Putin meets Johnson in Berlin, but UK PM says 'no normalization of relations'
rt.com | 2020-01-19
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the Libya peace conference in Berlin. Johnson used the opportunity to state it outright to Putin that there will be "no normalization" of bilateral relations between Moscow and London. | The UK PM then demanded Russia end what he called "destabilizing activity" that supposedly threatens the UK, its citizens and allies, though he did not elaborate what exactly he meant by that. Instead, Johnson once again referred to the Salisbury poisoning case, which London has been blaming on Moscow without providing it…
rt.com/newsline/478664-putin-johnson-meet-libya-conference/

Berlin peace talks: In war-torn Libya, can intl community help finish what Russia & Turkey started?
rt.com | 2020-01-19
Talks in Berlin between warring Libyan factions could finally deliver a lasting ceasefire after a decade of chaos ushered in by NATO regime change there. Could the mediation efforts, kick-started by Moscow and Ankara, bear fruit? | All eyes in Europe and beyond are set on Berlin, as PM Fayez al-Sarraj of the Government of National Accord (GNA) and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA) arrive on Sunday for peace talks hosted by Germany and attended by representatives from 11 countries, including Russia's Vladimir Putin. | The GNA has been internationally recognized since 2015, but Hafta…
rt.com/news/478573-libya-berlin-conference-ceasefire/

Putin & Erdogan set stage for Libya peace talks at Berlin meeting (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-01-19
The Libyan peace talks in Berlin were yet to begin, but Russia's Vladimir Putin and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan already voiced their positions on the conflict, Erdogan speaking against Haftar and Putin calling for dialogue. | As the two presidents met ahead of the Sunday conference, Erdogan was direct in showing his animosity towards Libya's Khalifa Haftar, whose forces have been closing in on the UN-backed government in Tripoli. | "Haftar has proven himself to be in favor of a military solution [to the conflict]. Here in Berlin, the ceasefire must be confirmed. Haftar's aggressive behavior must be stopped s…
rt.com/news/478652-putin-erdogan-set-stage-berlin/

'Where's Putin?' World leaders can't start Berlin conference photo-op without Russian president (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-01-19
Leaders gathering for Libya peace talks in Berlin attempted to take a group photo as the summit got underway, but the photo-op was momentarily delayed as no one could seem to find Russian President Vladimir Putin. | The awkward 'Where's Putin?' moment was captured on video as other leaders shuffled around trying to locate the Russian president. | German Chancellor Angela Merkel looked particularly perturbed by Putin's absence, turning around to look for him multiple times and pointing toward the empty spot where he should have been standing. | French President Emmanuel Macron then joined the search, looking…
rt.com/news/478659-putin-berlin-libya-talks-photo/

'Where's Putin?' World leaders can't start Berlin conference photo-op without Russian president (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-01-19
Leaders gathering for Libya peace talks in Berlin attempted to take a group photo as the summit got underway, but the photo-op was momentarily delayed as no one could seem to find Russian President Vladimir Putin. | The awkward 'Where's Putin?' moment was captured on video as other leaders shuffled around trying to locate the Russian president. | German Chancellor Angela Merkel looked particularly perturbed by Putin's absence, turning around to look for him multiple times and pointing toward the empty spot where he should have been standing. | French President Emmanuel Macron then joined the search, looking…
rt.com/news/478659-putin-berlin-libya-talks-photo/

Iran Two Years Away From a Nuclear Bomb, Documents Talk for Themselves – Israeli Analyst
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-19
Israel doesn't believe the Iranian claims that their nuclear programme is peaceful, says an Israeli analyst. Although Israel has the right to defend itself, Ephraim Asculai still believes it would have been better if the two countries sat down for talks.
sputniknews.com/analysis/202001191078075999-iran-two-years-away-from-a-nuclear-bomb-documents-talk-for-themselves/

