(2019-11-17). Turkey's Russian-made S-400s on combat duty 'by spring', Moscow confirms. rt.com 
Despite many attempts by the US to derail Turkey's plan to acquire the S-400 air defense missile systems, the state-of-the-art weapons will be fully active next year. | The contract is being carried out "normally" and according to the initial plan, Dmitry Shugayev, the head of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS), which is responsible for arms trade, told reporters at an expo in Dubai on Sunday. | We will finish training the Turkish personnel by the end of this year. The system will be placed on combat duty by spring. | The delivery of the S-400s to Ankara began in July. Turkish…
(2019-11-17). Sri Lanka's former defense chief Rajapaksa becomes country's new leader. rt.com 
Sri Lanka's former wartime defense minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa is set to become the country's new president, winning in an election held months after terrorist attacks plunged the country into political crisis. | Rajapaksa and his brother, a former president of the island nation Mahinda, are credited with bringing an end to the country's quarter century-long civil war in 2009, when government troops defeated Tamil separatists. | Seventy-year-old Rajapaksa, the candidate for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, got more than half of the votes, compared to roughly 42 percent in favor of his main rival S…
(2019-11-17). Major US-South Korea air exercise postponed, described by US as an 'act of goodwill' to Pyongyang. rt.com 
The United States and South Korea shelved aerial drills that were set to kick off later in November and were earlier described by Pyongyang as provocative, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced on Sunday. | At a press briefing with his South Korean counterpart Jeong Kyeong-doo in Bangkok, Esper insisted the move was not "a concession" to his partner country's neighbor and argued…
(2019-11-17). Foreign-backed 'hooligans' behind protest violence: Iran's Khamenei condemns 'sabotage', endorses fuel price hike. rt.com 
The Iranian government's surprise decision to raise gasoline prices, which caused protests around the country, should be implemented, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said, blaming the violence amid demonstrations on criminals. | The divisive decision, announced this week, has caused protests in several Iranian cities. Khamenei was cited by the Iranian media on Sunday as saying that, while he was no expert in petrol industry, he still believed the government's decision should be implemented. The Iranian leader also confirmed that there have been deaths related to the protests caused by the hike, blaming them…
(2019-11-17). India's test launch of nuclear-capable ballistic missile caught on VIDEO. rt.com 
India has successfully test-launched a nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-II. For the first time its test was conducted at night, yet was still captured by witnesses. | The latest test on India's main strategic deterrence weapon took place on Saturday, from launching complex IV of the Integrated Test Range on the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast, local media report, showing a video of the rocket ascending in the nigh…
(2019-11-17). Accused US spy Whelan tracked since first Russia visit, built contacts using autographed book of disgraced KGB officer — reports. rt.com 
Paul Whelan, a former US marine currently waiting for trial in Russia on espionage charges became a person of interest for Russian counter-intelligence as early as his first visit in 2007, the daily Kommersant claims. | The 49-year-old corporate security director, who was arrested in Russia last December, is far from being the innocent victim of entrapment that his defense team says he is, the newspaper reported, citing anonymous sources. In fact Whelan was considered suspicious by the Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia's intelli…
(2019-11-17). Jamal Yusupov: Russian kickboxing champ knocks out Muay Thai legend Yodsanklai in stunning ONE Championship upset (VIDEO). rt.com 
Unheralded Russian kickboxer Jamal Yusupov scored one of the biggest martial arts shocks of the year as he knocked out Muay Thai superstar Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex at ONE: Age of Dragons on in Beijing. | Yodansklai headed into the Muay Thai contest in China looking to claim the 202nd win of his glittering Muay Thai career and extend his decade-long unbeaten run in the sport, but Russian kickboxing champion Yusupov had other ideas. | Despite stepping in on just a few days' notice — and despite competing under Muay Thai rules rather than his preferred kickboxing ruleset — Yusupov used his striking skills…
(2019-11-17). Protesters demand end to Israeli attacks on Gaza. fightbacknews.org NY, New York – On the evening of November 15, over 150 people gathered on 42nd and Broadway to demand that Israel, backed by the United States government, stop the murder and occupation of Palestinians. | The emergency rally was called by several different organizations in New York City in response to Israel murdering 34 people, including eight children in Gaza. The organizations were Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, CODEPINK: Women For Peace, Labor for Palestine, Al-Awda NY: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, NY4Palestine, Jews for Palestinian Right of Return, American Muslims for Palesti…
(2019-11-17). Syrian War Refugee Mother & Daughter in Canada Want to Bring Family to Ottawa. indybay.org Interview with Syrian war refugee Walaa Ibrahim, who emigrated to Ottawa, Canada with her young daughter in November, 2018. Activists are now raising funds to bring Walaa's parents and brother to Canada. Includes interviews with activists who helped bring Walaa and Kadar to Canada.
