RT (2020-02-23). Tripoli govt invites Pentagon to redeploy troops to NATO-ravaged Libya… to \'deter Russia\'. rt.com Nine years after the US helped bomb what was once the wealthiest African nation back to the Stone Age, the Tripoli-based government says it would welcome American troops on Libyan soil — to fight terrorism and \'deter\' Russia. | In the wake of plans voiced by US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to scale back America\'s military presence in the region and re-focus its forces globally towards confronting adversaries such as Russia and China, Fathi Bashagha, the interior minister for the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), told Bloomberg that Libya would be happy to help. | If the US asks for a…

RT (2020-02-23). Foreign media \'didn\'t miss the slightest opportunity\' to keep people from voting in nationwide election — Iran\'s supreme leader. rt.com Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took aim at foreign media outlets, claiming they did their utmost to \"discourage\" Iranians from voting this Friday in the parliamentary election. | \"This negative propaganda began a few months ago and grew closer to the elections,\" the supreme leader proclaimed on Sunday. \"In the last two days, citing [the danger of] coronavirus, their media did not miss the slightest opportunity to discourage people from voting,\" he said. | Iran has just confirmed an eighth death from the new coronavirus (Covid-19) this Sunday, with authorities shutting down schools and universities in se…

RT (2020-02-23). Italy becomes Europe\'s largest coronavirus hot spot with 2 deaths & 79 cases across 5 regions. rt.com The number of confirmed Covid-19 coronavirus cases has soared to at least 79 in Italy, forcing authorities to introduce increasingly strict containment and quarantine measures in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto. | A 78-year-old man died near Padua in the Veneto region on Friday night, becoming the second victim of the virus in Italy, after a 76-year-old woman was found dead on Thursday 50km south of Milan. | At least 17 people have been confirmed infected in Veneto so far, including the latest victim\'s wife and daughter, as authorities are still mulling whether the Carnival of Venice events should…

RT (2020-02-23). \'Don\'t let them take it away!\' Trump congratulates \'Crazy Bernie\' as Sanders wins big in Nevada. rt.com Evoking painful memories, US President Donald Trump has expressed hope that his potential Democratic contender won\'t be robbed of the nomination this time, as Bernie Sanders heads for a decisive victory in Nevada caucus. | \"Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in the Great State of Nevada. Biden & the rest look weak, & no way Mini Mike can restart his campaign after the worst debate performance in the history of Presidential Debates,\" Trump tweeted. | Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in the Great State of Nevada. Biden & the rest look weak, & no way Mini Mike can restart his campaign after the worst deba…

RT (2020-02-23). UK is the \'51st state\'? Uproar as Britain\'s secret deal to buy nuclear warheads from US without Parliament\'s consent is revealed. rt.com Furious Brits have accused their government of being a lapdog for Washington, after it was inadvertently revealed that the UK had quietly inked a nuclear weapons deal with the US, forgoing public debate. | The Pentagon recently disclosed that Britain has agreed to purchase new US nuclear warheads to replace Trident, its own homegrown nuclear program. However, the deal came as a surprise to British lawmakers, who were reportedly kept in the dark about the nuclear weapons. | The agreement, which involves the US sharing the technology used in its W93 sea-launched warhead, is expected to cost billions of pounds.

RT (2020-02-23). Russia may soon become world\'s largest producer of colored diamonds. rt.com One of Russia\'s top diamond producers, Alrosa, is poised to take the lead in the global colored-diamond market as soon as Australia\'s Argyle mine — currently the largest supplier of the precious rare stones — closes. | The Argyle diamond mine, widely regarded as the world\'s number one source of treasurable pink gems, as well as other colored diamonds, is expected to close in late 2020 after more than 30 years of operation, due to the depletion of economically viable stones. The closure is expected to have an impact on the whole global diamond industry, and may also make Russia the top supplier of t…

RT (2020-02-23). Tommy Robinson locks horns with RT\'s \'Worlds Apart\' as the British activist brings his \'Rape of Britain\' lecture to Russia. rt.com Tommy Robinson had a lively exchange with RT about his campaign to stop Muslim grooming gangs in the UK. The firebrand activist arrived in Russia to give a presentation about the \"Rape of Britain.\" | Robinson sat down with RT\'s Oksana Boyko to discuss his provocative views about Islam and the alleged epidemic of Muslim grooming gangs in the United Kingdom. The former leader of the right-wing English Defense League said his theory is that Islam is incompatible with Western values, and even condones rape and pedophilia. | Boyko took issue with the idea that Islam is to blame for the grooming gangs that have come…

RT (2020-02-23). Flat-Earther \'Mad\' Mike Hughes killed in crash-landing after homemade rocket launch (VIDEO). rt.com Daredevil Flat-Earther \'Mad\' Mike Hughes has died after launching himself into the sky in a homemade rocket. Purported video of the accident shows the fatal launch. | Hughes and a colleague built the steam-powered rocket in hopes of shooting the daredevil 5,000 feet (1.5km) into the air. The endeavor was being documented by the Science Channel, which wanted to feature him in a new series called \'Homemade Astronauts\'. | A video purportedly filmed at the site shows the rocket being launched into the sky near Barstow, California, before Hughes plunges back down to the earth. | Warning: This video contains disturb…

