(2020-01-14). Has Facebook Learned Nothing? commondreams.org Instead of taking a serious look at its responsibility as a curator and disseminator of vast amounts of information in a highly charged political atmosphere, Facebook has shunted the responsibility on to its consumers. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/zuckerberg_0.jpeg …
(2020-01-14). Bolivia's new right-wing government intensifies crackdown on journalists, doctors. mronline.org 
The U.S.-backed administration of Jeanine Añez is arresting prominent members of the press and even doctors in what it calls a "dismantling of the propaganda apparatus of the dictatorial regime of Evo Morales." | Source
(2020-01-14). Russia hopes triggering dispute resolution mechanism in Iran deal won't complicate situation. rt.com 
Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, commented on Tuesday on the decision by the UK, Germany and France to launch a dispute resolution mechanism within the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear deal. | "They stated that they did it 'in good faith' to preserve the deal and that it has nothing to do with maximum pressure policy," the Russian diplomat tweeted. "Let's hope that this step will not complicate the situation further." | The three European states said they have been left with "no choice, given Iran's actions, but to register to…
(2020-01-14). US Clearing Anti-War Voices Off the Web in Vast Censorship Operation. theantimedia.com (TMU) — Instagram and its parent company Facebook are removing posts that appear to be in support of the late Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in order to comply with U.S. sanctions, a company spokesperson recently told CNN. "We operate under U.S. sanctions laws, including those related to the U.S. government's designation of the IRGC and …
(2020-01-14). The Montessori Schools Set to Track Students' Every Move. progressive.org At schools that were meant to foster self-paced learning in the natural world, the billionaires behind Facebook and Amazon are funding new data-seeking tech.
(2020-01-14). Pundits Go Nuts Over New Russian Hacking Conspiracy. theantimedia.com (CJ Opinion) — The New York Times reports that GRU operatives launched a successful "phishing attack" on the Ukrainian gas company at the heart of scandalous allegations about Joe Biden, and establishment pundits are falling all over themselves to tweet the hottest take on this exciting new Russia conspiracy. The story itself fails the smell test on a …
(2020-01-14). When East Meets West: EXO Kai Poses With Jared Leto at Gucci Event. sputniknews.com Fans of both artists are super excited to see the two music legends interacting.
(2020-01-14). Jewish left-wingers slam Labour leadership candidates' alliance with controversial Board of Deputies. thecanary.co All five candidates for Labour leader have backed a highly controversial list of demands from the right-wing Board of Deputies of British Jews (BoD). And Jewish left-wingers have led the outrage among Labour supporter…
(2020-01-14). A US thinktank eager for war on Iran has been throwing money at Boris Johnson's cabinet. thecanary.co A new exposé reveals that a US thinktank eager for war with Iran has been throwing money at key members of Boris Johnson's cabinet, including the PM himself. | Writing in the Daily Maverick, journalist Matt Kennard reveals that the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) has spent tens of thousands of pounds on Conservative ministers. Given the current high tensions between the US an…
(2020-01-14). Boris Johnson may see 'the hand of the future' but there's a very significant past in Northern Ireland he can't ignore. thecanary.co On 13 January, Boris Johnson visited Belfast to meet the leaders of the restored government. Johnson claimed he could "see the hand of the future". It was an imitation of Blair's "I feel the hand of history upon our shoulders" comment. Blair used this during the 1998 Good Friday Agreement ( GFA) negotiations. | And o…
(2020-01-13). Trump defends killing of Soleimani regardless of 'imminent' threat, says he had a 'horrible past'. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has lashed out against the "fake news media" and their "Democrat partners" over criticism of his administration's decision to assassinate Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. | The president claimed in tweets marred with misspellings that it does not matter if Soleimani presented an imminent threat to the US, something he had said previously to defend the assassination, because of the general's "horrible past." | The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners are working hard to determine whether or not the future attack by terrorist Soleimani was "imminent" or not, & was my team in agr…
(2020-01-13). Trump's odd tweet of Pelosi and Schumer in Muslim garb sparks outrage, but defense even more bizarre. rt.com 
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham gave a strange defense of a tweet from President Donald Trump that depicted Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in Muslim clothing and sparked major backlash. | Grisham says Democrats are "taking the side of terrorists" and that was the point Trump was trying to make when he retweeted an image of Pelosi and Schumer photshopped with Muslim garb on in front of an Iranian flag. | Fox News host Harris Faulker confronted Grisham about the tweet on Monday and even read a response that called the photoshopped image a "slur." | "Why the actual hell is the president of the Unite…
(2020-01-13). WATCH: Alabama man lucky to be alive after tornado-thrown branch just misses him. rt.com 
One Alabama man was incredibly fortunate not to be crushed by a huge branch flung to the ground during an intense storm which lashed the state over the weekend. | Footage shot by the man's doorbell camera shows him entering his property in Pickens County, Alabama, mere seconds before a tree limb came crashing to the ground right where he had been walking, shattering instantly with the force of the impact. | Guys. I'm pretty sure that I'm still alive bc I'm supposed to watch the @Vikings win today. Otherwise I'd be dead. üò≥…
(2020-01-13). Under US pressure, social media companies censor critical content and suspend Venezuelan, Iranian, and Syrian accounts. thegrayzone.com As the US escalates its hybrid wars, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are suspending accounts and censoring content that conflicts with…
(2020-01-13). Milwaukee: Momentum builds for protest at Trump visit. fightbacknews.org Milwaukee, WI – Preparations are well in hand for the demonstration set to meet President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to Milwaukee on January 14. The initial announcement of the protest was met with a great deal of excitement. This feeling has been sustained, reflected in the fact that over 4500 people have said on Facebook they are interested in attending. | "The fact that we're still mobilizing in huge numbers four years into Trump's presidency tells us something about where the masses of people are at," said Ryan Hamann, a leader with the Coalition to March on the DNC, the organization who initiated the call…
(2020-01-13). Jeff Bezos Donates Three Minutes' Income to Help Australia Fight Wildfires. mintpressnews.com The donation would be equivalent to someone who earned $500 per week announcing on social media that they had just donated five cents to help tackle the blazes.