(2019-11-17). Bolivia's New US-Made Dictatorship, Netanyahu Wins As Gaza Loses & Iran's Protests Are Trump's Fault. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (11/16/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
(2019-11-17). Army accused of covering up war crimes and killing children in Afghanistan and Iraq. thecanary.co The government and the army have been accused of covering up the killing of children in Afghanistan and Iraq. | Leaked documents allegedly contain evidence implicating British troops in killing children and the torture of civilians. | A joint investigation by the BBC and Sunday Times said it had obtained new evidence from inside the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT), which investigated alleged war crimes committed by British soldiers in Iraq, and Operation Northmoor, which investigated alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. | The Government closed IHAT and Operation Northmoor in 2017, after Phil Shiner, a solicit…
(2019-11-17). Lebanon's Safadi Withdraws Candidacy for PM. telesurenglish.net Former Lebanese finance minister Mohammad Safadi withdrew his candidacy to be the next prime minister on Saturday, saying that he saw that it would have been difficult to form a "harmonious" cabinet supported by all parties. | RELATED: | Lebanon Descends Further into Chaos as Economic Crisis Worsens | Safadi, 75, emerged as a candidate on Thursday when political sources and Lebanese media said three major parties had agreed to support him for the position. | His decision to wi…
(2019-11-17). Georgia: Is the US Preparing Another Color Revolution? globalresearch.ca The Port Of Discord | Georgian banker Mamuka Khazaradze, the co-founder of the country's largest universal bank and the man behind the Anaklia Port project, recently had a falling out with the government after being charged with money laundering and …
(2019-11-16). Iran-Iraq border crossing reportedly closed due to ongoing protests in both countries. rt.com 
The Shalamcheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran was shut down on Saturday, Reuters has reported. The move was made at Tehran's request and in response to the ongoing mass protests in both countries. | The crossing will remain closed for travel in either direction, the news agency said, citing an Iraqi security source and an Iranian diplomat, without naming either. However, goods will be allowed to travel through. | Iraq has been gripped for weeks by violent street protests against the government's policies. Over 300 people have been killed. The wave of public anger spread from the capital Baghdad to the s…
(2019-11-16). Israeli Zionist Racism Unmasked. dissidentvoice.org 
Imagine if following the recent federal election in Canada, where the Liberal Party was left with a minority government, that prime minister Justin Trudeau had stated, "We are facing an emergency that is unprecedented in the history of Canada." Why? Imagine that Trudeau explained that "setting up a government that depends on the First Nation …
(2019-11-16). Israel & NATO penetrate Russia's S-400 air defenses… 'simulated' by US Patriots? rt.com 
Israel together with the US and several European NATO allies have wrapped up massive war games, which in part focused on countering advanced air defenses, such as Russia's S-400, that Washington has been so worried about recently. | The Israeli Air Force hosted American, German, Italian and Greek fighter jets at its Uvda airbase in the Negev Desert located in southern Israel, for nearly two weeks between November 3 and 14. A total of 800 servicemen and around 100 aircraft took part in the 'Blue Flag' drills, including the stealthy F-35 fighter jets, which took part in this exercise for the first time. | This i…
(2019-11-16). 'He told me to shut my mouth': Lionel Messi and Brazil coach Tite exchange heated words during Argentina-Brazil clash. rt.com 
Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Brazil head coach Tite exchanged words on the sideline during Argentina's 1-0 win over their South American rivals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday | Apparently angered by comments that were coming from the Brazil dugout, Messi raised his finger to his own lips in a mime for Tite to be quiet and also making another hand sign to suggest that the Brazilian was very overly-vocal. | Also on rt.com | | Mother of all insults: English comedian mocks Messi over bizarre tattoo likeness to his mom (VIDEO) | Speaking to report…
