(2019-12-31). Protest at Facebook Headquarters. indybay.org Facebook HQ | 1601 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, California 94025…
(2019-12-31). IACHR Identified 68 Thousand Twitter Accounts Created in Support of Bolivia's de Facto Government. globalresearch.ca The Commission (an appendage of OAS) explained that since the (forced) resignation of Evo Morales, the accounts have supported hashtags such as #BoliviaLibreyDemocratica and #NoHayGolpeEnBolivia. | *** | The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) detected, as part of the campaign to …
(2019-12-31). Trump says US-China trade deal will be signed on Jan 15. yenisafak.com The president wrote in a tweet that he would sign the deal with "high level representatives of China" and that he would later travel to Beijing to begin talks on the next phase.The deal on the first phase was struck in December.
(2019-12-31). Trump blames Iran for 'orchestrating' attack on US embassy in Iraq. yenisafak.com U.S. President Donald Trump blamed Iran on Tuesday for "orchestrating" an attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad and said he will hold Tehran responsible."Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible. In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified," Trump said in a Twitter post.The U.S. State Department and White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the American ambassador and other embassy staff ha…
(2019-12-31). LGBTQ Activists Took on ICE, the Corporatization of Pride, and More in 2019. truthout.org Most queer and trans people get their news from a few media conglomerates and tech companies that control most of what we see, and only a few very privileged queer and trans voices get any kind of platform. | The largest for-profit LGBTQ+ outlets are owned by a holding company, Pride Media, which may soon shut down the 52-year-old Advocate and 27-year-old Out (the author of this piece has contributed to both). After years of surrendering profits to internet giants like Facebook and Google, the t…
(2019-12-31). UN Expert Calls Detention of Chelsea Manning 'Open-Ended, Progressively Severe, Coercive Measure Amounting to Torture'. commondreams.org United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer shared on social media Tuesday a letter he sent to the United States government last month expressing concerns that the continued detention of whistleblower Chelsea Manning amounts to torture. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/chelsea_manning_0_0.jpg …
(2019-12-31). Only US govt-friendly apps allowed? Army bans soldiers from using TikTok over alleged Chinese 'cyber threat'. rt.com 
The US Army has banned personnel from using Chinese social media app TikTok, signaling that its soldiers should stick to platforms that march exclusively to Washington's tune. | An army spokeswoman confirmed on Monday that the Chinese app "is considered a cyber threat" and will no longer be allowed on government phones and mobile devices. The military had previously used the popular social media platform to reach out to potential recruits. | The decision comes less than two weeks after the US Navy banned the Chinese app from all government-issued mobile devices — citing the same alleged "cybersecurity thr…
(2019-12-31). Trump calls US helping Russia thwart terror attack 'great & important coordination'. rt.com 
President Donald Trump has lauded coordination that helped Russian security services prevent New Year terror attacks in St. Petersburg, after they received intelligence from their US counterparts. | "They were able to quickly apprehend the suspects, with many lives being saved. Great & important coordination!" Trump said in a tweet. | President Putin of Russia called to thank me and the U.S. for informing them of a planned terrorist attack in the very beautiful city of Saint Petersburg. They were able to quickly apprehend the suspects, with many lives being saved. Great & important coordination!— Donald…
(2019-12-31). Trump blames Iran for Baghdad embassy attack, promises US will 'always' respond strongly. rt.com 
President Donald Trump has blamed Iran for bombing a coalition base and orchestrating the storming of the US Embassy in Baghdad, as Iraqis rage at American airstrikes on militias in the country. | "Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many," the president tweeted on Tuesday. "We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible." | Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsib…
(2019-12-31). New Year, new decade: Celebrations ringing in 2020 kick off around the world with incredible fireworks (VIDEOS, PHOTOS). rt.com 
The new year and next decade are being welcomed in style around the world, kicking off with the Pacific Islands and New Zealand before Sydney, Australia followed suit with its annual epic fireworks display. | The Pacific Islands of Samoa were the first to mark 2020, sending out a shower of fireworks to ring in the new year. | The last 30 secs of mountain fireworks Apia, Samoa. pic.twitter.com/sb1oRuhwvD— HoodLikeMe (@ChuckTaylorz89) December 31, 2019 | In New Zealand, Auc…
(2019-12-31). US sends reinforcements to its Baghdad embassy amid Iraqi protests over strikes. rt.com 
The US is sending more troops to its embassy in Baghdad, which was previously surrounded by protesters angry over airstrikes that Iraq called a breach of its sovereignty. | The American reinforcements had been summoned in line with "appropriate force protection actions to ensure the safety of American citizens" in Iraq, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday. The troops, he explained, were only "to ensure our right of self-defense." | VIDEO: AH-64 Apaches protect @USEmbBaghdad. üöÅ"We have taken appropriate force p…
(2019-12-31). Cubicle 2020? Internet field day after Mike Bloomberg promises 'open office plan' for White House East Room if he wins presidency. rt.com 
Billionaire ex-mayor Michael Bloomberg has exposed himself to torrents of Twitter snark, after pledging that as president he would convert the East Room in the White House into a soulless maze of cubicles. 'Why?' many asked. | The presidential contender found it necessary — for reasons which may forever remain a mystery — to announce that he will turn the White House's historic East Room into an "open office" if he secures the Democratic nomination and defeats Donald Trump in 2020. | The former New York City mayor said that by doing so, he'll be able to "sit with our team" — presumably as he jud…
