2021-01-20: News Headlines

_____ (2021-01-21). How use of drones to secure borders threatens all our rights. truepublica.org.uk A new report published by Drone Wars UK investigates the increasing use of military-style drones by governments to patrol state borders. The study, which examines the use of drones at the borders of the UK, EU, US, Russia, China, Australia and elsewhere, concludes that drones are contributing to the militarisation of everyday borders as part …

M.K. Bhadrakumar (2021-01-20). U.S. makes aggressive opening move on Russian chessboard. mronline.org A regime change project in Russia was launched on Sunday with the return of political activist Alexei Navalny to Moscow. It was a highly symbolic event—except that Navalny was traveling by an airplane from Germany and not in a sealed train.

The Guardian (2021-01-20). Parler Back Online Thanks to Servers in Russia. anti-empire.com Parler, the social network popular with The network vanished from the internet after it was

John Laforge (2021-01-20). Treaty Banning the Ultimate Weapon of Mass Destruction Enters into Force. counterpunch.org The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) takes effect Friday, January 22, 2021. After decades of campaigns of every kind to "ban the bomb," to prevent the nuclear arms race, to freeze the arms race, humankind finally has a global treaty. The nuclear weapons prohibition outlaws not just their development, testing and possession,

oneworld.press (2021-01-20). . oneworld.press Serbian student Luka Stevanovich studies law and is looking forward to taking up a master's degree programme at St Petersburg State University.

oneworld.press (2021-01-20). . oneworld.press Serbian student Luka Stevanovich studies law and is looking forward to taking up a master's degree programme at St Petersburg State University.

oneworld.press (2021-01-20). Sweden Doesn't Need To Join NATO To Be A Security Threat To Russia. oneworld.press Sweden's growing ties with NATO over the past half-dozen years make many observers wonder whether the Nordic country will soon join the transatlantic bloc, but it actually doesn't even have to do so formally since it's already a de facto member considering its close security cooperation with it, which means that Sweden is still a security threat to Russia despite not crossing Moscow's red line of officially joining NATO.

Peoples Dispatch (2021-01-20). China urges US to rejoin Iran nuclear deal. peoplesdispatch.org Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying urged the incoming Biden administration to rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) "as early as possible" and without any preconditions…

Seyed Hossein Mousavian (2021-01-20). Nine Hurdles to Reviving the Iran Nuclear Deal. globalresearch.ca Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on January 8 that Tehran was in no rush for the United States to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but, he also said, …

oneworld.press (2021-01-20). Sweden Doesn't Need To Join NATO To Be A Security Threat To Russia. oneworld.press Sweden's growing ties with NATO over the past half-dozen years make many observers wonder whether the Nordic country will soon join the transatlantic bloc, but it actually doesn't even have to do so formally since it's already a de facto member considering its close security cooperation with it, which means that Sweden is still a security threat to Russia despite not crossing Moscow's red line of officially joining NATO.

South Front (2021-01-19). Video: Democracy in Deep Space: US Space Force to Get Nuclear Reactors. globalresearch.ca US President Donald Trump can be considered guilty of many things, but he can't be considered guilty of not attempting to preserve the fruits of his labor. | This can be seen in the maximum pressure campaign against Iran, his endless …

M. K. Bhadrakumar (2021-01-19). US Makes Aggressive Opening Move on Russian Chessboard. globalresearch.ca A regime change project in Russia was launched on Sunday with the return of political activist Alexei Navalny to Moscow. It was a highly symbolic event — except that Navalny was travelling by an aeroplane from Germany and not in …

Kenneth Rapoza (2021-01-19). With Russia's Help, China Becomes Plastics Making Power in Pandemic. anti-empire.com After giving up on recycling — American recycling that is — China is still in love with the plastics biz. In fact, their companies are becoming dominant in all things plastic, one of the most important supply chains in the world. | In other words, it will be yet another segment in global business that the world will need Chinese companies to get supply. | The pandemic has helped the petrochemicals industry make up for losses in oil and gas demand. Plastics are tied to the fossil fuels industry. Stay-at-home orders throughout the U.S. and Europe has led to more take-out food orders and a lot of that is…

MEE and agencies (2021-01-19). Covid-19: Palestinians to receive first batch of Russian vaccine by weekend. middleeasteye.net Covid-19: Palestinians to receive first batch of Russian vaccine by weekend | The Palestinian health ministry has approved Sputnik V vaccine for domestic use, making it 'the first country in the Middle East' to do so | Tue, 01/19/2021 – 14: 15 | Palestinian health workers collect random swab samples from people to test for the Covid-19 coronavirus in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on 1…

Om Marathe (2021-01-19). Russia Withdraws From Open Skies Treaty After US Departure. anti-empire.com In what experts fear could lead to growing mistrust between global powers, Russia on Friday announced that it was leaving the Open Skies Treaty (OST), an accord between over 30 countries that allows participants to fly unarmed reconnaissance flights over any part of their fellow member states. | In November, the United States left the OST first after accusing Russia of violating the pact— allegations that Russia denied. Moscow has now blamed Washington for its own decision of leaving the treaty. | What is the Open Skies Treaty?: | First proposed in 1955 by former US President Dwight Eisenhower as a…

