Daily Archives: October 21, 2020

2020-10-21: News Headlines

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,

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.

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). 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). '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). '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–≤—…

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…

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…

Newsclick (2020-10-19). Why Big Tech's monopoly power needs to be urgently checked. peoplesdispatch.org Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple are in the dock for their monopoly practices worldwide. While Facebook has been profiting off hate speech on its platforms, Google has been exploiting content creators for advertising revenue. Newsclick's Prabir Purkayastha sheds more light on the malpractices of big tech companies.

yenisafak (2020-10-19). Venezuela congrats Bolivia's Arce as he claims victory. yenisafak.com Venezuela's president on Monday congratulated the Bolivian left-wing presidential hopeful Luis Arce as he claimed victory in Sunday's poll."Great victory! The united and conscious Bolivian people defeated the coup against our brother [former President] Evo [Morales] with their votes," Nicolas Maduro said on Twitter."Congratulations to President-elect Luis Arce, Vice President David Choquehuanca and our South Indian Chief @evoespueblo. Jallalla Bolivia!" he added.Jallalla, or long live, is an expression for jubilation in Aymara — an indigenous nation to which Morales belongs.Exit polls showed that the Movement fo…

Mohammad Ayesh (2020-10-19). Arabic press review: Tunisia investigates MP's Facebook post on French teacher beheading. middleeasteye.net Arabic press review: Tunisia investigates MP's Facebook post on French teacher beheading | Meanwhile, Arab financial support for the Palestinian government reportedly falls by 82 percent and Bahrainis protest against Israeli visit | Mon, 10/19/2020 – 14: 47 | A man holds a French flag as people gather in Paris on 18 October 2020, to remember teacher Samuel Paty, beheaded by an attacker (AFP) | <...

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). Man threatens to jump from Trump Tower Chicago 'unless allowed to speak with President Trump'. rt.com A man has scaled the Trump Tower in Chicago, allegedly demanding to speak with the president and threatening to cut his rope and jump if not allowed to get his "message" out. | Multiple videos and photos shared on social media show a man dangling on a rope around the 16th floor of the 98-story Trump Tower in Chicago on Sunday night. | Situation at the Chicago Trump tower. Man dangling on rope off balcony. Unknown intentions. Police/Fire rescue on scene. | .

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…

RT (2020-10-19). Suspect reportedly barricades himself in at Paramount Studios, shots fired amid massive police response (VIDEOS). rt.com Reports indicate that the suspect in a sexual assault case has barricaded himself in a building at the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood. Armed police have surrounded the venue and asked the public to avoid the area. | The siege began after police attempted to arrest the suspect in Los Angeles at approximately 10pm local time, according to Fullerton Police Corporal Billy Phu. Eyewitness footage from the scene captures the extent of the major armed police response. | #paramountstudios pic.twitter.com/rA4pZxskDH— VO$$ DRIPPIN (@vossdrippin) RT (2020-10-19). 'Are you kidding me?' Final presidential debate will NOT feature foreign policy among topics in wake of Hunter Biden scandal. rt.com The final debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden will not include foreign policy as a topic, a decision for which the president's campaign has slammed the commission, especially after the recent Hunter Biden allegations. | "Good morning to everyone except Presidential Debate Commission members who changed focus of final debate away from foreign policy," the Trump campaign's senior adviser Jason Miller tweeted on Monday morning. | Miller theorized the topics were steered away from foreign policy "so Joe Biden wouldn't have to answer to being compromised by the Chinese Communist Party, supporting endless wars…

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). US to remove Sudan from its terrorism sponsors list in exchange for $335 MILLION payment to terrorist attack victims — Trump. rt.com Washington will take Sudan off its list of state sponsors of terrorism as soon as the African state pays $335 million in compensation to victims of Al-Qaeda attacks on US embassies, President Donald Trump has said. | The US and Sudan reached an agreement on the payment, Trump announced in a Twitter post, adding that once the money is transferred he will remove it from the terrorist sponsors list. The president called it "a big step" for Sudan and said that American people would finally get long-deserved justice. | GREAT news! New government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 MILLION t…

