2021-01-27: News Headlines

Stephanie Pavlick (2021-01-28). After landmark international treaty, anti-nuclear demonstrators rally in Pittsburgh. liberationnews.org On Jan. 22, a broad coalition of organizations including PSL Pittsburgh, ANSWER Coalition, the Green Party of Allegheny County, Code Pink, and others joined for a rally and speakout at the PNC Bank headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh. This action was the latest in years of work on the part of local activists in a movement …

Tom Rodgers (2021-01-27). Witnessing "Camp Auschwitz" in the US Capitol Implores us to Remember "the Forgotten Holocaust" of the Roma. counterpunch.org On January 27, 1945, a detachment of the Red Army's 322nd Rifle Division entered what appeared to be a hastily abandoned labor camp. "Arbeit Macht Frei" was cast into the gates, "work sets you free." The Soviet troops were about to confront the horrors of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where the Nazis had made genocide a national industry.

RT (2021-01-27). Doomsday Clock poised at 100 seconds to midnight, scientists cite nuclear arms race & 'online lying' as threats. rt.com The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists' "Doomsday Clock" — a construct representing the threats to humanity from the nuclear to the natural — remains in the red at 100 seconds to midnight for 2021, its proprietors have warned. | The scientists released their While the clock's hands haven…

Marilyn Bechtel (2021-01-27). Treaty to ban all nuclear weapons is now international law. peoplesworld.org A major milestone on the long road to ridding the world entirely of nuclear weapons was reached on Jan. 22, as the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons officially became part of international law. That road began Jan. 24, 1946, when the newly formed United Nations adopted its very first resolution, just …

Staff (2021-01-27). For Peace With North Korea, Biden Must End the US-South Korea Military Exercises. truthout.org One of the thorniest foreign policy challenges the Biden administration will need to face is a nuclear-armed North Korea. Talks between the U.S. and North Korea have been stalled since 2019, and North Korea has continued to develop its weapons arsenal, recently As a retired U.S. Army Colonel and U.S. diplomat with 40 years…

RT (2021-01-27). Moscow issues hefty fines to US state-run media RFERL for failure to declare 'foreign agent' status on material aimed at Russians. rt.com Russia's national media watchdog has slapped a media outlet funded and controlled by the US Government with a large fine, after it was found to have failed to declare its links with Washington to audiences, as required by law. | Roskomnadzor, the country's press regulator,

Melvin Goodman (2021-01-27). China: Enemy Du Jour? But Why? counterpunch.org Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States has not faced an existential threat—nothing to justify the trillions of dollars given to the Pentagon to maintain military predominance over the entire global community. The United States requires a foil for its foreign policy declarations and for maintaining the allegiance of the U.S. citizenry. Has China become that foil?

Vijay Prashad (2021-01-27). Why We Can't Give Up on the Idea of a World Free From Nuclear Weapons. zcomm.org Public opinion, even in many NATO states, favors a total ban on nuclear weapons…

Dove of Peace (2021-01-27). End of Anti-Russian Electioneering; Palestinian Funding Restored. indybay.org One week after the Inauguration, Pres. Biden called Pres. Putin to extend the START nuclear arms control treaty, due to expire 2/5/21. Pres. Biden's administration also announced restoration of relations with Palestine and aid to Palestinians.

Howard Lisnoff (2021-01-27). At the End of the Barrel of a Gun: From Voluntown, Connecticut to D.C. counterpunch.org Understanding the attack against antiwar activists and protesters at "The Farm" in Voluntown, Connecticut in late August 1968, without the larger context of the antinuclear and antiwar movement, would be like viewing the insurrection in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021, as an aberration. The attack against members of the group the Committee for Non-Violent

WSWS (2021-01-27). The American state, the fascists and the Soviet Union's ex-revolutionaries. wsws.org Author Benjamin Tromly explores the relationship between America's post-war spy agencies and anti-communist Russian and Soviet émigrés dedicated to regime change in the USSR.

