Daily Archives: February 6, 2020

2020-02-06: News Headlines

RT (2020-02-06). Russian, Turkish military specialists among hundreds killed & injured in Syria's Idlib terrorist attacks — Moscow. rt.com Terrorists took over the Idlib de-escalation zone and carried out thousands of attacks in the last two months, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that the West is portraying them as "moderate opposition." | Idlib governorate, the last stronghold of anti-government forces in Syria, saw a surge of violence by radical jihadists who have no desire for a peaceful resolution to the almost nine-year-long conflict, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. Most of the attacks are carried out by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the latest iteration of al-Qaeda in Syria. | The area was proclaimed a de-escal…

RT (2020-02-06). 'Water terrorism': New Delhi accuses Pakistan of wasting TWICE what India gets under river sharing treaty. rt.com India has dismissed Pakistani media reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government seeks to breach a decades-old water sharing treaty between the two countries, accusing Islamabad of covering up its own immense waste. | Prompted by press reports claiming India had drafted proposals to construct dams in the disputed Kashmir region in alleged violation of the Indus Waters Agreement, PK Saxena, New Delhi's Indus Waters commissioner,

RT (2020-02-06). 3 foreigners stabbed in tourist hotspot Maldives, police investigating links to EXTREMISM. rt.com Maldives police are investigating three "suspected extremists" in a stabbing of three men, an Australian and two Chinese nationals. The attackers may be sympathizers of Islamic State terrorist group. | The incident occurred on Tuesday evening at Hulhumale, the fourth-largest island of the archipelago, according to a police report. The three victims are in stable condition. | The investigation of the incident of stabbing that occurred at Hulhumale' last night is ongoing. We are also checking the validity of a video that is being circulated on the social media claiming to be related to it.— Maldives Police…

RT (2020-02-06). PHONY liberal media turns Republican Romney into HERO for sticking it to Trump (just like it did McCain & Bush). rt.com Mitt Romney is the latest token Republican being hoisted up on the shoulders of the mainstream media thanks to his "courageous" decision to defy Donald Trump by voting with Democrats to impeach the president. | You would think the Utah senator single-handedly defeated Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) and then rescued a few kittens out of trees on his way home the way the media is writing about him. | The New Yorker declared that the former presidential candidate "seized" a chance to "rewrite his own place in history" with his impeachment vote. | An opinion piece in the Washington Post deemed the decision "cou…

RT (2020-02-06). Sudan made no promise to Israeli PM of normalizing ties — transitional cabinet. rt.com Sudan's cabinet said on Thursday that the country's leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had made no promise to Israel's prime minister of "normalizing ties" between the two states. | Burhan heads Sudan's ruling sovereign council. He met Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for previously unannounced talks in Entebbe, Uganda on Monday that appeared to signal an end to Sudan's long-standing boycott of the Jewish state. | After their meeting, Netanyahu announced that the two leaders had agreed to cooperate towards normalizing ties, AFP reported. | However, the transitional cabinet in Sudan said on Thursday that meetin…

Staff (2020-02-06). Historian: With Impeachment Acquittal, the GOP Has Given Trump a Blank Check to Do Anything He Wants. democracynow.org The U.S. Senate has acquitted President Trump of two impeachment charges in just the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history. Trump was accused of abusing power and obstructing Congress to aid his re-election campaign by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden. Every Democratic senator voted to remove President Trump from office, but they were joined by just one Republican: Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, who supported impeaching Trump on abuse of power. Romney became the first senator ever to vote against his own party's president in an impeachment trial. President Trump respond…

RT (2020-02-06). Stop using Russia as chief 'bogeyman', let's normalize relations — Putin spokesman to US politicians. rt.com After a few years of 'Russiagate', which bizarrely mutated into a Ukraine-inspired impeachment trial, now that Donald Trump has been declared 'not guilty' by the Senate, the Kremlin would like to move on. | Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, says it's time for American politicians to stop using Russia as the main "bogeyman" in their internal battles. He added that as soon as Russian-American relations are taken off the domestic agenda in Washington, it should be possible to "normalize" relations between the two countries. | Asked to comment on the Senate's verdict, Peskov noted that R…

Mark Gruenberg (2020-02-06). At acquittal protests, Trump foes vow to keep pressure on through election. peoplesworld.org WASHINGTON—On to, and through, November. That was the prevailing vow foes of GOP President Donald Trump took in nationwide demonstrations on the evening of Feb. 5, just minutes after the GOP-run Senate voted almost unanimously along party lines not to convict him on impeachment charges of abuse of power and defiance of congressional investigations. "Nov. …

RT (2020-02-06). Trump slams Romney & Pelosi for faith-based hypocrisy during impeachment. rt.com US President Donald Trump took a veiled swipe at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the sole Republican senator to vote for his removal, Mitt Romney, slamming those who use their faith to justify "doing what they know is wrong." | Trump avoided calling the sanctimonious pair out by name during the annual National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, but everyone listening seemed to know which "very dishonest and corrupt people" he was referring to with his accusations of rank religious hypocrisy. | #NationalPrayerBreakfast pic.twitter.com/79XCLpD7GP— CSPAN (@cspan)

RT (2020-02-06). Russia was second-biggest energy exporter to US in Autumn 2019, volumes hit 8-year high. rt.com Given the dire state of Russia-US political relations, and Washington's steadfast defense of its alliance with Saudi Arabia, it seems almost unbelievable that Moscow sends more energy exports America's way than Riyadh. | Nevertheless, figures recently published by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) say it's true: Russia is America's second-biggest source of crude oil and petroleum products. | Despite years of sanctions, the autumn of 2019 saw the amount of Russian 'black gold' sold to the US reach levels not seen since before the 2013/14 Ukraine crisis. Last October, imports sharply increased, with…

