(2019-12-26). Trump Warns Syria, Russia, Iran Over Idlib Campaign. telesurenglish.net U.S. President Donald Trump took a shot at the governments of Syria, Iran, and Russia on Thursday, warning them against renewing their assault on the Idlib province. | RELATED: | Syria: Trump Administration Builds Military Base in Oil Field | Trump, who praised Turkey in the tweet, was relatively silent during Ankara's "Operation Peace Spring" in northeastern Syria, despite the fact it displaced thousands and killed and wounded many civilians. | "Russia, Syria, and Iran are kill…
(2019-12-26). 'Blinding the Truth': Israeli Snipers Target Gaza Protesters in the Eyes. globalresearch.ca Media coverage and social media posts went wild when Palestinian photojournalist Muath Amarneh was blinded in his left eye after he was hit by a rubber bullet while covering a protest in the West Bank. | However, Amarneh was far from …
(2019-12-26). Lennon in Havana. counterpunch.org The anniversary of John Lennon's death (December 8) was marked in Cuba. Criticism followed on social media: Cuba repressed Beatles music forcing kids under the covers. Abel Prieto and Guille Vilar, youth in Cuba at the time, say it's not true. [1] But that's not the point. More useful, Prieto argues, is what happened to More
(2019-12-26). Colombian Attorney Asks to Stop Murder of Social Leaders. telesurenglish.net The Colombian attorney general, Fernando Carrillo, urged the government of Colombia led by Iván Duque to stop the systematic murder of social leaders in that country. | RELATED: | Colombia: Farmers Leader Shot to Deat in Front of His Family | The official urged the Government, through his Twitter account, to convene the National Security Guarantees Commission "immediately and ensure its operation." | He added that the threat against social leaders in Colombia "is latent and must…
(2019-12-26). Turkish soldiers offer hot drinks at Syria checkpoints. yenisafak.com Turkey's Defense Ministry released a video on Thursday showing Turkish soldiers in northern Syria offering hot drinks to people during road controls.In the video, soldiers at the checkpoints can be seen distributing hot drinks to people in the area cleared by Turkey's latest anti-terror operation."Our soldiers continue their search activities at the checkpoints in Operation Peace Spring area for the safety of life and property of our Syrian brothers," the ministry said on Twitter.Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in or…
(2019-12-26). Egg-standing test goes viral as ring-of-fire eclipse crosses Asia. yenisafak.com Can you make an egg stand on its narrow side during a solar eclipse?According to a popular scientific theory, an egg will support itself that way when the moon obscures the sun and during the spring equinox, due to increased gravity.While the theory has been debunked, that did not stop Malaysian and Indonesian social media users from putting it to the test on Thursday, as thousands of skywatchers gathered across parts of Asia to witness a rare annular solar eclipse.Videos shared online showed dozens of users succeeding in getting eggs to balance on different surfaces including on gravel, a window pane, and a plat…
(2019-12-26). French arms killed dozens of Yemenis, say Houthi rebels. yenisafak.com Yemen's Houthis accused France on Wednesday of providing arms and logistics to the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia fighting the rebel group in the war-ravaged country. "France has killed and injured more than 38 Yemenis by artillery shelling in Al-Raqou market in Manbeh border district in Saada governorate," Mohamed Al-Houthi, a top Houthi rebel tweeted.He added that the the French legal system was turning a blind eye to these attacks.No comments have been made by the Arab Coalition or the French government on these accusations, so far.On Monday, the group accused the Saudi army of bombing Al-Raqou market whic…