Putin on Western Attempts to Rewrite History: We Need to Do Everything Possible to Preserve Truth
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-19
Earlier in January, the Polish parliament adopted a resolution declaring that the Soviet Union carries equal responsibility with Nazi Germany for the beginning of World War II.
sputniknews.com/world/202001191078077464-putin-on-western-attempts-to-rewrite-history/

Former Russian Prime Minister Medvedev Says to Remain Chair of United Russia Ruling Party
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-19
On 15 January, Dmitry Medvedev unexpectedly resigned hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced sweeping changes to the Constitution and a revamped approach to managing the country's economy.
sputniknews.com/russia/202001191078076191-medvedev-says-to-remain-chair-of-united-russia-ruling-party/

US Director on Russian Affairs at NSC Leaves Post Amid Pending Investigation – Reports
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-19
sputniknews.com/us/202001191078076043-us-director-on-russian-affairs-at-nsc-leaves-post-amid-pending-investigation-reports/

Russian tech giant Yandex wants to expand car-sharing service across Europe
rt.com | 2020-01-19
Russia's Yandex, which runs a popular car-sharing service in the country, is planning to expand across Europe this year, the tech company has revealed. | "We are considering such an opportunity," Dmitry Gorchakov, Yandex's head of geolocation services PR told RT. | It was earlier reported that the firm could make up to 1,000 electric vehicles available to rent. While the exact city where Yandex is going to test launch the project is not clear, Anton Ryazanov, chief of Yandex.Drive, told the Financial Times that the company is eyeing Madrid and Copenhagen, as well as cities in France and Italy. | Also on rt.com…
rt.com/business/478130-russian-yandex-europe-carsharing/

Russians Celebrate Epiphany by Bathing in Icy Waters – Photos
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-19
On 19 January, Eastern Orthodox believers worldwide celebrate Epiphany, marking the baptism of Jesus Christ, which is usually accompanied by bathing in icy cold water. In Russia, however, the holiday often takes place under extreme weather conditions.
sputniknews.com/russia/202001191078077881-russians-celebrate-epiphany-by-bathing-in-icy-waters-photos/

Putin's Now Purged the West from the Kremlin. Medvedev Cabinet dissolved
Tom Luongo | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-19
It came as the biggest shock of the day on Wednesday. The Russian government resigned. The day before President Vladimir Putin gave his State of the Nation address and outlined a slate of constitutional changes. | That speech prompted an overhaul …
globalresearch.ca/putin-purged-west-kremlin/5700995

Iran to Review Cooperation with Int'l Nuclear Watchdog In Case of 'Unjust' Steps by EU – Reports
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-19
The European parties to the Iranian nuclear deal earlier launched a dispute resolution mechanism under the agreement, a process that could entail the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran.
sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001191078075865-iran-to-review-its-cooperation-with-intl-nuclear-watchdog-in-case-of-unjust-steps-by-eu—reports/

German FM blasts US policy on Iran, says Europe wants to prevent 'firestorm' in Middle East without regime change
rt.com | 2020-01-19
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that, instead of following the US' maximum pressure campaign against Iran, the EU will stick to diplomacy in order to avoid further escalation of tensions in the region. | The US and Europe have a "different approach" to Iran and the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for its nuclear program, Maas told Bild am Sonntag newspaper, in an interview published on Saturday. | "While the US unilaterally abandoned the nuclear agreement and imposed maximum pressure [on Tehran], we want to achieve progress through negotiations. France, Britain and Germany want to keep…
rt.com/news/478646-heiko-maas-iran-policy/

German Foreign Minister Lashes Out at US Over Its Max Pressure Policy Towards Iran
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-19
Tensions between Tehran and Washington, which have been growing since Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, peaked this January following the killing of the Islamic Republic's top commander Qasem Soleimani. Following the assassination, Germany and other European countries reiterated their calls for avoiding escalation.
sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001191078077556-german-foreign-minister-lashes-out-at-us-iran/

