2019-12-28: News Headlines

WSWS (2019-12-28). Trump issues hypocritical threat over Syrian offensive. wsws.org Syrian government troops backed by Russian air power have advanced on the last redoubt of Al Qaeda-linked militias in Idlib province.

yenisafak (2019-12-28). Two dead in fire at Russia's Novatek oil and gas field: reports. yenisafak.com Two people have been killed and one injured in a fire in an elevator at Russia's Novatek northern oil and gas field, news agencies reported on Saturday citing emergency ministry officials.The fire broke out at East-Tarkosalinskoye field, Novatek's most mature oil and gas field, in Yamal Nenets region, the Interfax news agency said .The blaze had been put out, it said.Novatek did not reply to a request for comment, the emergency ministry office in the region did not respond to phone calls.

RT (2019-12-28). Ride's too hot? Stolen STALIN LIMO found in Moscow day after the heist. rt.com A luxurious, heavily-armored limousine that purportedly carried around Joseph Stalin himself was reportedly found stashed in a garage in Moscow. The armored vehicle is estimated to be worth $2.8 million. | The grand theft rocked the Russian media on Friday, when it emerged that the ZIS-115 was snatched by a crew of six from a garage in the north of Russia's capital. The suspects broke into an ordinary car shed where the limo sat and towed the 4.2-ton vehicle away. | But they apparently did not make it far. The car was recovered on Saturday in another garage in the capital, social media outlet BAZA reported.

RT (2019-12-28). ARTIFICIAL snow and Christmas trees in pots — did you ever imagine Russian winter holidays looking like THIS? rt.com As a snowless Moscow winter defies the image of the traditional Russian-style holiday season, piles of artificial snow have been brought to a central park in a last-ditch effort to raise local citizens' spirits. | With temperatures of just -1 Celsius (33 Fahrenheit) on the streets of the Russian capital on Saturday, artificial snow had to be imported for a Christmas market at the Zaryadye Park, which is adjacent to the iconic Red Square and the Kremlin. | –ï–¥–∏–Ω—Å—Ç–≤–µ–Ω–Ω—ã–&…

RT (2019-12-28). Perfect start! Russia's Sergey Ustiugov wins first stage of FIS Tour de Ski. rt.com Russian cross-country skier Sergey Ustiugov got off to a perfect start at the prestigious International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup event — Tour de Ski — confidently winning the first stage of the seven-tour event on Saturday. | The two-time world champion dominated the men's 14km freestyle mass start race in Switzerland clocking a time of 33 minutes 19.1 seconds. | READ MORE: 'I don't see anything bad in it': Russian biathlete says she'd race in lingerie | The reigning Tour de Ski champio…

RT (2019-12-28). 'Democratic talks to replace club interests': UNGA approves Russian-drafted resolution against cybercrime despite US opposition. rt.com A new resolution paving the way for experts from around the world to work together on a new treaty combating cybercrimes was passed by the UN General Assembly despite strong opposition from the US and its allies. | The document drafted jointly by Russia and 47 other nations has been adopted by the 193-member international body with 79 votes in favor and 60 votes against as well as 33 abstentions. The resolution calls on the General Assembly to form a committee of experts representing all parts of the world to "elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communica…

RT (2019-12-28). 'I have to be ready and good in the playoffs': Alex Ovechkin declines NHL All-Star Game invite to stay fit for Caps' playoff run. rt.com Washington Capitals star and Russian hockey icon Alex Ovechkin has once again taken the decision to decline his invitation to play in the NHL All-Star Game. | Ovechkin's decision follows on from his move to miss the league's annual showcase game last year, and means he will be handed a one-game suspension, which will be served either immediately before or immediately after the All-Star weekend. | The punishment mirrors the sanction imposed on Ovechkin last season, and means he will miss either the Jan. 18 road game at the New York Islanders, or the Jan. 27 clash at the Montreal Canadiens. | Also on rt.com

South Front (2019-12-27). Video: Russian Airstrikes Wipe Out Convoy of Turkish-backed Terrorists. globalresearch.ca By the evening of December 25, government forces have repelled a counter-attack by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its Turkish-backed allies on the town of Jarjnaz in southern Idlib and have resumed their advance on the town of Maarat al-Numan. | The …

Stephen Lendman (2019-12-27). US War Budget Targets China. globalresearch.ca A previous article discussed how the US FY 2020 war budget targets Russia, Turkey and Syria. | Euphemistically called annual National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs), they're all about advancing America's imperium, along with enriching corporate America by waging endless wars of …

teleSUR (2019-12-27). 'Russia Rejects Deployment of Turkish Troops to Libya' Peskov. telesurenglish.net The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov Friday rejected any foreign military presence in Libya after Turkey's President Recep Erdogan announced that he will send troops to Libya at the request of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), which is led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. | RELATED: | Turkey Will Send Troops to Libya If Requested: Erdogan | "We believe that any interference by third countries in the situation [in Libya] will hardly contribute to settlement effor…

teleSUR (2019-12-27). Unusual Hot Winter in Moscow as Temperatures Hit 133-year High. telesurenglish.net The Russian capital has witnessed the hottest December in history and 2019 will likely go down as the warmest in 140 years of meteorological observations. | RELATED: | 'Russia Rejects Deployment of Turkish Troops to Libya' Peskov | Not only is the temperature not dropping below zero, but there is no sign of the blanket of snow that usually covers sidewalks and parks at this time of year. | "This year is truly unique because of its abnormal weather conditions," Anton Dubiniuk, in…

