(2020-02-18). Afghan Troops say Taliban are Brothers and War is "Not Really Our Fight." counterpunch.org The world is waiting anxiously to see whether the U.S. and Afghan governments and the Taliban will agree to a one-week truce that could set the stage for a "permanent and comprehensive" ceasefire and a withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign occupation forces from Afghanistan. Could the talks be for real this time, or will they
(2020-02-18). Afghan President Ghani wins 2nd term — election commission. rt.com 
Afghanistan has declared incumbent Ashraf Ghani the winner of a disputed presidential election held almost five months ago. Ghani won 50.64 percent of the vote, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) said on Tuesday. Abdullah Abdullah, Ghani's former deputy and main rival, was named runner-up with 39.52 percent. | The result could trigger new turmoil amid accusations of fraud, as hope remains for a possible peace deal with Taliban militants, Reuters said. Polls were held on September 28 to select a president for the fourth time since US-led forces overthrew the Taliban government in 2001. The election was m…
(2020-02-18). US-Taliban agreement to cut violence will start in next 5 days, Afghan minister says. rt.com 
An agreement between the Taliban and US forces to reduce violence will come into force within the next five days, Afghanistan's acting Interior Minister Masoud Andarabi said on Tuesday. | The 'reduction in violence' period "will begin in the next five days, which will be based on the negotiations between the US and the Taliban," he told a gathering of provincial police commanders in Kabul. | Last week, a senior US administration official said negotiations with Taliban representatives in Qatar had resulted in an agreement in principle for a week-long reduction of violence, but the seven-day period had not yet c…
(2020-02-18). Ashraf Ghani Declared Afghanistan's President, Abdullah Rejects. telesurenglish.net Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) declared Tuesday incumbent Ashraf Ghani winner of the Sept. 28 presidential election, his main rival Abdullah Abdullah rejected the result and pledged to form his own government. | RELATED: | Ghani secured 50.64 percent of the vote, the IEC said, while Chief Executive Abdullah, came second with 39.52 percent. Yet the runner up said he won the election and would form the govern…
(2020-02-18). The Escalating Class War Against Bernie Sanders. counterpunch.org More than ever, Bernie Sanders is public enemy number one for power elites that thrive on economic injustice. The Bernie 2020 campaign is a direct threat to the undemocratic leverage that extremely wealthy individuals and huge corporations constantly exert on the political process. No wonder we're now seeing so much anti-Bernie rage from leading corporate Democrats
(2020-02-18). The BJP is Not India, and Every Indian is Not a Modi-Devotee. counterpunch.org Rational people cannot gloss over the arbitrary exercise of authority in Kashmir, nor can they legitimize the lack of accountability in the union territory. Subsequent to the revocation of the autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP made several tall claims to legitimize its decision. One of those claims was that the integration of J
(2020-02-18). 'Colonial rule ended in 1947!' Indians lay into British MP & Kashmir policy critic who demanded instant visa for 'private visit'. rt.com 
A British MP outraged that she was denied entry to India over a revoked visa has received a harsh backlash online, with some reminding the lawmaker — a critic of Delhi's policies in Kashmir — that India is no longer a UK subject.
(2020-02-18). Young man on trial for clashing with police at Moscow protests gets suspended sentence. rt.com 
Meshchansky District Court in Moscow on Tuesday handed student Andrei Barshai, a participant of the July 27 unauthorized rally, a three-year suspended sentence. Barshai, 21, was convicted of using force against an officer of the Russian National Guard Troops Service. | Barshai was freed at the court room. He had denied any wrongdoing, excluding the fact of 'a physical contact' with the officer. During the unauthorized action, Barshai "pushed him in the back," police said. The student apologized to the law enforcement officer. | More than 3,500 people took to the streets in July last year in support of unregist…
(2020-02-18). Social Movements Reject Almagro's Presence in Panama. telesurenglish.net The presence of the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, in Panama, unleashed a wave of protests in country's social movements on Tuesday. | RELATED: | Almagro, who traveled to Panama at the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to receive an award for his "valuable contributions" to democracy in Latin America, was received by the Social Movements in Panama City…
(2020-02-18). Chile: Rise in Public Transport Fares May Boost Social Protests. telesurenglish.net Chilean authorities warn of a possible increase in the price of public transport in the capital, four months after a similar decision triggered the social crisis in that Latin American country. | RELATED: | A rise in the Transantiago fare, which had been frozen since the beginning of the protests in Chile last October, could happen if the operating costs of that public transport increase, Chilean Transport Mini…
(2020-02-18). Chile: 3,765 Injured,10,000 Detained Protesters Since October. telesurenglish.net Four months of protests in Chile against the neoliberal policies of Sebastian Piñera's government has resulted in more than 3,700 people injured, 951 filed complaints of torture and 195 for sexual violence, according to updated figures released Tuesday by the National Institute of Human Rights (INDH). | RELATED: | According to the agency, from Oct. 17 to Feb. 18, some 3,765 people were injured, of whom 445 suffered eye inj…
(2020-02-18). US-backed Saudi bombing kills at least 32 civilians in Yemen. wsws.org The airstrikes, the latest in a long list of war crimes, are believed to have been an act of revenge for the downing of a Saudi warplane.