Iran will review cooperation with IAEA if Europe takes 'unjust measures' over nuclear deal
rt.com | 2020-01-19
Tehran will review its cooperation with the global nuclear watchdog IAEA if the EU introduces "unjust" steps over the 2015 nuclear deal, which was first abandoned by the US, Iran's parliament speaker has warned. | Britain, France and Germany formally launched a process, charging Iran with failing to comply with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on its nuclear program. | Speaker of Iran's parliament, Ali Larijani, called the decision "unfortunate." | "We clearly announce that if Europe, for any reason, uses Article 37 of the nuclear agreement unfairly, then Iran will make a serious decision re…
rt.com/news/478635-iran-will-review-cooperation-iaea/

Erdogan, Putin meet ahead of Berlin conference on Libya
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-19
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting ahead of the Berlin conference on the Libyan peace.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will co-host the Berlin conference, which will seek a stronger commitment from the world powers and regional actors to non-interference in Libya to genuinely support the cease-fire and adhere to the UN's arms embargo.Since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: one in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and the other i…
yenisafak.com/en/world/erdogan-putin-meet-ahead-of-berlin-conference-on-libya-3509976

Erdogan urges Libya's Haftar to end aggressive stance
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-19
Ahead of Libya conference in Berlin, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Berlin conference should ensure a cease-fire and political dialogue for Libyan peace."It should be ensured that a cease-fire and return to political process are agreed at the Berlin summit in order for Libya to attain peace and calm," Erdogan said in Berlin during the televised part of the meeting with Putin.Erdogan also said: "[Gen. Khalifa] Haftar's aggressive attitudes must end to implement the phase of political process and solution [in Libya].""Joint efforts on Libya provided relative…
yenisafak.com/en/news/erdogan-urges-libyas-haftar-to-end-aggressive-stance-3509977

Azerbaijan remembers Jan. 20 tragedy with sorrow, pride
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-19
Azerbaijan recalls the tragedy of Jan. 20, also called Black January, with sorrow and pride, the country's ambassador to Turkey said.Regarded as the rebirth of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Black January violent crackdown witnessed the massacre of more than 130 people and wounding of hundreds of civilians by the Soviet army in Baku and surrounding areas Jan. 20, 1990, on the eve of the country's independence. Mass arrests accompanied the illegal deployment of troops and subsequent military intervention.Marking the 30th anniversary of the tragedy and remembering the violence Azerbaijan witnessed prior to the breakup…
yenisafak.com/en/news/azerbaijan-remembers-jan-20-tragedy-with-sorrow-pride-3509970

Putin: Don't lose hope that Libya conflict will be solved
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-19
"We don't lose hope that dialogue will continue and the conflict will be solved," Putin said before meeting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the conference.Putin said that Russia and Turkey had taken a "very good step" by urging Libyan factions to stop fighting, adding that large military actions had been stopped in Libya.
yenisafak.com/en/news/putin-dont-lose-hope-that-libya-conflict-will-be-solved-3509979

Nuclear Weapons: Trump Regime Pressured E3 Countries (UK, France, Germany) to Trigger JCPOA Dispute Mechanism
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-18
Post-WW II, Washington transformed Western European countries into virtual US colonies

Defender and spearheads
Victor Grossman | mronline.org | 2020-01-17
Troop movements today promise anything but peace. Every two years military maneuvers encircle Russian borders; every nine months a new brigade of 4500 U.S. soldiers was flown over to "gain experience". This year it will be a division of 20,000, joined by soldiers from 18 countries, 37,000 in all. | Source…
mronline.org/2020/01/17/defender-and-spearheads/

Police criticised for the 'chilling effect' of including environmental groups in counter-terror documents
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-01-17
Police have defended their inclusion of environmental groups such as Extinction Rebellion in counter-terrorism documents, in the face of criticism it could have a "chilling effect" on people.The Guardian reported that a 24-page policing document it had seen included Greenpeace, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and other non-violent groups, as well as extremist right-wing proscribed groups such as National Action.It said the document was distributed to teachers and medical staff as part of anti-extremism briefings last year.Deputy assistant commissioner Dean Haydon, senior national co-ordinator for the U…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2020/01/17/police-criticised-for-the-chilling-effect-of-including-environmental-groups-in-counter-terror-documents/

