(2020-03-09). 2 US troops killed in Iraq during anti-IS operation. rt.com 
Two US military service members have been killed while accompanying Iraqi security forces during a mission targeting a stronghold of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), the US-led coalition confirmed in a statement. The deaths occurred last Sunday in a mountainous area of north-central Iraq, the statement said. | Coalition confirms US service members were killed during a mission with the Iraqi Security Forces to eliminate an ISIS terrorist stronghold near Makhmour yesterday
(2020-03-09). The winners & losers of the Saudi-Russia oil price war. rt.com 
While neither Moscow nor Riyadh want to see oil trading at record lows, their failure to agree on how to boost the market has led to an all-out price war. The only question is who will benefit most from the situation.
(2020-03-09). Trump says crashing markets good for consumers, blames Russia, Saudi Arabia and Fake News. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump can't seem to decide whether a sudden, massive drop in oil prices is good or bad for the country, so he's hedged his bets on Twitter, suggesting it's "Good for the consumer" but bad for markets. | Blaming the "market drop" on "Saudi Arabia and Russia…arguing over the price and flow of oil" in a Monday morning tweet, the president whipsawed around and – within the same minute! – bragged that the resulting chaos was "good for the consumer," because gas prices would go down. | Saudi Arabia and Russia are arguing over the price and flow of oil. That, and the Fake News, is the reason for…
(2020-03-09). Reasons behind market panic investigated: Has Saudi Arabia learned from its past oil gambling mistakes? rt.com 
The country that pulled the final trigger to send oil prices into a freefall, Saudi Arabia, may suffer most from the oil market turmoil, analyst Kamel Wazne says, noting that Riyadh has already made such an error before. | Global markets were already on edge due to slowing economic growth and the coronavirus epidemic, when OPEC and allied oil-producing states failed to come to an agreement last week. As Russia turned its back to deeper output cuts fearing that the US would just take its market share, Saudi Arabia decided to restrain itself from cutting production and offer a discount for its crude exporters.
(2020-03-09). Police in Westminster shoot dead a man carrying two knives. thecanary.co 
A man armed with two knives has been shot dead by police in Westminster.Officers were patrolling near Whitehall at about 11.30pm on Sunday when they noticed a man acting suspiciously.When challenged, he produced two knives and was shot. The incident is not related to terrorism, police said. | Forensic investigators were at the scene in Great Scotland Yard on Monday — a road that connects Whitehall and Northumberland Avenue, near Trafalgar Square.It skirts the Department of International Trade, contains the Civil Service Club and various hotels and bars, and is about half a mile from the Metropolitan Police h…
(2020-03-09). Thousands Prepare to Depart Cruise Ship Hit by Virus. truthdig.com 
SAN FRANCISCO — Federal and state officials in California prepared to receive thousands of people Monday from a cruise ship that has been idling off the coast of San Francisco with at least 21 people aboard infected with the coronavirus. | Personnel covered head to toe in protective gear woke up passengers on the Grand Princess to check whether they were sick. | Michele Smith, of Paradise, California, said a doctor knocked on her and her husband's cabin before dawn and asked if they had a fever or a cough. The couple who went on the cruise to celebrate their wedding anniversary are healthy and, like the res…
(2020-03-09). Turkey Ups the Stakes in Migrant Crisis. truthdig.com 
BRUSSELS — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pressed the European Union on Monday for more help caring for Syrian refugees after EU officials accused him of "blackmail" for waving migrants through to Europe. | Thousands of migrants have massed at Turkey's land border with EU-member Greece since Erdogan's government made good on a longstanding threat and announced it would no longer prevent migrants from crossing. | EU countries have rallied behind Greece, which is also a member of NATO, and described it as a "shield" protecting Europe's borders with the outside world. | Related Articles:
(2020-03-09). In Brussels, Erdogan asks NATO for 'assistance' on Syria and migrants. rt.com 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in Brussels, demanding help from NATO with both the conflict on his southern border and the migrants he tried to unleash on the West, now that neither situation is going according to plan. | After meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday, the Turkish leader said he requested "additional assistance" from the alliance, for the "defense" of the Turkish border with Syria and "in connection with the migration challenge." | "We expect concrete support from all our allies to this struggle," Erdogan added, urging the allies to support Turkey "without disc…
(2020-03-09). Russia swiftly reacts to bloodbath in markets, says it's ready for $25 oil. rt.com 
Russia's sovereign wealth fund has enough reserves to cover budget deficit for years, even if oil prices stay between $25 and $30 per barrel, the Finance Ministry announced amid a dramatic oil market crash. | Despite Monday being a public holiday in Russia, both the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank were quick to react to the overnight drop in oil prices of nearly 30 percent. The former said that the Russian National Wealth Fund has $150 billion (more than 10 trillion rubles) worth of liquid assets from additional oil and gas revenues, which is enough to offset a possible shortfall from falling crude pr…
(2020-03-09). US starts pulling out troops from Afghanistan – report. rt.com 
American troops have reportedly begun their initial troop withdrawal as part of the US-Taliban peace agreement, with hundreds of soldiers leaving the country on Monday with no plans for replacements. | Speaking to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, a US official confirmed the beginning steps of the withdrawal process have begun, with plans to drop the number of US troops in the country from 13,000 to 8,600. | According to the signed peace agreement, the withdrawal process for US troops had to begin 10 days within the signing of the agreement, which took place on February 29. Defense Secretary…
(2020-03-09). "Afghanistan Papers" Reveal How Presidents & Generals Misled the American Public on War's Progress. democracynow.org 
Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock has just won a George Polk Award for Military Reporting for his in-depth investigation called "The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War." He joins us to describe how, after getting a tip, he fought for three years to get the federal government to release a trove of confidential interviews it conducted with people directly involved in the nearly two-decade-long war. He ultimately obtained more than 2,000 documents that revealed how presidents, generals and diplomats across three administrations had intentionally misled the American public about the longest war in…
(2020-03-09). How the New US-Afghanistan Peace Deal Rekindled a "Business Friendly Taliban" mintpressnews.com 
America's relationship with the Taliban has always been determined by how useful they are at advancing US interests in the region and the Trump administration's recent efforts to make "peace" with the group are no exception.
(2020-03-09). Afghan president Ghani displays nerves of steel as EXPLOSIONS interrupt his swearing-in (VIDEO). rt.com 
Afghanistan's newly re-elected president, Ashraf Ghani, was nonchalant as the sound of explosions interrupted his inauguration speech in the Afghan capital, Kabul. | Hundreds of people gathered for the event at two venues inside the presidential palace. Ghani was inaugurated for his second term as Afghanistan's president. His ceremony was attended by foreign officials, including US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and NATO forces commander Scott Miller. | At one point, however, something clearly went wrong. A video published on social media by India's ANI news agency shows Ghani's inauguration speech interrupted…
(2020-03-09). "It's a Real Mess": Afghan Rivals Both Claim Presidency as Ongoing Attacks Could Derail Peace Deal. democracynow.org 
Since last month's U.S.-Taliban peace plan, there have been nearly 80 attacks in Afghanistan. The violence could derail the deal that calls for U.S. troops to withdraw over the next 14 months. This comes as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and top political leader Abdullah Abdullah both claimed that they won the presidential election at dual inauguration ceremonies today in Kabul, and members of the Taliban and the Afghan government were set to start direct negotiations on Tuesday. We speak with Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock, who recently won the George Polk Award for Military Reporting for his in-depth in…