(2020-02-18). While demanding Assange, US refuses to extradite CIA agent who killed British teen. thegrayzone.com High-ranking CIA agent Anne Sacoolas is charged with killing a teenage British citizen. While the US demands Julian Assange's extradition,…
(2020-02-18). End Torture and Medical Neglect of Julian Assange. globalresearch.ca On Nov 22, 2019, we, a group of more than 60 medical doctors, wrote to the UK Home Secretary to express our serious concerns about the physical and mental health of Julian Assange.1 In our letter,1 we documented a history …
(2020-02-18). John Pilger: It is time for Julian Assange to be saved, not betrayed. thegrayzone.com The truth is that Australia could have rescued Julian Assange and can still rescue him. Leaders of his homeland who have…
(2020-02-18). Support grows for New Zealand rallies to free Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning. wsws.org The Socialist Equality Group (NZ) is holding a rally in Wellington on Sunday February 23 as part of worldwide demonstrations in defence of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
(2020-02-18). 'Julian Assange must be freed, not betrayed', says John Pilger. thecanary.co On Saturday, there will be a march from Australia House in London to Parliament Square, the centre of British democracy. People will carry pictures of the Australian publisher and journalist Julian Assange who, on 24 February, faces a court that will decide whether or not he is to be extradited to the United States and a living death. | Some Australian history: | I know Australia House well. As an Australian myself, I used to go there in my early days in London to read the newspapers from home. Opened by King George V over a century ago, its vastness of marble and stone, chandeliers and solemn portraits,…
(2020-02-18). Australian court backs police raids on journalists. wsws.org The ruling highlights the driving forces behind the persecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
(2020-02-18). The Lancet publishes letter from doctors: "End torture and medical neglect of Julian Assange" wsws.org The world's pre-eminent medical journal carries a letter from 117 doctors in 18 countries calling for urgent action to save the life of the WikiLeaks publisher.
(2020-02-18). Julian Assange Must Be Freed, Not Betrayed. zcomm.org When we speak about dictatorships, we call this brainwashing: the conquest of minds. It is a truth we rarely apply to our own societies, regardless of the trail of blood that leads back to us and which never dries…
(2020-02-18). 'Doctors for Assange' worry he may die in UK prison having 'effectively been tortured to death'. rt.com 
Over 100 doctors are urging the UK government to stop the "psychological torture" of Julian Assange, and send him to a hospital. It's their fourth such letter since the journalist appeared in court. | WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange may die in a UK prison, having "effectively been tortured to death," claim Doctors for Assange, a group of 117 doctors from 18 countries, in a recent letter The letter says that Assange requires urgent med…
(2020-02-18). Courage Foundation holds public meeting in New York City in defense of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. wsws.org The extradition hearing for Assange is scheduled to begin in London on February 24.
(2020-02-18). Turkey Will Deploy More Troops to Syria Amid Talks With Russia. telesurenglish.net Turkey is planning to deploy more troops to Syria's Idlib province in retaliation to attacks carried out by the Syrian government forces, Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Tuesday. | RELATED: | A Turkish delegation met Russian counterparts for a second day of talks in Moscow on Tuesday, with no apparent agreement on Idlib, where a push in recent weeks by Russian-backed Syrian government forces has…
(2020-02-18). Russia temporarily bans ALL Chinese visitors amid coronavirus epidemic. rt.com 
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree on Tuesday evening prohibiting Chinese citizens from entering Russia for tourism, work and for private purposes. The new rules are effective from Thursday. | The decision is the strongest measure yet taken to prevent the entry and spread of the new coronavirus in Russia. Previously, Russian Railways suspended all passenger traffic to and from China, and flights have been heavily restricted. In addition, border crossings in the Far East have been closed. | "From 00: 00 local time on February 20, 2020, the passage of citizens of the People's Republic of Chi…
(2020-02-18). US 'shamelessly & impudently' PILLAGES Syrian oilfields but forbids supply of hydrocarbons to Damascus, says Russian defense chief. rt.com 
Russia's Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu slammed the US for occupying Syrian oilfields, calling it a major obstacle to the reconstruction of the country after the conflict. | "The oil fields… are controlled by the US. There's shameless, impudent pillage of the wealth that belongs to Syria and the Syrian people taking place," Shoigu said during a visit to the Italian capital Rome. | At the same time, the sanctions imposed by Washington against Damascus ban any oil shipments to Syria, putting the country in a tight spot. | "Most of the people, who are now suffering in Syria, are in need of heat, hot water and e…
(2020-02-18). Herakles in the Age of Climate Chaos. counterpunch.org On Monday afternoon of February 10, 2020, I went to the Classics department of Pomona College for a lecture on Herakles. Chiara Sulprizio of Vanderbilt University used cartoons and animation to help us understand the lasting influence and power of classical mythology. She chose the Soviet Union and Russia to illustrate how animated Greek myths may have
(2020-02-18). Buying Elections: The Bloomberg Meme Campaign. counterpunch.org Interfering, corrupting and altering the views of electors is apparently frowned upon. But it all depends on who that manipulating source is. The Russians might be condemned for being meddlers of minds in the US electorate, but an American billionaire who hires battalions of influencing agents to get his word across on social media platforms
(2020-02-18). Chechen exile's Berlin park killer linked to Russia's FSB – Bellingcat, Der Spiegel, The Insider. rt.com 