Trump Calls for New Iran Nuclear Deal that Renders the Country Defenseless
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-17
Last week, Trump called for a new Iran nuclear deal, claiming: | "(W)e must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place (sic)." | That's precisely the JCPOA's aim

America's Long History of Meddling in Russia
Ted Rall | counterpunch.org | 2020-01-17
Russia

The Rumbling Methane Enigma
Robert Hunziker | counterpunch.org | 2020-01-17
The northern continental shelves of Russia, inclusive of the Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea and East Siberian Sea (ESAS) are some of the least researched yet most controversial subjects in climate science today. It's the one region that has the biggest potential to trigger runaway global warming because of sizeable subsea methane deposits, thereby taking civilization down to its knees. But, that prospect is also extremely controversial within the scientific community.
counterpunch.org/2020/01/17/the-rumbling-methane-enigma/

Iraq Set to Buy Russian S-400 Air Defense System and Assert Its Sovereignty
Steven Sahiounie | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-17
Iran attacked US forces stationed at two bases in Iraq with 15 missiles on January 8th, but it does not appear missile defense systems were used to counter them. Eric Gomez, a missile defense policy analyst at the Cato …
globalresearch.ca/iraq-buy-russian-s-400-air-defense-system/5700888

The Rumbling Methane Enigma
Robert Hunziker | counterpunch.org | 2020-01-17
The northern continental shelves of Russia, inclusive of the Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea and East Siberian Sea (ESAS) are some of the least researched yet most controversial subjects in climate science today. It's the one region that has the biggest potential to trigger runaway global warming because of sizeable subsea methane deposits, thereby taking civilization down to its knees. But, that prospect is also extremely controversial within the scientific community.
counterpunch.org/2020/01/17/the-rumbling-methane-enigma/

The Rumbling ESAS Methane Enigma
Robert Hunziker | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-01-17
The northern continental shelves of Russia, inclusive of the Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea and East Siberian Sea (ESAS) are some of the least researched yet most controversial subjects in climate science today. It's the one region that has the biggest potential to trigger runaway global warming because of sizeable subsea methane deposits, thereby …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/01/the-rumbling-esas-methane-enigma/

Turkey Cuts Deal with Russia, Intensifying the War for Gas in Libya
Staff | therealnews.com | 2020-01-17
Turkey sent Syrian fighters to Libya to back the government and keep its control of offshore natural gas reserves. Egypt, Russia, ExxonMobil, Israel, and Greece are expanding Libya's civil war in a fight over control of the natural gas that Europe needs.
therealnews.com/stories/turkey-cuts-deal-with-russia-intensifying-the-war-for-gas-in-libya

The TEPCO Trial: Prosecution and Acquittal after Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Meltdown
Prof. David T. Johnson | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-17
On September 19, 2019, a panel of three professional judges in the Tokyo District Court acquitted three former executives of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The defendants were former chairman Katsumata Tsunehisa (79), and former vice presidents Takekuro Ichiro …
globalresearch.ca/reflections-tepco-trial-prosecution-acquittal-japan-nuclear-meltdown/5700906

Washington continues war buildup against Iran
wsws.org | 2020-01-17
Another squadron of F15-E fighter jets has been dispatched to the region, while the threat of a "nuclear option" is on the table.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/17/iran-j17.html

Prospects for Peace in the Ukraine Conflict
Brendan Oswald | progressive.org | 2020-01-16
The war started as a land grab, with Russia taking advantage of disarray in the Ukrainian state and armed forces in the weeks following the Euromaidan revolution.
progressive.org/dispatches/prospects-for-peace-in-the-ukraine-conflict-oswald-200116/