The Canary (2020-02-23). No end in sight for winter storms as more bands of heavy rain sweep in. thecanary.co Flood-hit communities are bracing themselves as further bands of torrential rain began sweeping across Britain on Sunday with no end in sight to the winter storms.A yellow weather warning has been issued for heavy rain on Sunday morning in an already soaked South Wales as yet another wave of torrential rain moved over the country from the south-west.Forecasters said this will give way to more showery weather as the day progresses but the storm will sweep in again on Sunday night, bringing rain and high winds to many areas and snow to parts of Scotland and northern England on Monday.Severe flooding warnings in Her…

The Canary (2020-02-23). Referendum must be \'legal and legitimate\', says Sturgeon. thecanary.co Scotland\'s First Minister has confirmed she plans to stay on as SNP leader, as she rubbished the idea of shortcuts to independence.Responding to rumours about her future, Nicola Sturgeon said she plans to lead her party into next year\'s Holyrood election and hopefully beyond.She also addressed growing calls for a radical approach to achieving Scottish independence, saying testing the ability of the Scottish Parliament to hold a referendum in court was \"not her preferred approach\".Ms Sturgeon told the BBC\'s Andrew Marr Show she was \"working towards\" another independence referendum by the end of this year, a positi…

RT (2020-02-23). Several dead, 1000+ collapsed buildings after earthquake rocks eastern Turkey. rt.com An earthquake in eastern Turkey wreaked havoc on local infrastructure, resulting in deaths and injuries as emergency workers scramble to assist residents. | At least eight people have been killed and around two dozen others injured after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey\'s Van province, senior government officials say. | Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said that at least three children are among the dead, adding that more than 1,000 buildings have collapsed. He said that search and rescue operations are ongoing. | In pictures: Villages in Turkey\'s Van province severely affected by tremors from earthquake…

Juan Cole (2020-02-23). Why the Russian Petro-State Is Actually Terrified of a Bernie Sanders Presidency: The Green New Deal. commondreams.org Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) introduce public housing legislation as part of the Green New Deal outside the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, November 14, 2019. (Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/bernie_sanders_10.jpg …

Die-In Inside Bank Branch (2020-02-23). Protesters in Silicon Valley Tell Wells Fargo \"Quit the Dirty Energy Business\" indybay.org Demonstrators called on Big Oil\'s largest lender, Wells Fargo, to halt its financing of fossil fuels and invest instead in clean energy solutions to the climate crisis. They took their protest of Feb 21 to a branch in Mountain View, CA.

The Canary (2020-02-23). Bernie Sanders wins Nevada and pulls further away from rivals. thecanary.co Bernie Sanders has won Nevada\'s presidential primary election and pulled further away from his rivals after strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire. | The 78-year-old, a self-described socialist, cemented his position as the Democratic frontrunner with support from the state\'s large Latino community. | Mr Sanders left Nevada earlier on Saturday to rally supporters in El Paso, Texas, where he told the crowd US President Donald Trump was \"a pathological liar running a corrupt administration\". | \"When we come together there is nothing we can\'t accomplish,\" Mr Sanders added. | The win builds on the Vermont senator\'

Juan Cole (2020-02-23). Russian Petro-state is terrified of a Sanders Presidency. zcomm.org How do I know that Russia would actually hate, abhor and despise a Sanders presidency? Because Sanders\'s Green New Deal would bankrupt Russia…

Aída Chávez (2020-02-23). How Young Latinos Delivered Nevada to Tío Bernie. zcomm.org \"I think, like these ideas are so radical to them. Like free college, or a Green New Deal, Medicare for All. And then when you actually have a serious conversation as to seeing it through our lens, they really start to change.\"

Dan Bacher (2020-02-23). Rally at State of the State calls on Newsom to phase out oil production. indybay.org \"Today\'s State of the State address is an opportunity to make clear that the Newsom Administration will not wrap itself around fossil fuel polluting billionaires — representing an industry that profits from human suffering and ecological destruction,\" said Matt Nelson, Executive Director of the nation\'s largest online Latinx organizing group, Presente.org. Photo of rally at State Capitol on February 19 by Dan Bacher.

EFF & Americans for Financial Reform (2020-02-23). EFF Asks FTC To Scrutinize Secret Deal Saddling .ORG Registry with $360 Million in Debt. indybay.org February 21, 2020: The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) called for the disclosure of secret financing details behind the $1.1 billion .ORG sale, and has asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to scrutinize the deal. The transaction would saddle the .ORG registry with $360 million in debt.

Extinction Rebellion Santa Cruz (2020-02-23). Cut the Chase! Climate Action (Day 1 in Santa Cruz, CA). indybay.org 730 Ocean St, Santa Cruz…

Dan Bacher (2020-02-23). Attorney General Becerrra and Governor Newsom file lawsuit against Trump water plan. indybay.org \"As we face the unprecedented threat of a climate emergency, now is the time to strengthen our planet\'s biodiversity, not destroy it,\" said Attorney General Becerra. \"California won\'t silently spectate as the Trump Administration adopts scientifically-challenged biological opinions that push species to extinction and harm our natural resources and waterways.

