(2020-10-02). President Trump says he & first lady tested positive for coronavirus after top aide infected on campaign trail. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he and First Lady Melania Trump have both tested positive for the coronavirus, just hours after it was learned a senior aide had contracted the illness. | "Tonight, [the first lady] and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!" the president tweeted in the early hours of Friday morning. | Tonight,
(2020-10-02). Can we make Facebook and Google "democratic utilities?" zcomm.org Is there another path we could take that might allow us to harness the benefits of these huge services, while also blunting their negative effects?>
(2020-10-02). Scotland's first minister calls on lawmaker to resign over breaking COVID rules. yenisafak.com Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, called on one of her lawmakers to resign on Friday after Margaret Ferrier admitted that she had travelled while suffering symptoms of COVID-19 and then after testing positive."I've spoken to Margaret Ferrier and made clear my view that she should step down as an MP (member of parliament)," Sturgeon said on Twitter."I did so with a heavy heart – she is a friend & colleague – but her actions were dangerous & indefensible. I have no power to force an MP to resign but I hope she will do the right thing."
(2020-10-01). Serious questions remain about shady 'PeaceData' website blamed on Russian trolls. thegrayzone.com As political censorship escalates on social media, American spy agencies accuse Russia of running a fake left-wing news website called PeaceData. But there is no evidence for the FBI's claims, and many questions remain unanswered. By Ben Norton US government intelligence agencies have initiated a series of smear campaigns relying on false innuendo to suggest that independent left-wing American media outlets are connected to Russia. The broad-based, longstanding operation to imply links between foreign governments and alternative news websites through …
(2020-10-01). Serious questions remain about mysterious 'PeaceData' website blamed on Russian trolls. thegrayzone.com As political censorship escalates on social media, American spy agencies accuse Russia of running a fake left-wing news website called PeaceData. But there is no evidence for the FBI's claims, and many questions remain unanswered. By Ben Norton US government intelligence agencies have initiated a series of smear campaigns relying on false innuendo to suggest that independent left-wing American media outlets are connected to Russia. The broad-based, longstanding operation to imply links between foreign governments and alternative news websites through …
(2020-10-01). Sturgeon slams Westminster over reports that UK government plans to hold asylum seekers on Scottish Islands. rt.com 
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has taken to Twitter to promise "the strongest possible opposition" to reports that Westminster is considering the Outer Hebrides as a "holding pen" for asylum seekers. | Sources told The Sun on Wednesday that Westminster was considering the Outer Hebrides as a one of a number of offshore locations for the processing of asylum seekers following a surge in migrants crossing the English Channel in 2020. | The reports were met with fierce criticism from the first minister, who tweeted: | They can rest assured that any proposal to treat human beings like cattle in a holding…
(2020-10-01). Twitter removes 130 Iran-linked accounts during US presidential debate. middleeasteye.net 
Twitter removes 130 Iran-linked accounts during US presidential debate | Social media giant says accounts all appeared to originate in Iran and were identified based on FBI intelligence | Thu, 10/01/2020 – 17: 06 | Last year, Twitter removed almost 5,000 accounts it said were linked to Iranian government (AFP/File photo) | Twitter says it removed 130 accounts linked to Iran that were "attempting to disrupt the…
(2020-10-01). And the medal goes to… Sexism! Oppression-olympics poster valorizing Hillary Clinton goes viral, boggling Internet's mind. rt.com 
The online community has ridiculed a 2014 political poster that uses the n-word and b-word repeatedly and seeks to prove racism ended with Barack Obama's presidency, while sexism has remained unchallenged throughout US history. | The art project, titled 'Words Matter' and designed by Yue Chen, went viral on Wednesday, after it grabbed users' attention for having the n-word typed over it some fourteen times.
