(2020-02-15). Mistrial declared in case of anti-coup activists arrested in DC police raid on Venezuelan Embassy. rt.com 
Jurors who heard the case of four activists who were invited by Caracas to protect the Venezuelan Embassy in the US capital — only to be nabbed in a police raid on the compound — failed to reach a verdict due to a hung jury.
(2020-02-15). Turkey warns it will take action over Idlib flare-up if diplomacy fails. rt.com 
Ankara seeks a diplomatic resolution to an uptick in fighting in Idlib, Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said, but it is prepared to take other steps if talks with Russia fall through. | A Turkish delegation will arrive in Moscow on Monday to hold talks over the crisis in Idlib, Cavusoglu told reporters during the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. The senior Turkish diplomat said he will also meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. | Ankara is "working to maintain diplomacy" regarding the situation in Idlib, Cavusoglu claimed, while warning that necessary steps will be taken…
(2020-02-15). 'One democracy will settle it & you know which one': Indian FM tells US senator after he suggests Kashmir can be resolved amicably. rt.com 
India's external affairs minister made a pointed correction to US Senator Lindsey Graham after the latter suggested the Kashmir issue should be resolved between "two democracies." The minister argued it's only up to one. | Commenting on international conflicts and whether they could be resolved by way of democracy at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Graham expressed hope that "two democracies" would bring the situation in Kashmir to a peaceful resolution, apparently referring to India and its rival neighbor Pakistan. Both lay territorial claims to the whole of the Kashmir region. | "When it comes to K…
(2020-02-15). Shot down: Russia set to lose top spot in Sochi Olympics medals table AGAIN after biathlete Ustyugov accused of doping. rt.com 
In a well-worn story with more ups and downs that a playground seesaw, Russia could again lose top spot in the 2014 Sochi Olympics medals table after biathlete Evgeny Ustyugov was reportedly found guilty of doping violations. | The International Biathlon Union (IBU)
(2020-02-15). On the fast track: Russian speed skater Pavel Kulizhnikov earns World Championship sprint gold. rt.com 
The leader of the Russian speed skating team Pavel Kulizhnikov has proved again he is one of the world's fastest sprinters by winning the men's 500m gold at the World Championships in Salt Lake City in the US. | The 25-year-old clocked a time of 33.72 seconds, which was enough to claim gold on the shortest speed skating distance. | Fellow Russian Ruslan Muras…
(2020-02-15). Hundreds of people contacted as coronavirus case emerges after bus summit. thecanary.co 
Health officials have contacted more than 200 people who attended a conference in central London after it emerged one delegate is suffering from coronavirus.Public Health England (PHE) sent a letter to those who were at the UK Bus Summit at the QEII Centre in Westminster on February 6, including several MPs, two of whom have now decided to stay mostly at home.The person taken ill is one of the nine people diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK.Dr Yimmy Chow, consultant in health protection at PHE, said: "One of our main priorities has been to identify any people who we think have been in close contact with confirme…
(2020-02-15). Chinese tourist dies in France, becomes first coronavirus fatality in Europe – French health minister. rt.com 
Marking the first fatality on European soil, an 80-year-old Chinese tourist succumbed to the coronavirus at a Paris hospital, Health Minister Agnes Buzin reported as the death toll of the epidemic has surpassed 1,500. | The elderly Chinese man had been hospitalized in Paris, Buzin told journalists on Saturday. He was put into quarantine, but his condition "had deteriorated rapidly," the minister told local media. She said the 80-year-old arrived in France from the virus-hit province of Hubei. | The patient's daughter, also suffering from the 2019-nCoV, as the virus is officially called, was also hospitalized,…
(2020-02-15). Shifting rationales: White House memo says Soleimani strike was 'response' to past attacks instead of 'imminent' threat. rt.com 
The US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general was ordered in retaliation for previous attacks, the White House said in a memo, contradicting earlier claims that an "imminent" threat justified the assassination. | Now over a month removed from the targeted killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, the White House on Friday has offered yet another rationale for the operation, the latest in a series of alternating arguments offered by the president and Pentagon officials. | "The president directed this action in response to an escalating series of attacks in preceding months by Iran and Ir…
(2020-02-15). 'TROJAN HORSES' for Beijing intelligence: Pompeo takes aim at Huawei & other Chinese tech companies. rt.com 
