2020-12-19: News Headlines

RT (2020-12-18). 'A bit too transparent'? Pfizer fumes as Belgian official leaks all VACCINE PRICES for EU in 'unintended' Twitter post. rt.com The shroud of secrecy over the Covid-19 vaccines' prices was suddenly lifted, when Belgian MP Eva De Bleeker published a tweet detailing how much the EU is paying to six pharma companies for each shot. | Brussels has for months been insisting it is legally restricted from revealing any details on the price of the coronavirus vaccines, but that didn't stop the senior official from blowing the lid late on Thursday. | De Bleeker, who is Belgium's State Secretary for Budget and Consumer Protection, quickly realized her blunder and deleted…

Alan MacLeod (2020-12-17). US Embassy Caught Scrubbing Tweets Urging Venezuelans Not to Vote. globalresearch.ca The United States embassy for Venezuela has been caught deleting tweets undermining the integrity of the "Tomorrow in Venezuela there will be …

Steve Watson (2020-12-17). Twitter Says It Will Remove All Posts Claiming Vaccines Can Harm People. globalresearch.ca Twitter has declared that it will remove all posts that suggest there are any "adverse impacts or effects of receiving vaccinations," despite reports already emerging of health workers getting sick from taking Pfizer's coronavirus shot. | Twitter

Harvey Goldberg (2020-12-17). Ecuador: Popular Progressive Alliance Wins Election Certification. indybay.org "#ThePresidentialTicketOfHope will be on the ballot on #7thFebruary. Thanks to everyone who was vigilant and mobilized! Thanks for international solidarity! The Ecuadorian people have enforced their right to choose in democracy," tweeted Andrés Arauz, candidate for President for UNES in response to his ticket being given firm certification by the election authorities. | Photo credit: Wikipedia…

sputniknews (2020-12-17). Watch as Chinese Helicopter Zips Through Highway Traffic Just Inches Above Road. sputniknews.com China's Z-8 helicopter, derived from the French Super Frelon, has long been a staple of the Chinese armed forces, which is still finding new uses for the powerful heavy-lifter. However, using such a large aircraft for stunts was probably previously unknown.

Nur Ayoubi (2020-12-16). Chicken run: Lebanese boy risks life and limb to rescue runaway fowl from Israel. middleeasteye.net Chicken run: Lebanese boy risks life and limb to rescue runaway fowl from Israel | Hussein Shartoony becomes an unexpected hero after Israeli soldiers fire bullets into the air as he attempts to rescue his friend | Wed, 12/16/2020 – 11: 59 | The reaction of the Israeli soldiers to Hussein and his chicken garnered ridicule online (Screengrab/Twitter) | Hezbollah may be Israel's most pressing threat on the Le…

Rayhan Uddin (2020-12-16). Dissident former Saudi jockey alleges poison threat and attempt to 'lure' her home. middleeasteye.net Dissident former Saudi jockey alleges poison threat and attempt to 'lure' her home | Alya Al-Howeiti, once a celebrated sports star in the kingdom, reveals backlash and death threats since speaking out against Riyadh's policies | Wed, 12/16/2020 – 14: 22 | Alya al-Howeiti was a celebrated Saudi jockey, before becoming a London-based human rights activist (Screengrab/Twitter) | A Saudi dissident and fo…

MEE and agencies (2020-12-16). Turkey: YouTube to appoint local representative after government pressure. middleeasteye.net Turkey: YouTube to appoint local representative after government pressure | Critics have warned that the new internet law, which requires such a role, will increase censorship and help silence dissent | Wed, 12/16/2020 – 13: 38 | 'We remain committed to our Turkish users, creators and business partners, and will continue to preserve the platform's vibrance and openness,' YouTube said in a…