(2020-10-01). You'll be executed first, Twitter's woke ex-CEO tells tech businessmen who wish to steer clear of politics. rt.com 
People on Twitter think its former CEO has called for the execution of his political opponents, after Dick Costolo warned that "me-first capitalists" will face firing squads during "the revolution." | Costolo, a veteran tech entrepreneur who ran Twitter between 2010 and 2015, poured some gasoline on the fire of an argument currently underway in Silicon Valley. People in IT are debating whether corporations should be engaged in social justice activism and allow political discourses in their workspaces. | "Me-first capitalists who think you can separate society from business are going to be the first people line…
(2020-10-01). The Idiotic Claim That Other Nations Are 'Disrupting The Public Conversation' On US Politics. thealtworld.com 
Twitter claims that it has suspended 130 Iranian accounts for "attempting to disrupt the public conversation" during the US presidential debate. | "Based on intel provided by the FBI, last night we removed approximately 130 accounts that appeared to originate in Iran," a
(2020-10-01). You'll be executed first, Twitter's woke ex-CEO tell tech businessmen who wish to steer clear of politics. rt.com People on Twitter think its former CEO has called for the execution of his political opponents, after Dick Costolo warned that "me-first capitalists" will face firing squads during "the revolution." | Costolo, a veteran tech entrepreneur who ran Twitter between 2010 and 2015, poured some gasoline on the fire of an argument currently underway in Silicon Valley. People in IT are debating whether corporations should be engaged in social justice activism and allow political discourses in their workspaces. | "Me-first capitalists who think you can separate society from business are going to be the first people line…
(2020-10-01). US Senate committee approves subpoenaing heads of Twitter, FB & Google for hearing on tech firms' legal immunity. rt.com 
The US Senate Commerce Committee has unanimously agreed to subpoena the CEOs of Twitter, Google and Facebook to attend a hearing on the legal immunity enjoyed by internet companies over user content. | The committee's decision on Thursday comes after it failed to reach agreement with the companies to send their respective chief execs Jack Dorsey, Sundar Pichai and Mark Zuckerberg voluntarily. | The hearing centers around potential reforms to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which offers tech companies protection from liability over content posted online by their users. | "No provider or user of a…
(2020-10-01). Could they be blocked? Russia refuses to grant extension to Facebook & Twitter over demand to store citizens' data inside country. rt.com 
Russia has changed its mind about giving Facebook and Twitter extra time to fulfill the legal requirement of moving their servers. The law states that data on Russian users is required to be stored inside the country's borders. | According to newspaper RBK, it was previously thought that the two tech giants, as well as some other companies, would be given until October 30, 2022 to comply. Instead, the government has decided only to grant delays to companies that sell airplane tickets, leaving everyone else scrambling to find a Russian server. | According to a Russian law passed in 2015, websites with data on R…
(2020-10-01). 'Like father, like son': Twitter up in arms after Boris Johnson's dad gets caught violating new strict mask guidelines. rt.com 
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's father has taken heat on social media after he was photographed shopping without a mask. The PM just recently updated the strict mask-wearing rules amid an uptick in Covid-19 cases. | Stanley Johnson, 80, was "caught red-handed" by the Daily Mirror, which published photos of him casually shopping without a mask. By doing so, the author and former Tory politician had flouted the tougher rules on face coverings announced by his son last week. Amid the resurgence of Covid-19, Brits were ordered to wear masks in shops and malls, while the fines for breaking the regulations were do…
(2020-10-01). Election Interference in Latin America: A Growing Danger. cepr.net Many people in the US first became aware of the problem of election interference on social media when allegations emerged of Russian attempts to influence the 2016 US elections through the dissemination of "fake news" on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. But as we learn more about the phenomenon, it is becoming increasingly …
(2020-10-01). Friday 10/2: Gathering to Celebrate Ruth Bader Ginsburg w/ Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence SF. indybay.org In-person: intersection of Market Street & Castro Street, San Francisco, CA | Online event livestream: www.facebook.com/SFSisters/…
(2020-10-01). 'Re-Education Camp': US Cadet Sues Naval Academy Following Expulsion Over 'Racist' Tweets. sputniknews.com A 21-year-old cadet of the US Naval Academy claims service leadership is violating his First and Fifth Amendment rights and intends to expel him from the military school over social media posts that many have deemed racist.
(2020-10-01). 'Me During Classes': Sleepy Duckling Dozing Off. sputniknews.com During these pandemic-ridden times, schoolkids are missing out on a lot of classroom fun since most classes have shifted online. To remind students of boring lectures that make them crave a nap, the official Instagram handle of YouTube India has posted an adorable video.
(2020-10-01). Turkish foreign minister in Kuwait upon emir's death. yenisafak.com "In #Kuwait to convey our condolences on behalf of [Turkish] President @RTErdogan and the Turkish nation," Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote on Twitter.On Tuesday, Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who ruled oil-rich state since 2006, died at age 91. Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah was named the new Kuwaiti emir to succeed the late ruler.In a statement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip had said he received the news of the emir's demise with "great sadness"."On behalf of the Turkish nation, I convey my sincere condolences to the friendly and brotherly people of Kuwait."