Tech firms that receive support from Beijing serve as instruments of Chinese intelligence, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has alleged, in the latest verbal volley aimed at Huawei and other Chinese companies. | "Huawei and other Chinese state-backed tech companies are Trojan horses for Chinese intelligence," Pompeo said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. The US secretary of state took on the Chinese tech giant while speaking about what he believes are the biggest threats to modern security. | Mirroring Pompeo's sentiments, US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told the conference that Wa…
(2020-02-15). China beats US in key patents to secure technological dominance — report. rt.com 
Chinese companies have outpaced their US rivals in the tech patents race, filing more applications in 9 of 10 categories, including artificial intelligence and blockchain, a recent Nikkei study shows. | China became the leader in 2017, accounting for 49 percent of total applications. Apart from AI and blockchain, it enjoyed advantages in patent applications for drones, cyber security, virtual reality, autonomous driving, lithium-ion batteries, and regenerative medicine. | | © Nikkei study | The only sphere in which China is still trying to catch up to the US is the strategically important quantum comput…
(2020-02-15). Brother/Sister Can You Spare a Warm Shelter? dissidentvoice.org 
On the Streets The tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to homelessness is what the average person sees on Newport's streets — mostly men, some women, seeking a public or private building's overhang to get out of the rain. Many on the streets are disheveled, struggling with mental health issues and addiction. Others …
(2020-02-15). Art of the deal? Trump boasts Facebook supremacy over Modi ahead of India visit to ink trade & weapons sales. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has claimed he is more popular than PM Narendra Modi on Facebook, ahead of his upcoming trip to India. A coy political maneuver or standard social media banter from the US leader? | The president announced on Twitter that it was a "great honor" to be "number one" on Facebook — a title allegedly bestowed upon him by the platform's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. Stating that Modi was "number two," Trump added that he was "looking forward" to his upcoming trip to India. | Great honor, I think? Mark Zuckerberg recently stated that "Donald J. Trump is Number 1 on Facebook. Number 2 is Prime Mi…
(2020-02-15). From SAS to Alamo: 8 times SELF-HATING West renounced its own history. rt.com 
Rewriting or removing bits of history that don't align with modern PC standards is a recurring theme in the West, as these days religious leaders proclaim "shame" in their country and SJWs fight to remove monuments to the past. | Even the most glorious history has its dark spots — but our histories are what makes us what we are. But working toward a better future while acknowledging both the good and the bad bits of the past is no longer the only option. Why bother, when you instead can fall in line with trendy social movements to attack or blackout anything and everything in the past that triggers your m…
(2020-02-15). Scuffles between police & protesters break out as Munich Security Conference takes place (VIDEO). rt.com 
German riot police used brute force to push back against a throng of protesters who gathered in Munich where the high-profile security conference is taking place. The overnight stand-off was caught on film. | Numerous protesters, among them members of the German Antifa movement, scuffled with police on Friday night. Some of them aggressively pushed the officers away, while others held firecrackers and waved flags. | Protesters say the conference is "a meeting of war strategists" where weapon manufacturers negotiate deals, local media reports. | This year's Munich Security Conference will gather more than 35…
(2020-02-15). Gracias Chelsea Manning & Julian Assange for Exposing Bush's War Crimes. indybay.org Fruitvale and MacArthur oakland 94602…
(2020-02-15). Mistrial in Trump admin's biased case against Venezuelan embassy protectors is win for sovereignty. thegrayzone.com The Trump administration's case against Venezuelan embassy protectors was severely biased, but ended up with a hung jury. The mistrial…
(2020-02-15). U.S. Sanctions: The Weaponization of the Global Financial System. indybay.org Monterey Peace and Justice Center | 1364 Fremont Boulevard | Seaside, CA 93955…
(2020-02-15). Mexican Women Protested Femicides at National Palace. telesurenglish.net A large group of women demonstrated in front of the National Palace and other places of Mexico City to protest about femicides, such as Ingrid Escamilla's, allegedly carried out by her partner, Erick Francisco, EFE News Agency reported. | RELATED: | The protests began early on Friday morning outside the National Palace, where President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador lives, and where he daily delivers his morning confere…
(2020-02-15). John Pilger's The Dirty War on the National Health Service screening on Australia's SBS this Sunday. wsws.org The WSWS urges all our readers to watch this powerful documentary on SBS television, at 8.30 p.m. Sunday night, February 16.