When a Chechen exile was shot dead in a Berlin park last summer it strained relations between Germany and Russia. A new investigation suggests his alleged killer may have been trained by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). | A joint report from Germany's Der Spiegel magazine, the US-government funded Bellingcat website and Russian outlet The Insider claims to have obtained the phone records of "Vadim Krasikov," which they say is the real identity of Vadim Sokolov, the man German police accuse of carrying out the murder of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili. | Khangoshvili was regarded as a terrorist by Moscow for his…
(2020-02-18). Russian Ministers Meet With Italian Counterparts in Rome. telesurenglish.net Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will meet this Tuesday in Rome with their Italian counterparts, Luigi Di Maio and Lorenzo Guerini, to discuss a series of urgent bilateral and regional issues, such as the dangerous confrontation between the United States and Iran. | RELATED: | One of the main issues the ministers will address at the meeting will be the conflict between the…
(2020-02-18). European court reinstates order for Russia to pay $50 billion over Yukos. rt.com 
A Dutch appeals court has reinstated an international arbitration panel's ruling that Russia should pay $50 billion in compensation to ex-shareholders of the defunct Russian oil giant, Yukos, overturning a previous court decision. | The Hague Court of Appeal ruled on Tuesday that the 2016 ruling cancelling the arbitration decision "was not correct," meaning that "the arbitration order is in force again." | The Russian Justice Ministry said immediately after the ruling that it would appeal the court's decision. The Ministry of Justice said the court had ignored the fact that the former Yukos shareholders were n…
(2020-02-18). Ukraine witch-hunter Mirotvorets blacklists retired NATO generals, Munich Security Conference head as 'PRO-RUSSIA' propagandists. rt.com 
A notorious witch-hunt website says the chairman of one the most reputed pro-NATO gatherings and some top US military retirees are now enemies of Ukraine, as they dared to sign a non-binding roadmap for peace in Donbass. | The controversial 'Mirotvorets' (Peacekeeper) website took aim at German Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, blacklisting him for what it said was "attempting to disrupt the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine" and for "taking part in Russia's propaganda events aimed against Ukraine." | | © Screenshot from myrotvorets.center | Ischinger chairs the Munich Security Conference (M…
(2020-02-18). Home-made bombs tested on PETS: New Columbine-style school massacre thwarted in Crimea, 2 teen suspects arrested. rt.com 
Two teenage fans of Vladislav Roslyakov, who killed 20 of his classmates in a Columbine-copycat shooting in the Crimean city of Kerch two years ago, were preparing similar school attacks, the Russian security service has revealed. | The suspects, who "were disciples of extremist ideology and followers of Vladislav Roslyakov" wanted to target two schools in Kerch, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said in a statement Tuesday. | Police discovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) with striking elements at their homes as well as spare parts to make more IEDs, which the teens had purchased on the internet.
(2020-02-18). Bombs away! WATCH close-up footage of Su-35S jet performing airstrike. rt.com 
The Russian Defense Ministry's TV channel, Zvezda, has placed numerous cameras on Su-35S fighter jets, filming a spectacular video from the bomb-dropping drills of the 4++ generation warplanes | The cams were not only in the cockpits, but also on the bodies of the jets, right in front of their bomb hatches, providing some unique footage. | The video was made during the recent exercises in the air above the Voronzeh and Tver Regions in central Russia, which involved Su-35S and MiG-31 jets, as well as around 500 servicemen. | The planes took off from the airfields with a time gap of just one minute and droppe…
(2020-02-18). Visitor numbers to Russia jumped by 20.5% last year — major e-visa liberalization planned for 2021. rt.com 
It may be the world's largest country and bursting with visitor attractions, but Russia has long punched below its weight in the tourism sector. Now, signs suggest this is beginning to change. | In 2019, 5.1 million people came to the country as tourists — a 20.5 percent increase on the previous year, during which the FIFA World Cup was staged in 11 Russian cities. That's according to brand-new figures released by the Association of Tour Operators of Russia. | At the top of the leaderboard for visitors is China. In 2019, 1.5 million Chinese crossed the border for the purposes of tourism, a rise of almost…
(2020-02-18). Nord Stream 2: Why Ukraine and Poland Are Against It. globalresearch.ca There is no doubt about the fundamental importance of the gas flow for the European energy balance. There is even less doubt about Russia's role in this process. Western Europe is not self-sufficient in producing gas, depending on its import. …
(2020-02-18). But will he pardon Roger Stone? Trump clemency for Blagojevich, Kerik, Milken & DeBartolo fuel speculation. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has surprised everyone with a series of pardons that — so far — do not include any of his aides caught up in 'Russiagate' investigations, although his tweets suggest this too might be coming. | First on the list was former San Francisco 49s NFL franchise owner Edward DeBartolo Jr, who pleaded guilty in 1998 to failing to report a felony, after he did not disclose that the governor of Louisiana extorted him for a bribe in exchange for a riverboat casino license. He was fined $1 million and sentenced to two years' probation. His NFL career effectively over, he transferred th…
(2020-02-18). Libya's GNA scraps peace talks after attack on ship 'loaded with weapons' at Tripoli port. rt.com 
The Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya has suspended UN-brokered ceasefire talks with the Libyan National Army after an LNA attack on a port in the capital on Tuesday. | "Today there was a renewed violation of the truce with the targeting of civilian facilities in the capital," the GNA said in The attack — which the…
(2020-02-18). 'The Deal of the Century' and Its Hidden Secrets. globalresearch.ca We oppose and reject the US-Israeli peace plan, or the so-called "deal of the century", for many political, economic, social and religious reasons. It is rejected due to new signs that it will impede progress on the water issue between …
(2020-02-18). Chinese government defends its response to coronavirus. wsws.org Beijing has come under fire from the international community, as well as its citizens, for mishandling the early stages of the outbreak.