RT (2020-02-06). Pablo Escobar's hitman Popeye dies of cancer at 57, showing little remorse for his killings. rt.com Pablo Escobar's former hitman Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez, aka Popeye, has died of stomach cancer. The notorious killer called himself a "holy warrior" in an interview with RT and said that "taking up arms is always an option." | Vasquez was known as the right hand of the notorious drug lord, commanding Escobar's army of hitmen. He surrendered to Colombian law enforcement in 1992, a year before his boss was killed. | While in custody, Popeye confessed to personally committing hundreds of murders and orchestrating thousands more. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison — the highest possible sentence in Co…

Staff (2020-02-06). The Iowa Fiasco Rings the Death Knell of a Failed 50-Year Experiment. truthdig.com It's time to ask why two almost entirely white states are allowed to have such a disproportionate influence over presidential nominations.

Staff (2020-02-06). The Iowa Fiasco Is the Death Knell of a Failed 50-Year Experiment. truthdig.com It's time to ask why two almost entirely white states are allowed to have such a disproportionate influence over presidential nominations.

Staff (2020-02-06). Chaos Continues in Iowa as Democrats Mistakenly Award Delegates for Bernie Sanders to Deval Patrick. democracynow.org Results from Monday's Iowa caucuses continue to trickle in, with 97% of precincts reporting as of Thursday morning. Senator Bernie Sanders and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg are now in a virtual tie. Sanders maintains a lead in the popular vote, but Buttigieg has a slight advantage in what's known as the "state delegate equivalent" race. Buttigieg has 26.2% of state delegate equivalents, while Sanders is at 26.1%. The New York Times is now predicting Sanders has a greater chance of winning overall, in part because of the Vermont senator's overwhelming strength in satellite caucuses. Responding to widespre…

RT (2020-02-06). Iowa disaster redux: DNC demands recanvass as more sordid details emerge about Shadow app's backers. rt.com Increasingly glaring irregularities in the Iowa caucus have forced DNC chair Tom Perez to call for a recanvass, as new revelations about those who funded the fiasco suggest a campaign to steal not just the election, but the party. | Just when it looked like the Iowa caucus nightmare was over, with 97 percent of precincts reporting and so many "inconsistencies" glossed over to reach that point that the most corrupt banana republic would raise an eyebrow, Perez has called for a do-over. "In light of the problems that have emerged" and "to assure public confidence in the results," the party leader ordered its Iow…

Staff (2020-02-06). Corporate Media Is Trying to Manufacture a Pete Buttigieg Win. truthdig.com The way media outlets are reporting the still incomplete Iowa caucus results to put the former South Bend mayor on top is confounding.

RT (2020-02-06). Pragmatic agenda: Lavrov tours Latin America to foster cooperation, not to spite Washington. rt.com The Russian foreign minister's three-day trip to Latin America has provoked nervous reactions in the US, where it is assumed to be part of an anti-American agenda even though Moscow has legitimate economic interests in the region. | During the trip that started on Wednesday, Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to pay one-day visits to Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela — setting the tongues wagging in Washington. | The Hill

RT (2020-02-06). Staaanley! Bojo's father accidentally reveals China's 'concern' at PM Johnson's lack of support over coronavirus. rt.com PM Boris Johnson's father — Stanley — may have inadvertently risked souring the UK's international relations after accidentally revealing in an email China's unhappiness at his son's lack of support over the coronavirus outbreak. | Johnson senior, 79, an environmental campaigner, met the Chinese ambassador to the UK — Liu Xiaoming — on Tuesday to discuss the issue of climate summits due to take place later this year in China and London. | It transpires that during the meeting, the ambassador conveyed China's frustrations at PM Johnson not making contact with the "Chinese head of state or…

RT (2020-02-06). Philippines foreign secretary defends US security act after Duterte threat. rt.com The Philippines' foreign secretary warned on Thursday that abrogating a security accord with Washington would undermine his country's security and "foster aggression" in the disputed South China Sea. The warning came after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened last month to give notice to the US to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement if the reported visa cancellation of his political ally, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, was not corrected within a month. | The accord, known as VFA, took effect in 1999 to provide legal cover for the entry of American forces to the Philippines for joint training with Filipino troops.

RT (2020-02-06). 'Gasmaggedon' sweeps over global gas market. rt.com China's state-owned gas importers are considering declaring force majeure on LNG imports, which would amplify the turmoil in global gas markets. | Shipments of oil and gas are backing up at Chinese ports, which is creating ripple effects across the world. Now, Chinese state-owned CNOOC is considering declaring force majeure on its LNG import commitments, according to the FT. Sinopec and CNPC are also apparently considering the move. | Read more | | Prices were already…

RT (2020-02-06). Beijing hits out at Taiwanese vice president-elect's White House visit. rt.com China said on Thursday it "firmly opposes" a meeting at the White House between US security officials and a senior Taiwanese politician. Vice President-Elect William Lai made the visit this week during a personal trip to the US, according to Taiwanese media. | On Monday, Lai reportedly had a 70-minute meeting with US National Security Council officials. It was not clear what was discussed. | A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Thursday that Beijing opposes any official exchange between the US and Taiwan. Washington "shall not arrange [for] US leaders, government officials and Congress members to hav…

RT (2020-02-06). Russia praises China for transparent coronavirus updates. rt.com Moscow welcomes the prompt and transparent information exchange with China on the new coronavirus outbreak, said Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, Aleksey Volin. | "China is providing transparent updates on developments around the new coronavirus outbreak. Every day they report the number of new cases, deaths and recoveries, detailing their steps to fight the epidemic. There is enough information to gauge the real picture," Volin said in an interview to Russia-China: Top News. | Volin stressed that the transparency and verifiability of the coronavirus-related updates is bei…

