2020-10-23: News Headlines

Beau Peters (2020-10-23). Early Voting, Long Lines, and Voter Suppression. dissidentvoice.org November 3rd, Election Day in America, is rapidly approaching. However, early in-person voting has started in several states across the country and there are some concerning issues already coming to light this election year. Videos by voters have been circulating on social media sites such as Twitter, showing extremely long lines and long waiting periods. …

RT (2020-10-23). Biden claims he never said he'd ban fracking, despite video, admits he wants to 'transition' away from oil industry. rt.com Joe Biden said he wants to "transition" away from oil and have all industries at "net zero emissions" by 2035. He also claimed he's never said he would ban fracking, despite video evidence of him saying just that. | "Would he close down the oil industry?" President Donald Trump asked of Biden at Thursday's presidential debate. "Would you close down the oil industry?" | "I would transition from the oil industry, yes," Biden admitted, a statement Trump called "big" and critics latched onto on social media, taking it as an admission he would destroy an industry vitally important to the economies of many states.

Zero Hedge (2020-10-22). "A Truly Orwellian Culture" — Amazon Removes COVID Skeptic's Book for Violating Content Guidelines. globalresearch.ca Around the time Twitter

RT (2020-10-22). Hunter's business partner CONFIRMS authenticity of laptop email, claims Joe Biden was part of Chinese deals. rt.com A former associate of Hunter Biden's has said that an email addressed to him concerning potentially shady deals with a Chinese firm is genuine and that Hunter's father was also involved in the scheme. | A tranche of emails, text messages and photos, allegedly taken from a hard drive that belonged to the former vice president's son and published by the New York Post, have been dismissed by many media outlets as "unverified" and potentially even "Russian disinformation." Twitter even blocked the link to the original story. But now a man claiming to be a recipient of one of the leaked emails, concerning a busines…

RT (2020-10-22). US federal judge says Trump's tweet calling to release Russiagate docs with 'no redactions' was NOT official order amid FOIA suits. rt.com A US judge has ruled that a tweet sent by President Donald Trump earlier this month did not constitute an order to declassify material linked to the Russiagate probe, as CNN and Buzzfeed press for the docs in ongoing lawsuits. | US District Judge Reggie Walton said on Wednesday that, while the tweet appeared to order the release of new material free of any redactions, a clarification from White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows qualified as a reversal of the move. The judge was also critical of the administration for a lack of clarity on the question. | "It is unfortunate that we are in this situation because,…

RT (2020-10-22). FDA formally approves pricey antiviral Remdesivir as Covid-19 treatment. rt.com The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Gilead Sciences' expensive antiviral drug Remdesivir to treat Covid-19, expanding its earlier emergency use authorization and guaranteeing huge profits for the company. | Remdesivir has become the first and only drug to be officially approved in the US for treating infection with the novel coronavirus after the FDA issued its decision on Thursday. The move expands on a May emergency use authorization, which allowed doctors to use it to treat hospitalized Covid-19 patients. | Gilead has issued a statement confirming the drug will be used for Covid-19 patien…

RT (2020-10-22). Conservatives accuse Twitter of selectively ignoring own policies on REVENGE PORN, misleading content in Borat prank on Giuliani. rt.com Conservatives blasted Twitter for ignoring and even promoting what they called a misleading revenge-porn attack on Rudy Giuliani after censoring reporting on alleged influence-peddling by Joe Biden's family. | At issue was a picture posted on Twitter on Wednesday showing Giuliani laying back on a bed with his hand reaching inside his pants while a woman stands nearby. The image was taken from the new 'Borat' sequel, in which Giuliani, a personal lawyer for President Donald Trump, believed himself to be doing an interview on the Covid-19 pandemic with a female Russian reporter. After the interview, Giuliani and…

RT (2020-10-22). 'Best goal EVER': Rangers star Kemar Roofe sends social media wild with OUTRAGEOUS goal from inside his own half (VIDEO). rt.com Rangers star Kemar Roofe sent social media into meltdown as he scored a guaranteed Puskas contender with an incredible strike from inside his own half during the Europa League game against Standard Liege. | With the match into injury time and the Scottish visitors 1-0 to the good thanks to James Tavernier's first-half penalty, Roofe showed no ambition to play things safe when he won up the ball deep in his own half. | Instead, the 27-year-old, who had only come on as a 74th-minute substitute for Steven Gerrard's men, danced his way past three opposition players before unleashing a long-range drive from inside…