(2019-12-30). 2019: sounds like an upsurge. fightbacknews.org In 2019, we saw workers take to picket lines and we saw mass movements hit the streets in the U.S. and around the world. And when there's an upsurge with lots of people hitting the streets, you can bet it will be accompanied by protest music. This year has been no exception. | Here are my favorite political songs of 2019. Some give voice to a specific struggle, while others tackle more general themes. | I'm sure I missed out on some good ones – add more in the comments. | (Content warning: some of these songs contain profane language and…
(2019-12-30). Ukraine And Pro-Russian Separatists Complete Prisoner Swap. telesurenglish.net The Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have completed a full prisoner exchange, exchanging all remaining detainees from the five-year conflict. | RELATED: | 'Russia Rejects Deployment of Turkish Troops to Libya' Peskov | The Ukrainian presidency reported on Sunday in a facebook statement that "the mutual release o…
(2019-12-30). Michael Moore on Trump, 2020 & Why "the Old, Angry White Guy" Doesn't Represent the Working Class. democracynow.org 
Last week on Democracy Now!, acclaimed filmmaker "Michael Moore predicted": www.democracynow.org/2019/12/26/michael_moore_donald_trump_impeachment Donald Trump would win re-election if Democrats don't choose a candidate to run against him who excites their base of voters. His comments prompted President Donald Trump to respond on Twitter, "He made [the] same prediction in 2016. Nobody ever said Michael was stupid!" But Moore's comments went further than Trump's tweet alluded to. He said the working class in the United States is mostly women, people of color and young people — all groups who tend to v…
(2019-12-30). Michael Moore: Democrats Must Not Ignore Voters of Color. truthout.org Last week on Democracy Now!, acclaimed filmmaker Michael Moore predicted Donald Trump would win re-election if Democrats don't choose a candidate to run against him who excites their base of voters. His comments prompted President Donald Trump to respond on Twitter, "He made [the] same prediction in 2016. Nobody ever said Michael was stupid!" But Moore's comments went further than Trump's tweet alluded to. He said the workin…
(2019-12-30). Because of Small Donations, Sanders 'Out-Raised Literally Everyone Else in the Field' in 2019. commondreams.org #PresidentSanders trended on Twitter as the senator approached 5 million donations for the year. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/sanders.age__0.jpg …
(2019-12-30). Too good to be true? Sharon Stone BLOCKED by dating app after disbelieving users flag her account as fake. rt.com 
If a Hollywood star can't find a date what hope do the rest of us have? Social media users were haunted by this existential question after Sharon Stone revealed that she had made an account on a dating app — but was blocked.
(2019-12-30). All West Virginia prison guard trainees pictured giving NAZI salute on viral photo SACKED after review. rt.com 
Three staff members and all of the West Virginia corrections cadets, who posed for a photo making a hand gesture resembling a Nazi salute, have been sacked after an inquiry found the class instructor encouraged the practice. | All 34 would-be prison guards and three West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation Academy employees have been fired after an in-depth investigation into the viral photo showing the trainees giving a Nazi salute in a class photo accompanied by the words "HAIL BYRD!" | "As I said from the beginning, I condemn the photo of Basic Training Class 18 in the strongest possible ter…
(2019-12-30). Elon Musk unveils Starship's 'giant dome' 1 month after explosion devastated launch vehicle (VIDEOS). rt.com 
The SpaceX craft Elon Musk hopes will one day take astronauts to Mars has taken a step forward, with the team building the 50-meter-tall (160 feet) capsule working around the clock to finish its huge dome. | Musk shared updates about the project's progress on Twitter on Monday, saying he and the SpaceX team had spent the whole night working on the "most difficult part of [the] primary structure": Starship's giant dome. | In his videos, he shows three of the huge structures at varying stages of construction — and it wasn't long before Twitter users compared the strange hemispheres to alien crafts. | Almost…
(2019-12-30). Plane carrying Kansas basketball team forced to make emergency landing after engine SPITS FIRE (VIDEO). rt.com 
A Swift Air 737 passenger jet was forced to make an emergency landing after one of its engines malfunctioned and began spitting fire, as terrifying eyewitness video taken on board shows. | The plane was forced to turn around 20 minutes into its flight, having just departed Mineta San Jose International Airport on Sunday. The University of Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team was on board and their senior associate athletic director, Ryan White, shared shocking video of one of the plane's engines belching blazing fire. | @KUHoops plane blows engine…
(2019-12-29). US Aircraft Bombs Base of Iranian-Backed Forces in Iraq. telesurenglish.net The U.S. military carried out a new attack against the Iranian-backed forces in Iraq's Al-Anbar province, the Popular Mobilization Forces announced on Sunday. | RELATED: | Iraqi Parliament Approves New Electoral Law, Deadlock Persists | In a statement via their official Twitter account, the Popular Mobilization Forces said, "U.S. planes bombed sites belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces in western Al-Anbar." | The Pentagon has since confirmed the strikes as well, claimin…
(2019-12-29). Texas church shooting: Gunman neutralized by parishioners after killing 1 & gravely injuring another in White Settlement. rt.com 
A gunman killed one and injured another person during a service at a church in White Settlement, Texas, before a parishioner shot him dead. | In a graphic livestreamed video from the service, the gunman – wearing a black hood – approaches the communion server before pulling out what appears to be a shotgun. He manages to shoot two worshippers at point-black range as the panicked crowd dives for cover among the wooden pews. Before the gunman can squeeze off a third shot, an armed "heroic parishioner" as police later call him shoots the perpetrator. Multiple other bystanders pull weapons and encircle the man.