(2019-11-16). India should not be 'bullied' on world stage: Iran's FM Zarif calls on New Delhi to resist US pressure. rt.com 
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged India to be tougher when faced with US pressure, at the same time applauding New Delhi's general stance against sanctions. | Zarif shared his thoughts during a meeting with a group of visiting journalists from New Delhi earlier this week, the Hindu Business Line reported. "India has certainly taken a stance against the sanctions… so that's been encouraging, [but] of course, we expected our friends to be more resilient vis-a-vis US pressure," Zarif said. | India stopped buying Iranian oil in May, after the US refused to renew waivers it had previously grante…
(2019-11-16). Make Americans exceptional again? Trump trumps Pentagon, pardons 2 soldiers charged with war crimes. rt.com 
President Donald Trump has pardoned two soldiers charged for war crimes in Afghanistan, suggesting that US troops are immune even in the face of their own military justice system, let alone the International Criminal Court. | The president signed a clemency order on Friday granting full pardons to two Army officers facing war crimes charges — one awaiting trial and the other already behind bars — and reinstating the rank of a Navy Seal demoted earlier this year over similar war crimes accusations. | Can't overstate how damaging this is. Trump tells troops, & allies/enemies, that committing war crimes…
(2019-11-16). Putin's bikers invade Antarctica, occupy abandoned base… all just to unfurl a GIANT Russian flag. rt.com 
The Night Wolves bikers, known for their association with the Russian president, have joined with another patriotic group to bring a huge national flag to Antarctica — a mission that saw them sheltering at an abandoned polar base. | Photos show the massive Russian tricolor, measuring a whopping 1,423 square meters unfurled, amid the desolate Antarctic desert. The tiny human figurines seen in the shots are members of the notorious motorcycle club and the 'All Worlds' patriotic organization. | | © "All worlds" | Russian media learned of the mission's success on Saturday from Yury Volkov, the head of…
(2019-11-16). Flying way under the radar: MILITARY DRONE crashes in a backyard in a tiny Russian town (PHOTO, VIDEO). rt.com 
Residents of a tiny town in central Russia were shaken up on Saturday afternoon when a military-grade drone crash-landed a few dozen meters away from their homes. Luckily, no-one was injured on the ground. | The 'Orion' Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) went down in the town of Listvyanka near the central Russian city of Ryazan. Video filmed by a baffled local resident from his window shoes the hefty drone, about the size of a light airplane, splayed out a stone's throw away from apartment blocks at the edge of town. | | © Oleg Kondratov | "A drone fell right into the garden. I went on a walk with my daught…
(2019-11-16). WATCH hundreds of drones create dreamlike spectral PLANES at Chinese air show. rt.com 
Visitors of the annual aviation show in China's Nanchang were treated to a light display worthy of Gandalf's fireworks. Hundreds of drones took the shape of giant glowing aircraft: a propeller plane, an airliner, and a figher jet. | As many as 800 drones equipped with large shining lamps lit up the night skies during the 2019 Nanchang Flight Convention — an exhibition demonstrating China's latest developments in aviation, space and drone technologies. | Flying in tight formation and in perfect synchronicity, the drones formed luminescent figures resembling an old propeller-driven aeroplane, a passenger je…
(2019-11-16). It's Official: Dysfunctional Impeachment Resolution against Donald J. Trump. H. RES. 13. globalresearch.ca According to Rep.Sherman: "Recent disclosures by Donald Trump Jr. indicate that Trump's campaign was eager to receive assistance from Russia." The NYT candidly states without a shred of evidence that the Russian lawyer is "connected the Russian government" intimating that she is a stooge of the Kremlin.