RT (2020-10-19). 'Shameless self-promotion': Piers Morgan attacks 'gutless weasels' in govt, projects new book onto parliament. rt.com Good Morning Britain's Piers Morgan has projected a message from his new book onto the Houses of Parliament in protest at government ministers' boycotting of his show due to his caustic critiques of their Covid-19 response. | "…As everyone knows, the Government has boycotted [Good Morning Britain] for over 170 days," Morgan wrote in a Monday tweet, revealing that since the "gutless weasels" refused to appear on his show, "I decided to go to them" instead. | Next to the message, Morgan attached a nighttime photo of the Houses of Parliament showing the words "WAKE UP" which he managed to deliver onto the build…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-10-19). Thai police to probe four media outlets as protests continue. peoplesdispatch.org Thailand's police announced a probe into four media outlets covering the ongoing anti-government protests on Monday, October 19. The probe was sanctioned in an order published on Friday and announced earlier today. The probe, sanctioned by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, will be conducted against four media outlets — Prachatai, The Reporters, Voice TV and The Standard — along with an online pro-protest page 'Free YOUTH'. | The order will also include a probe into more than 300,000 URLs on social media and other digital platforms that the police have identified to be in violation of Thai law…

teleSUR (2020-10-19). Latin American Leaders Congratulate Arce On MAS Victory. telesurenglish.net Numerous elected leaders and heads of state in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, congratulated Bolivian President-elect Luis Arce as the winner in Sunday's elections. | RELATED: | In a message published on Twitter, López Obrador praised this result and congratulated the Bolivian people for resolving the country's conflict…

yenisafak (2020-10-19). Pakistan lifts ban on TikTok. yenisafak.com Pakistan on Monday lifted a ban on the video-sharing app TikTok after assurances that "immoral" content would be blocked in accordance with the country's laws.Earlier this month, Islamabad had banned the popular video-sharing application due to "immoral" content."TikTok is being unlocked after assurance from management that they will block all accounts repeatedly involved in spreading obscenity and immorality", Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)- a state-run regulatory authority, said in a twitter post."TikTok will moderate the account in accordance with local laws," it added.Last month, Information Minis…

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

Dr. Paul Craig Roberts (2020-10-19). Why Are Fauci, Redfield, and the "Presstitutes" Deceiving Us About the Masks? globalresearch.ca Twitter, the Censor and Explainer Controller for the Deep State, removed a tweet from White House Covid adviser Dr. Scott Atlas who reported accurately that the masks people are wearing do not prevent the transmission of Covid-19. | As I have …

Nadda Osman (2020-10-18). Egypt court releases satirist and blogger Shady Abu Zaid. middleeasteye.net Egypt court releases satirist and blogger Shady Abu Zaid | Cairo's Criminal Court orders release of Abu Zaid with probationary measures after more than two years in detention | Sun, 10/18/2020 – 12: 18 | Abu Zaid's release was met with jubilation and scepticism as thousands continue to languish in Egypt's jails (Screengrab/Facebook) | A Giza criminal court ordered the release of satirist and video blogge…

Dan Beeton (2020-10-18). Bolivian Elections Live Blog. cepr.net UPDATE: 12: 48 p.m. ET: De facto president Jeanine Anez has posted a message on Twitter congratulating Luis Arce and David Choquehuanca on their apparent victory in today's election. UPDATE 12: 12 p.m. ET: Just after midnight, Unitel reported results of its quick count, conducted by Ciesmori. These are unofficial results from a private company, the …

RT (2020-10-18). You're in a cult! Trump haters pile on celebrity, Scientologist & suspected QAnon believer Kirstie Alley. rt.com With just over two weeks till the election, American society seems to be as polarized as ever. Actress Kirstie Alley was showered with vitriol on Twitter after expressing support for Donald Trump's re-election. | Alley, who is best known for her role in the sitcom Cheers, stirred lots of anger online on Saturday after declaring that her vote this year will go to the incumbent president, because "he is NOT a politician." | I'm voting for