(2020-02-15). Ceremonial Groundbreaking and Photo Opportunity for George Mark Children's House Restoration. indybay.org George Mark Children's House (GMCH), the first freestanding pediatric palliative care center in the United States, will host a Groundbreaking Ceremony and photo opportunity with generous-hearted contractors, local politicians and civic leaders to commemorate a new Restorative Garden on Thursday, February 20.
(2020-02-15). Coronavirus cases continue to increase and spread internationally. wsws.org The World Health Organization is alarmed about the implications of the virus taking hold in areas where the medical system is vastly ill-prepared.
(2020-02-15). US assassinated Suleimani to quash Iran's talks with Gulf monarchies. wsws.org The murder of the top Iranian general was carried out to shore up Washington's crumbling Middle East alliances.
(2020-02-15). Untold – UnSold Black, Brown,Red, Broke & Disabled Voices in Black History Month Book Tour. indybay.org POOR press is the poor people-led publishing arm of the grassroots, homeless and poor people-led movement, known as POOR Magazine, which has been dedicated to publishing and producing the books, art, education and culture of very low, no-income, homeless, Indigenous, disabled and incarcerated youth, adults and elders since 1996.
(2020-02-15). China's Economy Is Powerful, But Deeply Vulnerable. zcomm.org China's rapid growth has reduced poverty and produced prosperity — as well as skyrocketing inequality, ecological catastrophe, and dangerous financial bubbles…
(2020-02-15). Disruption warning as Storm Dennis hits Scotland. thecanary.co Widespread disruption has been predicted this weekend as Scotland is hit by a second storm in under a week. | The Scottish Government and Police Scotland have issued weather warnings, with Storm Dennis expected to bring gales and heavy rain. | A Met Office amber warning for heavy rain across central southern Scotland will be in place from noon until 11pm on Saturday. | On Sunday, a yellow warning for wind and rain will remain in place for the rest of southern Scotland, the central belt, the west coast and parts of the north-west from 7am until 8pm on Saturday. | An AMBER warning for rain is in place for Dumfries…
(2020-02-15). Emily Thornberry eliminated in Labour leadership race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn. thecanary.co Emily Thornberry has been eliminated from the Labour leadership contest after narrowly failing to secure the nominations she needed to make it into the final ballot of party members. | At the midnight Friday deadline, the shadow foreign secretary had 31 nominations from local constituency parties — two short of the 33 she required to go forward. | She did not get any nominations from Labour Party affiliates — the other route onto the ballot paper. | The three other candidates still in the contest — Sir Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy — had already obtained the nominations…
(2020-02-15). Sajid Javid's removed as UK chancellor as Johnson readies offensive against working class. wsws.org Javid's ignominious exit confirms the essential agenda of the Johnson government is one of escalating the class-war offensive against workers.
(2020-02-15). Scooter Red Alert: The Oakland Lime Strike Is Crashing the Company. indybay.org On the evening of February 10th, the Lime scooter company cut pay for contractors by 30% without warning. Many if not most contractors immediately responded by refusing to charge the company's electric scooters. It's likely that there are more uncharged scooters in the streets now than charged scooters. It's getting so bad that countless scooters are beginning to crash, along with prospects for the company in Oakland.