RT (2020-02-06). Philippine foreign secretary defends US security act after Duterte threat. rt.com The Philippine foreign secretary warned on Thursday that abrogating a security accord with Washington would undermine his country's security and "foster aggression" in the disputed South China Sea. The warning came after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened last month to give notice to the US to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement if the reported cancellation of the visa of his political ally, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, was not corrected within a month. | The accord, known as VFA, took effect in 1999 to provide legal cover for the entry of American forces to the Philippines for joint training with Filipino tro…

RT (2020-02-06). 'Opioid genocide': RT's Keiser Report digs into US drugs overdose crisis. rt.com Electronic patient records systems used by doctors across the United States have been programmed to automatically suggest opioids for treatment. This was part of a secret deal between the software makers and drug companies. | That is competition on both a software and a macroeconomic level, say the hosts of Keiser Report. | "So, here you have corporations involved in brainwashing, in distorting the information field, involved in adversely programming their computers to prescribe opioids to patients for profit, even though it's killing more people than we lost in Vietnam," says Max Keiser. | Stacy Herbert ex…

RT (2020-02-06). 'Vile,' 'Disgraceful': Outrage after Grenfell chairman requests cladding firm workers be exempt from criminal prosecutions. rt.com The chairman of the Grenfell Tower inquiry is to seek assurances from the government that any evidence provided by employees of the cladding firms won't be used against them in further criminal prosecutions prompting anger online. | Sir Martin Moore-Bick has written to the Geoffrey Cox QC — the attorney general — requesting that any evidence submitted by individuals responsible for the refurbishment of the 24-story block will not be used to incriminate them. 72 residents perished in the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017. | Moore-Bick warned that if witnesses do not gain immunity then "they will be con…

Roger D. Harris (2020-02-06). A Neoliberal Legacy: America's Fascism Problem Runs Much Deeper Than Trump. mintpressnews.com In recent years, the press reports of racist young whites attracted to far-right persuasions including flirting with fascism. But are they the cause or the consequence?

RT (2020-02-06). Suspect in car ramming attack that left 12 Israeli soldiers injured detained after massive manhunt. rt.com Israeli security forces have detained the suspected terrorist who drove his car through a group of IDF recruits, injuring a dozen of them. He is reportedly a Palestinain man from East Jerusalem. | The car ramming attack, that occurred overnight in Jerusalem, left 12 Israeli soldiers injured. While one of them received wounds described as "critical," nine others have already been discharged from hospital. | The attack prompted a massive manhunt, involving various Israeli military and law enforcement units, that ultimately resulted in the arrest of a suspect. The attacker managed to flee the scene of the ramming…

RT (2020-02-06). Jerusalem car ramming against IDF soldiers investigated as a terrorist attack — police. rt.com Police are searching for a suspect who fled the scene after ramming a car into a group of people in Jerusalem, injuring 12 IDF soldiers and reportedly two more people. The incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism. | The suspect rammed a group of people at high speed shortly before 2am local time on Thursday. The IDF said that out of the 12 injured soldiers, one sustained severe wounds. | Security measures continue in & around Jeruslem after vehicle attack by terrorist. 12 injured. Police patrol units searching areas.

Morning Star (2020-02-06). Fascists align with conservatives to kick out Die Linke in eastern Germany. peoplesworld.org Protests were sparked in Germany's eastern state of Thuringia Wednesday after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party—which has ties to neo-Nazis—joined forces with two conservative parties in the state parliament to oust incumbent Die Linke (Left Party) President Bodo Ramelow. State elections were held in October, but the left-wing premier was unable to form …

RT (2020-02-06). ÔªøRussian champion gymnast Alexandra Soldatova hospitalized after 'suicide attempt'. rt.com Russian four-time world champion rhythmic gymnast Alexandra Soldatova has been hospitalized in Moscow after an alleged suicide attempt, according to reports. | The 21-year-old was taken to a hospital with multiple deep cuts on her left arm which led to severe blood loss on Wednesday. | "The 21-year-old Soldatova was taken to a Moscow hospital on February 5th with bodily injuries re…

RT (2020-02-06). BBC struggles to pronounce Irish politician's name, makes him 'Russian' as on-air gaffes continue. rt.com BBC's Newsnight has been ridiculed this week after an online clip of the program was shared on social media, showing the presenter struggling to say a politician's real (and rather simple) name. | With its non-phonetic pronunciation, the English language can be an impenetrable tongue-twisting maze. But as tourists struggle to say the places Leicester Square and Edinburgh correctly, it seems the BBC has problems with simple names. According to BBC Newsnight's policy editor, Lewis Goodall, the next taoiseach (prime minister of Ireland) could be a man called 'Mikhail' Martin. It's obviously not an easy denominati…

RT (2020-02-06). Nord Stream 2 investors pledge to meet their commitments despite renewed threats of US sanctions. rt.com European companies have already invested billions of dollars in the Nord Stream 2 underwater pipeline from Russia to Germany, and are not going to ditch the project despite the threat of new US sanctions. | Washington could be preparing to target the massive Russian-European energy project again after last year's restrictions failed to completely stop it. US lawmakers want to approve another sanctions bill, this time imposing restrictions on the European investors involved in it or the potential buyers of the gas, delivered via the route after its completion, the German business outlet Handelsblatt reported ea…

RT (2020-02-06). 'There was no suicide attempt' – Soldatova coach DENIES attempt to take own life by gymnast – reports. rt.com The coach of Russian rhythmic gymnast Alexandra Soldatova denies her charge has been hospitalized after a suicide attempt, claiming the 21-year-old is undergoing unspecified tests and will be released from hospital tomorrow. | On Thursday, it was reported that Soldatova had been rushed to a Moscow hospital on February 5 for treatment in its critical care unit for multiple deep cuts…