(2020-01-13). Juan Guaidó threatens attack against teleSUR. peoplesdispatch.org Far-right Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, declared his intentions to silence the state-owned media outlet, teleSUR on Twitter on January 11. He announced he would take it over and claimed that it "supports terrorists". | "In the next few days we keep moving forward: tomorrow we will announce the steps to recover the Telesur signal in the continent, and keep an eye on where and when we are going to hold a session of the National Assembly, to open the doors of the (Legislative) Palace and soon those of Miraflores (government office)," tweeted Guaidó. | "Since its creation, Telesur has been used to promot…
(2020-01-13). Damning Video Emerges of Biden Praising Bush for Leading America Into Iraq War. theantimedia.com (ZH) — Yet another video of Democratic primary front runner Joe Biden passionately defending the 2003 Iraq invasion and occupation has resurfaced and is going viral. In it he even sings George W. Bush's praises at a moment which came a mere few months after the now infamous "Mission Accomplished" stunt aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. This comes …
(2020-01-13). Iran's Accidental Downing of a Ukrainian Plane Already Being Used to Smear MH-17 Skeptics. dissidentvoice.org 
When the Pentagon confirmed the assassination of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media to post a single image of the American flag to the adulation of his followers. Unfortunately, most Americans are ignorant of the other flag synonymous with U.S. foreign policy, that of the 'false flag' utilized …
(2020-01-12). Facebook 'thought police' censors pro-Iran posts 'to comply with US sanctions'… as Trump warns Tehran against censorship. rt.com 
Facebook has admitted to selectively censoring pro-Iranian government Instagram posts about the murdered General Soleimani, as US President Donald Trump hypocritically championed free speech and warned Tehran against censorship. | Instagram has confirmed that they have been removing posts that voice support for Qassem Soleimani, with a Facebook spokesperson claiming that censorship is fully justified in order to comply with US sanctions. Instagram is one of the few social media platforms that is not blocked in Iran, and it is where many within the country went to fuel outrage over the US assassination strike i…
(2020-01-12). 'Totally up to them': Trump says he 'couldn't care less' if Iran negotiates with US or not. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump said his maximum pressure campaign against Iran is not about bringing it to the negotiating table, but ensuring that Tehran doesn't obtain nuclear weapons or kill protesters. | "Actually, I couldn't care less if they negotiate. Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and 'don't kill your protesters'," Trump said in a tweet Sunday night, contradicting the narrative of National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien. | National Security Adviser suggested today that sanctions & protests have Iran "choked off", will force them to negotiate. Actually, I couldn't care less if they negot…
(2020-01-12). US wants to discuss steps for Iran to become 'normal country' without precondition — Esper says amid 'warnings' from Washington. rt.com 
Despite soaring tensions, the US is open to talk with Tehran, Defense Secretary Mark Esper has said. But there's a catch: such discussion should revolve around "a series of steps" that would make Iran "a more normal country." | "We're willing to sit down and discuss without precondition a new way forward, a series of steps by which Iran becomes a more normal country," Esper said on Sunday, speaking on CBS's 'Face the Nation'. | On negotiations between U.S. and Iran, @EsperDoD acknowledged that Iran, once deemed "corrupt" is "still the legitimate go…
(2020-01-12). 'Impeached for life': Pelosi sets off Twitter fireworks, falsely claims Dems pursuing subpoena-defying witnesses. rt.com 
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made numerous odd claims about Trump impeachment in a new interview, including that Dems are pursuing subpoena-defying witness from the Ukraine investigation. | While speaking on ABC's 'This Week' Pelosi told host George Stephanopoulos that "this president is impeached for life, regardless of any gamesmanship on the part of Mitch McConnell." | While Congress passed articles of impeachment against the president, he still technically needs to go through a trial in the Senate to determine his guilt. One is not "impeached" until a decision is made through a trial. Congress merely conduct…
(2020-01-11). 'Your courage is inspiring!' Trump tweets in FARSI, backing Iranian protesters against Tehran govt. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has appealed directly to the protesters in the streets of Iran, wading into the grief and fueling anti-government discontent, after Tehran admitted to accidentally shooting down a Ukrainian jet. | "To the brave, long-suffering people of Iran: I've stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency, and my Administration will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage," Trump wrote both in English and Farsi, addressing the protesters in Iran. | ÿ®Ÿá ŸÖÿ±ÿØŸÖ ÿ…
