(2020-02-12). Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix expected to be axed as coronavirus outbreak impacts sporting fixtures. rt.com 
The F1 Grand Prix in China looks set to be indefinitely postponed after FIA chiefs are to meet to discuss…
(2020-02-12). Syrian army only targets terrorists, who are still active in Idlib despite de-escalation agreement with Turkey — Kremlin. rt.com 
The Syrian army carries out attacks against terrorists in the Idlib province, not civilians , Kremlin said after Turkey threatened Damascus with military action, accusing it of shelling its soldiers. | Turkey has failed to clear the de-escalation zone in Syria's Idlib Province of jihadist groups, despite promising to do so under the 2018 ceasefire agreement reached by Moscow and Ankara, the spokesperson for the Kremlin Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday. | "These groups are still attacking the Syrian forces from Idlib, as well as conducting aggressive actions against our military sites," he said. | Erdo…
(2020-02-12). Erdogan vows to strike Syrian army 'everywhere' if Turkish soldiers attacked, while also talking Idlib de-escalation with Putin. rt.com 
Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that if Turkish soldiers are hit by Damascus forces again, the retaliation will not be limited to the Idlib area. He also discussed Syrian peace process in a phone call with Vladimir Putin. | The Turkish leader made his comments during a speech in the nation's parliament on Wednesday. | I announce that we will strike the [Syrian] regime forces everywhere starting from today, without being bound to Idlib and by the Sochi Memorandum, if our soldiers at the lookout posts or elsewhere suffer any harm. | The 2018 Sochi Memorandum established the de-escalation zone set up around Idlib by…
(2020-02-12). Afghan President Ghani cites 'notable progress' in US-Taliban talks. rt.com 
The US and the Taliban appeared closer on Wednesday to a breakthrough in talks over an American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, after the country's President Ashraf Ghani said there had been "notable progress" in negotiations. | In a series of tweets late on Tuesday, Ghani said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had called him to inform him of developments in the talks in Doha, Qatar. Pompeo spoke of "the notable progress made in the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban," Ghani tweeted. | "The Secretary informed me about the Taliban's proposal with regards to bringing a significant and enduring reduction in…
(2020-02-12). The ticking time bomb that could crush oil markets. rt.com 
Libya's oil production is down to less than 200,000 bpd, and the uncertainty surrounding the outage create complications for OPEC+ as it looks to cut deeper. | Libya's civil war entered a dangerous new phase a few weeks ago when the Libyan National Army (LNA) and associated militias blockaded oil export terminals as a way of applying pressure on the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. The standoff continues, and Libya's output has plunged to around 180,000 bpd, according to estimates from late last week. | On Sunday, Libya's Azzawiya Oil Refining Company said that it was ceasing refining operations…
(2020-02-12). World War III's Newest Battlefield: the Arctic. counterpunch.org 
In early March, an estimated 7,500 American combat troops will travel to Norway to join thousands of soldiers from other NATO countries in a massive mock battle with imagined invading forces from Russia. In this futuristic simulated engagement — it goes by the name of Exercise Cold Response 2020 — allied forces will "conduct multinational
(2020-02-12). Will Trump Ride Pentagon Spending to Reelection? counterpunch.org 
Donald Trump likes to posture as a tough guy and part of that tough-guy persona involves bragging about how much he's spent on the U.S. military. This tendency was on full display in a tweet he posted three days after an American drone killed Iranian Major General Qassem Suleimani in Baghdad: "The United States just
(2020-02-12). Suspected terrorists & war criminals that Sweden cannot deport given job permits & passports, warns migration chief. rt.com 
Sweden's top migration official has warned the country is a 'safe haven for war criminals and potential terrorists,' as it gives passports and benefits to suspected dangerous criminals, shielded from deportation by legislation. | The northern European country is remarkably welcoming to foreigners seeking refuge, but Sweden can reject an application on security grounds. The Swedish Security Service (SÄPO) has the authority to deport a person it deems to be a threat due to suspected links to terrorism or allegations that the applicant has committed serious crimes. | But ordering the deportation of such a pe…
(2020-02-12). Mumbai raid suspect that left 150+ people killed sentenced to 5 years in Pakistan for financing terrorism. rt.com 
A Pakistani court in has sentenced notorious militant commander Hafiz Saeed to prison terms in two cases of terrorism funding. The man is considered to be the mastermind of the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. | The anti-terrorism court in Lahore on Wednesday slapped Saeed with two prison sentences of five years and six months, which he will be allowed to serve concurrently. He was also ordered to pay small fines in each case. The guilty verdict in both cases was received last Thursday, the newspaper Dawn Also on rt.com…
(2020-02-12). Lenin would be rolling in his grave, if he had one: Russian Communists back plan to put 'God' in constitution. rt.com 
It's not so long ago that they were known as the "Godless Communists." Which means it still comes as a surprise that the party has no objection to the idea of including a reference to the man upstairs in Russia's constitution.