Michael Harris (2020-02-23). Food and Agriculture Workshops featured at the 2020 Black Expo, Sacramento State. indybay.org California State University, Sacramento continues to provide innovative leadership toward expanding essential educational conversations and business opportunity. Our California Black Agriculture Working Group remains steadfast in helping provide tangible ideas and solutions.

de Young Museum Docent Council (2020-02-23). \"Seeing Frida Kahlo Through Disabled People\'s Perspectives\" by Corbett O\'Toole. indybay.org Koret Auditorium | de Young Museum | 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive (in Golden Gate Park), SF…

Sebastian Schindler (2020-02-23). Trump and the Post-Factual. indybay.org Trump\'s politics is naive and skeptical, gullable and cynical. Trump\'s relation with truth is like a generalization of conspiracy theory assumptions that see manipulative-conspiratorial activities at work behind observable reality. Beward pathological narcissists who are pathological paranoids!

yenisafak (2020-02-23). Three suspected coronavirus cases surface in Afghanistan. yenisafak.com Three suspected cases of the coronavirus surfaced in Afghanistan on Sunday following a spike in confirmed cases and fatalities in the neighboring Iran.Since the new coronavirus emerged last December, it has killed over 2,000 people in China, the epicenter of the epidemic, and more than a dozen people elsewhere in the world. Some eight deaths have been reported in Iran, the most in any country outside the Chinese mainland.The three suspects, all adult men, recently returned from the Iranian city of Qom to Herat in Afghanistan, Dr. Nazeer Ahmad, a member of the country\'s coronavirus control committee told Anadolu A…

yenisafak (2020-02-23). Iraqi suspected of coronavirus tests negative. yenisafak.com An Iraqi student quarantined for suspected coronavirus has tested negative for the virus, according to health authorities on Sunday.\"Tests proved that the suspected case was not carrying the virus,\" the Health Directorate in the southern Dhi Qar province said in a statement.A medical source said Saturday the student was quarantined for further tests after returning from the Iranian city of Qom.On Saturday, the Iraqi authorities called on its nationals not to travel to neighboring Iran, where eight coronavirus deaths were reported.Coronavirus has spread to more than 25 other countries including the U.S., the UK, S…

yenisafak (2020-02-23). China still in crucial stage of coronavirus battle, says Xi. yenisafak.com China\'s measures to deal with the coronavirus outbreak have been effective, but the battle is still at a crucial stage, President Xi Jinping was quoted as saying on Sunday.The situation is showing a positive trend after arduous efforts but remains serious and complex, state television quoted him as saying.He said the outbreak will have a relatively big hit on the economy and society but the government will step up policy support to help achieve economic and social development targets for 2020.China will maintain a prudent monetary policy and roll out new policy steps in a timely way, he said, adding the governmen…

yenisafak (2020-02-23). Death toll from coronavirus in Iran climbs to 8. yenisafak.com The death toll from coronavirus in Iran has risen to eight, according to a statement released by the country\'s Health Ministry on Sunday.Spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour also reported 15 new coronavirus cases taking the total to 43.Jahanpour said seven of the new cases of the virus, officially known as COVID-19, were detected in Qom city, four others in the capital Tehran, two others in Gilan city and one each in Markazi and Mazandaran provinces.In China, the epicenter of the virus, the death toll from the outbreak has reached 2,444, with over 76,000 confirmed cases.Following the global spread of the virus, the World…

yenisafak (2020-02-23). Israel may quarantine 200 South Korean visitors in army base. yenisafak.com Israel may quarantine some 200 visitors from South Korea in a military base south of Jerusalem over coronavirus worries, Israel\'s Ynet news site reported on Sunday.Israeli officials had no immediate comment on the report. Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said separately on Sunday that he had ordered South Korea and Japan added to a list of Asian countries to which travel to and from Israel was being barred.

yenisafak (2020-02-23). Italy takes steps to stop coronavirus outbreak. yenisafak.com The Italian government decided to limit entrance and exit points Sunday in a bid to take control of the coronavirus after the number of confirmed cases there approached 80.Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte gathered his Cabinet shortly after the increase of registered cases of coronavirus, or COVID-19, and delivered remarks about the current situation and upcoming measures.Conte said his administration worked hard to prevent a large-scale outbreak and essential measures were taken in the Lombardy and Veneto regions, where cases have been observed, adding entrance and exit from and to those regions would be monitored.H…

yenisafak (2020-02-23). Turkey \'temporarily\' closes border with Iran after coronavirus outbreak. yenisafak.com Turkey has decided to temporarily close its border with Iran after a coronvirus outbreak was reported in the neighborin…

yenisafak (2020-02-23). Pakistan launches spring tree plantation drive. yenisafak.com Pakistan launched on Sunday a nationwide spring tree plantation drive for the revival and restoration of forests in the country.Pakistan\'s premier Imran Khan kicked off the drive by planting a sapling in his hometown district of Mianwali in the northeastern Punjab province.\"Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change… we need to protect it through the plantation of trees across the country,\" Khan said while addressing the event held as part of the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project.The ambitious project is an extension of the Billion Tree Tsunami which was launched in 2014 in the northwestern K…

yenisafak (2020-02-23). \'Pakistan should take Kashmir issue to int\'l court\'. yenisafak.com A former chief justice of Gambia has suggested Pakistan to approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the continuing rights violations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.Retired Justice Ali Nawaz Chowhan, according to a statement issued by the Srinagar-based Legal Forum for Oppressed Voices of Kashmir (FLOVK) on Saturday, said Pakistan being an important party to the long-standing dispute should approach the UN court.Chowhan made the remarks during a three-day moot competition, The Case Pertaining to Kashmir Dispute in Islamabad.FLOVK, which organized the event, is an international legal or…

yenisafak (2020-02-23). US, UK, EU condole with quake-hit Turkey. yenisafak.com Foreign diplomatic missions in Ankara have conveyed their condolences over the deadly earthquake near the Iran border region which claimed at least nine lives in eastern Turkey.The Delegation of the European Union said in a tweet it stands in solidarity with the people and authorities of Turkey in their hour of need.The U.S. and British Embassies in Ankara extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.The magnitude 5.9 earthquake centered in the northwestern Iranian city of Khoy also injured some 37 people and damaged buildings in Turkey\'s Van province.