RT (2020-10-18). 'Still think Antifa is just an idea?' Black conservative activist gets tooth knocked in clashes during free speech rally (VIDEOS). rt.com Conservative protesters in San Francisco accuse Antifa activists of violently attacking their rally. Police officers were injured at the event as well. | A "free speech rally" was held at the United Nations Plaza on Saturday. Some demonstrators wore red 'Make America Great Again' Trump campaign hats and carried pro-police 'Thin Blue Line' flags, as well as US flags. The activists came to decry what they call censorship of conservative views and stories by social media giants, like San Francisco-based Twitter. | Counter-protesters rushed to the scene as well, quickly outnumbering their rivals. Carrying makeshif…

RT (2020-10-18). Chicken company targeted by boycotters over Sen. Perdue's 'racist' Kamala remarks despite ZERO affiliation. rt.com Perdue Farms has struggled to distance itself from Sen. David Perdue (R-Georgia) after he 'mispronounced' Kamala Harris' name in a 'racist' way, triggering a wave of outraged calls for a boycott of a totally unrelated firm. | Twitter users have scolded the Georgia senator for his remarks at a Friday Trump campaign rally where he appeared to mock Harris' name, poor humor some are chalking up to racism. | "The most insidious thing that Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden are trying to perpetrate, and Bernie and Elizabeth and Kamala — Kah-ma-la or Kah-mah-la or Kamalamalamala, I don't know…" Perdue said. | Perdue…

RT (2020-10-18). 'Milan NEVER had a king': Zlatan declares he's GOD in attack on ace Lukaku after recovering from coronavirus for Italian derby win. rt.com Zlatan Ibrahimovic has finally taken his chance to hit back at fellow striker Romelu Lukaku in an exchange of taunts on social media, dismissing the Inter Milan forward's claim to be "king" of the city by calling himself god. | AC Milan forward Ibrahimovic had bided his time to reply to Lukaku's thinly-veiled barb following Inter's thrilling 4-2 win at home to Milan in February, when the Sweden legend scored one of the goals as the visitors took a surprise 2-0 win. | Lukaku scored a last-gasp goal to cap a dismal second half for Ibrahimovic and Milan, who were well below their title-challenging arch-rivals at…

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-18). Iran's Zarif, Afghanistan's Abdullah hold meeting in Tehran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh announced in a tweet that Foreign Minister Zarif has begun talks with Head of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah.

Paul Craig Roberts (2020-10-18). Why Are Fauci, Redfield, and the Presstitutes Deceiving Us About Masks? thealtworld.com Twitter, the Censor and Explainer Controller for the Deep State, removed a tweet from White House Covid adviser Dr. Scott Atlas who reported accurately that the masks people are wearing do not prevent the transmission of Covid-19. | As I have reported to you from the beginning, the only mask available to the public that provides protection against Covid is a N95 mask. Even this mask does not provide 100% protection. The masks people are wearing provide zero protection. | This is simply a fact. Dr. Atlas knows it as does every one familiar with masks, including Fauci at NIH and Redfield at CDC. Indeed, both Fauci…

Mehr News Agency (2020-10-17). VIDEO: Gaza fires rocket to Zionist town. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (MNA) — The Palestinian Information Center (PIC), on Twitter, released footage illustrating the moment when a rocket was fired from Gaza to the adjacent Zionists town.