RT (2021-01-27). After agreeing New START extension, Moscow warns treaty may not last long if US attempts to 'undermine Russia's national security'. rt.com A day after Moscow and Washington agreed on a long-awaited extension to the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty, a senior Russian diplomat has warned that the deal may not hold up if the US acts improperly. | Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned Washington against any "destructive action" or attempts to "undermine Russia's national security," noting that it could lead to Moscow deciding on "withdrawal from the treaty." | "All stipulations, all statements, all elements [about the right to withdraw] from the 2011 ratification remain in force," Ryabkov said. On W…

Stephen Lendman (2021-01-27). Saving the New START Arms Control Agreement between the US and Russia. globalresearch.ca The last remaining arms control agreement between Russia and the US expires on February 5 unless extended at the 11th hour. | Hardline Trump regime's arms control negotiator Marshall Billingslea rejected Vladimir Putin's good faith offer to extend it for another …

Stephen Lendman (2021-01-27). No Likely Change in US Dirty Business as Usual. Pro-Navalny Protests in Russia. globalresearch.ca Straightaway after replacing Trump by election theft, the illegitimately installed Biden/Harris regime targeted Russia, China, and domestic freedoms — the latter by inventing a domestic terrorist threat that doesn't exist except when state-sponsored. | It's an ominous sign for what's likely …

Andrew Korybko (2021-01-27). Russian-American Relations Under Biden: More of the Same Except for One Thing. globalresearch.ca Russian-American relations will remain just as bad under Biden as they were under Trump except for the 46th President's desire to extend the New START for another five years as part of an implied nuclear detente with Moscow after his …

yenisafak (2021-01-27). Extension of START 'step in right direction': Putin. yenisafak.com Russian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday said the extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between Russia and the US is a "step in the right direction."He told the World Economic Forum's virtual Davos Agenda 2021 that he had a phone call with newly elected US President Joe Biden, adding: "[START's extension] is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. Still, disagreements continue to intensify. As we all know, the inability to resolve such disagreements triggered a catastrophic Second World War in the 20th century."The Biden administration earlier said Washington wants a five-year extensio…

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-27). Russian bank in talks with Iran to boost currency exchanges. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 27 (MNA) — Referring to the growth of Iran-Russia trade relations despite the sanctions, the head of the Russian Embassy's Trade Representation said a Russian bank was in Tehran last week to expand monetary exchanges with the country.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-27). Lavrov suggests Mideast ministerial peace conference. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 28 (MNA) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has backed a Palestinian proposal for a Middle East peace conference which can be held in the upcoming months.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-27). Russia ready to export Iran's extra enriched uranium: Ryabkov. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 27 (MNA) — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister voiced Moscow's readiness to export Iran's surplus enriched uranium if the United States returns to the Nuclear Deal.

_____ (2021-01-27). US Proposes 5-year Extension Of Nuclear Arms Treaty With Russia. popularresistance.org The United States will seek a five-year extension of the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia — the last remaining non-proliferation treaty between the two nations, White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed on Thursday. | The New START, which came into force in 2011, limits the number of nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles that each country can deploy. It was due to expire next month. | "The president has long been clear that the New START Treaty is in the national security interest of the United States. This extension makes even more sense when the relationship wit…

sputniknews (2021-01-27). Russia, US Agree to Extend New START on Moscow's Conditions, Deputy Foreign Minister Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia welcomes the decision of US President Joe Biden's administration to extend the New START deal for five years, this is the right thing to do, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday.

sputniknews (2021-01-27). UK Foreign Undersecretary Vows to Freeze Russian Assets If London Finds Them Life Threatening. sputniknews.com London introduced a number of sanctions and other punitive measures against Russia over the last several years, accusing it of purported meddling in its elections and being responsible for the alleged poisoning of the former GRU spy Sergei Skripal in March 2018. The UK, however, never presented solid evidence supporting these claims.

sputniknews (2021-01-27). Israeli Army Chief Slams Iran Nuclear Deal as Operationally, Strategically Unacceptable. sputniknews.com TEL AVIV (Sputnik) – Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Defence Forces Lt Gen Aviv Kohavi has described the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as a deal that is unacceptable to Israel both on the strategic and operational level.

Online News Editor (2021-01-27). Seoul, Washington see North Korea as 'urgent' issue. laprensalatina.com Seoul, Jan 27 (efe-epa).- South Korea's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and the United States' Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed Wednesday in a phone call on the need to deal urgently with the North Korean nuclear issue. "The two ministers shared the understanding that the North Korean nuclear issue is a matter that should be …

_____ (2021-01-27). Newspeak in the 21st Century: How to Become a Model Citizen in the New Era of Domestic Warfare. strategic-culture.org War will continue under the Old Cold War doctrine. War will always be present, and yet will never be seen by the majority of our citizens, Cynthia Chung writes. | With President Biden's inauguration many feel that they can finally breathe a deep sigh of relief. At last sanity has been restored and we can all go back to our predictable lives knowing that the future can only get better during these next four years. | Well…not quite. | There still remains the problem that everybody may not be on board with the progressive changes that Biden's Administration plans to push through. This, of course, is wholly unaccep…

teleSUR (2021-01-27). Russian Senate Extends Nuclear Disarmament Treaty With the USA. telesurenglish.net Russia's Senate on Wednesday unanimously endorsed a five-year extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). | RELATED: | "When it comes to global stability and security, Russia and the U.S. can show responsible and pragmatic approaches and reach agreements," Senate President Valentina Matviyenko said. | This nuclear disarmament treaty, which was also previously approved by the Lower House (Duma), was set to expi…