(2020-02-15). Turkey destroys 903 mines, 1,720 explosives in N.Syria. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces have destroyed 903 mines and 1,720 improvised explosives in areas under its latest anti-terror operation in northern Syria, the country's National Defense Ministry said on Saturday.On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey's borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria's territorial integrity.The ministry said in a statement children were often the victims of mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by PKK/YPG terrorists in the Operation Peace Sprin…
(2020-02-15). Turkey, Turkish Cypriots reject deadlock on Cyprus. yenisafak.com The people of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will not accept deadlock as the fate of the long-divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, said Turkey's vice president on Saturday.Fuat Oktay's remarks came during a meeting on the legal, political and economic aspects of reopening the abandoned town of Maras
(2020-02-15). Turkey says Libya's Haftar violating ceasefire, must be stopped. yenisafak.com Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu accused Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar on Saturday of constantly violating a ceasefire in the country, saying he "must be stopped" so a political solution could be found.Turkey backs the internationally-recognised government of Fayez al-Serraj in Libya and has sent military personnel to the country in support of Serraj. President Tayyip Erdogan has also warned that Ankara may deploy troops there if necessary.Speaking at a news conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at the Munich Security Conference, Cavusoglu said that Haftar, who is based in east Li…
(2020-02-15). Turkey to take steps if talks with Russia on Syria's Idlib fail. yenisafak.com Turkey wants to solve issues with Russia over the northwestern Syrian region of Idlib through diplomacy but will take other steps if necessary, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday.Turkey and Russia back opposing sides in the conflict, but have collaborated to reach a political solution. A Syrian regime offensive disrupted Ankara and Moscow's fragile cooperation, after 13 Turkish troops were martyred in two weeks.Speaking to reporters during the Munich Security Conference, Cavusoglu also said a Turkish delegation would go to Moscow on Monday to hold talks over Idlib, adding that he would also meet…
(2020-02-15). Turkish delegation to go to Moscow for talks on Idlib. yenisafak.com A Turkish delegation will visit Russia next week to hold talks on clashes in Idlib, Syria, Turkey's foreign minister said on Saturday."The Turkish delegation on Monday will attend talks in Moscow [on Idlib, Syria]," Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters after a meeting with his German counterpart Heiko Maas on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.For his part, Maas urged Russia to use its influence on the Assad regime to "stop attacks in Idlib."In September 2018, Turkey and Russia agreed to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.But more than 1,800 civilians…
(2020-02-15). 'Turkey has fulfilled responsibilities in Syria's Idlib in line with agreements'. yenisafak.com Turkey has fulfilled its responsibilities in the northwestern Syrian region of Idlib in line with the agreements it made with Russia and Iran, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Saturday, after violence spiked in recent weeks.Turkey and Russia back opposing sides in the conflict, and agreed in 2018 to set up a de-escalation zone in the region. A Syrian regime offensive disrupted Ankara and Moscow's fragile cooperation, after 13 Turkish soldiers were martyred in the past two weeks.Oktay told broadcaster NTV that Turkey was determined to stop the Syrian regime advances in Idlib, repeating a threat that Ankara would…
(2020-02-15). Russia detains Ukrainian vessel in Sea of Azov. yenisafak.com The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said it detained a vessel with four Ukrainian nationals in the Sea of Azov on Saturday.Upon inspection, the crew was found to lack the necessary identification and licenses to fish in the area, it said in a statement."The ship's captain failed to comply with the border patrol's legal requirement to stop and attempted to escape," it said, noting that more than 290 specimens of flounder-kalkan fish were found, as well as an illegal fishing net.The vessel and its crew were delivered to the port of Kerch for further investigation, it added.
(2020-02-15). 'The West is winning', US' Pompeo tells China, Russia. yenisafak.com Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday defended the United States' global role and launched a scathing attack on China and Russia, vowing that the West's ideals and values would prevail."I'm happy to report that the death of the transatlantic alliance is grossly exaggerated. The West is winning, and we're winning together," Pompeo said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference.
(2020-02-15). France confirms first coronavirus death in Europe. yenisafak.com An 80-year-old Chinese man has died from the coronavirus in France, French health authorities said Saturday.The announcement of the first death due to the fatal virus in Europe was made by Health Minister Agnes Buzyn.The man, a tourist originally from Hubei Province, China, has been hospitalized at the Bichat Hospital in Paris since Jan. 25.This is the first reported coronavirus death both in Europe, as well as outside Asia.