The Canary (2020-10-17). Bangkok shuts down transport systems as pro-democracy protests continue. thecanary.co Authorities in Bangkok have shut down mass transit systems and set up roadblocks as Thailand's capital braced for a fourth straight day of determined anti-government protests. The pro-democracy protesters have been doing their best to elude the authorities, using social media to assemble followers before police have time to block them.The government has announced plans to take legal action against Twitter and Facebook accounts announcing the protests. But fresh calls to action were still posted on 17 October.Pro-democracy protesters flash three-fingers salute against shutting down mass transport system at Ashok B…

RT (2020-10-17). 'Garbage company': Mother Jones chief lashes out at Facebook for throttling traffic to left-leaning news site. rt.com Facebook's tinkering with its news feed has cost Mother Jones up to $600,000 a year in lost revenue, its editor-in-chief has alleged, calling the social network a "garbage company" and a "toxic cesspool" damaging the US. | Clara Jeffery said she was "enraged" after reading a Wall Street Journal 1/ I am enraged. Excellent reporting from WSJ's <...

RT (2020-10-17). Beheaded French teacher was DOXXED online, while mosque shared parent's complaint over 'naked man' caricature of Prophet Mohammed. rt.com French teacher Samuel Paty, who was brutally murdered near Paris on Friday, had his private details exposed on social media last week, after a parent complained he'd shown "naked man" cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in class. | The original complaint was reportedly lodged by the father of a 13-year-old girl who studied at the school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, where Paty taught history and geography. He said in a Facebook video that the teacher had, at some time earlier this month, shown the class a caricature of a "naked man," stating it was the "Muslim prophet." | Before displaying the offensive imagery &#…

Dean Baker (2020-10-17). Washington Post Suffers from Which Way Is Up Problem: Repealing Section 230 is DEREGULATING Facebook. cepr.net A common problem in policy circles is that government protections that redistribute income upward are defined as part of the market, and getting rid of them or weakening them is described as government intervention. This issue comes up most frequently with government-granted patent monopolies with prescription drugs. Any measure to lower prices by weakening patent …

teleSUR (2020-10-17). Argentinean Lawmaker Released After Being Arrested in Bolivia. telesurenglish.net Lawmaker Federico Fagioli, who is part of the Argentine delegation to observe the presidential elections in Bolivia, was released this Saturday hours after being detained upon his arrival at the airport in El Alto. | RELATED: | Fagioli, is safe at the Argentine embassy in La Paz after being mistreated by Bolivian police. | Political actors denounced on social media the arrest of Fagioli and the mistreatment…

teleSUR (2020-10-17). Alberto Fernandez Rejects Argentinean Lawmaker's Arrest in Bolivia. telesurenglish.net Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez Friday denounced the arrest of Lawmaker Federico Fagioli by police agents upon his arrival in Bolivia to observe and guarantee the transparency of next Sunday's presidential elections. | RELATED: | Through a message on Twitter, the head of state held the coup-born regime's leader Jeanine Añez responsible for the integrity of his country's delegation of lawmakers who arrived in Bolivia to observe the Octobe…

WSWS (2020-10-17). Twitter and Facebook censor New York Post report on Hunter Biden. wsws.org The social media platforms Twitter and Facebook blocked and suppressed the sharing of links to a news article from the New York Post on Wednesday in a blatant act of online censorship.

sputniknews (2020-10-17). Joe Biden Rants About 'Smear Campaign' and Insults CBS Reporter Who Asks About NY Post Story. sputniknews.com Twitter and Facebook have both moved to suppress New York Post reports that the former vice president lied about never talking to his son Hunter about his business dealings in Ukraine, where Biden had the prosecutor general fired.

2020-10-21: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media! (Copy the text of the postee below, then paste it on social media and the story images will also appear.)