(2020-02-12). Climate emergency: Indonesia faces catastrophic floods, disappearing islands. mronline.org 
While the stark reality of the global climate emergency struck home in Australia with its worst bushfire season, its neighbour Indonesia faced catastrophic floods and islands disappearing below the rising sea. Green Left's Peter Boyle interviewed Yuyun Harmono, the climate change campaigner of Friends of the Earth Indonesia (Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia — WAHLI). |
(2020-02-12). 'Intel coup of the century': CIA used Swiss encryption firm to spy on dozens of nations for decades — reports. rt.com 
The CIA and German intelligence spied on the secret communications of governments around the world for decades in a covert partnership, controlling a top encryption company and installing backdoor vulnerabilities in its products. | Founded during the Second World War, the Swiss cryptography firm, Crypto AG, has provided top-of-the-line devices for encoding communications to some 120 countries. Starting in 1970, however, the CIA and then-West Germany's foreign intelligence service, the BND, secretly bought and controlled the company, using its devices to eavesdrop on enemies and allies alike, according to a joi…
(2020-02-12). 'I'm not one to accept donations in a race I can't win': Yang quits presidential bid as polls close in New Hampshire. rt.com 
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang has bowed out of the presidential race after early results suggested the Democratic candidate failed to win delegates in the New Hampshire primary. | As early results started pouring in from the New Hampshire primaries on Tuesday night, the Democratic field lost yet another hopeful as sources close to the Yang campaign confirmed that the entrepreneur-turned-politician would be ending his presidential bid. | Commenting on his decision to pull the plug on his campaign, Yang said that he does not want to continue taking money from his supporters knowing that he will not deliver victory.
(2020-02-12). Sanders Seeks N.H. Win as Democrats Cull Presidential Field. truthdig.com 
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Polls closed across New Hampshire Tuesday night as fiery progressive Bernie Sanders fought for Democratic front-runner status in the first-in-the-nation primary. The party hoped for results that would bring some clarity to a presidential nomination fight that has so far been marred by dysfunction and doubt. | As Sanders predicted victory, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg hoped to seize the backing of his party's establishment with a strong finish. Joe Biden wanted to avert political disaster after leaving the state hours before the final polls closed at 8 p.m. | Related Articles:
(2020-02-12). Sanders edges out Buttigieg to win New Hampshire primary after neck-and-neck race — projections. rt.com 
Senator Bernie Sanders came out on top in the hotly contested Democratic primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday, with South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg finishing second, projections show. | The Vermont independent claimed victory in the New Hampshire primary after multiple outlets called the vote in his favor. | Addressing his supporters in Manchester, New Hampshire, Sanders described US President Donald Trump "as the most dangerous president in the history of this country," vowing to stop him from keeping the Oval Office for four more years. | "This victory here is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," Sande…
(2020-02-12). Sanders Nabs New Hampshire In a Massive Boost for His Campaign. truthdig.com 
The Vermont senator is declared the winner of the presidential Democratic primary in the Granite State less than three hours after polls closes.