RT (2020-02-06). Russia's modernized Tu-160M nuclear-capable bomber takes to the skies for the 1st time (VIDEO). rt.com A modernized Tu-160, Russia's iconic strategic bomber, with brand new avionics, controls, and other equipment, took its maiden flight. The changes are said to have doubled its combat effectiveness. | Footage of the modernized plane was released by the Russian military on Thursday, though the test flight took place earlier this month at the Kazan aircraft plant proving grounds. The plane took a short trip, remaining in the air for about half an hour at an altitude of 1,500 meters. | The Tu-160 nuclear-capable supersonic bomber was introduced at the end of the Soviet era and has remained in the service of the…

RT (2020-02-06). Russian General Staff chief, NATO commander in Europe meet in Baku to discuss incident prevention. rt.com The chief of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov met in Baku, Azerbaijan with the Commander-in-Chief of NATO forces in Europe General Tod Wolters and discussed incident prevention, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. | They exchanged opinions of strategic stability and situations in crisis regions and discussed practical steps to prevent military incidents, according to the Russian military. | Earlier on Thursday, Gerasimov met with Azerbaijan's president, Ilkham Aliyev, and held a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Colonel-General Nijmeddin Sadykov,…

RT (2020-02-06). Russian General Staff chief, NATO commander in Europe meet in Baku to discuss incidents prevention. rt.com The chief of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov met in Baku, Azerbaijan with the Commander-in-Chief of NATO forces in Europe General Tod Wolters and discussed incidents prevention, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. | They exchanged opinions of strategic stability and situations in crisis regions and discussed practical steps to prevent military incidents, according to the Russian military. | Earlier on Thursday, Gerasimov met with Azerbaijan's President Ilkham Aliyev and hold a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Colonel-General Nijmeddin Sadykov, TA…

RT (2020-02-06). Huawei sues US telecoms provider Verizon for alleged patent violations. rt.com Chinese tech giant Huawei has filed a lawsuit against US carrier Verizon, seeking compensation for what it said were infringements of its intellectual property rights. | The company said that Verizon is using technology that is protected by 12 of its US patents. According to the court documents, Verizon "profited greatly" from the technology, with the US firm's Wireline segment generating revenue of $29.8 billion in 2018. | Huawei said it has approached Verizon multiple times to negotiate licensing fees since February 2019, but the two companies were unable to agree on license terms. | Also on rt.com | |

RT (2020-02-06). Pope Francis endorses wealth redistribution, calls for an end to tax cuts for the 'richest people'. rt.com Pope Francis blasted the practice of tax cuts for the rich as part of a "structure of sin" and lamented the fact that "billions of dollars" end up in "tax haven accounts" instead of funding "healthcare and education." | Speaking at the seminar set up by the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences the Pope criticized "the richest people" for receiving "repeated tax cuts" in the name of "investment and development." These "tax haven accounts" impede "the possibility of the dignified and sustained development of all social agents," claims the Pope. | He added that "the poor increase around us" as poverty is rising…

Ben Chacko (2020-02-06). 'All Journalists at Risk' if Assange Handed to US Jailers. globalresearch.ca All journalists will be at risk if Julian Assange is extradited to the US and jailed for publishing classified information, a packed debate at London's Frontline Club heard today. | Mr Assange faces up to 175 years behind bars if convicted …

WSWS (2020-02-06). Don't Extradite Assange meeting in London: The political issues. wsws.org The aim of the Don't Extradite Assange group is to rehabilitate the Labour Party and the trade unions, its "left" representatives in particular, and to corral the movement in defence of Assange under their control.

Max Blumenthal (2020-02-06). Acronym group that sabotaged Iowa caucus birthed by billionaire who funded Alabama disinformation campaign. thegrayzone.com Silicon Valley billionaire Reid Hoffman funded the creation of ACRONYM, the group that sabotaged the Iowa caucus results, after bankrolling…

Norman Solomon (2020-02-06). Iowa Fiasco Raises the Stakes for New Hampshire, Where Sanders Could Win Big. indybay.org Corporate Democrats are ready to escalate…

Venezuela Analysis (2020-02-06). Embassy Protection Collective: "We Are Not the Ones Who Violated the Law" theantimedia.com In this exclusive interview, VA talks to the activists who defended the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC ahead of their trial.

Telesur (2020-02-06). Draft UN Resolution Condemns Trump Middle East 'Peace' Plan. globalresearch.ca A draft United Nations Security Council resolution rebuked Tuesday President Donald Trump's pro-Israel Tunisia and Indonesia circulated the draft text to council members. Though it …

Jerome Irwin (2020-02-06). The "Final Solution" for Palestine? counterpunch.org President Trump and PM Benjamin Netanyahu's so-called "Peace Plan" for Palestine and Palestinians won't remotely bring about peace in the Middle East. This latest lunatical American Fundamentalist Christian & Orthodox Jewish Kamikaze plan can only but bring about another world war; because the sought after conclusion of such a war, in some key power circles

Howard Lisnoff (2020-02-06). To March or Not to March: Why are the Streets Nearly Empty? counterpunch.org I couldn't get to the January 25th antiwar rally. Viewing photographs of that sparsely attended rally drives home the fact that the antiwar movement is nearly dead in the US. Perhaps it is dead and I cannot bring myself to accept that fact? Only days later, bellicose Trump presented a laughable plan for peace in the

Jonathan Cook (2020-02-06). Duh, Jared! So who built the PA as a 'police state'? zcomm.org By pushing the Middle East peace process to its logical conclusion, Donald Trump has made crystal clear something that was supposed to have been obscured: that no US administration has ever really seen peace as the objective of its "peacemaking"

RejectTheCoverup (2020-02-06). Oakland: Reject the Cover-up! Protest Against Sham Impeachment Trial. indybay.org Grand Lake Theater intersection, 3200 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610…

Sarah Abed (2020-02-06). Trump's State of the Union Address: Half MAGA Rally, Half Resistance Protest, Full-on Reality TV Drama. globalresearch.ca Tuesday's

Lee Camp (2020-02-06). How California Will Be Stolen From Bernie Sanders (Again). truthdig.com Given what just unfolded at the Iowa caucuses, not to mention in 2016, voters in the Golden State need to look out on Super Tuesday.