Sloppy Methodology: Social Media, Censorship and the New York Post's Hunter Biden Story
Binoy Kampmark | counterpunch.org | 2020-10-21
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,…
counterpunch.org/2020/10/21/sloppy-methodology-social-media-censorship-and-the-new-york-posts-hunter-biden-story/

Mosques in two French cities under police protection after threats, says minister
yenisafak.com | 2020-10-21
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.
yenisafak.com/en/world/mosques-in-two-french-cities-under-police-protection-after-threats-says-minister-3552329

3 killed & 1 seriously wounded as gunman opens fire in Houston club
rt.com | 2020-10-21
Three men were shot and killed and one other individual was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after a shooting at a club in Houston, Texas. | According to local media, at around 10pm on Tuesday, a gunman pulled a weapon and started to shoot at the crowd inside DD Sky Club, located near downtown. | Three men died at the scene while a fourth was transported to the hospital with serious injuries, the Houston Police said in a tweet. | The gunman reportedly fled the bar. Police have not yet made any arres…
rt.com/usa/504082-houston-3-killed-shooting-club/

Dying laughing: Facebook demonetizes satirical website Babylon Bee for 'inciting violence' with Monty Python joke
rt.com | 2020-10-20
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.com/usa/504064-babylon-bee-monty-python-demonetized/

Dying laughing: Facebook demonetizes satirical website Babylon Bee for 'inciting violence' with Monty Python joke
rt.com | 2020-10-20
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.com/usa/504064-babylon-bee-monty-python-demonetized/

The Social Dilemma: The "curse" of social media
wsws.org | 2020-10-20
The Social Dilemma is a docudrama hybrid that explores, according to its creators, "how social media is reprogramming civilization" in a dangerous direction.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/10/20/dile-o20.html

Sloppy Methodology: Social Media, Censorship and New York Post's Hunter Biden Story
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2020-10-20
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 …
globalresearch.ca/social-media-censorship-new-york-post-hunter-biden-story/5726983

UN urges people to #PledgetoPause before sharing information online
news.un.org | 2020-10-20
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.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/10/1075742

#MeToobin trends on Twitter as CNN legal analyst enters the pantless pantheon, after 'jerking off' on Zoom call
rt.com | 2020-10-20
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.com/usa/504033-metoobin-jeffrey-toobin-masturbating/

'LGB… QIA… Plus'? Tiffany Trump slammed for 'disaster' appearance at 'Trump Pride' event
rt.com | 2020-10-20
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.com/usa/504013-tiffany-trump-pride-speech/

'Won't happen under Kamala-Biden ticket': Fox Sports duo caught mocking military flyover in apparent hot mic moment (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-10-20
Fox Sports casters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman have caused quite a controversy among conservative circles in the US after they were apparently caught on a hot mic poking fun at military flyovers before sports events. | The hot mic moment happened during Fox Sports' coverage of Sunday's NFC game between the Packers and Buccaneers. In a video published by Defector (who said it got it from an unnamed "tipster"), the pair is heard mocking pregame military flyovers, a regular occurrence at US sporting events, as a waste of taxpayer money. | t.co/0IZL6GhmZy pic.twitter.com/…
rt.com/usa/503980-military-flyover-hot-mic-moment/

Nigerian troops open fire at anti-police brutality protesters in Lagos as 24-hour curfew kicks in — reports
rt.com | 2020-10-20
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.com/news/504071-lagos-nigeria-soldiers-gunshots/

'One of the most impressive phenomena in modern Russia': Communist leader Zyuganov asks Kremlin to listen to Khabarovsk protesters
rt.com | 2020-10-20
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–≤–…
rt.com/russia/504042-zyuganov-kremlin-khabarovsk-protestors/

Zuckerberg quietly hid left-wing news from you, it's just been revealed
Jasmine Norden | thecanary.co | 2020-10-20
Facebook intentionally curbed the visibility of left-leaning news outlets from its algorithm in 2017, limiting their readership, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported. | According to WSJ, when Facebook engineers altered the newsfeed algorithm to reduce political news, changes had a larger impact on left-wing sites. The WSJ reported that Mark Zuckerberg personally approved the changes. | T…
thecanary.co/us/us-news-us/2020/10/20/zuckerberg-quietly-hid-left-wing-news-from-you-its-just-been-revealed/