(2019-12-26). Six Afghan soldiers killed in suicide car bombing. yenisafak.com At least six Afghan soldiers were killed in a Taliban-claimed suicide car bombing in the northern Balkh province on Thursday, an official statement confirmed.The country's Defense Ministry said in a statement that the insurgents blew-up a car packed with explosives near an Afghan National Army base at around 4: 30 a.m. local time (2400GMT). Confirming the death toll, it said three soldiers were wounded in the early morning assault.Claiming responsibility for the deadly assault, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted that the base was completely overrun in this attack.Earlier this week, the Taliban claimed ki…
(2019-12-26). Muslim boxer Khan 'shocked by all the hate' after posting Merry Christmas message with family. rt.com 
British boxer Amir Khan has slammed critics of a picture he posted to social media on Christmas Day of him and his family dressed in festive regalia, saying he is 'shocked by all the hate'. | Khan, a Muslim, posted the picture of he and his wife Faryal Makhdoom, along with their two daughters, dressed in pyjama bottoms and t-shirts reading 'Daddy Deer' to mark Christmas Day on Wednesday, but apparently spent the next hours siphoning through his notifications after a string of offensive replies. | Having he had his fill of the criticism, the former Olympic silver medalist then took to Twitter to hit back at his…
(2019-12-26). Russian opposition activist Navalny refutes reports of his arrest. rt.com 
Russian opposition activist Aleksey Navalny has refuted reports of his arrest during a raid on the headquarters of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) in Moscow on Thursday. | His spokesman, Kira Yarmysh, tweeted earlier that Navalny was "forcibly detained and taken away," adding that "he did not resist." Lawyers were present at the office during the search, she said. | However, Navalny later clarified that nobody was detained at the FBK. It was not immediately clear why the search had been initiated. Russian law enforcement agencies have not commented on the raid so far.
(2019-12-26). 'Christmas shopping brings happiness': WATCH Christians enjoy holiday spirit in Iran. rt.com 
Iran's Christian community decorated neighborhoods with happy Christmas lights and roamed the streets dressed as Santa Claus celebrating their main holiday with festive cheer. | Christians set up Christmas trees at their homes, and a mass was held in St. Joseph Cathedral in Tehran on Christmas Eve. | The streets were illuminated with bright lights in Christian neighborhoods in Isfahan and other cities. | Christmas in #Iran , in my beautiful city #Esfahan
(2019-12-26). Israeli jets strike Gaza in retaliation after rocket siren forces Netanyahu to seek shelter. rt.com 
The Israeli military has carried out a series of retaliatory strikes against alleged 'terrorist targets' in Gaza, after rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave forced PM Netanyahu to interrupt a campaign speech and seek cover. | The IDF confirmed its warplanes and helicopters struck several targets belonging to Hamas, including the group's "military complexes," early Thursday morning. | In response to the rocket fired from #Gaza at Israeli civilians earlier tonight, the Israeli Air Force just struck a number of Hamas terror targets in…
(2019-12-26). Lennon in Havana. counterpunch.org 
The anniversary of John Lennon's death (December 8) was marked in Cuba. Criticism followed on social media: Cuba repressed Beatles music forcing kids under the covers. Abel Prieto and Guille Vilar, youth in Cuba at the time, say it's not true. [1] But that's not the point. More useful, Prieto argues, is what happened to More
(2019-12-26). Hellish ride: Unique bootleg 'Tesla Cybertruck' goes on SALE in Russia for 666,666 rubles. rt.com 
The elusive handmade 'copy' of Tesla Cybertruck that has been spotted outside Moscow is now up for sale in Russia. Unlike the fancy original, it has a very modest price tag of $10,000 — but is it actually worth it? | The vehicle, somewhat resembling Elon Musk's latest contraption, was put up for sale by its creators after the car was first spotted driving outside Russia's capital last week, causing enormous stir on Russian social media. | The unique vehicle already propelled Tesla stocks to over $420, and its futuristic forms, 1-door hatchback design, custom wheels and fully tinted panoramic plastic wind…
(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.