RT (2020-10-22). WATCH: Colorful fireball blazes across Puerto Rican skies as Google Loon project sparks hundreds of UFO reports. rt.com As a fireball lit up the night sky in Puerto Rico, hundreds of people notified the authorities about strange objects flying above the Caribbean island. | The impressive light show took place on Tuesday night, as the Orionid meteor shower was peaking. The stunning spectacle was captured by photographer Frankie Lucena, who shared footage of the incident on social media on Wednesday. | The skywatcher speculated that the fireball was a Taurid — a type of meteor named after their radiant point in the constellation Taurus. | Colorful fireball from last night. The tail seems to be pointing in the direction of Ta…

Nora Fernandez (2020-10-22). An End to the Fog. Understanding the World We Live In… globalresearch.ca Understanding the world we live in seems more confusing than ever, and, advanced technology is part of the problem, presenting information not always reliable and bringing to the front real and fake conspiracies. Our attention, often hostage of social media, …

Fight Back (2020-10-22). Tallahassee: Candidate from for Superintendent of Leon County Schools. fightbacknews.org Tallahassee, FL – On Saturday, October 10, the Progressive Parent Teacher Student Alliance (PPTSA), a subcommittee of Tallahassee Community Action Committee (TCAC) hosted an online candidate forum for Superintendent of Leon County Schools, with the aim of giving the viewing public an opportunity to learn where the candidates stand in relation to the progressive platform put forth by TCAC. | The event was hosted on Zoom and broadcast on Facebook Live. Although TCAC put on the forum, moderator Dawn Orocio opened the event by clarifying, "TCAC does not endorse candidates but we encourage candidates to endorse our p…

sputniknews (2020-10-22). Facebook Launches Independent Oversight Board to Hear Appeals by Banned Users. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Facebook announced in a press release on Thursday that users who have been banned and have exhausted appeals can have their cases examined by an oversight board consisting of outside experts who are independent of the social media giant.

sputniknews (2020-10-22). 'Diplomatic Offensive': US Cementing Stance on Quieting Israel Critics With Rumored NGO Label. sputniknews.com The US continues to ignore international law, Kim Iversen, independent journalist and host of the Kim Iversen Show on YouTube, and Nicolas Davies, peace activist and author, told Political Misfits Thursday, citing a new story alleging that the US administration plans to declare several prominent nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as anti-Semitic.

The Canary (2020-10-22). Liverpool hospitals treating more coronavirus patients than at peak of pandemic. thecanary.co Hospitals in Liverpool are treating more coronavirus patients than they were during the peak of the first wave of the pandemic, the medical director has said. | Dr Tristan Cope, medical director of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Royal, Aintree and Broadgreen hospitals in the city, said the numbers were continuing to rise. | Writing on Twitter, he said: "Sadly we are now treating more patients in hospital with Covid-19 @LivHospitals than we did in April at the peak of the first wave and numbers continue to rise. | "So important that people in #liverpool and @LivCityRegion adhere to social…

Staff (2020-10-22). Nigerian Forces Kill 12 as Anti-Police Brutality Protests Grow. truthout.org Mass protests against police brutality continue in Nigeria after security forces shot and killed 12 peaceful protesters in Lagos this week. Video widely shared on social media shows security forces firing directly into a crowd of demonstrators in Lagos singing the country's national anthem. Authorities have imposed a curfew to clamp down on the growing demonstrations, which started as a demand to disband the notorious police unit known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, or SARS, but which have since grown int…

yenisafak (2020-10-22). Top Belgian diplomat in intensive care with COVID-19. yenisafak.com Belgium's foreign minister has been hospitalized in intensive care for treatment of the coronavirus.A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Thursday confirmed Sophie Wilmes had been in hospital since last night.Wilmes announced Saturday on Twitter that she had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, adding: "An infection that probably occurred in the family circle, given the precautions I have taken outdoors." She was in self-quarantine since Friday.In the past few days, Belgium has recorded a steep rise in the infections. With the country's health minister warning of a "tsunami" of infections, the government has or…

yenisafak (2020-10-22). Turkey neutralizes 3 YPG/PKK terrorists in N.Syria. yenisafak.com "Three PKK/YPG terrorists, who tried to infiltrate the [Operation] Peace Spring area to disrupt the peace and security environment, were neutralized by our heroic commandos," the ministry said on Twitter.Turkish officials often use the word "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).In its more th…