(2019-11-16). Why aren't Americans Rising up Like the People of Chile and Lebanon? dissidentvoice.org The waves of protests breaking out in country after country around the world beg the question: Why aren't Americans rising up in peaceful protest like our neighbors? We live at the very heart of this neoliberal system that is force-feeding the systemic injustice and inequality of 19th century laissez-faire capitalism to the people of the …
(2019-11-16). UPDATE: Two Shot while Dozens Suffocate Near Ramallah. imemc.org Dozens of Palestinians were injured near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, Sunday, from teargas fired by Israeli soldiers at Palestinians protesting Israel's recent attacks on Gaza, according to witnesses. Students from Birzeit University were demonstrating at the Israeli army roadblock in Ramallah and were attacked with teargas, said […] | | Ramzy Barou…
(2019-11-16). Israeli Forces Injure Many Palestinians in West Bank Protests. imemc.org Israeli forces violently attacked Palestinian protesters, on Friday, in al-Khalil (Hebron) in the southern West Bank, and Qalqilia in the northern West Bank. Days of Palestine quoted local sources that said a number of Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas canisters, including a journalist, during protests …
(2019-11-16). NIAC Statement on Protests Across Iran over Gas Price Hike. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2019-11-16). How Western Media Bias Allows Israel to Get away with Murder in Gaza. dissidentvoice.org An Israeli attack on Gaza was imminent, and not because of any provocations by Palestinian groups in the besieged, impoverished Gaza Strip. The Israeli military escalation was foreseeable because it factors neatly in Israel's contentious political scene. The war was not a question of "if", but "when". The answer came on November 12, when the …
(2019-11-16). The Disdain for Ukraine Is Mainly in Trump's Brain. commondreams.org Republican counsel Steve Castor listens to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) during a hearing with witness U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 15, 2019 in Washington, DC. In the second impeachment hearing held by the committee, House Democrats continue to build a case against U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to link U.S. military aid for Ukraine to the nation's investigation of his political rivals. (Photo: Joshua Roberts – Pool/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/c…
(2019-11-16). "Greater Israel": The Zionist Plan for the Middle East. globalresearch.ca When viewed in the current context, the war on Iraq, the 2006 war on Lebanon, the 2011 war on Libya, the ongoing wars on Syria and Iraq, the war on Yemen, must be understood in relation to the Zionist Plan for the Middle East…
(2019-11-16). The Greatest Intellectual Property Theft in History: Operation Paperclip. globalresearch.ca The initial purpose of what began as Operation Overcast was to plunder Germany of all its scientific and industrial knowledge after World War Two. The plan was to steal documents and working samples, but the depth and breadth of German …
(2019-11-16). Israel Launches New Air Raids on Gaza Two Days After Ceasefire. telesurenglish.net Israel launched a fresh round of airstrikes at the besieged Gaza Strip Saturday targeting Hamas outposts, two days after a ceasefire went into effect following a round of air raids that killed 34 Palestinians. | RELATED: | Palestine Mourns 32 Killed in 48 Hrs by Israel's New Offensive | The Al Aqsa TV channel said Israeli warplanes hit an outpost belo…
(2019-11-16). Israel Fires Missiles into Gaza Despite Ceasefire. imemc.org Israeli warplanes attacked, early Saturday morning, several targets throughout the besieged Gaza Strip, causing heavy damage but no bodily harm, The Palestinian News and Info Agency (WAFA) reported. The correspondent said warplanes fired more than 10 missiles at targets and agricultural land northwest of Gaza City and in Beit Lahia. …
(2019-11-16). Journalist Advocates Condemn Israel's Shooting of Photojournalist. imemc.org The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS), on Friday, denounced the latest serious Israeli attack on a journalist in the southern West Bank, The Palestinian News and Info Agency reported. Photo-journalist Moath Amarneh lost sight in the left eye after being seriously injured by a …
(2019-11-16). Illegal Colonists Attack Palestinians Picking Their Olive Trees Near Nablus. imemc.org On Friday, a group of fanatic illegal Israeli colonists, squatting on Palestinian lands in direct violation of International Law, invaded Palestinian olive orchards near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and attacked the families. Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official who monitors Israel's illegal colonialist activities in northern West Bank, …
(2019-11-16). Palestinians Condemn Sports-washing "Friendly" Match in Israel as Gaza Mourns Dead. imemc.org November 16, 2019 / Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) / Argentina, Uruguay, Spanish state (Palestinians inspect damaged house destroyed in an Israeli air strike in Khan Younis, Gaza, November 14, 2019. Photo: Ashraf Amra/APA Images) November 16, 2019—The Argentina and Uruguay national football teams are planning to …