(2020-02-15). Civilians in NW Syria await aid amid harsh winter. yenisafak.com Syrian civilians fleeing airstrikes by the Bashar al-Assad regime and its allies await humanitarian aid while facing harsh winter conditions in the Idlib de-escalation zone in the country's northwest.Around 30,000 displaced people are fighting to survive amid freezing cold and snowfall in southwest Idlib.While some tents have collapsed due to piling snow, civilians are searching for warmth against the biting winter.Some families have even taken to burning some of the garments they brought with them, in the hopes of mitigating the cold for their children.- Some tents collapsedOne of the residents of a refugee cam…
(2020-02-15). Four killed in attacks in Iraq. yenisafak.com Four people were killed in two separate attacks in eastern Iraq on Saturday, according to a local police officer.Daesh/ISIS militants attacked a police checkpoint in Buhriz, south of Diyala province, killing two policemen, captain Habib al-Shimari told Anadolu Agency.He said a husband and his wife were also found dead inside their home in the same area.Iraqi authorities have launched an investigation to determine the group behind the killing.In mid-2014, Daesh/ISIS overran roughly one-third of Iraq.By late 2017, the Iraqi army
(2020-02-15). Pangolins still under global threat in 2020. yenisafak.com Although all eight species of pangolins are banned from international trade, the "scaly anteater" population is still under deadly threats as they continue to be the world's most trafficked mammals.Pangolin or its original Malay word "pengguling," which means "rolling up," as the mammal use it as a defense system against predators or other threats, has unique characteristics and is under very dangerous threats.Since every third Saturday in February is observed annually to raise awareness about these unique mammals, the pangolin population is rapidly declining in Asia and Africa.On the occasion of the World Pangol…
(2020-02-15). NATO chief warns against EU defense ambitions. yenisafak.com NATO's secretary general warned European members of the alliance against undermining transatlantic ties by their plans to build a European military.In a speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Jens Stoltenberg welcomed EU plans to boost defense capabilities and spending, but also cautioned allies against duplicating military efforts and alienating the U.S."Some say that the answer is more Europe, and I agree. But this is only part of it because more Europe cannot mean Europe alone," he stressed."Any attempt to distance Europe from North America not only weakens the transatlantic bond and our ability…
(2020-02-15). Ilhan Omar's Ex-Husband Learned She Was Cheating on Him When He Walked In On PJ-Clad Lovers – Report. sputniknews.com The families of Ilhan Omar and Ahmed Hirsi have reportedly reached a deal giving the US Congresswoman's ex-husband tens of thousands of dollars if he does not speak publicly about their split.
(2020-02-15). Indian Home Ministry Denies Claims Amit Shah is Going to Meet Anti-CAA Protesters in Delhi. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): India has been witnessing countrywide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, which came into effect in December 2019. The law provides a path to Indian citizenship for illegal immigrants of six "persecuted" minorities from three neighbouring Islamic countries, while not giving the same eligibility to Muslims.
(2020-02-15). Pentagon Chief Says Afghan President Ghani Fully Committed to Peace Deal. sputniknews.com MUNICH (Sputnik) – US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper said at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was fully committed to peacefully resolving the conflict with the Taliban radical group.
(2020-02-15). 'He Must Be Stopped': Turkish Foreign Minister Claims LNA's Haftar 'Constantly' Violating Ceasefire. sputniknews.com On 19 January, an international conference on Libyan reconciliation took place in Berlin and was attended by 16 states and entities, including Russia, Turkey and the US.
(2020-02-15). Peek-A-Boo! Hiding in a Shoe, Snake Gives a Big SSSS-Scare to a Woman in India. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): India hosts more than 270 species of snakes due to the tropical monsoon climate and it is even known for its snake charmers. One such snake had a little peek-a-boo moment with a woman in the Maloor district of the southern Indian state of Kerala.
(2020-02-15). Affaire Mila: French Elites Defend 'Right to Blasphemy' in Row Over Schoolgirl Who Criticised Islam. sputniknews.com A 16-year-old French girl has earned fame and infamy after a live-stream on Instagram in which she called Islam a "religion of hatred". The teen is staying home from school and has been put under police protection.
(2020-02-15). China to Continue Promoting Strategic Partnership With Russia – Foreign Minister. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – China will keep on strengthening the strategic cooperation with Russia and promoting their comprehensive partnership, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.
(2020-02-15). Russian Prosecutor General: Netherlands Avoiding Comprehensive Probe in MH17 Crash. sputniknews.com In December, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that the Netherlands was seeking to hide its own faults in the MH17 plane crash probe by making claims against Moscow.
(2020-02-15). Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Speaks on Sidelines of Munich Security Conference – Video. sputniknews.com Russia's top diplomat is expected to touch upon a wide range of issues regarding the country's current foreign policies.