2020-02-06: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

'All Journalists at Risk' if Assange Handed to US Jailers
Ben Chacko | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-06
All journalists will be at risk if Julian Assange is extradited to the US and jailed for publishing classified information, a packed debate at London's Frontline Club heard today. | Mr Assange faces up to 175 years behind bars if convicted …
globalresearch.ca/all-journalists-risk-assange-handed-us-jailers/5702932

Don't Extradite Assange meeting in London: The political issues
wsws.org | 2020-02-06
The aim of the Don't Extradite Assange group is to rehabilitate the Labour Party and the trade unions, its "left" representatives in particular, and to corral the movement in defence of Assange under their control.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/06/deam-f06.html

Acronym group that sabotaged Iowa caucus birthed by billionaire who funded Alabama disinformation campaign
Max Blumenthal | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-06
Silicon Valley billionaire Reid Hoffman not only funded the creation of ACRONYM, the group that sabotaged Iowa caucus vote results,…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/06/acronym-iowa-caucus-billionaire-alabama-disinformation/

Acronym group that sabotaged Iowa caucus birthed by billionaire who funded Alabama disinformation campaign
Max Blumenthal | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-06
Silicon Valley billionaire Reid Hoffman not only funded the creation of ACRONYM, the group that sabotaged Iowa caucus results; he…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/06/acronym-iowa-caucus-billionaire-alabama-disinformation/

Acronym group that sabotaged Iowa caucus birthed by billionaire who funded Alabama disinformation campaign
Max Blumenthal | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-06
Silicon Valley billionaire Reid Hoffman funded the creation of ACRONYM, the group that sabotaged the Iowa caucus results, after bankrolling…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/06/acronym-iowa-caucus-billionaire-alabama-disinformation/

Iowa Fiasco Raises the Stakes for New Hampshire, Where Sanders Could Win Big
Norman Solomon | indybay.org | 2020-02-06
Corporate Democrats are ready to escalate…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/04/18830356.php

Embassy Protection Collective: "We Are Not the Ones Who Violated the Law"
Venezuela Analysis | theantimedia.com | 2020-02-06
In this exclusive interview, VA talks to the activists who defended the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC ahead of their trial.
theantimedia.com/embassy-protection-collective-we-are-not-the-ones-who-violated-the-law/

To March or Not to March: Why are the Streets Nearly Empty?
Howard Lisnoff | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-06
I couldn't get to the January 25th antiwar rally. Viewing photographs of that sparsely attended rally drives home the fact that the antiwar movement is nearly dead in the US. Perhaps it is dead and I cannot bring myself to accept that fact? Only days later, bellicose Trump presented a laughable plan for peace in the…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/06/to-march-or-not-to-march-why-are-the-streets-nearly-empty/

The "Final Solution" for Palestine?
Jerome Irwin | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-06
President Trump and PM Benjamin Netanyahu's so-called "Peace Plan" for Palestine and Palestinians won't remotely bring about peace in the Middle East. This latest lunatical American Fundamentalist Christian & Orthodox Jewish Kamikaze plan can only but bring about another world war; because the sought after conclusion of such a war, in some key power circles…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/06/the-final-solution-for-palestine/

Duh, Jared! So who built the PA as a 'police state'?
Jonathan Cook | zcomm.org | 2020-02-06
By pushing the Middle East peace process to its logical conclusion, Donald Trump has made crystal clear something that was supposed to have been obscured: that no US administration has ever really seen peace as the objective of its "peacemaking"
zcomm.org/znetarticle/duh-jared-so-who-built-the-pa-as-a-police-state/

Draft UN Resolution Condemns Trump Middle East 'Peace' Plan
Telesur | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-06
A draft United Nations Security Council resolution rebuked Tuesday President Donald Trump's pro-Israel peace proposal and condemned Israeli plan to annex its illegal settlements in Palestinian territories. | Tunisia and Indonesia circulated the draft text to council members. Though it …
globalresearch.ca/draft-un-resolution-condemns-trump-middle-east-peace-plan/5702925

At acquittal protests, Trump foes vow to keep pressure on through election
Mark Gruenberg | peoplesworld.org | 2020-02-06
WASHINGTON–On to, and through, November. That was the prevailing vow foes of GOP President Donald Trump took in nationwide demonstrations on the evening of Feb. 5, just minutes after the GOP-run Senate voted almost unanimously along party lines not to convict him on impeachment charges of abuse of power and defiance of congressional investigations. "Nov. …
peoplesworld.org/article/at-acquittal-protests-trump-foes-vow-to-keep-pressure-on-through-election/

Oakland: Reject the Cover-up! Protest Against Sham Impeachment Trial
RejectTheCoverup | indybay.org | 2020-02-06
Grand Lake Theater intersection, 3200 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/03/18830347.php