yenisafak (2020-02-23). Earthquake kills 7, injures 5 in eastern Turkey. yenisafak.com At least seven people were killed and five others injured on Sunday in eastern Turkey when an earthquake hit the border region with Iran, authorities said.Tremors from a 5.7-magnitude quake centered in northwestern Iran were also felt in Turkey\'s Van province.Some buildings were damaged and many people are trapped under debris, Turkey\'s Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said in a news conference.He added that search and rescue teams were dispatched to the quake-hit region.A powerful earthquake hit eastern Turkey earlier this year causing the deaths of 41 people and injuring 1,600 others.

yenisafak (2020-02-23). Three religious manuscripts seized in eastern Turkey. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces seized three religious manuscripts in the southern Adana province on Sunday, according to security sources.Turkish police conducted an operation in the Seyhan district of the province as part of operations against historical artifact smuggling, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.During the search operation, the police team seized three leather-bound manuscripts with cross symbols and sun figures imprinted on.Three suspect were arrested during the operation.Adana has a history that goes back as far as the 7th millennium B.C.

yenisafak (2020-02-23). Over 30,000 drug pills seized in southern Turkey. yenisafak.com Turkish police seized 32,600 illicit drug pills in the southern Hatay province on Sunday, security sources said.The local police team raided an address in Reyhanli district of the province as part of anti-drug operations, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to the restrictions on talking to the media.During the operations, two suspects were arrested.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). Russia Will Not Host New Libya Peace Conference — Senior Diplomat. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia does not plan to host a global conference on Libyan peace and expects warring parties to act on the commitments made in Berlin, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Sunday.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). Leaked Report Reveals Europol Eyes Pan-European Facial Recognition Network Amid Fears US May Join. sputniknews.com Back in 2005, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain signed the Prum Convention which allowed the signatories to exchange suspects\' DNA, fingerprints, and vehicle registration data in a move designed to combat terrorism.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). In the Rhythm of Samba: The Opening of the Brazilian Carnival. sputniknews.com The word \'carnival\' comes from the Latin expression \'carne levare\', which means \'remove meat\'. Carnival occurs in February or early March, a couple of weeks before Lent.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). Italian Authorities Cancel Venice Carnival Amid Coronavirus Outbreak. sputniknews.com The outbreak of China\'s pneumonia-like disease has gripped Europe, and Italy is the most affected country on the continent. Cases of the novel coronavirus surpassed 130 this weekend, with two deaths confirmed.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). Iran Reports Total of 43 Coronavirus Infections, 8 Deaths. sputniknews.com TEHRAN (Sputnik) – Iran has detected 15 new infections with coronavirus, bringing the tally to 43, while eight people have died as of Sunday, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). UFO Hunter Spots Suspected Alien Craft Near ISS, Mulls Coronavirus\' Threat to Extraterrestrials. sputniknews.com The ongoing outbreak may result in an increase in UFO sightings as aliens may attempt to flee the planet, the conspiracy theorist speculated.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). Iran\'s Supreme Leader Accuses Western Media of Trying to Influence Friday Election. sputniknews.com TEHRAN (Sputnik) – Iran\'s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday accused Western media of trying to discourage the country\'s population from casting their votes in the recent legislative election by using the coronavirus outbreak as a pretext.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). IMF Pares Down Global Growth Forecasts as Possible Risks Considered Amid Coronavirus Outbreak. sputniknews.com The cascading impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak, first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December 2019, is becoming more apparent worldwide, and uncertainties regarding when the epidemic can be fully contained are too great to permit reliable forecasting of the financial and economic costs.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). Tatami and Ice: Contents of Putin\'s \'Personal Sports Arsenal\' Revealed. sputniknews.com As the Russian president\'s spokesman explained, Putin keeps himself fit via a combination of swimming, martial arts training and general physical fitness exercises.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). Mayor of Russian \'Black Sky\' City Responds to Greta Thunberg\'s Post. sputniknews.com The city of Krasnoyarsk in central Siberia is known for its \"black sky\" — a period when exhaust fumes and industrial gases accumulate in the atmosphere, posing particular risks to people with heart and lung conditions.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). GNA Offers US Right to Build Libya Base to Contain Russia — Report. sputniknews.com Libya, which was thrust into a violent, nine-year-long civil war in the aftermath of a militia uprising backed by NATO airstrikes in 2011, has returned to the forefront of international attention in recent weeks as major powers increase support for the two factions vying for control of the oil-rich nation.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). \'Sick People\': Russian Officials Blast Pentagon Over Drill Simulating \'Russian Nuclear Attack\'. sputniknews.com On Friday, the Pentagon reported that it had staged a \"mini-exercise\" in which Russia dropped a low-yield nuke on a European NATO member. The drill followed a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing in which a senior Pentagon official said that the US needed a plan to be able to \"fight and win\" wars in a nuclear-contaminated environment.

sputniknews (2020-02-23). At Least 16 Turkish Servicemen Die in Clashes in Libya\'s Tripoli – Reports. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Sixteen members of the Turkish armed forces and more than 100 Syrian mercenaries have died fighting in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, the Sky News Arabia TV channel reported on Sunday, citing sources in the Libyan National Army (LNA).

sputniknews (2020-02-23). Donald Trump Cried \'Betrayal\' at Boris Johnson\'s Huawei 5G Move — Report. sputniknews.com The United States has long pushed the UK to ban Huawei from building its 5G infrastructure due to espionage fears, but Boris Johnson has decided to move forward regardless.