(2020-03-09). Tehran sends home 70,000 prisoners to mitigate coronavirus outbreak. rt.com 
Iran's top judge said around 70,000 people across the country have been granted temporary leave from prisons. The measure is meant to curb the spread of coronavirus infections in the struggling country. | Speaking to a judicial council on Monday, Chief Justice Ebrahim Raisi said Iranian courts have identified 70,000 people eligible for furlough, Tasnim News Agency reported. The number of vetted inmates announced last week was 52,000. | The furlough is meant to decrease the health risk in prisons as the country is struggling to tackle an outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic. The Iranian authorities said they will…
(2020-03-09). Watch bare-breasted protesters being CHASED by Paris police after denouncing 'PATRIARCHAL PANDEMIC'. rt.com 
Women's rights campaigners armed with rubber gloves, purple smoke and exposed breasts went out to symbolically cleanse Paris' streets of the 'patriarchy virus', but local cops shooed them away. | The performance, by the activist group Femen, was timed to coincide with International Women's Day on Sunday. Some 40 protesters wearing plastic coveralls, rubber gloves and protective glasses — but nothing on their chests bar slogans, as is their shtick — invaded Paris' Place de la Concorde. | Warning: Explicit images | Chanting feminist slogans, they fired purple smoke sticks and doused the ground using…
(2020-03-09). Global market freefall CONTINUES as European bourses open to bearish trading. rt.com 
Stock markets in Europe are opening to a downward trend, following a plunge in Asia. The pan-European STOXX 600 fell 6.1 right after stock exchanges opened in London, Paris, and Frankfurt. | Germany's DAX index fell 7.8 percent after the Frankfurt Stock Exchange opened trading on Monday, and is projected to have its biggest daily drop in 18 years. | London's commodity-heavy FTSE 100 was down more than eight percent, with stocks of oil companies among those hit hardest by the collapse. | France's CAC 40 dove 7.7 percent, with oil giant Total and metal maker ArcelorMittal plummeting over 15 percent. | Also on rt…
(2020-03-09). Waking up to a new reality: What's going on with stocks & oil? rt.com 
As the new week begins, you might be surprised to see all the major stock markets down and oil recording its worst losses in nearly two decades. Here is what happened overnight. | What happened to the markets?: | Oil prices crashed as much as 30 percent as trading began in Asia on Monday morning, with futures for benchmark Brent suffering the biggest drop since the Gulf War in 1991. As of 06: 34 GMT, Brent was as low as $33.31 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading at $29.72, with both down nearly 50 percent year to date. | A nosedive in crude prices triggered a panic sell-off in ma…
(2020-03-09). Banker-heavy Biden cabinet 'leak' triggers outrage, echoes of Obama's 'Citigroup cabinet'. rt.com 
Mike Bloomberg and the JP Morgan CEO who played a key role in 2008's financial crash are in line for posts in Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden's cabinet, according to a high-profile "leak" that has angered many. | The centrist candidate's alleged cabinet picks were floated on Axios on Monday, citing "top sources" including Biden advisers. Aside from Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who dropped out of the race last week but has yet to endorse another candidate, the roster included polarizing plutocrats like Bloomberg (tapped to lead the World Bank) and JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon, whose role i…
(2020-03-09). Woody Allen, we will publish your book. rt.com 
We will publish your book – if you wish – because we believe no one's life story should be silenced, and that all sides deserve a fair hearing. | We will publish your book because we trust that adults should have a free choice whether to read it or not. | We will publish your book because we are against corporate cowardice that becomes corporate censorship. | We will publish your book because we do not endorse Twitter mob justice and blacklists. | We will publish your book because you were not found guilty of any crime before the law, but that has counted for nothing. | We will publish your book because we sti…