(2020-02-18). Only if you're rich: Coronavirus fears spark demand for private jet travel. rt.com 
Wealthy travelers stuck inside or outside of China due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak have been seeking private jet operators to arrange their flights despite the huge costs. | According to Darin Voyles of Paramount Business Jets, there was a "considerable uptick" in such requests, but the majority of these can't be filled as they can't get the crew or planes. | "Many simply do not want to send their aircraft and crews into mainland China. Aside from the risk of exposure for the crews, the operational and business concern is that when they return from mainland China they will essentially be unable to work…
(2020-02-18). US Health Authority Shipped Faulty Coronavirus Test Kits Across Country: Official. globalresearch.ca A number of test kits sent out by United States health authorities to labs across the country to diagnose the deadly novel coronavirus are faulty, a senior official said on Wednesday (Feb 12). | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention …
(2020-02-18). Head of Wuhan hospital dies of coronavirus as global death toll rises to nearly 1,900. rt.com 
The director of a hospital at the epicenter of China's coronavirus outbreak has died, according to state media, marking the latest death as Beijing scrambles to contain the virus. | Liu Zhiming, the director of Wuchang Hospital in Wuhan, died on Tuesday morning after "all-out rescue efforts failed," state broadcaster CCTV reported. | Liu's death was initially announced on Monday night in a social media post by the Hubei Health Commission. However, in a follow-up message the commission said that the hospital director was alive and battling the virus. | At least six other medical workers in China have died from…
(2020-02-18). The Most Effective Thing to Do If You're Afraid of Coronavirus. truthdig.com I've met two people whose relatives got struck by lightning. While I take proper safety precautions when I go camping, I'm not afraid of lightning. | A high school friend was killed when she was hit by a train. While I look both ways before crossing the tracks, I'm not afraid of trains. | The week before my first trip to Yellowstone, a grizzly bear ate a guy. So I carry bear spray and make noise in grizzly country. But I'm not afraid of grizzly bears. | I don't know anybody infected by the coronavirus, but I take the same general precautions I've taken my entire life to avoid getting sick. Mostly that's just wash…
(2020-02-18). Australian universities slash jobs in response to coronavirus travel ban impact. wsws.org As well as students having their lives and futures severely disrupted, thousands of casual academics are having their hours slashed.
(2020-02-18). Caricom: 'Only With Unity, We Can Fight Against Imperialism'. telesurenglish.net The Community of the Caribbean (Caricom) begins Tuesday its 31st Inter-Sessional Meeting to discuss common policies on security, climate change, tourism, and trade. Its country members will also discuss a regional approach to the coronavirus virus and other noncommunicable diseases. | RELATED: | During the opening remarks, outgoing Caricom Chairman Allen Chastanet emphasized the importance of acting cooperatively to face common problem…
(2020-02-18). Irish Elections and Unification. counterpunch.org The victory by Ireland's leftwing Sinn Fein Party in the Republic's recent election has not only overturned some 90 years of domination by the island's two center-right parties, it suddenly puts the issue of Irish reunification on the agenda. While the campaign was fought over bread and butter issues like housing, the collapsing health care system, and homelessness, a united Ireland has long been Sinn Fein's raison d'être. In the aftermath, Party leaders called for a border referendum on the subject.