(2020-01-10). "Democracy For Sale": Cambridge Analytica & Big Tech's History of Manipulating Elections. democracynow.org 
A longtime Facebook executive has admitted the company's platform helped Donald Trump win the 2016 election, and it may happen again this year. In an internal memo, Facebook Vice President Andrew Bosworth wrote, "So was Facebook responsible for Donald Trump getting elected? I think the answer is yes." Bosworth, who was a backer of Hillary Clinton in 2016, went on to write that the company should not change its policies in an effort to hurt Trump's re-election chances. In his memo, Bosworth referenced the role of the shadowy data firm Cambridge Analytica but downplayed its significance. However, a new Oscar-shortl…
(2020-01-10). Study Finds Bots and MAGA Supporters Pushing #IraniansDetestSoleimani Hashtag. mintpressnews.com 
A social media disinformation expert studied 60,000 tweets from nearly 10,000 accounts using the hashtag #IraniansDetestSoleimani and found that the most common phrases in those users' biographies were "Make America Great Again" and "Trump."
(2020-01-09). Headlines for January 9, 2020. democracynow.org Trump Appears to Pull Back from New Military Action Against Iran, Mitch McConnell Met with Trump at White House & Discussed Impeachment Trial, Investigators Probe Cause of Fatal Boeing Plane Crash in Tehran, Youth Climate Group the Sunrise Movement Endorses Bernie Sanders, More Than 1 Billion Animals Killed in Climate-Fueled Wildfires in Australia, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Says She's Cancer-Free, Guatemalan President Says U.S. Cannot Send Mexican Asylum Seekers to Guatemala, Spanish Socialist Party Leader Pedro Sánchez Sworn In as Prime Minister, Facebook Doubles Down on Its Policy of Allowing Lies in Political Ads…
(2020-01-08). A View from Tehran: Iranian Professor Condemns U.S. Aggression & Warns U.S.-Backed Gulf States. democracynow.org 
Iranian forces fired 22 ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in Iraq early Wednesday in what Iran described as "fierce revenge" for the U.S. assassination of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike last week at the Baghdad airport. The Iranian missiles targeted the Al Asad Airbase in Anbar province and a base in Erbil. There were no initial reports of U.S. or Iraqi casualties. Shortly after the attacks, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted, "We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression." Earlier today, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali…
(2020-01-07). "The Great Hack": Big Data Firms Helped Sway the 2016 Election. Could It Happen Again in 2020? democracynow.org 
The documentary "The Great Hack," which was shortlisted for the Oscars, explores how the data firm Cambridge Analytica came to symbolize the dark side of social media in the wake of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Cambridge Analytica collapsed in May 2018 after The Observer newspaper revealed the company had harvested some 87 million Facebook profiles without the users' knowledge or consent. Cambridge Analytica then used the data to sway voters to support President Trump during the 2016 campaign. We speak with "The Great Hack" co-directors Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim, as well as Cambridge Analytica whistle…
(2020-01-07). Propaganda Machine: The Military Roots of Cambridge Analytica's Psychological Manipulation of Voters. democracynow.org 
We continue our discussion of data harvesting, targeted advertising and voter manipulation — practices used by firms like Cambridge Analytica. The secretive data firm collapsed in May 2018 after The Observer newspaper revealed the company had harvested some 87 million Facebook profiles without the users' knowledge or consent to sway voters to support Trump during the 2016 campaign. A new trove of internal Cambridge Analytica documents and emails are being posted on Twitter detailing the company's operations, including its work with President Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton. We speak wit…
(2020-01-07). Meet Brittany Kaiser, Cambridge Analytica Whistleblower Releasing Troves of New Files from Data Firm. democracynow.org 
New details are emerging about how the shadowy data firm Cambridge Analytica worked to manipulate voters across the globe, from the 2016 election in the United States to the Brexit campaign in Britain and elections in over 60 other countries, including Malaysia, Kenya and Brazil. A new trove of internal Cambridge Analytica documents and emails are being posted on Twitter detailing the company's operations, including its work with President Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton. The documents come from Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Brittany Kaiser, who worked at the firm for three-and-a-half yea…
(2020-01-06). More Rockets Fired At US Embassy, US Iranians Detained & Trump Says Twitter Is "Notifying Congress" thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (1/5/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
(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…