Trump's State of the Union Address: Half MAGA Rally, Half Resistance Protest, Full-on Reality TV Drama
Sarah Abed | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-06
Tuesday's State of the Union dubbed "the launching of the great American comeback" came just a day after the Iowa caucuses in the 2020 presidential election and a day before Trump was acquitted of both articles of impeachment by the …
globalresearch.ca/trump-state-union-address-half-maga-rally-half-resistance-protest-full-reality-tv-drama/5702953

Fascists align with conservatives to kick out Die Linke in eastern Germany
Morning Star | peoplesworld.org | 2020-02-06
Protests were sparked in Germany's eastern state of Thuringia Wednesday after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party–which has ties to neo-Nazis–joined forces with two conservative parties in the state parliament to oust incumbent Die Linke (Left Party) President Bodo Ramelow. State elections were held in October, but the left-wing premier was unable to form …
peoplesworld.org/article/fascists-align-with-conservatives-to-kick-out-die-linke-in-eastern-germany/

They're Going to Try to Steal California From Sanders (Again)
Lee Camp | truthdig.com | 2020-02-06
Given what just unfolded at the Iowa caucuses, not to mention in 2016, voters in the Golden State need to look out on Super Tuesday.
truthdig.com/articles/theyre-going-to-try-to-steal-california-from-sanders-again/

How California Will Be Stolen From Bernie Sanders (Again)
Lee Camp | truthdig.com | 2020-02-06
Given what just unfolded at the Iowa caucuses, not to mention in 2016, voters in the Golden State need to look out on Super Tuesday.
truthdig.com/articles/how-california-will-be-stolen-from-bernie-sanders-again/

Syrian Army's Offensive in Idlib Deepens Rift Between Russia and Turkey
Paul Antonopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-06
Major strains are appearing in Russian-Turkish relations, particularly over the Syrian Army's latest offensive against Turkish-backed jihadists in Idlib and Russia's non-agreeance with Turkey's support for the Muslim Brotherhood government based in the Libyan capital of Tripoli. Last week Turkish…
globalresearch.ca/syrian-army-offensive-idlib-deepens-rift-between-russia-turkey/5702948

The 'Deal of the Century' Challenge for Palestinians
Ramzy Baroud | zcomm.org | 2020-02-06
The Palestinian leadership cannot be absolved from its responsibility towards the Palestinian people, and its unmitigated failure to develop a comprehensive national strategy…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/the-deal-of-the-century-challenge-for-palestinians/

Video: Syrian Army Advance in Idlib Province. Netanyahu and Erdogan to the Rescue of Al Qaeda
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-06
In Greater Idlib the defences of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other favorites of the foreign powers supporting 'Syrian democracy' are collapsing. | On February 5, the Syrian Army, supported by Russian airpower, took control of a number of villages in southeastern …
globalresearch.ca/video-syrian-army-captured-saraqib-netanyahu-n-erdogan-rescue/5702958

Tulsi Gabbard in New Hampshire
Michael Tracey | thenation.com | 2020-02-06
Tulsi Gabbard in New Hampshire…
thenation.com/article/politics/tulsi-gabbard-new-hampshire-primary/

Tulsi Gabbard in New Hampshire
Michael Tracey | thenation.com | 2020-02-06
Tulsi Gabbard in New Hampshire…
thenation.com/article/politics/tulsi-gabbard-new-hampshire-primary/

Turkey Gives Assad Deadline to Pull Back or Face Military Action
Middle East Eye | theantimedia.com | 2020-02-06
Turkey has given the Syrian government until the end of this month to withdraw from recently seized territory in Idlib province.
theantimedia.com/turkey-gives-assad-deadline-to-pull-back-or-face-military-action/

'Water terrorism': New Delhi accuses Pakistan of wasting TWICE what India gets under river sharing treaty
rt.com | 2020-02-06
India has dismissed Pakistani media reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government seeks to breach a decades-old water sharing treaty between the two countries, accusing Islamabad of covering up its own immense waste. | Prompted by press reports claiming India had drafted proposals to construct dams in the disputed Kashmir region in alleged violation of the Indus Waters Agreement, PK Saxena, New Delhi's Indus Waters commissioner, said the allegation…
rt.com/news/480190-india-pakistan-water-terrorism/

PHONY liberal media turns Republican Romney into HERO for sticking it to Trump (just like it did McCain & Bush)
rt.com | 2020-02-06
Mitt Romney is the latest token Republican being hoisted up on the shoulders of the mainstream media thanks to his "courageous" decision to defy Donald Trump by voting with Democrats to impeach the president. | You would think the Utah senator single-handedly defeated Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) and then rescued a few kittens out of trees on his way home the way the media is writing about him. | The New Yorker declared that the former presidential candidate "seized" a chance to "rewrite his own place in history" with his impeachment vote. | An opinion piece in the Washington Post deemed the decision "cou…
rt.com/usa/480263-mitt-romney-trump-impeachment-vote/

PHONY liberal media turns Republican Romney into HERO for sticking it to Trump (just like it did McCain & Bush)
rt.com | 2020-02-06
Mitt Romney is the latest token Republican being hoisted up on the shoulders of the mainstream media thanks to his "courageous" decision to defy Donald Trump by voting with Democrats to impeach the president. | You would think the Utah senator single-handedly defeated Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) and then rescued a few kittens out of trees on his way home the way the media is writing about him. | The New Yorker declared that the former presidential candidate "seized" a chance to "rewrite his own place in history" with his impeachment vote. | An opinion piece in the Washington Post deemed the decision "cou…
rt.com/usa/480263-mitt-romney-trump-impeachment-vote/