(2020-09-30). Presidential Debate Debacle Leaves Americans Feeling Angry and Uninformed. mintpressnews.com 
Americans are taking to social media to express disdain over the first presidential debate, with one poll finding that 69% of viewers felt annoyed by it and only 17 percent felt informed.
(2020-09-30). Facebook bans all US ads criticizing voting fraud, election results or methods after angry letter from Biden campaign. rt.com 
All ads in the US that "call voting fraud widespread, or election results invalid, or impugn any one method of voting" have been banned on Facebook and Instagram effective immediately, the social media company has announced. | The prohibitions apply to advertising regarding the US 2020 census and the November 3 elections, and specifically include ads that "that delegitimize any lawful method or process of voting or voting tabulation (including in-person voting on paper or on machines, absentee voting, vote by mail, and lawful collection of ballots) as illegal, inherently fraudulent or corrupt, or will result i…
(2020-09-30). Azerbaijan has 'handed over' command of its Air Force ops in Nagorno-Karabakh to Turkey, Armenian defense ministry claims. rt.com 
The Azerbaijani military has passed control of its air force operations in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region to Turkey, Yerevan claims. Ankara insists no Turkish aircraft was used in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. | Turkey's military command has allegedly been coordinating the Azerbaijani airstrikes against targets in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian defense ministry's spokeswoman, Shushan Stepanyan, said in a series of Twitter posts on Wednesday. |
(2020-09-30). Poll: Half of UK Conservative party members believe Islam 'incompatible with British way of life'. middleeasteye.net 
Poll: Half of UK Conservative party members believe Islam 'incompatible with British way of life' | A new poll suggests that 40 percent of Tories want to reduce the number of Muslims entering Britain | Wed, 09/30/2020 – 13: 04 | Boris Johnson launched an investigation into Islamophobia in the Conservative Party earlier this year following social media posts from activists and elected officials (AFP) | A…
(2020-09-30). History not to forgive killers, traitors: Foreign Ministry. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 30 (MNA) — On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the martyrdom of Palestinian child Muhammad al-Durrah, Iranian Foreign Ministry in its Twitter account wrote that the history won't forgive killers and traitors.
(2020-09-30). 'Not According to Harris': Biden Sets Off Meme Storm After Saying 'I'm the Democratic Party'. sputniknews.com The 29th of September saw the first presidential debate between incumbent Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden, during which the two exchanged barbs over a spate of issues, including the coronavirus, healthcare, and election integrity.
(2020-09-30). Outrage over Indian rape victims' cremation by police. yenisafak.com The covert cremation by police of the body of a 19-year-old gang-rape victim early Wednesday triggered protests and condemnations by citizens and activists in India.The Dalit (lower caste) woman was tortured and gang-raped by four men from an upper caste at her village in Hathras in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Sept. 14. She battled for her life for two weeks before succumbing to her injuries on Tuesday.In a video going viral on social media, the victim's mother is seen pleading with police to allow her to see her daughter one last time, and bring her body home, as the police cremated the body amid tigh…
(2020-09-30). Color Of Change PAC: Trump is Calling His Supporters to Violence and Facebook Is Helping Him Do It. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-09-29). The Long Overdue Alaska-Canada Railway Takes One Step Closer to Reality. strategic-culture.org 
In the early hours of September 26, President Trump In his tweet Trump stated: | For those who are not aware, anyone wishing to take rail from the USA north, will only make it as far as British Columbia as a 1000 km gap separates any rail fr…
(2020-09-29). Philadelphia Agrees to Grant 50 Vacant Homes to Community Land Trust. truthout.org Image Credit: Twitter: @PhlHousing | In a historic victory for unhoused people, Philadelphia city officials agreed to hand over 50 vacant homes to a community land trust, following months of organizing and protest encampments. We hear from one of the organizers and speak to Philadelphia-based Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, who has written extensively about housing insecurity and says the direct actions there are applicable across the U.S. "This dynamic exists all over the country where you have both empty hou…
(2020-09-29). Germany calls on Armenia, Azerbaijan to end fighting. yenisafak.com Germany on Tuesday called for an immediate cease-fire between Azerbaijan and Armenia, amid the heaviest clashes in years in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, spoke on the phone with presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the recently escalated conflict, and called for a peaceful solution, the government spokesman said on Twitter."The Chancellor has underlined the urgent need for an immediate cease-fire and return to the negotiation table," Steffen Seibert said, adding that Germany supports diplomatic efforts of OSCE…