(2019-11-16). UNRWA Mourns Loss of Boy from One of its Schools in Gaza. imemc.org The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) hopes that the ceasefire that was reached the night of 13 November will put an end to two days of escalation between Israel and Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military operations …
(2019-11-16). "I Did Not Find Our House, There Was Only a Huge Hole." Sawarkah Children Speak About a Massacre They Survived. imemc.org Surviving children of the Abu Malhous "Sawarkah" family, who survived the massacre in which an Israeli air-strike killed 8, including five children and two women, spoke about what happened to them this past Thursday. That night, Noor Sawarkah, 12, could not sleep for fear, listening to the Israeli drones hover …
(2019-11-16). Syria scandal: New whistleblower claims UN chemical weapons watchdog buried Douma evidence. thegrayzone.com A whistleblower from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is accusing top officials of tampering with evidence…
(2019-11-16). Video: With Russia's Support Syrian Army Kicks Off New Offensive in Southern Idlib. globalresearch.ca On November 14, the Syrian Army backed up by the Russian Aerospace Forces launched a limited offensive on positions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its Turkish-backed allies in southern Idlib. Government forces liberated the town of Luwaybidah and the nearby …
(2019-11-16). Political and economic turmoil escalates in Lebanon. wsws.org According to the World Bank, a further devaluation of the Lebanese pound could push up to half the country's six million people below the official poverty line.
(2019-11-16). Sri Lankan presidential election: Workers must prepare to fight moves towards police-state rule. wsws.org Calls by the major candidates for "strong government"—code-words for the development of dictatorial methods—are a response to the growing opposition of workers and the poor to government austerity.
(2019-11-16). Parasite: An unusual director with his antenna attuned to social class. wsws.org Parasite is a dark comedy from South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho that concerns itself with income inequality and its implications. The Lighthouse is a pointless horror film set in the late 1800s in New England.
(2019-11-16). Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand. wsws.org The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
(2019-11-16). Deval Patrick Had Chris Christie's Nod … a Year Ago. truthdig.com The mystery of why a GOP mainstay like Christie would publicly name-check Patrick, a Democratic gov.-turned 2020 candidate, is yet unsolved.
(2019-11-16). The Trump impeachment and US policy in Ukraine. wsws.org The public hearings on impeachment have brought to light bitter recriminations within the US ruling elite sparked by the failure of its anti-Russia efforts in Ukraine.
(2019-11-16). Former US Secretary of State Kissinger points to danger of "catastrophic" conflict between US and China. wsws.org Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has warned of an inevitable "conflict" between the US and China that "will be worse than the world wars that ruined European civilisation."
(2019-11-16). Instagram Eliminates 'The Likes' From Its Platform. telesurenglish.net Instagram announced that "the number of likes" will no longer be a way to measure the social approval of the contents which users place in their accounts. | RELATED: | Facebook: Child Abuse, Suicide, Terrorism, Drugs | The company made that decision after the success reached in tests carried out in Australia, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, Italy, and Canada.‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Ä&ati…
(2019-11-15). 'Meant to intimidate': Code Pink's Medea Benjamin slams bogus police raid as crackdown on peace activism. rt.com 
Peace activist Medea Benjamin slammed a recent police raid on her home after she was accused of "assaulting" a Democratic congresswoman, calling it an act of "intimidation" against those opposing US interventionist policies. | Over a dozen officers from the US Capitol Police surrounded Benjamin's home on Wednesday, alleging the activist assaulted Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Florida) at a press conference earlier that day, but Benjamin says the charge is phoney. | "This is selective prosecution and it's bogus," she told RT, adding "I'm a peace activist, I don't assault anyone." | They make up thin…
(2019-11-15). Roger Stone conviction: Trump attacks double-standards on LYING while media repurposes a disproved 'WikiLeaks insider' connection. rt.com 
Former Donald Trump campaign strategist Roger Stone has been found guilty of all felony charges over his false claim of having an inside contact at WikiLeaks (he didn't). Trump said those who lied under oath against him walk free. | Stone was convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstruction, all charges centered around misrepresenting the nature of his contacts with WikiLeaks during intelligence committee hearings related to the special counsel's 'Russian collusion' inquiry. Not only did Stone falsely claim comedian and former friend Randy Credico was the "intermediary" discussed in emails wi…