(2020-03-09). Coronavirus: PM holds Cobra meeting as minister warns against sports shutdown. thecanary.co 
Cancelling sports events and shutting museums and galleries due to coronavirus would be "premature", the culture secretary has said, as the prime minister gathered ministers for an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the next steps to tackle the illness.While some other European countries are cancelling mass gatherings or limiting the number of people who can attend big events, Oliver Dowden said there are "no plans" for Britain to follow suit.Dowden insisted the government is following the advice of health officials and, while the situation is kept under review, there is currently "no need" to cancel big events o…
(2020-03-09). Daily Beast's Russian TV watcher says RT spreads 'conspiracy theories' about Biden, fails to mention any. rt.com 
The Atlantic Council's Julia Davis has accused RT of promoting conspiracy theories about Democrat frontrunner Joe Biden. If only she could mention at least one… | Davis, a "Russian media monitor" for the Atlantic Council, has been giving Daily Beast readers weekly updates about what Russians think about the American election. (In short, Russians like Trump, and like Bernie because Bernie can't beat Trump, and hate Biden because Trump can't possibly beat Biden.) | Her pieces are mostly about what Russian TV tells Russians, but the latest installment had a few words reserved for RT, which, "actively promotes c…
(2020-03-09). Italian prisoners RIOT over coronavirus safety measures (WATCH LIVE). rt.com 
Italy, which is battling the worst Covid-19 outbreak in Europe, has experienced a series of prison riots in virus-plagued areas. The unrest has been triggered by a move to suspend family visits over the coronavirus threat. | "There have been a series of rebellions across the country," Italy's prison administration head Francesco Basentini said on Monday. | The government's efforts to contain the virus, which has already killed over 360 people across the nation, triggered riots at several prisons in Italy. While staying inside might be not the worst way to avoid the coronavirus, some prisoners, apparently, want…
(2020-03-09). Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch-lighting ceremony to be held WITHOUT SPECTATORS due to ongoing coronavirus fears. rt.com 
The iconic start to Tokyo's 2020 Olympic Games will be held without spectators as it was announced the traditional torch-lighting ceremony will take place with no fans in attendance. | The Greek Olympic Committee announced Monday that the torch-lighting ceremony — the symbolic start of each Olympic Games — will be staged at a scaled-down, behind-closed-doors event due to the ongoing fears over the spread of coronavirus in the region. | The Committee announced the Olympic torch will be lit during a smaller-scale ceremony in ancient Olympia on Thursday, March 12 before heading off on a seven-day relay,…
(2020-03-09). Coronavirus death toll in Italy rises by 100 for second day in a row, jumps from 366 to 463. rt.com 
Italy has seen its death toll from the coronavirus spike yet again, with the number of casualties in the country rising from 366 to 463 on Monday, according to officials. | Italy has been the European country most affected by the coronavirus, with the total number of cases rising on from 7,375 to 9,172. It also has a higher To combat the spread of the disease, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree restricting the travel of people living in Lo…
(2020-03-09). All of Italy will be 'red zone': Public gatherings banned, people to move only for emergency & work, says PM Conte. rt.com 
A day after northern Italy was put on lockdown over the COVID-19 coronavirus, PM Giuseppe Conte imposed quarantine on the entire country, restricting movement and banning public gatherings. | The unprecedented move was announced by Conte on Monday evening local time, and came as Italy's death toll from the coronavirus rose by almost 100. | The number of deaths jumped from 366 to 463 on Monday, while the total number of cases grew from 7,375 to 9,172. | "There won't be just a red zone," Conte told reporters, referring to the restrictions imposed on the country's north over the weekend. "There will be Italy."
(2020-03-09). Coronavirus Outbreak Triggers Fears of Global Recession. truthdig.com 
As the virus death toll mounts and markets head for their worst day since the crash of 2008, analysts admit there is "genuine panic."