(2020-02-18). Sanders and AOC's Fracking Ban Angers Centrists and Their Fossil Fuel Backers. zcomm.org Source: Truthout Photo by J. Bicking/Shutterstock.com House Democrats have finally unveiled a flurry of climate bills aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but activists say only one proposal represents the "gold standard" for tackling the climate crisis: Legislation introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that would ban fracking nationwide. While none of
(2020-02-18). Bolsonaro Hails Killer of Marielle Franco As 'Hero'. telesurenglish.net In a press conference in Río de Janeiro, the right-wing Brazilian President said: "I requested my son to decorate ( to Nóbrega), to clear all doubts. He was a hero, I commanded him, you can put that on me". | RELATED: | Flavio Bolsonaro, Jair Bolsonaro ¥s first born son, gave the Tiradentes Medal to Adriano Magalhà£es da Nóbrega back in 2005, when he was in prison and accused of the assassination. The ex-…
(2020-02-18). Greek Islands Refugee Crisis: An Open Letter to Humanity Crew. globalresearch.ca I do have better things to do with my time but after reading Humanity Crew's report of its 5 day visit to Samos in January 2020, I am angry enough to write this open letter. | From the beginning to the …
(2020-02-18). President of Haiti Calls off Participation in Caricom Meeting. telesurenglish.net The President of Haiti Jovenel MoàØse called off his participation in the 31st Intersessional Meeting of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which started Tuesday in Barbados. | RELATED: | The president decided not to go to Barbados "due to the meetings he has on the negotiations to reach a solution to the political crisis," Haiti's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bocchit Edmond told Le Nouvelliste newspaper. | The diplomat…
(2020-02-18). Sanders on Geopolitical Issues. globalresearch.ca Follow what politicians do, not what they say they'll do. Time and again, rhetoric and actions are world's apart. | Obama and Trump are Exhibits A and B, their pledges to voters as presidential candidates polar opposite their policies in office …
(2020-02-18). Billionaire Bloomberg Aims to "Buy the US Presidency" globalresearch.ca A fantasy democracy, never the real thing, Americans get the best rule of privileged interests money can buy… | Bloomberg's billions give him a significant edge only money can buy. Forbes ranked him 9th among the world's richest individuals, estimating his …
(2020-02-18). Afro-Venezuelan socialist youth leader's message to the people of the U.S. fightbacknews.org In January, Fight Back! reporters participated in the World Anti-Imperialist Gathering in Caracas, Venezuela. While there, they interviewed delegates from Venezuela and from several other countries. In this interview, Ender Sabalsa, a leader of the youth sector and the Afro-descendent sector of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), gives his message to the people of the United States. | Ender Sabalsa: Revolutionary greetings to everyone reading this and to all the peoples of the world. My name is Ender Sabalsa. I'm a member of the youth sector of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). I'm also…
(2020-02-18). Pay-to-play? Bloomberg & his deep pockets qualify for Nevada debate after DNC rule change opened door to billionaire contender. rt.com 
Michael Bloomberg will be allowed to participate in the upcoming Democratic primary debate in Nevada, thanks in part to a helpful rule change — and hundreds of millions of dollars in campaign spending. | As of Tuesday, the former New York City mayor has polled over 10 percent in four surveys, meeting the threshold set by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). (Alternatively, Bloomberg could have qualified by receiving at least one delegate from either the Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary — but the billionaire has yet to rack up a single delegate.) | His qualification for Wednesday's deba…
(2020-02-18). Mexico: Millions Embezzled During Peña Nieto's Administration. telesurenglish.net Mexico's authorities reported that irregularities in projects worth US$30.2 billion were detected during President Enrique Peña Nieto's administration (2012-2018). | The Public Function Secretary Irma Sandoval said that irregularities were identified in 2019 projects, which generated more…
(2020-02-18). Speeding Sea Level Rise Threatens Nuclear Plants. globalresearch.ca The latest science shows how the pace of sea level rise is speeding up, fuelling fears that not only millions of homes will be under threat, but that vulnerable installations like docks and power plants will be overwhelmed by the …
(2020-02-18). Explaining Syria: It's Everyone's Fault Except the U.S. and Israel. globalresearch.ca The first week in February was memorable for the failed impeachment of President Donald Trump, the "re-elect me" State of the Union address and the
(2020-02-18). In politics, a day or a week makes a big difference. peoplesworld.org 
What a difference a day (or week) makes. During the first week of February, a sense of panic spread through the ranks of many Democrats and activists. First, there was the Iowa Caucus vote counting debacle, and then Trump was acquitted in the sham impeachment trial. Then the criminal, white supremacist, rapist, autocrat in the …
(2020-02-18). Video: Turkish "Armed Groups" Don't Help. Syrian Army Liberates Entire Western Aleppo. globalresearch.ca Syrian government forces have cleared the entire western countryside of Aleppo city of members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other Turkish-backed armed groups. | During the past week, the Syrian Army and its allies cleared up to 300km2 delivering a devastating …
(2020-02-18). New Film Shows How Biden Played Leading Role in Push for US to Invade Iraq. truthout.org The Democratic presidential candidates face off in Las Vegas Wednesday night ahead of the Nevada caucuses. Nevada could be a decisive state for candidates who performed poorly in Iowa and New Hampshire, including former Vice President Joe Biden. As Biden hopes for a comeback, a new short documentary sheds light on his extensive role in the Iraq War — an issue that has been raised repeatedly on the campaign trail. Biden has apologized for supporting the war, but the new film, directed by the…
(2020-02-18). Extraordinary Neanderthal skeleton found at famous burial site could finally answer ancient DEATH-RITES question. rt.com 
