(2020-02-22). More flooding hits sodden communities as deluge continues. thecanary.co 
A third consecutive weekend of stormy weather is bringing further flooding misery to already sodden communities.With swathes of South Wales and northern and central England still trying to cope with the impact of Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, heavy showers have brought new flooding plus warnings of more to come.The Met Office said more belts of heavy rain were due on Saturday night and again on Sunday night, accompanied by warnings of high winds and snow in Scotland. | It will be another unsettled morning, with a
(2020-02-22). Ignoring climate risks will result in global recession 'the likes of which we've never seen before' — study. rt.com 
Extreme weather could cause a major economic recession around the globe, but we are still underestimating those risks, new research warns. | "If the market doesn't do a better job of accounting for climate, we could have a recession, the likes of which we've never seen before," said Paul Griffin, an accounting professor at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, who authored "Energy Finance Must Account for Extreme Weather Risk." | In a paper, published in the Nature Energy journal, he noted that the financial markets fail to link physical climate risk to company market valuations. One of the key messages…
(2020-02-22). 'Anti-doping officer personally initiated police raid without IBU authorization' — Russian biathlon head Vladimir Drachev. rt.com 
The head of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) Vladimir Drachev revealed that a shocking police raid on Russian biathletes was initiated by IBU interim Anti-Doping Manager Sarah Fussek-Hakkarainen who personally signed the inquiry. | Her actions which triggered a massive police investigation were not authorized by the International Biathlon Union (IBU) which was unaware of Fussek-Hakkarainen's intentions. | "I have just spoken…
(2020-02-22). Italian police search surging Russian biathlete Loginov HOURS before race. rt.com 
Alexander Loginov, who broke a 12-year losing streak for Russian male biathletes by winning gold at the IBU World Championships, has been subjected to a search by Italian police hours before a Saturday event. | The search warrant served by police in Rasen-Antholz in South Tyrol, Italy where the competition is taking place targets Loginov and Russian team coach Alexander Kasperovich. | –í–æ—Ç –∫–∞–∫ –ø—Ä–æ—Ö–æ–¥–∏–ª –æ–±—&…
(2020-02-22). 'Send somebody in the morning, by evening he returns as trained terrorist' — Indian police chief on Kartarpur Corridor. rt.com 
Extremist groups are trying to "woo" and radicalize those arriving to Pakistan through the long-awaited visa-free Kartarpur Corridor launched several months ago, India's police chief warned. | The 4.5km (2.7-mile) cross-border corridor used by India's worshippers to visit a major Sikh holy site in Pakistan continues to pose "a huge security challenge" in terms of terrorism, Punjab State Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta said at an Indian Express conference. He said that Pakistani-based extremists have made efforts to radicalize visitors while "trying to woo them, making overtures to them." | Kartarpur of…
(2020-02-22). 'Disgusting joke' & mockery of the law: Julian Assange has ZERO chance of fair trial if extradited to US, Roger Waters tells RT. rt.com 
Julian Assange's extradition to the US would sound the death knell for both investigative journalism and the rule of law, Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters told RT ahead of a march organized in support of the WikiLeaks publisher. | With his extradition proceedings set to begin Monday, Assange faces 175 years in an American prison cell under the Espionage Act for his work with WikiLeaks, which has published thousands of pages of classified government documents since its founding — including evidence of US war crimes. But with the UK government intent to "feed him to the wolves," Waters said Assange's case…
(2020-02-22). No Chinese takeaway: Jiangsu Suning reveal bid to sign Gareth Bale fell through over Real Madrid's fee demands. rt.com 
Gareth Bale could have been getting ready for the start of the Chinese Super League season, but one of the division's top clubs revealed a bid to bring the Welshman to China was scuppered when Real Madrid demanded a transfer fee.