Prof. Sam Ben-Meir (2021-01-27). Humanism in Painting: Remembering the Art of Symeon Shimin. NY Whitney Museum. globalresearch.ca Rivera, Orozco and Siqueiros — this is a moment to revisit and reflect on the work of Russian-born artist Symeon Shimin. During his life, Shimin …

Dr. Rudolf Hà§nsel (2021-01-27). International Warmongers Beat the War Drums for War Against Russia. globalresearch.ca This article can be read in 27 languages including Russian and Chinese by activating the Translate Website Drop Down Menu on the top banner of our home page. | The author's article in German is available on our German language page….

Dr. Rudolf Hà§nsel (2021-01-27). Internationale Kriegstreiber ràºhren die Kriegstrommeln fàºr Krieg gegen Russland. globalresearch.ca ‚ÄûLiebesgràºàüe nach Moskau: Biden droht der ‚ÄöTyrannei' Putins mit dem Ende." Dieses vergiftete ‚ÄûVersprechen" gab Biden dem russischen Prà§sidenten bereits lange vor seiner gestohlenen Wahl zum neuen US-Prà§sidenten (1). àúber das in Màºnchen anstehende private Treffen ausgewà§hlter Kriegstreiber sagt er: …

Peter Koenig (2021-01-26). Pandemic, Lockdown, Economic Disaster: Are We at War? globalresearch.ca Are we at War? This has become a legitimate question over the last 12 months in the western world. | And we are not talking of war by the west against Russia or China, or the east in general. It's a …

Medea Benjamin and Ariel Gold (2021-01-26). Rob Malley for Iran Envoy: A Test Case for Biden's Commitment to Diplomacy. dissidentvoice.org (Photo credit: National Press Club) President Biden's commitment to re-entering the Iran nuclear deal—formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA—is already facing backlash from a motley crew of warhawks both domestic and foreign. Right now, opponents of re-entering the deal are centering their vitriol on one of the nation's foremost experts …

RT (2021-01-26). Putin submits bill to ratify 5-year extension of New START as last-minute deal with US is expected to rescue nuclear treaty. rt.com Following talks with Washington, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent parliament a draft deal that would extend the New START arms reduction pact for five more years. The critical treaty is set to expire in just over a week. | The draft text reveals that the two countries have "agreed in principle" to preserve the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, placing no conditions on the five-year extension. | The eleventh-hour deal to revive New START was discussed during a Tuesday phone call between Putin and US President Joe Biden, a conversation the Kremlin described as "frank and businesslike." | Also on rt.c…

Medea Benjamin, Ariel Gold (2021-01-26). Rob Malley for Iran Envoy: A Test Case for Biden's Commitment to Diplomacy. counterpunch.org President Biden's commitment to re-entering the Iran nuclear deal—formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA—is already facing backlash from a motley crew of warhawks both domestic and foreign. Right now, opponents of re-entering the deal are centering their vitriol on one of the nation's foremost experts on both the Middle East

Tom Clifford (2021-01-26). When Biden's "New" America Confronts the New China. counterpunch.org The lexicon has changed. Words and phrases that seemed to define our world until quite recently now belong to a bygone era. Remember BRICs? The grouping of the next economic superpowers. Well, Brazil, Russia, India and China now resemble a brash start-up promising a whole new way of doing things only to fall out among

teleSUR (2021-01-26). Iran Approves Use of Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine. telesurenglish.net Iran's Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamad Javad Zarif announced that his country has registered Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine and expects to start producing it soon on its own territory. | RELATED: | "The Sputnik V vaccine was approved by our health authorities. Soon we hope to be able to purchase it and also start its joint production," Zarif said after meeting with Russia's Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Dean Baker (2021-01-26). The NYT's Has Not Heard of China's Vaccine (Or Russia's or India's). counterpunch.org It is more than a bit bizarre that the New York Times can run a major piece about the lack of access of developing countries to Covid vaccines and never once mention the vaccines developed by China, Russia, or India. The piece is very useful in highlighting the fact that the United States and Europe

Stephen Lendman (2021-01-26). Israel to Decide Fate of the JCPOA Nuclear Deal? globalresearch.ca According to Biden's secretary of state-designee Anthony Blinken, the new regime in town will keep much of its predecessor's geopolitical agenda in place. | Former usurper-in-waiting/self-designated interim Venezuelan president Guaido — no longer a National Assembly member — will still …