Staff (2019-12-26). After Democrats Push Bill to Send Fracked Gas to EU, Trump Includes in Budget. therealnews.com The European Energy Security and Diversification Act, legislation offering $1B to promote sending U.S. fracked gas to EU countries, was inserted into the federal budget bill signed into law by President Donald Trump. Democrats invoked "Russiagate" in their PR push for the bill.

teleSUR (2019-12-26). Trump Warns Syria, Russia, Iran Over Idlib Campaign. telesurenglish.net U.S. President Donald Trump took a shot at the governments of Syria, Iran, and Russia on Thursday, warning them against renewing their assault on the Idlib province. | RELATED: | Syria: Trump Administration Builds Military Base in Oil Field | Trump, who praised Turkey in the tweet, was relatively silent during Ankara's "Operation Peace Spring" in northeastern Syria, despite the fact it displaced thousands and killed and wounded many civilians. | "Russia, Syria, and Iran are kill…

RT (2019-12-24). You better watch out… US military tracks Santa and North Korean 'gifts'. rt.com With much of the world awaiting North Korea's promised "Christmas gift" for the US, NORAD is busy tracking both missile tests and Santa's journey around the world. Let's hope the two don't get mixed up, netizens joked. | 'Tis the season to be on the lookout for intercontinental ballistic missiles. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un promised a "Christmas gift" for the United States earlier this month, should Washington not back down from its demand for him to abandon his nuclear program. Resurrecting the nickname "Rocket Man" for Kim, US President Donald Trump has refused to give in and it remains to be seen wheth…

Lawrence Wittner (2019-12-23). Americans Are Ready for a Different Approach to Nuclear Weapons. dissidentvoice.org Although today's public protests against nuclear weapons can't compare to the major antinuclear upheavals of past decades, there are clear indications that most Americans reject the Trump administration's nuclear weapons policies. Since entering office in 2017, the Trump administration has withdrawn the United States from the nuclear agreement with Iran, scrapped the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia, and …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-22). Seemingly Coordinated ISIS/al-Qaeda Attacks On Syrian Oil/Gas Fields & US' Russia/Libya Hypocrisy. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/21/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Lawrence Wittner (2019-12-22). Americans Are Ready for a Different Approach to Nuclear Weapons. zcomm.org Although today's public protests against nuclear weapons can't compare to the major antinuclear upheavals of past decades, there are clear indications that most Americans reject the Trump administration's nuclear weapons policies. Since entering office in 2017, the Trump administration has withdrawn the United States from the nuclear agreement with Iran, scrapped the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Read more…

Staff (2019-12-20). Democrats Invoke Russiagate to Advance Bill Lobbied for by Big Oil. therealnews.com Two bills that would allow the United States to expand its fossil fuel infrastructure in the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries have advanced to the the Senate—and Democrats backing them have invoked "Russiagate" to push them through.

Aaron Maté (2019-12-16). IG report exposes FBI, Congressional, and media deceit in Russia probe. thegrayzone.com A new report from DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz confirms that the FBI relied on the Steele dossier — a…

Caitlin Johnstone (2019-12-13). Someone Interfered in the UK Election, and It Wasn't Russia. theantimedia.com Hardly anyone will care because this election interference has been happening right out in the open, and was perfectly legal.

Martin Fleck (2019-12-09). On Human Rights Day, Let's Abolish Nuclear Weapons. progressive.org A nuclear war would create one of the worst humanitarian crises imaginable, one for which no nation would have an adequate emergency or health response.

Kathy Kelly (2019-12-02). Trident is the Crime. zcomm.org The U.S. nuclear weapon arsenal creates anguish, fear and futility worldwide. Yet "holy ground" exists as activists work toward abolition of nuclear weapons…

Jon Rainwater (2019-11-07). Take Action — Some actual, SANE legislation. peaceaction.org Trump has plans to spend nearly $2 TRILLION over the next 30 years on unneeded and unnecessary nuclear weapons and delivery systems. This makes no sense. This is insane. That's nearly $100 million wasted every day for thirty years on weapons we are supposed to be getting rid of. To put that amount in perspective, …

Peace Action (2019-06-25). Peace Action Endorses Ilhan Omar for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 25, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Ilhan Omar for Congress in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …

Peace Action (2019-06-24). Peace Action Endorses Kara Eastman for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 24, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Kara Eastman for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …