(2020-01-16). Roscosmos engineers develop plan to BLIND foreign spy satellites flying over Russian territory. rt.com 
Engineers at the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos have developed a plan to block foreign orbital spy satellites from operating in the skies above Russian territory, in what could mark a new era of counterintelligence. | The engineers at the Russian Space Systems Corporation, a subsidiary of Roscosmos, propose establishing a database of all known foreign orbital spy satellites to best configure an array of ground-based jamming devices. | Once this database is compiled, the agency could then decide the best location and composition for a proposed array of ground-based radio-electronic stations which suppress and p…
(2020-01-16). Russian MPs confirm Mikhail Mishustin as new prime minister after cabinet resignation. rt.com 
Mikhail Mishustin has been ratified as next Prime Minister of Russia by MPs, after a cabinet resignation on Wednesday. Vladimir Putin had earlier proposed Mishustin, formerly head of the Federal Tax Service, as a candidate. | In an overwhelming vote on Thursday, 383 lawmakers supported Mishustin's candidacy. Not a single MP cast their vote against the Prime Minister, but 41 MPs — members of Russia's Communist Party — chose to abstain, RIA Novosti reported. | Mishustin has already promised a major cabinet reshuffle, meaning that some fresh faces could emerge as new ministers. On the previous day, he h…
(2020-01-16). Amendments to Constitution aimed at reinforcing 'rule of law & welfare state' in Russia — Putin. rt.com 
The sweeping amendments proposed in the annual state-of-the-nation address don't change the basics of Russia's Constitution, but seek to turn Russia into a welfare state that embraces the rule of law, Vladimir Putin declared. | "The meaning of these amendments is to ensure the further development of Russia as a welfare state [governed by] rule of law, increase efficiency of our country's institutions," Vladimir Putin told a task group set up to lay groundwork for prospective changes to Russia's basic law. | Outlined in the annual state-of-the-nation address this Wednesday, the amendments are aimed at strengthe…
(2020-01-16). Iran is now enriching MORE uranium than before the 2015 nuclear deal — President Rouhani. rt.com 
Iran has boosted its nuclear enrichment to levels not even seen before the JCPOA deal, President Hassan Rouhani has proclaimed, shortly after the Islamic Republic accused three European nations of "selling out" to the US. | "We are enriching more uranium [than] before the deal was reached … Pressure has increased on Iran but we continue to progress," Rouhani said in a televised address on Thursday. | Tehran is now bound by "no restrictions on nuclear energy," Rouhani said, as Iran is "better off in terms of nuclear power." | Under the…
(2020-01-16). Europe caved to US 'bully' by 'selling out' nuclear deal to avoid new Trump tariffs — Zarif. rt.com 
France, Britain and Germany have betrayed the 2015 nuclear deal after being threatened with US tariffs, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has claimed, noting that Europe has lost the moral high ground. | The three European states accused Tehran of non-compliance with the accord after buckling under pressure from the United Sates, Zarif wrote in a tweet, citing a Washington Post report detailing how the White House allegedly used strong-arm tactics to force the issue. The Iranian diplomat said that the European signatories had "sold out" what was left of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA…
(2020-01-16). Who's this guy? Jeopardy contestants fail to recognize impeachment 'hero' Adam Schiff & Twitter ROFLs. rt.com 
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…
(2020-01-16). 1 killed, 1 injured after gunman opens fire inside magistrates' court in Russia's Siberia. rt.com 
One man died and a woman was seriously injured when a gunman opened fire inside a courthouse in the city of Novokuznetsk in southwestern Siberia. The suspect, who was armed with a rifle, has been apprehended. | The prosecutor's office in Kemerovo Region, where the magistrates' court is located, has launched a probe into the attempted murder. | The attack unfolded at around 9: 20am local time on Thursday. The assailant was detained at the scene and taken into custody. | A male court officer suffered a gunshot wound to his stomach in the attack and died in an ambulance en route to hospital. | A woman, who was att…
(2020-01-16). Putin Introduces Post of Deputy Chairman of Russian Security Council, Appoints Medvedev. sputniknews.com Dmitry Medvedev, who resigned as Russia's prime minister a day earlier, will remain the leader of the governing party United Russia, according to secretary of the party's General Council Andrey Turchak.
(2020-01-16). 'A Very Stable Genius': Trump Declared Himself 'Russia Expert' After Meeting Putin, New Book Claims. sputniknews.com The book is based on hundreds of hours of interviews with hundreds of sources, internal memos, and even private video recordings. The authors claim that Trump initially agreed to be interviewed by them, but later declined during his tensions with the media.
(2020-01-16). Russian Lower House Approves Mishustin's Nomination as Prime Minister. sputniknews.com The entire Russian government resigned on 15 January, with ex-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev saying this was done to enable President Vladimir Putin to implement the goals outlined in his address to the legislature.
(2020-01-16). Russian government resigns after Putin's state of the nation address. wsws.org The resignation of the widely unpopular Russian government comes amid mounting social conflict and escalating war tensions between the US and Iran which threaten to draw in the entire South Caucasus region and Russia itself.
(2020-01-16). German Defence Minister Confirms Reports of Trump's Threats to Slap EU With Higher Tariffs Over Iran. sputniknews.com Three European signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as Iran nuclear deal, initiated the accord's dispute mechanism on 14 January thus threatening to put an end to the agreement's existence following the US withdrawal from it in 2018.
(2020-01-16). S-400 For Iraq: Will Americans Be Able to Hamper the Deal? sputniknews.com Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal quoted Karim Elaiwi, a member of the Iraqi parliament's Security and Defence Committee, as saying that Baghdad was considering purchasing Russian S-400 systems amid concerns that the US may stop supporting the country.
(2020-01-16). The World as Seen by Russian Diplomats' Wives. sputniknews.com The Community of Russian Diplomats' Wives was created about two years ago in Russia and today it includes about 250 wives of Russian diplomats in some 60 countries.
(2020-01-16). Ukrainian Interior Ministry Opens Investigation Into Claims of Russia Hacking Burisma – Report. sputniknews.com On Tuesday, Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries said that the Dems would look into media reports alleging that Russian military hackers conducted cyberattacks against Ukrainian energy company Burisma.
(2020-01-16). Founding congress of the Marxist Left in Slovakia and the Transcarpathian Ukraine. peoplesdispatch.org On January 16, 1921, the Marxist Left in Slovakia and the Transcarpathian Ukraine holds its founding congress in ƒΩuboch≈àa. It was one of the forerunners of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. After the defeat of the Hungarian Soviet Republic, many revolutionary refugees arrived in Czechoslovakia and intermingled with the local political movements. The emergence of the Marxist Left originated in a split in the Slovak Social Democratic Party in 1920, among sections dissatisfied with the counterrevolutionary line of…
(2020-01-16). 'Indian, Turkish partnership can evolve new global order'. yenisafak.com Trade between Turkey and India has shown strong growth over recent years, however, both countries need to be more ambitious to increase trade and economic exchanges, Indian Ambassador to Turkey Sanjay Bhattacharyya told Anadolu Agency.Bhattacharyya, who came to Ankara in 2018, is departing after completing his term later this week. Ahead of his farewell, Indian Ambassador in a freewheeling interview spoke about several issues ranging opportunities challenges in relations with Turkey, India's issues with Pakistan, Kashmir crises, the Afghan peace process and also his country acquiring Russian-made S-400 missile de…
(2020-01-16). Russia, Turkey to bring peace to Libya: MP. yenisafak.com The joint efforts by Russia and Turkey have the potential to bring peace to conflict-hit Libya, a Russian parliamentarian said Thursday. "The format that has been found, the format that the Russian and Turkish leaders have proposed for Libya, I think is rational," Leonid Slutsky told Anadolu Agency."The fact that we managed to get the signatures of Fayez al-Sarraj in the first meeting is a great success," he said, referring to the head of Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).Commenting on the position of eastern Libya-based commander Khalifa Haftar, who took two days to decide whether to sign…
(2020-01-16). Iran accuses Europe of yielding to 'high school bully' Trump in nuclear row. yenisafak.com Iran said on Thursday three European states had succumbed to "high school bully" Donald Trump when they triggered a dispute mechanism in a nuclear pact the U.S. president opposes, a step that could eventually lead to reimposing U.N. sanctions.The pact, known as the JCPoA, was agreed in 2015 between Tehran and world powers, offering Iran relief from sanctions if it curbed its nuclear work. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed U.S. sanctions, telling Tehran he wanted a more stringent deal on nuclear and other issues.Iran has responded to the U.S. sanctions by scaling back its compliance with the deal,…
(2020-01-16). At least 313 civilians killed in Idlib since Nov. 2019 in Syria. yenisafak.com More and more civilians are losing their lives or getting displaced in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib as the regime, Iran-backed groups and Russia intensify airstrikes. | A total of 313 civilians, including 100 children, were killed, 1,843 others injured and 382,466 Syrians were forced to flee their homes since November 2019, according to data provided by the Coordinators of Interventions in Syria, a local rights group. | The strikes also targeted many civilian buildings including 48 mosques, three civil defense centers, one ambulance, nine health teams, 15 health facilities, 11 tent cities, eight water s…
(2020-01-15). Putin Engineers Shakeup That Could Keep Him in Power Longer. truthdig.com 
MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin engineered a surprise shakeup of Russia's leadership Wednesday, proposing changes to the constitution that could keep him in power well past the end of his term in 2024. | Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned his post after Putin announced the proposed constitutional amendments. Putin kept his longtime ally in the Kremlin's leadership structure, appointing him to the newly created post of deputy head of the presidential Security Council. | The shakeup sent shock waves through Russia's political elites who were left pondering what Putin's intentions were and speculating a…
(2020-01-15). Trump deal instead of Iran nuclear deal? I agree! US president gives Twitter nod to BoJo. rt.com 
Boris Johnson's suggestion that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal be replaced with a new one — named after Donald Trump — received an enthusiastic response from the US president. | "Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, stated, 'We should replace the Iran deal with the Trump deal.' I agree!" Trump proclaimed in a tweet released Wednesday. | Earlier, Johnson said he understands American concerns over the "flawed" 2015 pact with Iran, which saw the Islamic Republic dramatically reducing its nuclear program in exchange for lifting crippling economic sanctions. | Prime Minister of the United Ki…
(2020-01-15). Trump's ex-adviser Flynn moves to withdraw guilty plea in Mueller investigation — court papers. rt.com 
The former national security advisor to the US president, General Michael Flynn, has asked the court to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming Russiagate prosecutors forced him to lie and make statements they knew were untrue. | In a court filing on Tuesday, lawyers for Flynn argued that the prosecutors "concocted the alleged 'false statements'" the general was accused of making in relation to his company's violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). | "The prosecutors concocted the alleged 'false statements' by their own misrepresentations, deceit, and omissions." | The newly-released court papers st…
(2020-01-15). Fidel Castro's Message against Nuclear War: "In a Nuclear War the 'Collateral Damage' would be the Life of All Humanity." globalresearch.ca A forceful message calling for World peace and the survival of humankind.
(2020-01-15). Unintended Consequences: Did Trump Just Give the Middle East to China and Russia? globalresearch.ca By the series of actions in recent months in Iraq and across the Middle East, Washington has forced a strategic shift towards China and to an extent Russia and away from the United States. If events continue on the present …
(2020-01-15). Ceasefire Failure as Haftar Leaves Russia to Resume Military Operations in Libya. globalresearch.ca Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin made a joint statement last week regarding the civil war raging in Libya to "declare a sustainable ceasefire, supported by the necessary measures to be taken for stabilizing the situation …
(2020-01-15). Britain, France and Germany (E3) Trigger JCPOA Dispute Mechanism, a Hostile Action Against Iran. globalresearch.ca The nuclear deal dispute resolution mechanism and sanctions snapback provision can take effect if one JCPOA signatory claims another failed to meet its obligations under the deal — depending on the specific complaint, along with following required procedures. They're complicated….
(2020-01-15). Russia: Prime Minister Medvedev Resigns After Putin Speech. telesurenglish.net Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev Wednesday announced his resignation shortly after President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual State-of-the-Nation Address, in which he proposed a nationwide vote on sweeping changes in the Constitution that would shift power from the Presidency to the Chamber of Deputies. | RELATED: | Libya Talks in Russia Progress but Fail to Sign Ceasefire | Medvedev considered "correct" to present his resignation given that the constitutional amendments…
(2020-01-15). Kremlin maintains muted response to Suleimani assassination, insists on Iran nuclear deal. wsws.org An open war against Iran is likely to spread directly to the border of Russia, enflaming not only the entire Middle East but also the South Caucasus.
(2020-01-15). Iran's Rouhani Demands US, EU Troops Leave the Middle East or Face "Danger" theantimedia.com (ZH) — A day after European signatories to the Iran nuclear deal took took the drastic step of triggering the agreement's dispute resolution mechanism regulating conformity to the deal by formally notifying the EU Iran is in breach, seen as the harshest measure taken thus far given it means EU sanctions are possible, President Hassan Rouhani has responded with …
(2020-01-15). European powers move toward scrapping nuclear accord with Iran. wsws.org Berlin, London and Paris, emboldened by Tehran's weak response to the US murder of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, are escalating attacks against Iran.
(2020-01-14). Hear no evil, see no evil, print no evil? MSM warn journalists away from Burisma/Biden info after 'hack' report. rt.com 
The US political and media elite have warned any journalist who might think of publishing (or even looking at) material potentially hacked from Ukrainian gas firm Burisma that they're essentially handing 2020's election to Russia. | Burisma Holdings – the Ukrainian company where Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden's son Hunter served as a director – has been hacked, cybersecurity firm Area 1 announced on Tuesday. Area 1 has ties to both the NSA and Crowdstrike, the firm behind 2016's still-unproven "Russian hacking" allegations, and has…
(2020-01-14). Headlines for January 14, 2020. democracynow.org "It Doesn't Really Matter": Trump Changes Story on Soleimani Killing, Six Democratic Candidates Will Take Stage for Debate in Iowa Tonight, Sanders Refutes Warren's Charge That He Said a Woman Couldn't Win in 2020, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Launching New PAC to Support Progressive Democrats, Trump Plans to Divert Additional $7.2 Billion from Military Budget to Border Wall, Turkey and Russia Broker Ceasefire for Idlib, Syria, France to Send More Troops to West Africa Amid Rising Violence in Sahel, 55 Die in Avalanches in Pakistan, Study: 2019 Was Hottest Year for World's Oceans on Record, AG Barr and Apple Face Off…
(2020-01-14). Iran Welcomes "Constructive" Measures to Save Nuclear Deal. telesurenglish.net Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abbas Mousavi said Tuesday that Iran welcomes any constructive measure which aims at saving the 2015 nuclear deal. | RELATED: Trump Signed Off on Soleimani's Assassination in June | "As in the past, Iran is fully ready to receive any well-intended and constructive measures to salvage this important international deal, and it supports any initiative in this regard," Mousavi said. | "In the meantime, Iran clarifies it to all and particularly to three European parties of the deal that any breach of vows, mal-intention and unconst…
(2020-01-14). Khalifa Haftar refuses to formalize Libyan ceasefire. peoplesdispatch.org The warlord who had initially agreed to the ceasefire proposed by Russia and Turkey withdrew saying that it did not address his concerns. His rival group, the Government of National Accord, has already signed the agreement…
(2020-01-14). Pundits Go Nuts Over New Russian Hacking Conspiracy. theantimedia.com (CJ Opinion) — The New York Times reports that GRU operatives launched a successful "phishing attack" on the Ukrainian gas company at the heart of scandalous allegations about Joe Biden, and establishment pundits are falling all over themselves to tweet the hottest take on this exciting new Russia conspiracy. The story itself fails the smell test on a …
(2020-01-14). Pompeo: Killing Soleimani Part of 'Broader Strategy' Applying to China, Russia. theantimedia.com (ANTIWAR.COM) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo still has not totally abandoned the pretext that the US assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani was based on an "imminent threat," but is moving to rebrand the operation as part of a broad new strategy "that also applies to China and Russia." Pompeo set this rather disturbing claim out in …
(2020-01-09). Andrew Bacevich: The U.S. Needs to Abandon "Militarized Approach" to Middle East and Build Peace. democracynow.org 
We continue our conversation with Andrew Bacevich, president and co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. He is a retired colonel, Vietnam War veteran and author of, most recently, of "The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered Its Cold War Victory." Bacevich says the crisis with Iran, sparked by President Trump's assassination of top general Qassem Soleimani, is just the latest in a long series of ill-advised American actions in the Middle East. "The only conceivable way for us to begin to extricate ourselves from this terrible mess in the region … is to abandon this militarized approac…
(2020-01-08). Trump Announces Additional 'Punishing' Sanctions on Iran. therealnews.com 
Updated 1: 15 PM ET | U.S. President Donald Trump made a statement Wednesday morning at 11: 30 AM EST and announced that Iran "appears to be standing down" following strikes on U.S. air bases in Iraq. He said there were no American or Iraqi casualties resulting from the attacks. | Trump said that while the U.S. was evaluating its options, it would "immediately impose additional punishing sanctions" against Iran until it "changes its behavior." He called Iran the "leading sponsor of terrorism" and repeatedly said that he would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Since 2017, the Trump administration has impose…
(2020-01-04). Trump's march to war on Iran aided by Democrats' weakness on sanctions, nuclear deal. thegrayzone.com The US assassination of Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian military commander, is the culmination of three years of Trump administration…
(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…
(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 …
(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, …
(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 …
(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 …