(2020-02-22). China could expand its solar industry by 50% in 2020. rt.com 
Despite the coronavirus epidemic ripping through various sectors of the Chinese economy, including the solar industry, Beijing may still significantly boost the number of solar installations this year. | According to the China Photovoltaic Industry Association forecast, China is set to see between 35 and 45 gigawatts in new installations in 2020. If the developers manage to reach the most optimistic figure, this would mean a 50 percent surge from the 30.1 gigawatts China saw in 2019. | Also on rt.com | |
(2020-02-22). Trump mocks 'fake news' for running 'Russian Sympathizer Bernie' smear, but doesn't miss a chance to score points. rt.com 
It seems Donald Trump is yet to decide whether he would rather lampoon left-wing media for adding Democrat frontrunner Bernie Sanders to Team Russia or take the opportunity to mock his potential rival in the November poll. | Just a day apart, two steaming-hot scoops landed in the US media cycle. First, the New York Times said Russia was helping Donald Trump to get reelected. Then the Washington Post claimed Russia was helping Bernie Sanders's campaign. All based on anonymous sources, innuendos, and other traits with which even casual followers of the 'Russiagate' saga are all too familiar. | One of the princip…
(2020-02-22). 'Extremely concerning': Russia's Olympic Committee and diplomats file complaints over police raid on biathletes in Italy. rt.com 
Moscow diplomats and sporting officials have urged Italy to explain why its police barged into the rooms of Russian biathletes mere hours before a world championship event. | The Russian Embassy in Rome demanded that Italy explain the reasons behind police searches conducted in the hotel rooms of Russian athletes on Saturday. The diplomats urged local authorities to guarantee all "necessary conditions" for Russians to train and participate in international tournaments in the country. | Moscow's Olympic Committee (OKR) asked its Italian counterpart and the International Biathlon Union (IBU) to explain the situa…
(2020-02-22). No lawyer, no sleep, not even badges — Loginov's teammate Garanichev describes early morning police raid ahead of relay race. rt.com 
Italian authorities took three days to act on a request to probe the Russian biathlon team over suspicions of doping, and the way they did it — on the day of a major race — was very disruptive, Loginov's roommate Garanichev said.
(2020-02-22). 'They took our rifles as if we were dangerous criminals': Russian biathlete Loginov on Italian police raid. rt.com 
Russian biathlete Alexander Loginov, who was subjected to a search by Italian police on Saturday, said that officers broke into their hotel room early in the morning while he was sleeping and confiscated his rifle. | The unexpected search, which took place hours before the men's relay race at the IBU World Championship, left the team in a state of shock, with Russian biathlon managers calling the raid an act of harassment. |
(2020-02-22). Sleeping in orbit & surviving Russian winter: Rakesh Sharma, first Indian in space, recalls his training & flight. rt.com 
Four Indian astronauts are now training in Russia ahead of their nation's first manned space mission. Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, shared with RT his memories of braving Russian winters and going into orbit in 1984. | Sharma, a former wing commander in the Indian Air Force, became the first — and so far only — Indian citizen ever to travel to space. He was part of a three-man crew on the Soviet Soyuz T-11, and spent a week on the famous Salyut-7 orbital station — a project that paved the way for modular orbital habitats, including the International Space Station (ISS). | "At a perso…
(2020-02-22). The Latinx Vote Might Carry 'Tio Bernie' to Victory. truthdig.com 
The Vermont senator is winning over the nation's largest minority voting block, and it could make the difference in Nevada and beyond.
(2020-02-22). Trump to confront Modi on 'religious freedoms', Kashmir, tariffs & other US 'concerns' during India visit. rt.com 
On his first visit to India next week, US President Donald Trump is expected to wade into several domestic controversies, challenging his Indian counterpart on the state of religious freedom in the country, as well as Kashmir. | Trump will raise a number of "concerns" with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the trip, a White House official said on Friday, singling out the "religious freedom issue" as "extremely important" to the US administration. | "Prime Minister Modi in his first speech after winning the election last year, talked about how he would prioritize being inclusive of Indian religious min…
(2020-02-22). Global Protest Call Monday 24 Feb To Demand Freedom Of Julian Assange. indybay.org British Consulate General | 1 Sansome Street | San Francisco, CA | Along with Belmarsh Prison, London and UK embassies and consulates around the world…
(2020-02-22). Demonstration to free Julian Assange this Monday in Montreal. wsws.org "This case is tremendously important and holds serious implications for journalism, free speech and human rights around the world," demonstration organizer Elizabeth Leier told the WSWS.
(2020-02-22). New conflict of interest evidence against UK judge in charge of Assange extradition process. wsws.org Fresh evidence has emerged that the chief magistrate overseeing the extradition trial of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has received financial benefits from organizations connected to the UK Foreign Office.