(2020-03-09). Israel announces 14-day 'isolation' for anyone entering the country in attempt to fight coronavirus spread. rt.com 
Anyone arriving in Israel will need to go through a 14-day quarantine, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced as part of an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus. | The measure will apply immediately for all Israeli citizens returning to the country, and it will take effect for non-citizens on Thursday. Foreign nationals who cannot prove to officials they have the resources to self-quarantine for two weeks will not be allowed to enter the country. The measure will last for two weeks. | "This is a tough decision, but it is essential to maintain public health – and public health precedes everything…
(2020-03-09). Coronavirus already impacting 2020 elections; labor's presidential forum cancelled. peoplesworld.org 
A Bernie Sanders-Joe Biden forum planned by the AFL-CIO in Orlando this Thursday has been cancelled due to concern about the coronavirus. The nation's largest labor federation also cancelled the entire meeting of its 2020 winter executive council meeting which was to start tomorrow and continue through the week. The presidents and leaders of almost …
(2020-03-09). Italian prisoners RIOT over coronavirus safety measures (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Italy, which is battling the worst Covid-19 outbreak in Europe, has experienced a series of prison riots in virus-plagued areas. The unrest has been triggered by a move to suspend family visits over the coronavirus threat. | "There have been a series of rebellions across the country," Italy's prison administration head Francesco Basentini said on Monday. | The government's efforts to contain the virus, which has already killed over 360 people across the nation, triggered riots at several prisons in Italy. While staying inside might be not the worst way to avoid the coronavirus, some prisoners, apparently, want…
(2020-03-09). Weaponized coughing: The new way to argue when words fail in the coronavirus era (VIDEOS). rt.com 
As coronavirus tensions rise amid panic buying, event cancellations and self-isolation and quarantine, it is unsurprising that some have sought to weaponize the outbreak by deliberately coughing at others. | Authorities around the world have advised people to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing and to wash their hands repeatedly throughout the day, but as video from multiple incidents around the world have shown, some are wielding people's fears against them in a disgusting and petty bid to win arguments. | Cabin fever | Video purports to show cabin crew wrestling a frustrated but unruly airline passe…
(2020-03-09). Irish government cancels St. Patrick's Day parade over coronavirus fears. rt.com 
There will be much less green in Ireland this March than in previous years, as its government has cancelled the St. Patrick's Day festival and parade amid growing concerns over the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the country. | The decision was made at a cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon and a press conference is expected to follow later in the day, state broadcaster RTE reported. | Doctors had been calling for the cancellation of the massive international event, which draws hundreds of thousands to Dublin every year — more than 100,000 of them from abroad — but the government had seemingly been dr…
(2020-03-09). Dow closes with 7.8% drop, largest since 2008 on oil slump and coronavirus fears. rt.com 
Stocks are cratering as markets close on Monday, with the Dow down close to 7 percent in the largest single-day drop in NYSE history and the S&P and Nasdaq not far behind. Coronavirus and a drop in oil prices are to blame.
(2020-03-09). 'Additional push to the wheel of change': Sudan's PM tweets that he is fine after surviving assassination attempt. rt.com 
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has confirmed that he is safe and well after a blast shook the capital city, Khartoum. Officials confirmed it was an attempt on the leader's life. | "I assure the Sudanese people that I am well and completely healthy," Hamdok wrote in a tweet shortly after the attack on Monday. | I would like to assure the people of Sudan that I am safe and in good shape. Rest assured that what happened today will not stand in the way of our transition, instead it is an additional push to the wheel of change in Sudan.
(2020-03-09). Sudan's Prime Minister Hamdok survives assassination attempt in Khartoum — state media. rt.com Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has survived an assassination attempt targeting his convoy, state media has said. | A blast has rocked the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, the media has reported, adding that the attack was aimed at the prime minister. Hamdok survived the ordeal and was moved to a "safe location." It was not immediately clear whether the official suffered any injuries, or if the explosion resulted in any casualties. | ÿπÿßÿ¨ŸÑ | ŸÖÿ≠ÿߟàŸÑ ÿßÿ∫ÿ™Ÿäÿ&szli…
(2020-03-09). Spain's PSOE-Podemos government sends police to Greece to attack migrants. wsws.org The pseudo-left is complicit in the dispatching of police to Greece, where far right thugs are attacking refugees with the complicity of the government.