Nadda Osman (2020-10-21). Kuwait deports Lebanese TV presenter over 'immoral' social media content. middleeasteye.net Kuwait deports Lebanese TV presenter over 'immoral' social media content | The decision to deport Sazdell has sparked a wider conversation online on what public morals are | Wed, 10/21/2020 – 12: 59 | Sazdell said she was not told of specific rules she had violated (Screengrab/Instagram) | Kuwait's Ministry of Interior has deported Sazdell El Kak, a Lebanese presenter and public figure, for "violating pu…

Mohammed Amin (2020-10-21). How Trump's tweet signalled $335m Sudan payment to end decades of sanctions. middleeasteye.net How Trump's tweet signalled $335m Sudan payment to end decades of sanctions | Agreement between Washington and Khartoum saw Sudan pay millions in compensation to US victims of bombings | Wed, 10/21/2020 – 15: 43 | Sudanese protesters take to the streets on 21 October 2020 in Khartoum and neighbouring cities against a worsening economic crisis (AFP) | A tweet by Donald Trump has sparked wide discuss…

RT (2020-10-21). 'Our account was hacked!' Fort Bragg, home of US Special Operations, nukes account after posting sexually explicit tweets. rt.com Fort Bragg, the massive US military base in North Carolina, has deleted its official Twitter account after claiming it had been hacked to explain a string of embarrassing sexually explicit messages. | The messages were "not the work of our admins," the base said in a now-deleted tweet on Wednesday afternoon. "Our account was hacked. We apologize to our followers." The entire account disappeared shortly thereafter. | Someone from Fort Bragg's social media staff didn't realize they were logged into the wrong account. Whoops! | (Fort Bragg has since nuked their twitter after seemingly lying about being hacked. DO…

RT (2020-10-21). 'Not all Twitter users stay in US': Anger erupts as Twitter implements temporary changes to retweet function ahead of US election. rt.com Twitter has made users jump through an additional hoop before they retweet a message on their platform, as part of a series of temporary measures purportedly designed to fight disinformation ahead of the US election. | In a blog post, the company

RT (2020-10-21). Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko investigated for plotting coup. rt.com The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has launched a criminal case into an alleged coup plot by former President Petro Poroshenko and his associates, an opposition MP has announced, publishing scans of the relevant documents. | "I publish documents … about launching an investigation into the facts of illegal seizure of state power, large-scale embezzlement and legalizing 'dirty' money by an organized criminal group" which Poroshenko was allegedly part of, Renat Kuzmin, an MP for the 'Opposition Platform — For Life' political party, wrote on Facebook. | The deputy listed Ukraine's former Acting Presi…

teleSUR (2020-10-21). Twitter Changes 'Retweet Rules' Ahead of US Elections. telesurenglish.net From this Wednesday until November 3, Twitter users are asked to share their tweets with a comment. This request is aimed at forcing citizens to reflect on what they are sharing or add a personal perspective on the shared content. | RELATED: | U.S. users are being redirected to the "retweet with comment" step directly once the "retweet" button is pressed. Although if they leave that space blank, they will be able to retwe…

Binoy Kampmark (2020-10-21). Sloppy Methodology: Social Media, Censorship and the New York Post's Hunter Biden Story. counterpunch.org It was highly probable. Given the howls of concern that social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook nurse and nurture a bias (every choice on content entails one), a gift was made to critics to show just that. Last Wednesday, Twitter prevented users from posting links to a New York Post story. The story,

Sandipan Talukdar (2020-10-21). WHO mega trial results out: Remdesivir, Interferon fail to prove effective. peoplesdispatch.org None of the four drug/drug combinations that were deployed in the WHO's SOLIDARITY trial were found to be effective in reducing mortality, not even the much-hyped anti-viral drug Remdesivir…