The Babylon Bee (2021-01-19). 'Skynet Is a Private Company, They Can Do What They Want,' Says Man Getting Curb-Stomped by Terminator. anti-empire.com Cyberdyne Systems has recently launched its artificial intelligence program called Skynet. Soon after activation, Skynet became self-aware and immediately launched a nuclear attack on all humans and sent legions of lethal cybernetic machines to exterminate all remaining humans. This has sparked an intense backlash with many calling for Skynet to be shut down, while others have been quick to defend the genocidal program. | "Skynet was created by a private company, and private companies can do whatever they want," said social media influencer Kathryn Schroder. "If you don't want cold, heartless, killer robots de…

RT (2021-01-19). Kremlin rejects Navalny allegation that Putin has secret Black Sea palace complete with casino, theater & private striptease bar. rt.com Russian President Vladimir Putin does not have an opulent private estate on the country's Black Sea coast, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted on Tuesday, in response to allegations from anti-corruption campaigner Alexey Navalny. | Responding to claims that a luxury pile in the resort town of Gelendzhik belonged to the president, Peskov said that "in reality, this is not true." He added that the Kremlin had not reviewed a new tranche of allegations around Putin's supposed personal wealth, but that he was able to dismiss them in the same way he has in the past. | | © palace.navalny.com | "I can say stra…

Andrew Korybko (2021-01-19). Why Did Alexei Navalny Return to the Same Country that He Claimed Tried to Kill Him? globalresearch.ca Russian anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny inexplicably decided to return to the same country that he claimed had unsuccessfully tried to kill him, curiously timing his trip to coincide with the immediate run-up to Biden's inauguration in what some suspect is …

_____ (2021-01-19). Billboards Inform That The Nuclear Ban Treaty Takes Effect. popularresistance.org Beginning January 18th, four billboards around Puget Sound will display the following paid public service announcement (PSA): NUCLEAR WEAPONS BANNED BY NEW U.N. TREATY; Get them out of Puget Sound! Included in the advertisement is a U.S. Navy photo of the Trident submarine USS Henry M. Jackson returning to port following a routine strategic deterrent patrol. | The ad seeks to inform citizens in the Puget Sound region of the pending entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and also asks citizens to accept their role and responsibility — as taxpayers, as members of a democr…

_____ (2021-01-19). Veteran Celebrates Nuclear Ban Treaty. popularresistance.org As a veteran concerned about issues of war and peace, I am happy to celebrate the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), the important new international peace initiative. The "Nuclear Ban Treaty," as it is also known, was approved 122-1 by the UN General Assembly in July 2017, a clear expression of the will of the world's people. On October 24, 2020, Honduras became the 50th nation to ratify the TPNW, triggering a 90-day period before it goes into force, on January 22. | The International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) was awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for its leadershi…

sputniknews (2021-01-19). Lloyd Austin Says Will Review US Force Presence in Mideast to Address Russia, China Challenges. sputniknews.com The confirmation hearing for Gen. Lloyd Auston, President-elect Joe Biden's pick to head the Pentagon, took place before the Senate Armed Services Committee on January 19, one day before Biden's inauguration.

sputniknews (2021-01-19). US Defense Chief Nominee Claims Russia Should Be Held Accountable for Recent Cyber Attack. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON, January 20 (Sputnik) – US Defense Secretary nominee Gen. Lloyd Austin said during a Senate confirmation hearing that Russia should be held responsible if found to be the culprit behind the recent cyber attack against the IT company SolarWinds.

WSWS (2021-01-19). Ukraine begs Europe for coronavirus vaccine. wsws.org While still providing military backing to the Kiev government in its ongoing civil war with Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, US and European imperialism have refused to provide even minimal vaccine assistance to the poorest country in Europe.

Paul Craig Roberts (2021-01-19). America's First Revolution Is Happening Now. thealtworld.com Hear me out and you will understand the title. | There is a difference between a rebellion and a revolution. A rebellion is what occurred in the thirteen colonies in the late 18th century. A revolution is what occurred in Russia in 1917. | A rebellion occurred in the colonies, because the subjects of the king in the colonies were treated differently constitutionally and in law from subjects of the king in England. The colonists had no representation in Parliament and no voice in how they were ruled. | The rebellion resulted in political independence but not in a change in the belief system. The colonists held to…

Thierry Meyssan (2021-01-19). After the USSR, the USA collapses. thealtworld.com Everything has an end, so do empires, both the United States and the Soviet Union. Washington has outrageously favoured a small camarilla of ultra-billionaires. Now it has to face its old demons, prepare for secession and civil war. | Each of the two camps that are fighting in the United States, the Jacksonians and the Neopuritans, wants to end the other. The former speak of insurrection, while the latter want repression, but all are preparing for confrontation. So much so that two thirds of the citizens are preparing for Civil War. | The Jacksonian point of view: | The Jacksonians take their name from Pr…