Natasha Hakimi Zapata (2020-02-22). The Latinx Vote Might Carry \'Tio Bernie\' to Victory. truthdig.com The Vermont senator is winning over the nation\'s largest minority voting block, and it could make the difference in Nevada and beyond.

RT (2020-02-22). China could expand its solar industry by 50% in 2020. rt.com Despite the coronavirus epidemic ripping through various sectors of the Chinese economy, including the solar industry, Beijing may still significantly boost the number of solar installations this year. | According to the China Photovoltaic Industry Association forecast, China is set to see between 35 and 45 gigawatts in new installations in 2020. If the developers manage to reach the most optimistic figure, this would mean a 50 percent surge from the 30.1 gigawatts China saw in 2019. | Also on rt.com | |

RT (2020-02-22). Trump to confront Modi on \'religious freedoms\', Kashmir, tariffs & other US \'concerns\' during India visit. rt.com On his first visit to India next week, US President Donald Trump is expected to wade into several domestic controversies, challenging his Indian counterpart on the state of religious freedom in the country, as well as Kashmir. | Trump will raise a number of \"concerns\" with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the trip, a White House official said on Friday, singling out the \"religious freedom issue\" as \"extremely important\" to the US administration. | \"Prime Minister Modi in his first speech after winning the election last year, talked about how he would prioritize being inclusive of Indian religious min…

RT (2020-02-22). Trump mocks \'fake news\' for running \'Russian Sympathizer Bernie\' smear, but doesn\'t miss a chance to score points. rt.com It seems Donald Trump is yet to decide whether he would rather lampoon left-wing media for adding Democrat frontrunner Bernie Sanders to Team Russia or take the opportunity to mock his potential rival in the November poll. | Just a day apart, two steaming-hot scoops landed in the US media cycle. First, the New York Times said Russia was helping Donald Trump to get reelected. Then the Washington Post claimed Russia was helping Bernie Sanders\'s campaign. All based on anonymous sources, innuendos, and other traits with which even casual followers of the \'Russiagate\' saga are all too familiar. | One of the princip…

RT (2020-02-22). Sleeping in orbit & surviving Russian winter: Rakesh Sharma, first Indian in space, recalls his training & flight. rt.com Four Indian astronauts are now training in Russia ahead of their nation\'s first manned space mission. Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, shared with RT his memories of braving Russian winters and going into orbit in 1984. | Sharma, a former wing commander in the Indian Air Force, became the first — and so far only — Indian citizen ever to travel to space. He was part of a three-man crew on the Soviet Soyuz T-11, and spent a week on the famous Salyut-7 orbital station — a project that paved the way for modular orbital habitats, including the International Space Station (ISS). | \"At a perso…

RT (2020-02-22). Italian police search surging Russian biathlete Loginov HOURS before race. rt.com Alexander Loginov, who broke a 12-year losing streak for Russian male biathletes by winning gold at the IBU World Championships, has been subjected to a search by Italian police hours before a Saturday event. | The search warrant served by police in Rasen-Antholz in South Tyrol, Italy where the competition is taking place targets Loginov and Russian team coach Alexander Kasperovich. | –í–æ—Ç –∫–∞–∫ –ø—Ä–æ—Ö–æ–¥–∏–ª –æ–±—&…

RT (2020-02-22). No lawyer, no sleep, not even badges — Loginov\'s teammate Garanichev describes early morning police raid ahead of relay race. rt.com Italian authorities took three days to act on a request to probe the Russian biathlon team over suspicions of doping, and the way they did it — on the day of a major race — was very disruptive, Loginov\'s roommate Garanichev said.

RT (2020-02-22). \'Extremely concerning\': Russia's Olympic Committee and diplomats file complaints over police raid on biathletes in Italy. rt.com Moscow diplomats and sporting officials have urged Italy to explain why its police barged into the rooms of Russian biathletes mere hours before a world championship event. | The Russian Embassy in Rome demanded that Italy explain the reasons behind police searches conducted in the hotel rooms of Russian athletes on Saturday. The diplomats urged local authorities to guarantee all \"necessary conditions\" for Russians to train and participate in international tournaments in the country. | Moscow\'s Olympic Committee (OKR) asked its Italian counterpart and the International Biathlon Union (IBU) to explain the situa…

RT (2020-02-22). \'They took our rifles as if we were dangerous criminals\': Russian biathlete Loginov on Italian police raid. rt.com Russian biathlete Alexander Loginov, who was subjected to a search by Italian police on Saturday, said that officers broke into their hotel room early in the morning while he was sleeping and confiscated his rifle. | The unexpected search, which took place hours before the men\'s relay race at the IBU World Championship, left the team in a state of shock, with Russian biathlon managers calling the raid an act of harassment. |

RT (2020-02-22). \'Anti-doping officer personally initiated police raid without IBU authorization\' — Russian biathlon head Vladimir Drachev. rt.com The head of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) Vladimir Drachev revealed that a shocking police raid on Russian biathletes was initiated by IBU interim Anti-Doping Manager Sarah Fussek-Hakkarainen who personally signed the inquiry. | Her actions which triggered a massive police investigation were not authorized by the International Biathlon Union (IBU) which was unaware of Fussek-Hakkarainen\'s intentions. | \"I have just spoken…