3 foreigners stabbed in tourist hotspot Maldives, police investigating links to EXTREMISM
rt.com | 2020-02-06
Maldives police are investigating three "suspected extremists" in a stabbing of three men, an Australian and two Chinese nationals. The attackers may be sympathizers of Islamic State terrorist group. | The incident occurred on Tuesday evening at Hulhumale, the fourth-largest island of the archipelago, according to a police report. The three victims are in stable condition. | The investigation of the incident of stabbing that occurred at Hulhumale' last night is ongoing. We are also checking the validity of a video that is being circulated on the social media claiming to be related to it.– Maldives Police…
rt.com/news/480201-maldives-stabbing-tourists-isis/

The Divided States of Trumpistan?
Wim Laven | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-06
With the end of the Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump the partisan divide is deepened and acquittal a mere formality. Mitch McConnell promised to quickly acquit Trump of the charges, he did so with no witnesses or evidence provided. It leaves me wondering what this leaves of American democracy, the Constitution, and where is the…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/06/the-divided-states-of-trumpistan/

Trump emerges strengthened after Democrats' impeachment debacle
wsws.org | 2020-02-06
From the beginning of the Trump presidency, the Democrats have worked to channel mass popular opposition to Trump behind their own right-wing, militarist agenda.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/06/pers-f06.html

Historian: With Impeachment Acquittal, the GOP Has Given Trump a Blank Check to Do Anything He Wants
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-06
The U.S. Senate has acquitted President Trump of two impeachment charges in just the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history. Trump was accused of abusing power and obstructing Congress to aid his re-election campaign by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden. Every Democratic senator voted to remove President Trump from office, but they were joined by just one Republican: Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, who supported impeaching Trump on abuse of power. Romney became the first senator ever to vote against his own party's president in an impeachment trial. President Trump respond…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/6/impeachment_trial_donald_trump_acquitted

Trump slams Romney & Pelosi for faith-based hypocrisy during impeachment
rt.com | 2020-02-06
US President Donald Trump took a veiled swipe at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the sole Republican senator to vote for his removal, Mitt Romney, slamming those who use their faith to justify "doing what they know is wrong." | Trump avoided calling the sanctimonious pair out by name during the annual National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, but everyone listening seemed to know which "very dishonest and corrupt people" he was referring to with his accusations of rank religious hypocrisy. | President Trump: "I don't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong. Nor do I like…
rt.com/usa/480250-trump-slams-pelosi-romney-faith-hypocrisy/

Republican and Democratic Parties in Turmoil
George Ochenski | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-06
Stumbling into February, both major political parties in the U.S. are in disarray as they face uncertain, unplanned and uncontrollable futures going into a crucial election year. For Republicans, it's the dangerous and perhaps foolish choice to acquit a corrupt president who has been impeached. For Democrats, it's looking like Bernie Sanders, the Independent senator…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/06/republican-and-democratic-parties-in-turmoil/

Trump's 'Red Meat' SOTU Speech: US Political Crisis Now Deepens
Jack Rasmus | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-06
If anyone thinks the recent impeachment and Senate trial was the high point of the growing conflict between the two political parties, Republican (correct that: Trumpublicans now) and Democrat, they haven't seen anything yet. The worst, much worse is yet to come in the months leading up to the November 2020 elections.
counterpunch.org/2020/02/06/trumps-red-meat-sotu-speech-us-political-crisis-now-deepens/

After Impeachment, urgently needed: struggle in the streets!
Revolution Books | indybay.org | 2020-02-06
Revolution Books, 2444 Durant Ave. Berkeley CA 94704…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/05/18830395.php

What's Next Front in Trump's Battle Over Presidential Powers?>
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-06
Both in Federal courts and in the Senate, U.S. President Donald Trump's lawyers have argued that the Constitution confers on a president broad protection from scrutiny by Congress, prosecutors, and the judiciary for his actions. | RELATED: | Trump Gets Away With It: Senate Votes Against Impeachment | This expansive view of presidential powers may have helped the Republican president win acquittal, and for now, he is the first impeached president to seek re-election. | The final verd…
telesurenglish.net/news/Whats-Next-Front-in-Trumps-Battle-Over-Presidential-Powers-20200206-0004.html

Trump Administration Reintroduces Catastrophic Reagan-Era Disability Cuts
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-02-06
You might have missed it amid the impeachment coverage, but the Trump administration has recently rolled out plans for draconian cuts to everything from Medicaid to school lunches. | Latest on the chopping block…
truthout.org/articles/trump-administration-reintroduces-catastrophic-reagan-era-disability-cuts/

Trump Unleashes Fury at Impeachment Enemies at Prayer Event
Staff | truthdig.com | 2020-02-06
The president takes issue with "love your enemies" credo in a jarring speech amid others' calls for unity at National Prayer Breakfast.
truthdig.com/articles/trump-unleashes-fury-at-impeachment-enemies-at-prayer-event/

An American Drama: Republican Senators Sabotaged Donald Trump's Impeachment Trial
Prof Rodrigue Tremblay | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-06
The die is cast. –History will record that Republican senators in the U.S. Senate used their majority to sabotage the impeachment trial of Donald Trump and, in so doing, de facto exonerated him of abuse of power and of obstruction …
globalresearch.ca/american-drama-republican-senators-sabotaged-donald-trump-impeachment-trial/5702917

San Francisco Swift Reaction to Senate Sham Trial
R.R. | indybay.org | 2020-02-06
Speakers in San Francisco said everyone must call on local politicians to reject the Senate vote in which President Trump was found not guilty on both articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/06/18830422.php

Trump slams Romney & Pelosi for faith-based hypocrisy during impeachment
rt.com | 2020-02-06
US President Donald Trump took a veiled swipe at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the sole Republican senator to vote for his removal, Mitt Romney, slamming those who use their faith to justify "doing what they know is wrong." | Trump avoided calling the sanctimonious pair out by name during the annual National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, but everyone listening seemed to know which "very dishonest and corrupt people" he was referring to with his accusations of rank religious hypocrisy. | #NationalPrayerBreakfast pic.twitter.com/79XCLpD7GP– CSPAN (@cspan)
rt.com/usa/480250-trump-slams-pelosi-romney-faith-hypocrisy/