(2020-02-22). European legal team will seek asylum for Julian Assange in France. wsws.org Members of imprisoned WikiLeaks journalist Julian Assange's legal team, together with Assange's father John Shipton, held a press conference on Thursday in Paris.
(2020-02-22). Bloomberg surrogate was PR guru for Brazil's Bolsonaro. zcomm.org Former Michael Bloomberg aide Arick Wierson, who is pushing the billionaire's 2020 presidential campaign and attacking Bernie Sanders, helped elect far-right demagogue Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil…
(2020-02-22). Tens of thousands protest all over Germany against right-wing terror. wsws.org People in over 50 cities have taken part in spontaneous vigils and demonstrations in memory of the victims of the fascist attack in Hanau.
(2020-02-22). Trump Goes after the Brits… globalresearch.ca The inept course of what passes for United States Foreign Policy continues, with the Trump Administration now going after the nation's second oldest friend, Great Britain. With Trump having serially insulted America's oldest ally France last year, it should only …
(2020-02-22). Video: Turkey's Sultan-in-Chief Erdogan To the Rescue of Al-Qaeda in Idlib. globalresearch.ca Tensions between the United States and Russia are growing in northeastern Syria. On February 19, a video appeared online showing how an armored vehicle of the U.S. military was pushing a vehicle of the Russian Military Police off a road. …
(2020-02-22). "Russia AgainGate": Phony Accusations of Russian "2020 Election Meddling".The Big Lie that won't Die. globalresearch.ca The NYT falsely warned of Russian meddling to re-elect Trump that hasn't occurred. | Nor does any evidence suggest it's coming ahead. Earlier accusations of Moscow electoral interference to help Trump defeat Hillary in 2016 were bald-faced Big Lies. | Not a …
(2020-02-22). Apocalypse Now! Insects, Pesticide and a Public Health Crisis. dissidentvoice.org In 2017, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver, and UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics, Baskut Tuncak, produced a report that called for a comprehensive new global treaty to regulate and phase out the use of dangerous pesticides in farming and move towards sustainable agricultural practices. In addition to the devastating impacts …
(2020-02-22). Trump and the Post-Factual. indybay.org Trump's politics is naive and skeptical, gullable and cynical. Trump's relation with truth is like a generalization of conspiracy theory assumptions that see manipulative-conspiratorial activities at work behind observable reality. Beward pathological narcissists who are pathological paranoids!
(2020-02-22). A "ceasefire" in Washington's Afghanistan debacle. wsws.org After 18 years of war, the killing of nearly 2,400 troops and the squandering of roughly $1 trillion, Washington is negotiating a deal it could have had with the Taliban without a shot being fired.
(2020-02-22). "Seeing Frida Kahlo Through Disabled People's Perspectives" by Corbett O'Toole. indybay.org Koret Auditorium | de Young Museum | 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive (in Golden Gate Park), SF…
(2020-02-22). Coronavirus cases outside China are alarming, global health officials say. wsws.org Though new cases of Covid-19 cases appear to be declining in Hubei province in China, officials are concerned that the epidemic may be expanding into other Asian countries and continents.
(2020-02-22). Video: "To stop right terror, you need to know where it comes from" wsws.org Socialist Equality Party (SGP) deputy chairman, Christoph Vandreier, spoke at a vigil at the Brandenburg Gate after a right-wing terrorist killed eight people in Hanau, Germany.
(2020-02-22). Intelligence agencies intervene in US elections to link Sanders to Putin. wsws.org On the eve of Nevada Democratic caucuses, the Washington Post reported that "US officials" told Sanders the Russian government was working to aid his campaign.
(2020-02-22). Germany: Lenin comes to Gelsenkirchen! fightbacknews.org On March 14, the Russian revolutionary, Marxist working-class theorist and leader of the October Revolution of 1917 will come to Gelsenkirchen, Germany. 150 years after his birthday he will move permanently into Gelsenkirchen-Horst – in the form of an over two meter tall, artfully shaped cast-iron statue in front of the Horster Mitte, the federal headquarters of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany (MLPD). | "This will also be the start of a nationwide movement 'Don't give anti-communism a chance,'" says Gabi Fechtner, the chairwoman of the MLPD. "In times where monuments of the great communist th…
(2020-02-22). Low-wage workers make case for raises to North Carolina candidates. zcomm.org Workers are continuing to organize in the South — and they're getting the attention of people running for office…
(2020-02-22). Janitors and Guards Feature Climate and Housing in Their Strike Demands. zcomm.org "I'm going to vote to strike today because we all deserve good jobs, but also because we need these companies to take responsibility for what they do to the planet, and to leave a healthy planet for our children and grandchildren."