(2019-12-25). Michael Moore: Sanders Can Beat Trump in 2020. telesurenglish.net The American documentary filmmaker and activist Michael Moore, a frequent critic of President Trump, said Tuesday that he believes Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders could defeat the president in the 2020 election. | RELATED: | US: AOC Endorses Sanders at 'Bernie's Back' Rally in Queens, NY | During an interview with the MSNBC television network, the renowned documentary filmmaker said this could happen because of t…
(2019-12-24). Would Refugee Baby Jesus Have Been Torn From Mary's Arms by Trump? commondreams.org A Nativity scene in the southern Califiornia city of Claremont depicting the Holy Family as a separated family held in cages at the U.S. border is sparking controversy and conversations over President Donald Trump's immigration policies. (Photo: Rev. Karen Clark Ristine/Facebook) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/nativity.jpg …
(2019-12-24). Ethiopian Muslims Protest After Several Mosques Are Burned. telesurenglish.net Several thousand Muslims from all over Ethiopia have protested in recent days against the burning of four mosques in the Amhara region, especially after the attacks in Motta city where many Muslim-owned businesses were damaged. | RELATED: | Syria: Trump Administration Builds Military Base in Oil Field | The attacks on Motta, which occurred on December 20, have caused an active response from the Muslim com…
(2019-12-24). Lopez Obrador Ratifies Mexico's Environmental Commitments. telesurenglish.net President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador today ratified his government's commitment to caring for the environment with prohibitions on the use of techniques that damage it and negative concessions. | RELATED: | Mexico Accuses Bolivia of Intimidating Its Diplomats in La Paz | In his morning press conference, the president specifically referred to avoiding the use of transgenic corn seed, banning hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the…
(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
(2019-12-23). 'I've got a lot of problems with you people': Rand Paul unloads on Washington in Festivus Twitter tirade. rt.com 
Government waste, neocon warmongers, and the ongoing impeachment circus: Senator Rand Paul is mad about a lot of things, and channeled his inner Seinfeld to air his grievances with the world. | Republican Senator Rand Paul (Kentucky) celebrates the fictional December 23 holiday of Festivus – immortalized by 'Seinfeld' in 1997 – with an annual "airing of grievances." After releasing his annual ' Festivus Report' on government overspending last week, the deficit-hawk Senator took to Twitter on Monday to air some more p…
(2019-12-22). 13 people shot at Chicago house party, four critical. rt.com 
Thirteen people have been shot at a possible house party on Chicago's south side. All have been brought to hospital, with four in critical condition. | Police responded to the gunfire at around 12.35am on Sunday morning. According to police, the victims were attending a house party held in honor of a 22-year-old man fatally shot during an attempted carjacking in April, when a fight broke out. | Chicago: @Chicago_Police are investigating a #MassShooting after 1…
(2019-12-21). CIA torture is 'snow secret': Edward Snowden roasts CIA's feelgood holiday tweet. rt.com 
Every now and again the CIA does its best to appear relatable, and every time the agency gets put back in its place. Now, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden hijacked a festive tweet to slam the CIA's torture practices. | "It's *snow secret* that we love winter," the clandestine agency tweeted on Saturday, marking the first day of winter in the US. | Snowden was acerbic in his response. "It's *snow secret* that you tortured Gul Rahman for weeks at a black site, then chained him naked to a concrete floor until he died in the near-winter cold," he tweeted. | It's *snow secret* you tortured Gul Rahman for weeks at a…
(2019-12-20). Trump raises 'smocking' age to 21 & slams nonexistent 'ET' mag, creating thousands of proofreaders in one stroke. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has excoriated Christianity Today magazine for demanding his dismissal, referring to it as "ET" in his rage. Then he bragged about raising the "smocking" age, further triggering his new editors. | Trump warned his supporters that the magazine Christianity Today, which published an editorial calling for him to leave office on religious grounds earlier this week, had degenerated into a "far left magazine" in a tweet on Friday. The periodical "would rather have a Radical Left nonbeliever, who wants to take your religion & your guns, than Donald Trump as your President," he fumed. ….h…
(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…
(2019-12-17). Reuters Shields OAS Over False Claims That Sparked Bolivia Coup. fair.org 
Reuters ( 12/4/19) highlights the findings of the Organization of American States—while omitting the criticism of those findings. | Organization of American States (OAS) election monitors published a "final report" on December 4— 22 days later than promised—on Bolivia's October 20 presidential election, won by President Evo Morales. The tardy release of the fin…
(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…