Staff (2020-10-21). Trump Abruptly Ends "60 Minutes" Interview Tweeting It Was "FAKE and BIASED" truthout.org Apparently upset over the line of questioning he was receiving from CBS News's Lesley Stahl, President Donald Trump abruptly ended an interview on Tuesday with the veteran journalist that was set to air on "60 Minutes" over the weekend. |

Staff (2020-10-21). Facebook and Google Cash In on Misleading Ads for Nonexistent "Trumpcare" truthout.org "Trumpcare" insurance will "finally fix healthcare," said an advertisement on Facebook. | The problem is, there's no such thing as "Trumpcare." | Facebook and Google have promised to crack down on lies and misinformation about politics in the run-up to next month's presidential election, but they have run tens of thousands of ads in the past year containing false claims about health insurance reform and plans. | The "Trumpcare" ads don't appear to have a political aim and don't advocate for the re…

yenisafak (2020-10-21). Mosques in two French cities under police protection after threats, says minister. yenisafak.com French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Wednesday he had asked local authorities to put mosques in the cities of Bordeaux and Beziers in southwestern France under police protection following threats or acts of violence."Such actions are unacceptable on the soil of the Republic" the minister said in a tweet.

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2020-10-21). 'Unprecedented and Desperate': As Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty Nears Entry Into Force, Trump Administration Urges Withdrawals. commondreams.org "This is completely outrageous and yet somehow not at all surprising," one nuclear expert said of the U.S. effort. | www.facebook.com/icanw.org/photos/4024403290909893

commondreams (2020-10-21). New Report Exposes Facebook as "the World's Engine for Anti-Muslim Violence" commondreams.org ______________________________…

RT (2020-10-20). #MeToobin trends on Twitter as CNN legal analyst enters the pantless pantheon, after 'jerking off' on Zoom call. rt.com CNN analyst and New Yorker writer Jeffrey Toobin is being slated online for masturbating during a Zoom call with colleagues. As #MeToobin trends on Twitter, Toobin enters the pantless pantheon of public figures caught in the act. | Jeffrey Toobin has been suspended from his job at the New Yorker magazine and been given leave from CNN, after exposing his genitals on a Zoom call with co-workers. According to Vice News, which broke the story on Monday, "Toobin was masturbating" during the teleconference, with his fellow journos saying they saw him "jerking off." | "I thought I had muted the Zoom video," the liber…

RT (2020-10-20). 'LGB… QIA… Plus'? Tiffany Trump slammed for 'disaster' appearance at 'Trump Pride' event. rt.com First daughter Tiffany Trump has received rare social media attention, but for all the wrong reasons, after bungling a speech at a pro-LGBT 'Trump Pride' campaign event in Florida. | Donald Trump's daughter addressed what appeared to be a small scattering of supporters in an echoey hall in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, where she was to address LGBT Trump supporters. | The viral-video making moment came when Tiffany attempted to use the 'LGBTQIA' acronym, but stopped abruptly midway and botched it by leaving out the 'T'. | "I know what my father believes in. Prior to politics he supported gays, lesbians, the L-G-…

RT (2020-10-20). Dying laughing: Facebook demonetizes satirical website Babylon Bee for 'inciting violence' with Monty Python joke. rt.com Facebook has demonetized Christian satire site the Babylon Bee, saying even after a manual review that an article which used a popular Monty Python bit to skewer Senate questioning of Trump's Supreme Court pick "incites violence." | The social media behemoth told Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon that it "stood by" the decision to not only remove the article but demonetize the Bee's entire page on Tuesday, insisting the piece — headlined "Senator Hirono Demands ACB Be Weighed Against a Duck To See if She Is a Witch" — "incites violence," Dillon revealed on Twitter. | So after a manual review, Facebook says…

RT (2020-10-20). Nigerian troops open fire at anti-police brutality protesters in Lagos as 24-hour curfew kicks in — reports. rt.com Soldiers have reportedly opened fire at people protesting against police brutality in Lagos, Nigeria, shortly after a 24-hour curfew was imposed in the city over the escalating demonstrations. | Gunfire and sirens were heard in the Lekki district of Nigeria's financial capital, witnesses told Reuters. | Though there have been no official reports of fatalities or injuries, some locals shared graphic footage on social media of blood-soaked garments and flags. | "They started firing ammunition toward the crowd. They were firing into the crowd. I saw the bullet hit one or two persons," one local security officer s…