The landmark discovery in Iraq of the skeleton of a 70,000-year-old Neanderthal has reignited a debate about whether these ancient humans were sophisticated enough to have burial rituals. | The old bones were unearthed at Shanidar Cave in Iraq, where the partial remains of 10 Neanderthal men, women and children were found during excavations in the 1950s and 1960s. | | © Graeme Barker | The skeleton is the first "articulated" Neanderthal remains to be found in two decades. An articulated skeleton find is one where the bones are still arranged in their original positions. Researchers say it offers an unpa…
(2020-02-18). Evo Morales Calls for MAS Unity in Next Bolivian Elections. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's former President Evo Morales expressed his desire for unity amongst his political party, the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), for the upcoming general elections on May 3. | RELATED: | Morales made these statements at a meeting with MAS presidential candidate Luis Arce and the nation's Secretary of International Relations Juanita Aniceta at the Bauen Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. | After the meeting, Morales a…
(2020-02-18). Bernie Sanders Gains Endorsement From Latinx Group as Nevada Caucus Nears. truthout.org Progressive Latinx group Mijente on Tuesday announced its first ever presidential endorsement, for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, just days before Nevadans caucus in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary on Saturday. | "Something that's very appealing to people is his consistency and the concept of palabra," Mijente's director and cofounder Marisa Franco
(2020-02-18). Nevada Is a Big Test for Bernie Sanders's Medicare for All Plan. truthout.org Medicare for All faces a big test in Nevada's Democratic caucus, where front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden are pitching competing health care plans in a last-minute effort to curry favor among voters as early voting comes to a close today. | Sanders has pledged to quickly push for a national health care system that covers everyone if elected president, while Biden wants to expand the Affordable Care Act with an option to buy government insurance that would compete with priv…
(2020-02-18). Factchecking NPR's Attempted Takedown of Bernie Sanders. fair.org 
by Robin Andersen | The Iowa caucuses officially began the Democratic primary, and even in this ongoing, extended battle for the White House, Iowa remains an important marker for candidates and the media. A close look at a piece by two of NPR's leading political reporters, which aired just before the caucuses, provides a view of how journalists speak with authority on issues they seem to know very little about. The conversation between Mary Louise Kelly and her partner Mara Liasson, headlined "Where Iowa Falls in the Big Picture of the 2020 Election" (All Thing…
(2020-02-18). Minority Abuse: A Slice of Life in Modi's India. counterpunch.org It is not uncommon for colonial governments to enact sedition laws with the purpose of stifling dissent; it is, following independence, for democratic governments to be enforcing them to quell critics. It is also exactly what the Modi government and party encourages in India. And it is what landed a 26-year old mother and her
(2020-02-18). It's official! India overtakes UK & France to become world's 5th LARGEST economy. rt.com 
India is developing into an open-market economy from its previous autarchic policies, US-based think tank World Population Review concludes in a report. | "India's economy is the fifth largest in the world, with a GDP of $2.94 trillion, overtaking the UK and France in 2019 to take the fifth spot," said the report, as quoted by the Press Trust of India. | To compare, the size of the UK economy is $2.83 trillion, while the French economy is $2.71 trillion. | Also on rt.com | | According to the…
(2020-02-18). Colombia: 46 Social Leaders, 10 Ex-FARC Members Killed in 2020. telesurenglish.net The systematic killing of social leaders and former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) continues with impunity in Colombia, as two brothers – human rights defenders and campesino leaders – were killed Sunday in the southwest department of Cauca, raising the tally to 46 murdered in 2020. | RELATED: | "The aggression was carried out by several armed men. After this, it was already confirmed that th…
(2020-02-18). Extreme Weather Could Trigger a Recession Unlike We've Ever Seen. truthdig.com A new research paper warns that markets' failure to assess the risks of climate change poses a significant threat to the global economy.
(2020-02-18). Like the 'Titanic,' the glory of the US won't prevent it from sinking… and it will sink — Iran's Khamenei. rt.com 
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has denounced the US ahead of Iran's elections, likening Washington to a sinking ocean liner, and calling it out as a mass oppressor. | Pulling no punches, Khamenei tweeted that the country's arch rival is a clear "manifestation of oppression" that is "abhorred by the world." | Not stopping there, he also likened the US to the 'Titanic,' and promised its fate may be no less grim. | "The Americans decorate a facade to deceive others and to scare some. But, just as the magnificence of the 'Titanic' didn't prevent her from sinking, the glory of the US won't prevent it from sink…
(2020-02-18). Aleppo Victories to 'Prelude' Defeat of Rebels in Syria: Assad. telesurenglish.net Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Monday that the recent victory of the Syrian army in the Aleppo province is a prelude to the major defeat of the rebels elsewhere. | RELATED: | In a televised speech following the major victory of the Syrian army in the western and northwestern countryside of Aleppo, Assad said it doesn't mean the end of the war, nor does it mean the elimination of terrorism. | "But this victory i…
(2020-02-18). 5 civilians injured in explosive device blast in Bab Musalla, Damascus. rt.com 
Five civilians were injured in a car bomb blast in the Bab Musalla area in Damascus, SANA said on Tuesday. One of the victims sustained serious injuries, according to the report. | A source at Damascus Police Command said that the terrorists placed an explosive device in a car. | The automobile exploded while it was passing by the departures bus stop in Bab Musalla area in the Syrian capital, injuring five civilians, one of whom is in critical condition.