(2020-02-12). The blockade, a weapon that causes more death than war. mronline.org 
It deliberately affects defenseless civilians, such as children, the elderly and the sick. The US blockade against Cuba is the most severe and prolonged applied against any country, but it is estimated that one third of the world's population suffers its effects: there are more than eight thousand sanctions in 39 countries. |
(2020-02-12). UK 'faces £16bn annual hit to economy' without urgent action to protect nature. thecanary.co 
The UK could be taking a £16bn a year hit to its economy by 2050 without urgent action to protect nature, a report has warned.The findings are part of a global study from environmental charity WWF, which warns that the worldwide impact of declining natural assets from forests to fisheries could cost £368bn a year — totalling almost £8tn by 2050.The Global Futures report looks at the services nature provides such as pollinating crops, protecting coasts from flooding, water supplies, timber production and fisheries.It examines how the natural habitats and wildlife that provide these services,…
(2020-02-12). Big 'if': Trump says he 'looks forward' to India trip while hinting at new trade deal, despite rocky negotiations. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has suggested that Washington and New Delhi could strike a long-anticipated trade deal during his upcoming visit to India, but a new pact is far from a foregone conclusion. | "He's a friend of mine, he's a great gentleman and I look forward to going to India. So we'll be going at the end of the month," President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday, referring to his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi. | Asked about the prospective trade deal in the works, Trump appeared somewhat optimistic, stating: "They want to do something and we'll see… if we can make…
(2020-02-12). Mice 'squabbling' on Tube station platform win wildlife photography award. thecanary.co 
An image of two mice fighting over crumbs on the London Underground has been crowned the winner of a prestigious wildlife photography award.Station Squabble, taken by Sam Rowley, was voted the best image from a 25-picture shortlist selected from 48,000 images submitted to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Lumix People's Choice award.The Londoner, who spent five nights lying on a Tube platform to capture the low-angle shot, said: "I hope it shows people the unexpected drama found in the most familiar of urban environments."The 25 images shortlisted for the prize, which is voted for by the public, will be disp…
(2020-02-12). Nessie fans, brace yourselves: Huge mysterious 'skeleton' on Scottish beach sends online rumor mill into overdrive (PHOTO). rt.com 
Loch Ness Monster fans and conspiracy theorists may want to avert their gaze now, as a giant rotten 'carcass' has washed ashore on a beach in Aberdeen, Scotland, fuelling widespread rumors of Nessie's demise. | The mysterious and gigantic remains washed ashore after Storm Ciara lashed Scotland with 90mph winds. A photo of the grisly creature's remains was uploaded by Fubar News on 9 February, and triggered a slew of conjecture, comedy, and conspiracy theories. | The massive vertebrae and what appear to be two protruding bones pointing upwards at one one end of the creature led many to think of Scotland's le…
(2020-02-12). Did Venezuelan coup leader Ricardo Hausmann stage fake IDB resignation to keep cushy Harvard job? thegrayzone.com Caught in a conflict of interest with his employer at Harvard, Ricardo Hausmann publicly resigned his job as Guaido's Inter-American…
(2020-02-12). International Day Of Action To Free Julian Assange & Chelsea Manning. indybay.org UK Consulate | 1 Sansome St. | San Francisco…
(2020-02-12). Rank-and-file teachers in Sydney adopt resolution defending Assange and Manning. wsws.org The resolution is the outcome of the initiative of the Committee For Public Education, acting independently of the trade union apparatus.
(2020-02-12). Why the Buttigieg Campaign Tried to Have Me Arrested for Handing Out Information About Medicare for All. indybay.org Trying to block information on a New Hampshire campus…
(2020-02-12). Wall Street Invading Wet'suwet'en Territory. counterpunch.org The uprising across Canada in support of Wet'suwet'en First Nation land defenders shows no sign of stopping. As of February 11, ports, bridges, rail lines, highways and roads have been blockaded across much of the country by solidarity protesters, who have also occupied the offices of politicians and at least one bank.
(2020-02-12). Sanders wins three-way contest in New Hampshire primary. wsws.org The self-styled "democratic socialist" defeated two more right-wing candidates, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar.
(2020-02-12). Forum on Coronavirus & Anti-China Racism + Iowa Caucus. indybay.org 2969 Mission St. near 26th St.
(2020-02-12). Canada's military top brass joins CSIS in demanding Huawei ban. wsws.org The media and military-security establishment have been demanding for months that the Trudeau government take an even harder anti-China line.
(2020-02-12). Trump removes restrictions on land mine use by US military. wsws.org The move is part of the preparations by the Trump administration for aggressive war and, in particular, plans for military conflict with ground forces against the primary rivals of US imperialism, Russia and China.
(2020-02-12). World Health Organization warns of global risk from coronavirus outbreak. wsws.org Concerns have been voiced that the epidemic could spread widely, as cases among people who have never had contact with infected patients from China have now been diagnosed.
(2020-02-12). Rally At Japanese Consulate To Stop Nuclear Olympics In Japan, End Nuclear Power. indybay.org San Francisco Japanese Consulate | 275 Battery St/near California | San Francisco…
(2020-02-12). Nicaragua Opens Special Police Station To Protect Women. telesurenglish.net Managua has a new police station specifically created to protect women from gender violence as part of the Women for Life campaign, Vice President Rosario Murillo announced Tuesday. | RELATED: | The first of several police stations of this kind will be in responsible of the protection of 68,000 women attached to the Police, Citizen Security unit of district No. 1 of Managua, "to file complaints for aggression, threat or…
(2020-02-12). Sliding Toward Authoritarianism. counterpunch.org Now that Donald Trump has emerged from the impeachment fiasco bloody but unbowed, are Democrats justified in portraying his acquittal as an epic defeat for democracy? The short answer is yes — except that a conviction would have even been worse. In an interesting op-ed that ran in the New York Times in November, a
(2020-02-12). The Battle for Los Cedros. counterpunch.org The last leg of the bus ride from Terminal La Ofelia, in the north of Quito, to the village of Chontal, located in Ecuador's northern highlands in the Intag Valley, is winding dirt road that takes you through small, cloud forest villages, sometimes overlooking precipitous drops to little silver ribbons of river far below. In spite
(2020-02-12). Cleveland-area officials announce plan to provide $14 million to industrial paint giant Sherwin-Williams. wsws.org The Fortune 500 company, which marked $1.5 billion in profits in 2019, is to be given millions in public funds in order to keep an undisclosed number of jobs in northeastern Ohio.
(2020-02-12). The Vagina Monologues: English & ASL Translation. indybay.org Kaleidoscope Caberet | 927 Petaluma Blvd North | Petaluma, CA 94952…
(2020-02-12). Talking Points For News Anchors Against Sanders. counterpunch.org It appears the news directors of the cable channels have directed their anchors to note the following about Bernie Sanders in their objective, fair and balanced news coverage. 1. Bernie Sanders is a self-described socialist. A socialist cannot win in America. Repeat. A socialist cannot win in America. 2. Black people don't like him, and
(2020-02-12). Can Andrew Wiggins Save America? counterpunch.org The ruling class likes to equate the growing skepticism of the status quo with white supremacy. This is how they can equate the Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump movements. But I do think it is more complicated than this. How does this all relate to Andrew Wiggins, the basketball player, who keeps losing, but was
(2020-02-12). Der Spiegel is Citing Andy Ngo's Race-Scientist Ex-Editor to Attack Me and I'm Not Even Jewish: As the CEO of Antifa, I Must Object. counterpunch.org Europe's most widely-circulated news magazine, Der Spiegel, has a new piece up entitled "The Man Behind the Mask" that I was curious to read since it turns out to be about me. And to judge from the sub-headline, I've really let myself go: Journalist Barrett Brown supported the hacker collective Anonymous and was jailed for
(2020-02-12). Trump's First Offer was a Better Deal for Palestine…and Israel. counterpunch.org In early 2016, then-candidate Donald Trump pronounced himself "neutral" in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. He also expressed pessimism that a deal between the two sides was even possible: "I have friends of mine that are tremendous businesspeople, that are really great negotiators, [and] they say it's not doable." It didn't take Trump
(2020-02-12). Shakespearean Veracity in "Vera": the Working Class Cop Show from Bloody England. counterpunch.org "I'll be gone in a tic," Vera Stanhope says and means she'll soon scram and be out of the way. She uses words and expressions like "me backside," instead of "my backside" and "dodgy" rather than "sketchy," which seems to be the preferred American word to describe a lowlife character. Time and again, Vera wages
(2020-02-12). Irish Election Result Is a Victory for Nationalism. globalresearch.ca Once upon a time Gerry Adams, the leader of Ireland's nationalist party, Sinn Fein, could not be heard speaking on the BBC. He was branded a terrorist and his voice was dubbed. How times have changed. Now his party, …
(2020-02-12). What We Can Learn From the Iran/Contra Scandal. thenation.com What We Can Learn From the Iran/Contra Scandal…
(2020-02-12). Iraqis Want Iran and the US Out. thenation.com Iraqis Want Iran and the US Out…
(2020-02-12). Israeli Blocking of Palestinian Exports to Jordan Shows Reality of Apartheid that the Kushner Plan Would Only Cement. globalresearch.ca The
(2020-02-12). The Beasts and the Bombings: Reflecting on Dresden, February 1945. globalresearch.ca The Allied destruction of Dresden wasn't the biggest or deadliest aerial bombardment of a German city during World War II. But it is by far the most infamous, largely due to Kurt Vonnegut's anti-war masterpiece Slaughterhouse-Five. February 13 marks …
(2020-02-12). Hundreds of thousands denied pensions in Russia. wsws.org The effect of Russia's 2018 pension reform is becoming clear, with 800,000 people who would have met the age requirement to receive funds no longer eligible.
(2020-02-12). Life and Death in the Predatory Universe. dissidentvoice.org His broken body crushed into the soil so closely resembled a tiny green human, he gave me cause to reflect upon my dirty deed. Those dying remains matched perfectly the leaves of the newly planted Valencia Orange tree, upon which he had been happily feeding, only moments before the sole of my sandal abruptly ended his …
(2020-02-12). Scott Ritter Explains Warring in Syria WMD Lies. dissidentvoice.org Leaked documents from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) suggest that high-level officials manipulated or ignored the findings of those actually on the ground to investigate the alleged chemical attack that killed dozens of people in Douma, Syria in 2018. Former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter shares his insights. He argues that …