Russia was second-biggest energy exporter to US in Autumn 2019, volumes hit 8-year high
rt.com | 2020-02-06
Given the dire state of Russia-US political relations, and Washington's steadfast defense of its alliance with Saudi Arabia, it seems almost unbelievable that Moscow sends more energy exports America's way than Riyadh. | Nevertheless, figures recently published by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) say it's true: Russia is America's second-biggest source of crude oil and petroleum products. | Despite years of sanctions, the autumn of 2019 saw the amount of Russian 'black gold' sold to the US reach levels not seen since before the 2013/14 Ukraine crisis. Last October, imports sharply increased, with…
rt.com/russia/480242-russia-big-energy-exports-america/

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) Lawyers Question Legality of Saudi Arms Ship Due to Dock in UK
CAAT, Campaign Against Arms Trade | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-06
Lawyers from Leigh Day, representing Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), have written to the Government Legal Department seeking clarification as to the licence under which a Saudi vessel will be allowed to enter and subsequently leave the UK following its …
globalresearch.ca/campaign-against-arms-trade-caat-lawyers-question-legality-saudi-arms-ship-due-dock-uk/5702933

Guyana: Global Witness Accuses Exxon of 'Exploitative' Contract
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-06
Guyana loses $55 billion with its current oil license deal with Exxon shows an analysis of the international human rights and anti-corruption group Global Witness. | RELATED: | Houthis Bombs Aramco Oil Field in New Attack on Saudi Arabia | The group urged the Guyanese government to renegotiate the deal as they found that the rushed deal left the country with a lower profit share from Exxon's Stabroek oil license than countries generally get from such negotiations. | The investig…
telesurenglish.net/news/global-witness-accuses-exxon-of-exploitative-contract-guyana–20200205-0026.html

A possible Communist redefinition of love
Eds. | mronline.org | 2020-02-06
In In Praise of Love, Alain Badiou defined love as a form of "minimal communism [where] the real subject of a love is the becoming of the couple and not the mere satisfaction of the individuals that are its component parts."(1) Earlier in the book, Badiou provided a more elegant statement, associating the act of […] | Source…
mronline.org/2020/02/06/a-possible-communist-redefinition-of-love/

A fascist coup
Victor Grossman | mronline.org | 2020-02-06
While millions this week stared at Iowa and Washington with worried amazement, confusion or anger, Germany, too, had its own messy confusion–which turned into a frightening alarm signal! | Source…
mronline.org/2020/02/06/a-fascist-coup/

Bernie Sanders Reports Massive January Haul After Iowa Debacle
Staff | truthdig.com | 2020-02-06
Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign announced Thursday that it raised a staggering $25 million in the month of January alone, by far the biggest fundraising month of the senator's campaign and a larger haul than his 2020 Democratic rivals posted in any full quarter of 2019. | The campaign said over 219,000 of the total 648,000 January donors were new, and the average donation was just over $18. Teacher was the most common profession of January donors and the most common employers were Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, the United States Postal Service, and Target. | More than 99.9% of Sanders' donors have not max…
truthdig.com/articles/bernie-sanders-reports-massive-january-haul-after-iowa-debacle/

Pablo Escobar's hitman Popeye dies of cancer at 57, showing little remorse for his killings
rt.com | 2020-02-06
Pablo Escobar's former hitman Jhon Jairo Velasquez Vasquez, aka Popeye, has died of stomach cancer. The notorious killer called himself a "holy warrior" in an interview with RT and said that "taking up arms is always an option." | Vasquez was known as the right hand of the notorious drug lord, commanding Escobar's army of hitmen. He surrendered to Colombian law enforcement in 1992, a year before his boss was killed. | While in custody, Popeye confessed to personally committing hundreds of murders and orchestrating thousands more. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison

Aida Merlano: Ivan Duque Persecutes Me to Assassinate Me
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-06
The former Colombian congresswoman, Aida Merlano, said Thursday that Colombian President Iván Duque is chasing her to assassinate her. | "I apologize for entering the country like this, illegally," Merlano said during her statement at a special hearing held at the Palace of Justice, in Caracas, where she said she was set up by the leaders of the country's traditional political machine. | RELATED: | US and Colombia Carrying out Military Exercises in Cartagena | She stressed that t…
telesurenglish.net/news/Aida-Merlano-Ivan-Duque-Persecutes-Me-to-Assassinate-Me-20200206-0008.html

US and Colombia Carrying out Military Exercises in Cartagena
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-06
The U.S. Special Operations Command South spokesperson Cesar Santiago reported that Colombia and his country are developing joint military exercises in Cartagena. | RELATED: | FARC Leader Sends Letter to Duque About Persecution of Members | "This exercise will help build interoperability between the armies of the U.S. and Colombia, ensuring that we are ready to respond quickly in support of our partners in case of a crisis," Santiago said, as reported by local media RCN. | On…
telesurenglish.net/news/US-and-Colombia-Carrying-out-Military-Exercises-in-Cartagena-20200206-0003.html

How Corporate Media Make Pete Look Like He's Winning
Jim Naureckas | fair.org | 2020-02-06
If you turn to the New York Times for an update on the excruciatingly and inexplicably slow counting of the votes from the Iowa caucuses, you find what looks like a bar chart showing that South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg did approximately 50 times better than any of his next closest rivals: | On closer examination, it turns out that that is not a bar chart…
fair.org/home/how-corporate-media-make-pete-look-like-hes-winning/