(2020-02-18). Harvey Weinstein's Defense Team Is Waging a War Against the #MeToo Movement. truthout.org A jury of seven men and five women meet today in New York Supreme Court to begin deliberations on whether to find disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein guilty of sexual assault. The case has drawn international attention amid the #MeToo movement. If the jurors find Weinstein guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 100 women but in this case faces five charges based on evidence relating to two main accusers. One woman, who…
(2020-02-18). Amazon offers free shipping for illegal Israeli settlements, but not Palestinian Territories. peoplesworld.org 
Amazon has been accused of discrimination by offering free shipment to illegal settlers in the occupied West Bank, but not for Palestinians living there. The practice was discovered by the Financial Times as it entered illegal settlement addresses into the global online retailer's delivery portal. Amazon's website offered free shipping for orders, saying: "If your …
(2020-02-18). Bloomberg Defied a Flight Ban to Show Support for Israel, Defended the Country Shelling a School and Killing Sleeping Children. globalresearch.ca In July 2014, Israel launched a series airstrikes on Gaza, kicking off a
(2020-02-18). RNC 2020 and the symbols of history: Crowns, Hornets, and Boiler Plugs. peoplesworld.org 
This August, the Republican National Convention will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, the only city that offered to host it. After submitting their bid, the Charlotte City Council tried to retract it, but were cowed by the threat of being sued for breach of contract. So, the Republicans have somewhere to go. Charlotte was …
(2020-02-18). Happy Presidents' Day! Obama & Trump argue over who gets credit for saving Wall St… err, US economy. rt.com 
With many Americans enjoying the day off in honor of their first president, the two most recent ones seized the moment to get into a fight over who should get the credit for the nation's economic recovery. | "Eleven years ago today, near the bottom of the worst recession in generations, I signed the Recovery Act, paving the way for more than a decade of economic growth and the longest streak of job creation in American history," Barack Obama tweeted on Monday, along with a photo of his signature on the bill that pumped an estimated $831 billion into Wall Street. | Eleven years ago today, near the bottom of the…
(2020-02-18). Federal Charter Schools Program, a Lifeline for Owners of Capital, Under Threat. dissidentvoice.org 
Neoliberals established the Federal Charter Schools Program in 1994, three years after the nation's first charter school law was passed in Minnesota. Since then, billions of public dollars have been handed over to privately-owned-operated non-profit and for-profit charter schools through the federal program. The money is usually used for charter school start-up costs. Putting aside …
(2020-02-18). China to grant tariff exemptions on additional US goods. rt.com 
The Chinese government announced on Tuesday it would allow importers to apply for new tariff exemptions on nearly 700 products from the United States, including agricultural and energy goods. | According to the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, applications will be accepted starting from March 2, and will need to undergo an approval process. Exemptions will only be effective for one year. | "[The exemptions are] to support enterprises to import goods from the US based upon their business considerations," said the commission. | The list of exemptions contains 697 product types, ranging from soybea…
(2020-02-18). Up and at'em! China's Chang'e-4 probe resumes work on FAR SIDE of the Moon. rt.com 
China's Yutu-2 lunar rover and Chang'e-4 spacecraft have sprung back to life and resumed work on the far side of the Moon, after a brief slumber as the Earth's natural satellite was hidden from the Sun. | The lander awoke at 6: 57am Beijing time on Tuesday, while the rover had come back to life at approximately 5: 55pm Monday. Both machines are functioning normally and are ready to continue their work, the China National Space Administration said. | Also on rt.com | | And so begins the pion…
(2020-02-18). Sales for me, tariffs for thee? Trump says US 'OPEN FOR BUSINESS' & blasts China trade restrictions… as tariffs remain in place. rt.com 
President Donald Trump has unloaded on a series of measures that would restrict the sale of US goods to China, saying national security is no "excuse" for disrupting business. Meanwhile, Chinese imports remain penalized. | "The United States cannot, and will not, become such a difficult place to deal with in terms of foreign countries buying our product," Trump tweeted on Tuesday, "including for the always used National Security excuse." | The United States cannot, & will not, become such a difficult place to deal with in terms of foreign countries buying our product, including for the always used National Sec…
(2020-02-18). Trump Commutes Blagojevich Sentence, Pardons Others. truthdig.com 
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has gone on a clemency blitz, commuting the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and pardoning former NYPD commissioner Bernie Kerik, among a long list of others. | Trump also told reporters that he has pardoned financier Michael Milken, who pleaded guilty for violating U.S. securities laws and served two years in prison in the early 1990s. Trump also pardoned Edward DeBartolo Jr., the former San Francisco 49ers owner convicted in a gambling fraud scandal who built one of the most successful NFL teams in the game's history. | Related Article…
(2020-02-18). Boy Scouts' Future Uncertain After Bankruptcy Filing. truthdig.com 
Barraged with sex-abuse lawsuits, the Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday in hopes of working out a potentially mammoth victim compensation plan that will allow the 110-year-old organization to carry on. | The Chapter 11 filing in federal bankruptcy court in Wilmington, Delaware, sets in motion what could be one of the biggest, most complex bankruptcies ever seen. Scores of lawyers are seeking settlements on behalf of several thousand men who say they were molested as scouts by scoutmasters or other leaders decades ago but are only now eligible to sue because of recent changes in their s…
(2020-02-18). Bercow attacks Tories claiming party only accept ethnic minority 'conformists', calls his abusers 'bigots'. rt.com 