Putin Proposes Sweeping Changes to Russian Constitution, Possibly Prolonging His Grip on Power
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-01-16
In Russia, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned Wednesday along with his entire Cabinet in a move that surprised many in Moscow and abroad. The move came as Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed sweeping constitutional changes to expand the power of the parliament and the State Council while weakening the presidency. Critics of Putin say the proposals could help him keep power after his final presidential term ends in 2024. The Russian parliament is expected to vote today to confirm Putin's pick for new prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, a bureaucrat who runs Russia's tax service. The Russian newspaper Kom…
www.democracynow.org/2020/1/16/russia_putin_medvedev_tony_wood

Soleimani Fallout Continues to Produce Diplomatic Dividends for Russia
Padraig McGrath | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-16
Ahead of this year's Munich Security Conference, due to begin on February 14th, its chairman Wolfgang Ischinger praised what he called President Putin's "method" concerning security-issues in the Middle East. Talking to the ZDF television channel on January 13th, Ischinger …
globalresearch.ca/soleimani-fallout-continues-produce-diplomatic-dividends-russia/5700843

Putin Proposes Sweeping Changes to Russian Constitution, Possibly Prolonging His Grip on Power
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-01-16
In Russia, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned Wednesday along with his entire Cabinet in a move that surprised many in Moscow and abroad. The move came as Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed sweeping constitutional changes to expand the power of the parliament and the State Council while weakening the presidency. Critics of Putin say the proposals could help him keep power after his final presidential term ends in 2024. The Russian parliament is expected to vote today to confirm Putin's pick for new prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, a bureaucrat who runs Russia's tax service. The Russian newspaper Kom…
www.democracynow.org/2020/1/16/russia_putin_medvedev_tony_wood

Who's this guy? Jeopardy contestants fail to recognize impeachment 'hero' Adam Schiff & Twitter ROFLs
rt.com | 2020-01-16
Rep. Adam Schiff might be leading an impeachment drive in the US, but it seems not everybody is familiar with the 'resistance' hero. At least, his photo did not ring any bells for contestants on the latest Jeopardy episode. | Schiff, a prominent Russiagater whose fame among the anti-Trump resistance camp reached new heights amid the ongoing Ukrainegate saga, might be a household name on Capitol Hill, but the question remains: Is the same true for the rest of the country outside of the Washington political swamp? If the classic trivia game show is any indication, it is not. | Just a reminder we live in a bubble…
rt.com/usa/478389-schiff-jeopardy-impeachment-hero/

Russia: A Groundbreaking Powershift?
Peter Koenig | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-01-16
In groundbreaking news President Putin announced today, 15 January, in his annual address to the Nation, major changes in his government. First, he announced that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his entire cabinet resigned and will eventually be replaced by a new PM and a new cabinet. A timeline was not given. In the meantime, …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/01/russia-a-groundbreaking-powershift/

The Afro-Eurasia Proposal Would be a Timely Alternative to the US Sponsored "Indo-Pacific"
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-16
Russia's repeated rejection of the US' 'Indo-Pacific' concept that Foreign Minister Lavrov claims is a ruse for "containing China" highlights just how urgently it is that a more inclusive and non-hostile trans-regional integration alternative emerges, which can be embodied by …
globalresearch.ca/afro-eurasia-alternative-indo-pacific/5700807

Iran's Rouhani Demands US, EU Troops Leave the Middle East or Face "Danger"
Tyler Durden | theantimedia.com | 2020-01-15
(ZH)

Americans Are Ready for a Different Approach to Nuclear Weapons
Lawrence Wittner | zcomm.org | 2019-12-22
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…
zcomm.org/zblogs/americans-are-ready-for-a-different-approach-to-nuclear-weapons/

Seemingly Coordinated ISIS/al-Qaeda Attacks On Syrian Oil/Gas Fields & US' Russia/Libya Hypocrisy
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-12-22
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 …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/seemingly-coordinated-isis-al-qaeda-attacks-on-syrian-oil-gas-fields-us-russia-libya-hypocrisy/