(2020-02-22). Attorney General Becerrra and Governor Newsom file lawsuit against Trump water plan. indybay.org "As we face the unprecedented threat of a climate emergency, now is the time to strengthen our planet's biodiversity, not destroy it," said Attorney General Becerra. "California won't silently spectate as the Trump Administration adopts scientifically-challenged biological opinions that push species to extinction and harm our natural resources and waterways.
(2020-02-22). Resistance To Putting Billionaire Doris Fisher's KIPP Hunters Point Charter On TI. indybay.org There is resistance to putting billionaire GAP owner Doris Fisher's KIPP Charter on Treasure Island. The SF School District wants to put her charter on radioactive contaminated Treasure Island at the closed Treasure Island Elementary School. | Doris Fisher pushed to have her school co-locate with the Malcom X Academy Public school and want to grab more of the space at the public school. This is allowed under Proposition 39 which allows charter schools to bust up public schools by taking their space. Prop 39 was written by Netflix billionaire Reed Hastings and supported by the Fisher family which owns the GAP, The…
(2020-02-22). EFF Asks FTC To Scrutinize Secret Deal Saddling .ORG Registry with $360 Million in Debt. indybay.org February 21, 2020: The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) called for the disclosure of secret financing details behind the $1.1 billion .ORG sale, and has asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to scrutinize the deal. The transaction would saddle the .ORG registry with $360 million in debt.
(2020-02-22). What Billionaires Really Love About Hard Work. commondreams.org Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks during a campaign event on January 30, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/mike_bloomberg.jpg …
(2020-02-22). Canadian PM proclaims indigenous "barricades must now come down" wsws.org The Trudeau Liberal government, acting on the demands of its big business masters, is exhorting police to dismantle the indigenous railway blockades.
(2020-02-22). Nicaraguan President: The US Repeats Policies Against Peoples. telesurenglish.net Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega inaugurated Friday the new mandate of the Army's Chief Julio César Avilés, during a ceremony celebrating the 86th anniversary of the death of the revolutionary leader, General Augusto Nicolás Calderón Sandino. | RELATED: | The National Assembly opened the session in Niquinohomo, where Sandino was born, as a tribute to the revolutionary leader. | "Sandino, our national hero, and with him, we walk through his heroic…
(2020-02-22). Thai students to protest banning of popular opposition party. yenisafak.com Thai students are expected to stage a protest on Saturday against a court's decision that dissolved the country's second largest opposition party, less than a year after an election to end direct military rule.The Constitutional Court on Friday disbanded the upstart Future Forward Party, which won more than 6 million votes last year and came in third, for accepting loans from its founder.The court also banned 16 party executives from politics for 10 years, including its charismatic billionaire leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.The ban strengthens the position in parliament of a coalition led by Prime Minister…
(2020-02-22). Sanders puts Democratic front-runner status on the line in Nevada's caucuses. yenisafak.com Bernie Sanders faces a test of his front-runner status in the Democratic White House race on Saturday in Nevada, where voters will consider an unsettled field of candidates as they search for a challenger to take on President Donald Trump.Sanders, a self-identified democratic socialist senator from Vermont, has surged to the top of opinion polls nationally and in Nevada after strong performances in the first two nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire earlier this month.While Sanders' rivals will try to blunt his momentum in Nevada, they each face significant challenges of their own.Former Vice President Jo…
(2020-02-22). Aramco to win unconditional EU clearance for $69 bln SABIC deal. yenisafak.com Saudi Aramco is set to gain unconditional EU antitrust approval for its $69 billion buy of a 70% stake in petrochemicals group Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) , people familiar with the matter said on Friday.Aramco announced the deal to acquire the controlling stake from sovereign investor Public Investment Fund (PIF) in March last year, a move key to its diversification into refining and petrochemicals.Riyadh-headquartered SABIC, the world's fourth largest petrochemicals group, has operations in over 50 countries.The European Commission, which is scheduled to decide on the case by Feb. 27, declined to commen…
(2020-02-22). Lesotho PM granted medical leave from wife murder case: police. yenisafak.com Lesotho's 80-year-old prime minister has been granted sick leave until Feb. 27 when he will be have to appear in court on charges of murdering his wife, the country's deputy police commissioner said on Saturday.Thomas Thabane was due to be charged on Friday, but he failed to appear in court and instead travelled to South Africa for what aides said was a medical appointment.Police at the time threatened to issue an arrest warrant if there was evidence that Thabane, who denies involvement in the killing, was trying to evade justice.His then-wife Lilipelo, 58, was shot dead in June 2017, two days before he took offi…
(2020-02-22). Despite horror stories, California cruise passengers won't let coronavirus spoil their fun. yenisafak.com With a white captain's hat perched on his head, Calvin Ballard seemed relaxed as he waited to depart on his first-ever cruise to Mexico, unfazed by the possibility of being trapped on a ship under siege by an outbreak of coronavirus.Like many fellow vacationers streaming onto an ocean liner docked near Los Angeles, Ballard said he was well aware that passengers aboard other cruises had ended up stranded for weeks, far from home, and he vowed to take special care to stay healthy. Nonetheless, he was determined to have a good time."What we're planning on doing is washing our hands often, trying not to touch things…
(2020-02-22). At least six PKK/KCK suspects arrested in southern Turkey. yenisafak.com Turkish police arrested on Saturday six PKK/KCK suspects for their links to the terrorist group, security sources said.The arrests came after prosecutors in the southern port city of Mersin issued warrants for the suspects, said the sources who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.Those arrested include members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) such as Akdeniz district chair Feyza Kaya and Toroslar district chair Cabbar Karabeg, among others.Ankara has long accused the HDP of having links to the terrorist YPG/PKK.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -…
(2020-02-22). Syrian Turkmen support Ankara's involvement in Idlib. yenisafak.com Turkey is involved in Syria in order to stop deaths and displacement, speaker of the Syrian Turkmen Assembly said on Saturday.In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Muhammed Vecih Cuma said that the continuing attacks by Assad regime and its allies in Idlib, Syria, have led to the region's "biggest humanitarian crisis".He said that nearly four million people in the region were expecting help."One million of them are displaced from their homes and have lost their families," Cuma said. "While some of them live in tents, others, unfortunately, try to survive under trees. Turkey helps them."Established in 2012, the Syr…
(2020-02-22). Turkish father loses 'helpful' son in Germany shooting. yenisafak.com His father, Behcet Gultekin said he was shot dead two minutes after he met him.The father, who is suffering from cancer, has been living in Germany for 52 years."I go to the Frankfurt University clinic twice a week for chemotherapy. He used to take me and served as an interpreter for me […] He was very helpful and very religious," Behcet Gultekin said. Burak Kararti, Turkey's consul general in Frankfurt, told reporters after a visit to the grieving family that Turkish-origin people, as the largest foreign community in the country, often face these kinds of racist attacks. "Terrorism has no nationality, gender,…
(2020-02-22). Demystifying death of former Pakistani President Ziaulhaq. yenisafak.com The crash of C-130 plane near the Pakistani city of Bahawalpur, 531 kilometers (330 miles) south of Pakistani capital Islamabad on Aug. 17, 1988, killing country's President and Army Chief Gen. Muhammad Ziaulhaq continues to remain shrouded in mystery. The crash also killed U.S. Ambassador Arnold Lewis Raphel and several other top Pakistani military officials. Over the past three decades, many people speculated about the sabotage, believing that explosives were hidden in a crate of mangoes loaded on the plane in Bahawalpur. But the Pakistani and the U.S. authorities have repeatedly denied and described the crash…
(2020-02-22). Iraq reports first coronavirus infection. yenisafak.com Iraq on Saturday reported its first coronavirus case in the southern Dhi Qar province, according to a local medical source.The source said an Iraqi student tested positive for the virus after returning from the Iranian city of Qom.He said the student has been quarantined for further tests.On Saturday, the Iraqi authorities called on its nationals not to travel to neighboring Iran, where five coronavirus deaths were reported.The move came after Iraq banned Iranian citizens from entering the country through border terminals for three days.Coronavirus has spread to more than 25 other countries including the U.S., th…