has often been envied by both their French rivals and their iconic counterparts in Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom. But according to reports in the French media, all is not well with the club at the moment.
(2021-12-21). COVID-19 explodes in Spain as PSOE-Podemos government refuses action. wsws.org The surge in infections in Spain is a warning of the dangers posed by the virus, which the Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government has let spread unchecked.
(2021-12-21). Rugby star dies after suffering 'horror fall'. rt.com 
New Zealand-born Spanish rugby star Kawa Leauma has died days after he was rushed to hospital in critical condition with severe head injuries following a 'multi-story' fall from a building outside of Amsterdam. | Leauma, 32, passed away in hospital following what was described as a 'freak accident' last Saturday night near the Dutch capital, it was announced on Tuesday. | The back row forward was in the Netherlands in the hope of representing Spain's national team in the Rugby Europe Championship clash with their European neighbors, but was subsequently withdrawn from selection amid concerns about his eligibil…
(2021-12-21). Chile's pseudo-left president-elect Gabriel Boric promises to work with far right. wsws.org Boric's government will be modeled in large measure on Spain's Podemos-Spanish Socialist Workers Party PSOE coalition, composed of thoroughly corrupt, pro-capitalist stooges.
(2021-12-21). About King Juan Carlos I of Spain status and fortune. zcomm.org I am not, in anyway, an unconditional supporter of the Spanish Royal Household, but I have a long-lasting doubt that today, at last, I have dared to ask Professor Gerardo Pisarello (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerardo_Pisarello?wprov=sfti1). While posting crazily to Spanish Work Minister Yolanda Diaz Perez, who is somewhat of a Communist and presents herself as an alternative to
(2021-12-21). Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul railway project inaugurated. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 21 (MNA) — The Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul railway project, known as the Eco Container Train (ITI), was resumed today by the container train move from Pakistan to Iran and Turkey.
(2021-12-21). ECO freight train to become operational after 10-year hiatus. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 21 (MNA) — After the passage of some months since the successful launch of Road Corridor project between Iran, Pakistan and Turkey, the countdown for the resumption of transit of the ECO freight train began on Tuesday.