RT (2020-10-20). 'One of the most impressive phenomena in modern Russia': Communist leader Zyuganov asks Kremlin to listen to Khabarovsk protesters. rt.com The leader of Russia's Communist Party has called for the government to "hear the voice of the people" in Khabarovsk, where citizens have been protesting daily for more than three months over the arrest of their former governor. | Writing on Twitter, four-time presidential candidate Gennady Zyuganov called the demonstrations "one of the most impressive phenomena in modern Russia," and asked the Kremlin to listen to the concerns of the aggrieved and "take the path of development and progress." | –í –•–∞–±–∞—Ä–æ–≤—…

WSWS (2020-10-20). The Social Dilemma: The "curse" of social media. wsws.org The Social Dilemma is a docudrama hybrid that explores, according to its creators, "how social media is reprogramming civilization" in a dangerous direction.

Dr. Binoy Kampmark (2020-10-20). Sloppy Methodology: Social Media, Censorship and New York Post's Hunter Biden Story. globalresearch.ca It was highly probable. Given the howls of concern that social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook nurse and nurture a bias (every choice on content entails one), a gift was made to critics to show just that. Last …

news.un (2020-10-20). UN urges people to #PledgetoPause before sharing information online. news.un.org With the COVID-19 pandemic sparking a "communications emergency" caused by false information disseminated on social media, the UN Secretary-General is encouraging people everywhere to take a breath before sharing content online.

Jasmine Norden (2020-10-20). Zuckerberg quietly hid left-wing news from you, it's just been revealed. thecanary.co Facebook intentionally According to T…

MEE staff (2020-10-19). Trump says US to remove Sudan from state sponsors of terrorism list. middleeasteye.net Trump says US to remove Sudan from state sponsors of terrorism list | US president says transitional government agreed to pay $335m to 'US terror victims and families' | Mon, 10/19/2020 – 19: 51 | US President Donald Trump made the announcement over Twitter (AFP/File photo) | US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Washington will remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after the countr…

RT (2020-10-19). Suspect barricades himself in at Paramount Studios, shots fired amid massive police response (VIDEOS). rt.com The suspect in a sexual assault case barricaded himself into a building at Paramount Studios, prompting a heavily armed response from the LAPD. The suspect was eventually arrested after a brief siege. | The siege began after local police attempted to arrest the suspect in Los Angeles at approximately 10pm local time on Sunday, according to Fullerton Police Cpl. Billy Phu. Eyewitness footage from the scene captured the extent of the major armed police response. | #paramountstudios pic.twitter.com/rA4pZxskDH— VO$$ DRIPPIN (@vossdrippin) RT (2020-10-19). 'Bad arm!' Trump blasts 'disaster' Fauci in campaign call, slams doctor's baseball pitching. rt.com After Dr. Anthony Fauci gave an interview in which he claimed the White House was controlling his media appearances, the president lashed out at him, even taking to comparing how each of them throws a baseball. | "Dr.Tony Fauci says we don't allow him to do television, and yet I saw him last night on @60Minutes," Trump tweeted on Monday, referencing the interview where Fauci made his claims about being limited in who he can talk to. | "He seems to get more airtime than anybody since the late, great, Bob Hope," the president added, referencing the late comedian known for his near-constant rotation on television…

yenisafak (2020-10-19). Turkey to plant saplings in fire-hit southern province. yenisafak.com Turkey is all set to plant saplings on 50 hectares [nearly 124 acres] of land in the southern Hatay province, the country's agriculture and forestry minister said on Monday."We have already completed the preparation for planting seedlings on 50 hectares of land," Bekir Pakdemirli wrote on Twitter.Sharing photos of the field work from the area affected by recent fires, Pakdemirli said they are quickly eliminating the negative impact of the fire.On Oct. 8, a fire erupted in Hatay, affecting some 400 hectares (988 acres) of area and damaging many buildings.

Jake Johnson, staff writer (2020-10-19). With Biden Path to Victory Still Fraught, Senate Democrats Issue All-Hands-on-Deck Warning Against Trump and GOP Election Threats. commondreams.org "The reality is that this race is far closer than some of the punditry we're seeing on Twitter and on TV would suggest," Biden's campaign manager cautioned over the weekend. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/trump_voting_election.jpg