RT (2020-02-22). Ignoring climate risks will result in global recession \'the likes of which we\'ve never seen before\' — study. rt.com Extreme weather could cause a major economic recession around the globe, but we are still underestimating those risks, new research warns. | \"If the market doesn\'t do a better job of accounting for climate, we could have a recession, the likes of which we\'ve never seen before,\" said Paul Griffin, an accounting professor at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, who authored \"Energy Finance Must Account for Extreme Weather Risk.\" | In a paper, published in the Nature Energy journal, he noted that the financial markets fail to link physical climate risk to company market valuations. One of the key messages…

RT (2020-02-22). \'Disgusting joke\' & mockery of the law: Julian Assange has ZERO chance of fair trial if extradited to US, Roger Waters tells RT. rt.com Julian Assange\'s extradition to the US would sound the death knell for both investigative journalism and the rule of law, Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters told RT ahead of a march organized in support of the WikiLeaks publisher. | With his extradition proceedings set to begin Monday, Assange faces 175 years in an American prison cell under the Espionage Act for his work with WikiLeaks, which has published thousands of pages of classified government documents since its founding — including evidence of US war crimes. But with the UK government intent to \"feed him to the wolves,\" Waters said Assange\'s case…

RT (2020-02-22). \'Send somebody in the morning, by evening he returns as trained terrorist\' — Indian police chief on Kartarpur Corridor. rt.com Extremist groups are trying to \"woo\" and radicalize those arriving to Pakistan through the long-awaited visa-free Kartarpur Corridor launched several months ago, India\'s police chief warned. | The 4.5km (2.7-mile) cross-border corridor used by India\'s worshippers to visit a major Sikh holy site in Pakistan continues to pose \"a huge security challenge\" in terms of terrorism, Punjab State Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta said at an Indian Express conference. He said that Pakistani-based extremists have made efforts to radicalize visitors while \"trying to woo them, making overtures to them.\" | Kartarpur of…

The Canary (2020-02-22). More flooding hits sodden communities as deluge continues. thecanary.co A third consecutive weekend of stormy weather is bringing further flooding misery to already sodden communities.With swathes of South Wales and northern and central England still trying to cope with the impact of Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, heavy showers have brought new flooding plus warnings of more to come.The Met Office said more belts of heavy rain were due on Saturday night and again on Sunday night, accompanied by warnings of high winds and snow in Scotland. | It will be another unsettled morning, with a

RT (2020-02-22). No Chinese takeaway: Jiangsu Suning reveal bid to sign Gareth Bale fell through over Real Madrid's fee demands. rt.com Gareth Bale could have been getting ready for the start of the Chinese Super League season, but one of the division\'s top clubs revealed a bid to bring the Welshman to China was scuppered when Real Madrid demanded a transfer fee.

WSWS (2020-02-22). New conflict of interest evidence against UK judge in charge of Assange extradition process. wsws.org Fresh evidence has emerged that the chief magistrate overseeing the extradition trial of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has received financial benefits from organizations connected to the UK Foreign Office.

BayAction2FreeAssange (2020-02-22). Global Protest Call Monday 24 Feb To Demand Freedom Of Julian Assange. indybay.org British Consulate General | 1 Sansome Street | San Francisco, CA | Along with Belmarsh Prison, London and UK embassies and consulates around the world…

WSWS (2020-02-22). European legal team will seek asylum for Julian Assange in France. wsws.org Members of imprisoned WikiLeaks journalist Julian Assange\'s legal team, together with Assange\'s father John Shipton, held a press conference on Thursday in Paris.

WSWS (2020-02-22). Demonstration to free Julian Assange this Monday in Montreal. wsws.org \"This case is tremendously important and holds serious implications for journalism, free speech and human rights around the world,\" demonstration organizer Elizabeth Leier told the WSWS.

Ben Norton (2020-02-22). Bloomberg surrogate was PR guru for Brazil\'s Bolsonaro. zcomm.org Former Michael Bloomberg aide Arick Wierson, who is pushing the billionaire\'s 2020 presidential campaign and attacking Bernie Sanders, helped elect far-right demagogue Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil…

WSWS (2020-02-22). Tens of thousands protest all over Germany against right-wing terror. wsws.org People in over 50 cities have taken part in spontaneous vigils and demonstrations in memory of the victims of the fascist attack in Hanau.

Philip Giraldi (2020-02-22). Trump Goes after the Brits… globalresearch.ca The inept course of what passes for United States Foreign Policy continues, with the Trump Administration now going after the nation\'s second oldest friend, Great Britain. With Trump having serially insulted America\'s oldest ally France last year, it should only …

South Front (2020-02-22). Video: Turkey\'s Sultan-in-Chief Erdogan To the Rescue of Al-Qaeda in Idlib. globalresearch.ca Tensions between the United States and Russia are growing in northeastern Syria. On February 19, a video appeared online showing how an armored vehicle of the U.S. military was pushing a vehicle of the Russian Military Police off a road. …

Stephen Lendman (2020-02-22). \"Russia AgainGate\": Phony Accusations of Russian \"2020 Election Meddling\".The Big Lie that won\'t Die. globalresearch.ca The NYT falsely warned of Russian meddling to re-elect Trump that hasn\'t occurred. | Nor does any evidence suggest it\'s coming ahead. Earlier accusations of Moscow electoral interference to help Trump defeat Hillary in 2016 were bald-faced Big Lies. | Not a …

WSWS (2020-02-22). Intelligence agencies intervene in US elections to link Sanders to Putin. wsws.org On the eve of Nevada Democratic caucuses, the Washington Post reported that \"US officials\" told Sanders the Russian government was working to aid his campaign.