RT (2021-01-18). New Japanese PM hints at end to dispute with Russia over Kuril Islands that's kept the two countries technically at war since 1945. rt.com Yoshihide Suga, Japan's new prime minister, has told his country's parliament that an end to its long-running territorial row with Russia might soon be in sight, potentially signaling closer ties between the two nations. | Speaking at the opening of the parliamentary session on Monday, Suga said the over half-a-century-long diplomatic tensions over the Kuril Islands, "should not be passed on to future generations." The prime minister added that "there should now be a final resolution to it… We will move forward on the basis of previous agreements between the two countries." Later on that day, Russia's Foreig…

RT (2021-01-18). Ukrainian Railways records losses of up to $500 million after Moscow-Kiev train connection is closed due to Covid-19. rt.com The lack of railway connection between Moscow and Kiev has so severely affected the state-owned Ukrainian Railways company that its losses may have reached around 14 billion hryvnia ($500 million) in 2020 alone. | That's according to CEO Vladimir Zhmak, who told the Ukraine 24 TV channel that the Kiev-Moscow route was one of its most profitable. In 2019, four of his companies top five money-making destinations were in Russia, helping to subsidise many uneconomical domestic services. | Rail service between the countries was suspended in March 2020 and has subsequently left a considerable hole in the state budge…

Hannah McCarthy (2021-01-18). Peace in Nagorno-Karabakh Remains Fragile, With Key Issues Unresolved. counterpunch.org As Armenia ends its annual two-week holiday period, the mood in the country is sombre. The former Soviet state is continuing to reckon with its losses from the six-week war it waged last year with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. The Nagorno-Karabakh region, or Artsakh to Armenians, lies within Azerbaijan's international border. However, up until last year,

teleSUR (2021-01-18). Argentina Begins To Distribute the Second Dose of Sputnik V. telesurenglish.net Argentina began on Monday the distribution of 300,000 Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines to complete the vaccination of those who received the first dose on December 29. | RELATED: | As of Friday, this South American nation had applied 200,759 out of 300,000 doses of the Russian vaccine it received last year. | The national vaccination campaign's first stage is focused on citizens between the ages of 18 and 59 who work in hospitals,…

Paul Antonopoulos (2021-01-18). Meeting Between Moldovan and Ukrainian Leaders Was to Coordinate Actions Against Russia. globalresearch.ca The visit of Moldovan President Maia Sandu to Ukraine last week is the first interaction between the two neighboring countries at the highest level in recent years. For Sandu, this trip became her foreign policy premiere since she became president …

Caitlin Johnstone (2021-01-18). What 'Democracy' Is Under Attack? Notes From The Edge Of The Narrative Matrix. thealtworld.com To stop the exacerbation of Trumpism the talking heads are recommending internet censorship, regulations on media, new domestic terror laws, literally anything they can possibly think of except changing the conditions which gave rise to Trumpism. | ‚ùñ | The most imminent threat to US democracy is not Russia, nor fascist insurrectionists, but the fact that US democracy is entirely fictional. | Saying US democracy is being threatened is like saying Grinches are a critically endangered species. | ‚ùñ | The previous president intervened in the primary to appoint his right-hand…

news.un (2021-01-18). UN rights office 'deeply troubled' by Russian activist Aleksei Navalny's arrest. news.un.org The UN human rights office (OHCHR) have raised alarm over the arrest of Russian opposition activist Aleksei Navalny and called for his immediate release. The office said in a tweet that they were "deeply troubled" by the arrest and called on the Government to respect his right to legal due process.

sputniknews (2021-01-18). Four People Missing After Avalanche at Ski Resort in Russia Found Alive – Emergency Services. sputniknews.com PYATIGORSK (Sputnik) – Four of the people missing after an avalanche in Russia's Dombay have been found alive, local emergency services have announced.

Ecumenical Peace Institute (2021-01-18). Friday 1/22: Vigil Opposing Nuclear Weapons. indybay.org UC Berkeley West Gate lawn, Oxford & Addison…

oneworld.press (2021-01-18). Medvedev To Americans: 'Only You Can Put Aside Your National Selfishness'! oneworld.press Former Russian President, Prime Minister, and current Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev published a scathing analysis over the weekend about America's electoral system, the dystopian censorship role that Big Tech has appointed itself to play in the country's political process, and the global consequences of the resultant turmoil, which concludes with the exhortation that "only Americans themselves can decide whether to put aside their national selfishness and launch the voting system reform, and, consequently, the reform of political life, or not."

Manlio Dinucci (2021-01-17). Thirty Years Ago: The Gulf War. globalresearch.ca Thirty years ago, in the early hours of January 17, 1991, Operation "Desert Storm" began in the Persian Gulf, this war against Iraq opened the sequence of wars after the Cold War. The USA and its allies launched it at …