(2020-03-09). Julian Assange: The Power of Truth. globalresearch.ca Julian Assange — an innocent journalist/publisher — is being constantly strip-searched, handcuffed and confined either in an iron cell in the infamous Belmarsh prison or in a glass cage during his show trial. The aim is to make Assange feel …
(2020-03-09). The Grayzone and CODEPINK demand emergency OAS election observers in 2020 Democratic presidential primary. thegrayzone.com Press release Contact: The Grayzone, grayzoneproject@gmail.com Ariel Gold, ariel@codepink.org, 907-390-0847 When: 2pm, Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Where: Outside the Organization…
(2020-03-09). Grayzone y CODEPINK exigen a la OEA observadores electorales internacionales de emergencia en la primaria presidencial demócrata de 2020. thegrayzone.com The Grayzone y CODEPINK hacen un llamado a la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA) a proporcionar observadores electorales internacionales…
(2020-03-09). There Have Been Nearly 80 Attacks in Afghanistan Since US Signed "Peace Deal" truthout.org Since last month's U.S.-Taliban peace plan, there have been nearly 80 attacks in Afghanistan. The violence could derail the deal that calls for U.S. troops to withdraw over the next 14 months. This comes as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and top political leader Abdullah Abdullah both claimed that they won the presidential election at dual inauguration ceremonies today in Kabul, and members of the Taliban and the Afghan government were set to start direct negotiations on Tuesday. We speak with Was…
(2020-03-09). PSL Public Forum: A Women's Place is in the Struggle: Honoring IWD. indybay.org San Jose Peace & Justice Center, 48 S Seventh Street, San Jose, CA 95112…
(2020-03-09). Chile: General Strike on Second Day of Feminist Protests. telesurenglish.net The 8M Coordination called for a general strike on Monday, as part of the second day of major feminist protests in Chile. | RELATED: | With the support of numerous social organizations, the main concentration will take place in the Plaza de la Dignidad, in Santiago de Chile, at 11: 00 A.M.. From there, the demonstrators will walk along the Alameda, the main avenue of the country's capital. | The strike, called to dem…
(2020-03-09). International Court Approves Probe of US War Crimes in Afghanistan. globalresearch.ca An appellate panel of the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled Thursday that an investigation leading to the potential prosecution of US officials for war crimes during Washington's nearly two-decade-old war in Afghanistan can move forward. | Fatou Bensouda, the court's …
(2020-03-09). The Trevor Phillips suspension is exposing the British media for the shyster it is. thecanary.co The Labour Party has Islamophobia: | The Times first reported on Phillips's suspension,
(2020-03-09). Coronavirus: New York Won't Close Schools Because Homeless Kids Have Nowhere Else to Go. mintpressnews.com For many thousands of students across New York City and the United States, school is the only place they receive regular meals, shelter, medical care, and other vital services.
(2020-03-09). Joe Biden is Demented Racist Shark Food. counterpunch.org Biden helped author and worked to pass the racist federal mass incarceration Three Strikes crime bill of 1994. He has boasted of his ability to work with segregationists as a U.S. senator in the 1970s, when he opposed federal desegregation busing orders and worried about sending his children to desegregated schools. He boasts about his ability to work with racist Republicans today. He offered creepy racialized praise for presidential candidate Barack Obama by calling him "articulate" and "clean."
(2020-03-09). Don't Expect a Democratic President to Roll Back Trump's Policies. counterpunch.org America's health care, its poor, its black and Hispanic minorities and the contest between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders don't amount to a hill of beans in the Middle East. And many American voters — save for pro-Israeli lobbyists, liberal Jewish groups and disparate Muslim organisations — don't care a hill of beans about the fears
(2020-03-09). The History of Socialism and Social Democracy. SYRIZA's Betrayal of Greece Is a Spectre Haunting the Left. globalresearch.ca 'Super Tuesday' in the 2020 presidential election season is over and Senator Bernie Sanders's time as the unlikely frontrunner for the Democratic nomination may have stopped just as quick as it began. Despite an unprecedented smear campaign coordinated by …
(2020-03-09). Organizers Inspired by Sanders Are Changing the Landscape in the Rural South. truthout.org There's been an organizing surge across the rural South since Donald Trump decisively won the region in the 2016 presidential election. Several coalitions, collectives, and grassroots networks have sprung up since then — some energized by Bernie Sanders' 2016 primary run, others by Donald Trump's victory, still others by local issues that pushed residents into political work, often for the first time. | These new organizers share at least one thing in common: a deep conviction that if they…
(2020-03-09). How the Last Presidential Election Changed Rural Organizing in the South. truthout.org There's been an organizing surge across the rural South since Donald Trump decisively won the region in the 2016 presidential election. Several coalitions, collectives, and grassroots networks have sprung up since then — some energized by Bernie Sanders' 2016 primary run, others by Donald Trump's victory, still others by local issues that pushed residents into political work, often for the first time. | These new organizers share at least one thing in common: a deep conviction that if they…