WSWS (2020-02-22). Coronavirus cases outside China are alarming, global health officials say. wsws.org Though new cases of Covid-19 cases appear to be declining in Hubei province in China, officials are concerned that the epidemic may be expanding into other Asian countries and continents.

WSWS (2020-02-22). A \"ceasefire\" in Washington\'s Afghanistan debacle. wsws.org After 18 years of war, the killing of nearly 2,400 troops and the squandering of roughly $1 trillion, Washington is negotiating a deal it could have had with the Taliban without a shot being fired.

Fight Back (2020-02-22). Germany: Lenin comes to Gelsenkirchen! fightbacknews.org On March 14, the Russian revolutionary, Marxist working-class theorist and leader of the October Revolution of 1917 will come to Gelsenkirchen, Germany. 150 years after his birthday he will move permanently into Gelsenkirchen-Horst – in the form of an over two meter tall, artfully shaped cast-iron statue in front of the Horster Mitte, the federal headquarters of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany (MLPD). | \"This will also be the start of a nationwide movement 'Don't give anti-communism a chance,'\" says Gabi Fechtner, the chairwoman of the MLPD. \"In times where monuments of the great communist th…

Rebekah Barber (2020-02-22). Low-wage workers make case for raises to North Carolina candidates. zcomm.org Workers are continuing to organize in the South — and they\'re getting the attention of people running for office…

WSWS (2020-02-22). Canadian PM proclaims indigenous \"barricades must now come down\" wsws.org The Trudeau Liberal government, acting on the demands of its big business masters, is exhorting police to dismantle the indigenous railway blockades.

Sebastian Schindler (2020-02-22). Trump and the Post-Factual. indybay.org Trump\'s politics is naive and skeptical, gullable and cynical. Trump\'s relation with truth is like a generalization of conspiracy theory assumptions that see manipulative-conspiratorial activities at work behind observable reality. Beward pathological narcissists who are pathological paranoids!

Colin Todhunter (2020-02-22). Apocalypse Now! Insects, Pesticide and a Public Health Crisis. dissidentvoice.org In 2017, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver, and UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics, Baskut Tuncak, produced a report that called for a comprehensive new global treaty to regulate and phase out the use of dangerous pesticides in farming and move towards sustainable agricultural practices. In addition to the devastating impacts …

de Young Museum Docent Council (2020-02-22). \"Seeing Frida Kahlo Through Disabled People\'s Perspectives\" by Corbett O\'Toole. indybay.org Koret Auditorium | de Young Museum | 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive (in Golden Gate Park), SF…

Repost (2020-02-22). Resistance To Putting Billionaire Doris Fisher\'s KIPP Hunters Point Charter On TI. indybay.org There is resistance to putting billionaire GAP owner Doris Fisher\'s KIPP Charter on Treasure Island. The SF School District wants to put her charter on radioactive contaminated Treasure Island at the closed Treasure Island Elementary School. | Doris Fisher pushed to have her school co-locate with the Malcom X Academy Public school and want to grab more of the space at the public school. This is allowed under Proposition 39 which allows charter schools to bust up public schools by taking their space. Prop 39 was written by Netflix billionaire Reed Hastings and supported by the Fisher family which owns the GAP, The…

Sam Pizzigati (2020-02-22). What Billionaires Really Love About Hard Work. commondreams.org Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks during a campaign event on January 30, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/mike_bloomberg.jpg …

EFF & Americans for Financial Reform (2020-02-22). EFF Asks FTC To Scrutinize Secret Deal Saddling .ORG Registry with $360 Million in Debt. indybay.org February 21, 2020: The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) called for the disclosure of secret financing details behind the $1.1 billion .ORG sale, and has asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to scrutinize the deal. The transaction would saddle the .ORG registry with $360 million in debt.

WSWS (2020-02-22). Video: \"To stop right terror, you need to know where it comes from\" wsws.org Socialist Equality Party (SGP) deputy chairman, Christoph Vandreier, spoke at a vigil at the Brandenburg Gate after a right-wing terrorist killed eight people in Hanau, Germany.

Dan Bacher (2020-02-22). Attorney General Becerrra and Governor Newsom file lawsuit against Trump water plan. indybay.org \"As we face the unprecedented threat of a climate emergency, now is the time to strengthen our planet\'s biodiversity, not destroy it,\" said Attorney General Becerra. \"California won\'t silently spectate as the Trump Administration adopts scientifically-challenged biological opinions that push species to extinction and harm our natural resources and waterways.

Steve Payne (2020-02-22). Janitors and Guards Feature Climate and Housing in Their Strike Demands. zcomm.org \"I\'m going to vote to strike today because we all deserve good jobs, but also because we need these companies to take responsibility for what they do to the planet, and to leave a healthy planet for our children and grandchildren.\"

teleSUR (2020-02-22). Nicaraguan President: The US Repeats Policies Against Peoples. telesurenglish.net Nicaragua\'s President Daniel Ortega inaugurated Friday the new mandate of the Army\'s Chief Julio César Avilés, during a ceremony celebrating the 86th anniversary of the death of the revolutionary leader, General Augusto Nicolás Calderón Sandino. | RELATED: | The National Assembly opened the session in Niquinohomo, where Sandino was born, as a tribute to the revolutionary leader. | \"Sandino, our national hero, and with him, we walk through his heroic…