Andrew Korybko (2021-01-26). Russia's 2020 Foreign Policy. A Thaw in US-Russia Relations? Foreign Minister Lavrov. globalresearch.ca Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov held his annual press conference last week reviewing his country's foreign policy over the preceding year, the top two dozen highlights of which are touched upon in this analysis for those who don't have the time …

Staff (2021-01-26). One of the Democrats' Biggest Hawks Is Now Senate Foreign Relations Chair. truthout.org Now with a working majority, the Democrats have named Sen. Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey) to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This has rung alarm bells for advocates of peace, human rights and international law, given that Menendez has opposed the Iran nuclear agreement, repeatedly attacked the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, supported unconditional military aid to governments that have used the weapons in the commission of war crimes, and taken other positions…

RT (2021-01-26). 'My rival wanted to spike me': Russian gymnastics star Soldatova shares shocking doping details from career. rt.com Russian gymnast Alexandra Soldatova has claimed that one of her principal rivals intended to spike her with a banned substance just before the 2014 world championships, but the attempt was unsuccessful. | In a recent interview with R-Sport, the four-time world gold medalist talked about the bizarre incident which could have led to a doping ban. | Also on rt.com | | "We were small back then. It happened in 2014 right before my debut at the…

RT (2021-01-26). Russian NHL star Artemi Panarin and his wife robbed during vacation in Mexico. rt.com New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin and his wife Alisa Znarok were enjoying a vacation in Mexico before the start of NHL season when their trip was marred by a theft. | New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin and his wife Alisa Znarok were robbed during their vacation in Mexico before the start of the NHL season. | Znarok shared photos and videos from their recent holiday, and revealed that their belongings had been stolen from a hotel room. | | © Instagram / alisaznarok | "We stayed at a Mexican hotel BeTulum where we were robbed. An earring and a credit card were stolen right from our safe. | "The card…

RT (2021-01-26). IMF improves forecast for Russia's economic growth this year. rt.com The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has improved its outlook on the Russian economy, projecting GDP growth of three percent in 2021 against its October growth forecast of 2.3 percent. | In 2022, the The IMF has projected the global economy will…

MEE and agencies (2021-01-26). Covid-19: Iran approves Russian Sputnik V vaccine. middleeasteye.net Covid-19: Iran approves Russian Sputnik V vaccine | Tehran said it would produce and import the Russian vaccine as it endures the highest rate of infections in the region | Tue, 01/26/2021 – 12: 38 | Medical worker holds a vial of Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine in Moscow (AFP) | Iran has approved Russia's Sputnik V vaccine and said that it planned to import it as well as produce it in…

Gareth Porter (2021-01-26). Biden administration's coercive Iran policy threatens a serious new regional crisis. thegrayzone.com Team Biden is planning to hold on to what it apparently sees as its "Trump card"— the Trump administration's sanctions against Iran oil exports that have gutted the Iranian economy A close analysis of recent statements by members of President Joseph Biden's foreign policy team indicates his administration has already signaled its intention to treat negotiations with Iran as an exercise in diplomatic coercion aimed at forcing major new concessions extending well beyond the 2105 nuclear agreement. The policy could …

Gareth Porter (2021-01-26). Biden admin's coercive Iran policy threatens serious new regional crisis. thegrayzone.com Team Biden is planning to hold on to what it apparently sees as its "Trump card"— the Trump administration's sanctions against Iran oil exports that have gutted the Iranian economy. A close analysis of recent statements by members of President Joseph Biden's foreign policy team indicates his administration has already signaled its intention to treat negotiations with Iran as an exercise in diplomatic coercion aimed at forcing major new concessions extending well beyond the 2105 nuclear agreement. The policy could …

Michael T. Klare (2021-01-26). Averting a Cold War With China Takes On Greater Urgency. thenation.com Averting a Cold War With China Takes On Greater Urgency…

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-26). Iran, Russia explore avenues for expanding bilateral ties. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 27 (MNA) — Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation explored avenues for expanding and enhancing bilateral relations.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-26). Iran-Russia relations longer than US history: Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 26 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister told his Russian counterpart that Iran-Russia friendly relations are longer than the US history.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-26). Zarif reacts to France's position on Iran's return to JCPOA. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 26 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister reacted to the French president's position on Iran's return to the JCPOA prior to the return of the United States to the Nuclear Deal.

Mehr News Agency (2021-01-26). Russian corona vaccine registered in Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Jan. 26 (MNA) — Iranian FM Zarif announced on Tue. that the country has approved the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V.