(2019-12-27). Wikileaks Still Holding Powerful to Account as Founder Julian Assange "Slowly Dies" in Prison. mintpressnews.com Julian Assange is dying inside Belmarsh Prison in London. Those are his own words, relayed through English journalist Vaughan Smith, who revealed that the Wikileaks founder called him on Christmas Eve to share his greetings. Smith also divulged that Assange told him he is kept in solitary confinement 23 hours per day and is often sedated. | His treatment has elicited protests around the world, from journalists, news organizations, human rights groups and celebrities. Last week a group of Australian doctors asked Foreign Minister Marise Pay…
(2019-12-25). Social Media and Social Control: How Silicon Valley Serves the US State Department. mintpressnews.com 
Facebook isn't the only Silicon Valley firm with partisan oversight of what we see: the bipartisan billionaire class and their security state have partnered with tech firms since the dawn of the internet to control the parameters of users' thinking.
(2019-12-24). 'Kill them with kindness': Kevin Spacey brings back Frank Underwood in puzzling Christmas message. rt.com 
Disgraced actor Kevin Spacey has emerged from reclusion to post a cryptic Christmas video message, in which he channels the subtle malice of 'House of Cards' politician Frank Underwood. | The video, entitled 'KTWK' and posted to Spacey's YouTube channel on Christmas Eve, resembles a similar clip published almost exactly one year ago. In the latest one, Spacey appears as a genial old man, stoking a roaring fire as Christmas stockings hang from the mantelpiece. | "You didn't really think I was going to miss the opportunity to wish you a merry Christmas, did you?" Spacey asks, turning to the camera with Underw…
(2019-12-23). Chile: TV broadcast live when two armored cars crushed citizen. mronline.org 
Real-time scenes evidenced once again how the Chilean state acts with rampant and absurd violence. | Source
(2019-12-18). Tories spent over £950,000 on Facebook adverts in late election blitz. thecanary.co 
The Conservative Party spent more than any other party on Facebook and Instagram adverts in the run-up to last week's General Election, analysis by the PA news agency has found.It largely came in a spending blitz in the final two weeks of the campaign.Across their two main pages — named Conservatives and Boris Johnson — the party spent a total of £959,329 in the four weeks up to the vote.In comparison, Labour spent £552,035 on its Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn pages between 14 November and 12 December, the fourth most of the major UK parties.The Liberal Democrats were the second biggest spe…
(2019-12-16). Viral Chilean feminist anthem reveals powerful international sentiment against sexual violence. liberationnews.org 
The protest song was first performed for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 20 in Valparaíso, Chile.
(2019-12-02). The War on Truth: How Israel's Social Media Trolls Conquered Facebook. zcomm.org Israel may have found a way to circumvent the influence of Facebook on the discussions pertaining to Palestinian rights and the Israeli occupation…
(2019-12-01). The Usual Incoherence on Student Benefits Is Back. peoplespolicyproject.org 
Of all the welfare state topics, student benefits manages to consistently attract the most incoherent and weird arguments, and the recent spate of arguments on this front are no exception. In the last week, a student benefit dustup has been instigated by Pete Buttigieg ostensibly being against free public college for millionaires and billionaires while Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders are ostensibly for it. | This has set off the usual round of commentary about how Buttigieg is arguing for means-testing while Warren and Sanders are arguing f…
(2019-11-17). CAP's Topher Spiro Is Trying to Deceive Journalists By Lying. peoplespolicyproject.org 
It's been fun to see how the Center for American Progress (CAP) navigates this year's presidential election. For insider political reasons, they can't support Biden or Sanders. But for a long time, it was unclear who the alternative candidate they could support would be. | When Kamala Harris was rising, CAP's staff was doing overtime boosting her on Twitter and in the press, including boosting Harris's absurd health care proposal. But Harris's collapse put an end to that strategy. Recently Warren has risen as the alternative and so CAP has been working to promote her campaign, which puts CAP in the comical positi…