yenisafak (2020-02-22). Thai students to protest banning of popular opposition party. yenisafak.com Thai students are expected to stage a protest on Saturday against a court\'s decision that dissolved the country\'s second largest opposition party, less than a year after an election to end direct military rule.The Constitutional Court on Friday disbanded the upstart Future Forward Party, which won more than 6 million votes last year and came in third, for accepting loans from its founder.The court also banned 16 party executives from politics for 10 years, including its charismatic billionaire leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.The ban strengthens the position in parliament of a coalition led by Prime Minister…

yenisafak (2020-02-22). Sanders puts Democratic front-runner status on the line in Nevada\'s caucuses. yenisafak.com Bernie Sanders faces a test of his front-runner status in the Democratic White House race on Saturday in Nevada, where voters will consider an unsettled field of candidates as they search for a challenger to take on President Donald Trump.Sanders, a self-identified democratic socialist senator from Vermont, has surged to the top of opinion polls nationally and in Nevada after strong performances in the first two nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire earlier this month.While Sanders\' rivals will try to blunt his momentum in Nevada, they each face significant challenges of their own.Former Vice President Jo…

yenisafak (2020-02-22). Iraq reports first coronavirus infection. yenisafak.com Iraq on Saturday reported its first coronavirus case in the southern Dhi Qar province, according to a local medical source.The source said an Iraqi student tested positive for the virus after returning from the Iranian city of Qom.He said the student has been quarantined for further tests.On Saturday, the Iraqi authorities called on its nationals not to travel to neighboring Iran, where five coronavirus deaths were reported.The move came after Iraq banned Iranian citizens from entering the country through border terminals for three days.Coronavirus has spread to more than 25 other countries including the U.S., th…

yenisafak (2020-02-22). Despite horror stories, California cruise passengers won\'t let coronavirus spoil their fun. yenisafak.com With a white captain\'s hat perched on his head, Calvin Ballard seemed relaxed as he waited to depart on his first-ever cruise to Mexico, unfazed by the possibility of being trapped on a ship under siege by an outbreak of coronavirus.Like many fellow vacationers streaming onto an ocean liner docked near Los Angeles, Ballard said he was well aware that passengers aboard other cruises had ended up stranded for weeks, far from home, and he vowed to take special care to stay healthy. Nonetheless, he was determined to have a good time.\"What we\'re planning on doing is washing our hands often, trying not to touch things…

yenisafak (2020-02-22). Syrian Turkmen support Ankara\'s involvement in Idlib. yenisafak.com Turkey is involved in Syria in order to stop deaths and displacement, speaker of the Syrian Turkmen Assembly said on Saturday.In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Muhammed Vecih Cuma said that the continuing attacks by Assad regime and its allies in Idlib, Syria, have led to the region\'s \"biggest humanitarian crisis\".He said that nearly four million people in the region were expecting help.\"One million of them are displaced from their homes and have lost their families,\" Cuma said. \"While some of them live in tents, others, unfortunately, try to survive under trees. Turkey helps them.\"Established in 2012, the Syr…

yenisafak (2020-02-22). Aramco to win unconditional EU clearance for $69 bln SABIC deal. yenisafak.com Saudi Aramco is set to gain unconditional EU antitrust approval for its $69 billion buy of a 70% stake in petrochemicals group Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) , people familiar with the matter said on Friday.Aramco announced the deal to acquire the controlling stake from sovereign investor Public Investment Fund (PIF) in March last year, a move key to its diversification into refining and petrochemicals.Riyadh-headquartered SABIC, the world\'s fourth largest petrochemicals group, has operations in over 50 countries.The European Commission, which is scheduled to decide on the case by Feb. 27, declined to commen…

yenisafak (2020-02-22). Lesotho PM granted medical leave from wife murder case: police. yenisafak.com Lesotho\'s 80-year-old prime minister has been granted sick leave until Feb. 27 when he will be have to appear in court on charges of murdering his wife, the country\'s deputy police commissioner said on Saturday.Thomas Thabane was due to be charged on Friday, but he failed to appear in court and instead travelled to South Africa for what aides said was a medical appointment.Police at the time threatened to issue an arrest warrant if there was evidence that Thabane, who denies involvement in the killing, was trying to evade justice.His then-wife Lilipelo, 58, was shot dead in June 2017, two days before he took offi…

yenisafak (2020-02-22). At least six PKK/KCK suspects arrested in southern Turkey. yenisafak.com Turkish police arrested on Saturday six PKK/KCK suspects for their links to the terrorist group, security sources said.The arrests came after prosecutors in the southern port city of Mersin issued warrants for the suspects, said the sources who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.Those arrested include members of the Peoples\' Democratic Party (HDP) such as Akdeniz district chair Feyza Kaya and Toroslar district chair Cabbar Karabeg, among others.Ankara has long accused the HDP of having links to the terrorist YPG/PKK.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -…

yenisafak (2020-02-22). Turkish father loses \'helpful\' son in Germany shooting. yenisafak.com His father, Behcet Gultekin said he was shot dead two minutes after he met him.The father, who is suffering from cancer, has been living in Germany for 52 years.\"I go to the Frankfurt University clinic twice a week for chemotherapy. He used to take me and served as an interpreter for me […] He was very helpful and very religious,\" Behcet Gultekin said. Burak Kararti, Turkey\'s consul general in Frankfurt, told reporters after a visit to the grieving family that Turkish-origin people, as the largest foreign community in the country, often face these kinds of racist attacks. \"Terrorism has no nationality, gender,…

yenisafak (2020-02-22). ANALYSIS: EU aims to restrict Turkey in Mediterranean. yenisafak.com Josep Borrell, who assumed…