Former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow has provoked anger among the Tory faithful after insisting the party only accommodate "ethnic minorities" who play by "the rulebook," otherwise they're "rubbished." | In an interview for a 'Guardian Live' event on Monday night, Bercow — who has been dogged by accusations of bullying by his former parliamentary colleagues since he stepped down from his role in October — laid into the Conservative Party hierarchy's attitude towards ethnic minorities. | If they play by the rulebook dictated by those on high, they are accommodated, patted on the head a…
(2020-02-18). As Weinstein verdict comes in, what has #MeToo wrought? rt.com 
Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein is facing a reckoning for his 'casting couch' habits — but the #MeToo movement he triggered has not only empowered victims, it's grown into a weapon for politicians and culture warriors. | Weinstein was hauled before a Manhattan court
(2020-02-18). 'The Father': Alfred Molina in a meditation on dementia. peoplesworld.org 
PASADENA, Calif.—Alfred Molina renders a devastating depiction of dementia in Florian Zeller's award-winning play The Father. Ably directed by Jessica Kubzansky, this one-act Alzheimer-palooza is staged in what is usually described as a "cinematic" way, with intercutting and perhaps even montage used to indicate André's (Molina) increasingly fragmented, confused perception of reality. The lighting and …
(2020-02-18). Teacher Strikes Boost Fight for Racial Justice in Schools. truthout.org One year ago, Los Angeles teachers on strike were demanding an end to random searches where students were yanked out of class to be frisked. By the time they walked back into work, they had won a partial victory. | Now these searches are coming to an end districtwide — landing a blow against racism in the schools. | L.A. teacher union activists, like their counterparts in Chicago, Seattle, St. Paul, and other cities, are making contract demands to confront segregation, underfunding, and the criminalizatio…
(2020-02-18). Striking LA Teachers' Win Against Random Frisking Is Becoming District Policy. truthout.org One year ago, Los Angeles teachers on strike were demanding an end to random searches where students were yanked out of class to be frisked. By the time they walked back into work, they had won a partial victory. | Now these searches are coming to an end districtwide — landing a blow against racism in the schools. | L.A. teacher union activists, like their counterparts in Chicago, Seattle, St. Paul, and other cities, are making contract demands to confront segregation, underfunding, and the criminalizatio…
(2020-02-18). Trump's Budget: More Warfare, Slightly Less Welfare. globalresearch.ca Listening to the howls from Democrats and the applause from Republicans, one would think President Trump's proposed fiscal year 2021 budget is a radical assault on the welfare state. The truth is the budget contains some minor spending cuts, most …
(2020-02-18). Libya: Tripoli Port Hit, Govt Cancels Ceasefire Talks in Geneva. telesurenglish.net The Libyan National Army (LNA) hit Tripoli's port Tuesday allegedly targeting a Turkish ship bringing in arms, a LNA official said. | RELATED: | "The Turkish ship loaded with weapons and ammunition that docked this morning at the port of Tripoli was destroyed," reads a short statement published by an LNA Facebook account. | Brigadier Khaled Al Mahjoub of the LNA told Al-Arabiya that the vessel had arrived in vi…
(2020-02-18). A Silicon Valley Life Lesson: Money That 'Clumps' Crushes. counterpunch.org If everything rich people tell us — about prosperity — happened to be true, Silicon Valley would right now be overflowing with exceedingly happy people. Silicon Valley, after all, has everything rich folks say they need to get an economy going and growing: an abundance of "successful" people with plenty of money to invest, spectacularly
(2020-02-18). Religion is a Repeating Chapter in the History of Politics. counterpunch.org It is no coincidence that the story of the Garden of Eden is about the loss of 'innocence' — Adam and Eve were the peoples that lived prior to their tragic immersion in a State. When States first appeared, as the archaeological evidence shows, people became hungrier, they were exploited, they were subject to hierarchy and terror. No wonder they looked back to a receding golden age.
(2020-02-18). The Conscience of a Conservative. counterpunch.org Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and
(2020-02-18). We're All in This Together. counterpunch.org "We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." —Benjamin Franklin Listen: we don't have to agree about everything. We don't even have to agree about most things. We don't have to love each other. We don't even have to like each other. And we certainly don't need to think alike
(2020-02-18). China's Economy: Powerful But Vulernable. counterpunch.org China's economy is often presented as a powerful engine. This is, however, only one face of it. It has also been marked by vulnerabilities, and these have become more obvious over time, as the costs of high-speed growth have rebounded on the country, giving rise to social tensions that are straining the capacity of the
(2020-02-18). We Shouldn't Have to Beg Mark Zuckerberg to Respect Democracy. counterpunch.org Last month George Soros had a New York Times column arguing that Mark Zuckerberg should not be running Facebook. (Does the NYT reserve space on its opinion page for billionaires?) The gist of Soros' piece is that Zuckerberg has made a deal with Trump. He will allow all manner of outrageous lies to be spread
(2020-02-18). Democracy, Dictatorship and Bloomberg. counterpunch.org The 2020 presidential race didn't get decided this week, but the choice before us did: more democracy or less of it. That's the decision we are facing, and if the Democrats manage to foul this up, they may not get another chance. The very same day that New Hampshire held its primary, the president was
(2020-02-18). Impunity for Torturers Made Trump's Invulnerability Possible. truthout.org On February 5th, the Senate voted to acquit President Donald J. Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. In other words, Trump's
(2020-02-18). The Trump Administration Is Cutting Back Protections for Migratory Birds. truthout.org The Trump administration has In 1916, amid the chaos of World War I, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and King George V of Gre…
(2020-02-18). When Your Doctor Is Also a Lobbyist: Inside the War Over Surprise Medical Bills. truthout.org When Carol Pak-Teng, an emergency room doctor in New Jersey, hosted a fundraiser in December for Democratic freshman Rep. Tom Malinowski, her guests, mostly doctors, were pleased when she steered the conversation to surprise medical bills. | This was a chance to send a message to Washington that any surprise billing legislation should protect doctors' incomes in their battle over payments with insurers. Lawmakers are grappling over several approaches to curtail the practice, which can leave…