Why Big Tech's monopoly power needs to be urgently checked
Newsclick | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-10-19
Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple are in the dock for their monopoly practices worldwide. While Facebook has been profiting off hate speech on its platforms, Google has been exploiting content creators for advertising revenue. Newsclick's Prabir Purkayastha sheds more light on the malpractices of big tech companies.
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/10/19/why-big-techs-monopoly-power-needs-to-be-urgently-checked/

Venezuela congrats Bolivia's Arce as he claims victory
yenisafak.com | 2020-10-19
Venezuela's president on Monday congratulated the Bolivian left-wing presidential hopeful Luis Arce as he claimed victory in Sunday's poll."Great victory! The united and conscious Bolivian people defeated the coup against our brother [former President] Evo [Morales] with their votes," Nicolas Maduro said on Twitter."Congratulations to President-elect Luis Arce, Vice President David Choquehuanca and our South Indian Chief @evoespueblo. Jallalla Bolivia!" he added.Jallalla, or long live, is an expression for jubilation in Aymara — an indigenous nation to which Morales belongs.Exit polls showed that the Movement fo…
yenisafak.com/en/news/venezuela-congrats-bolivias-arce-as-he-claims-victory-3552132

Latin American Leaders Congratulate Arce On MAS Victory
telesurenglish.net | 2020-10-19
Numerous elected leaders and heads of state in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, congratulated Bolivian President-elect Luis Arce as the winner in Sunday's elections. | RELATED: | Socialist Presidential Candidate Arce Wins Bolivia's Elections | In a message published on Twitter, López Obrador praised this result and congratulated the Bolivian people for resolving the country's conflict…
telesurenglish.net/news/Latin-American-Leaders-Congratulate-Arce-On-MAS-Victory-20201019-0018.html

Trump says US to remove Sudan from state sponsors of terrorism list
MEE staff | middleeasteye.net | 2020-10-19
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' | MEE staff | 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…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/trump-us-sudan-terrorism-list

Arabic press review: Tunisia investigates MP's Facebook post on French teacher beheading
Mohammad Ayesh | middleeasteye.net | 2020-10-19
Arabic press review: Tunisia investigates MP's Facebook post on French teacher beheading | Meanwhile, Arab financial support for the Palestinian government reportedly falls by 82 percent and Bahrainis protest against Israeli visit | Mohammad Ayesh | Mon, 10/19/2020 – 14: 47 | A man holds a French flag as people gather in Paris on 18 October 2020, to remember teacher Samuel Paty, beheaded by an attacker (AFP) |
www.middleeasteye.net/news/arabic-press-review-tunisian-mp-sued-after-post-french-teacher-beheading

Thai police to probe four media outlets as protests continue
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-10-19
Thailand's police announced a probe into four media outlets covering the ongoing anti-government protests on Monday, October 19. The probe was sanctioned in an order published on Friday and announced earlier today. The probe, sanctioned by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, will be conducted against four media outlets — Prachatai, The Reporters, Voice TV and The Standard — along with an online pro-protest page 'Free YOUTH'. | The order will also include a probe into more than 300,000 URLs on social media and other digital platforms that the police have identified to be in violation of Thai law…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/10/19/thai-police-to-probe-four-media-outlets-as-protests-continue/

Sloppy Methodology: Social Media, Censorship and New York Post's Hunter Biden Story
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-10-19
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, …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/10/sloppy-methodology-social-media-censorship-and-new-york-posts-hunter-biden-story/

Turkey to plant saplings in fire-hit southern province
yenisafak.com | 2020-10-19
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.
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-to-plant-saplings-in-fire-hit-southern-province-3552155

Pakistan lifts ban on TikTok
yenisafak.com | 2020-10-19
Pakistan on Monday lifted a ban on the video-sharing app TikTok after assurances that "immoral" content would be blocked in accordance with the country's laws.Earlier this month, Islamabad had banned the popular video-sharing application due to "immoral" content."TikTok is being unlocked after assurance from management that they will block all accounts repeatedly involved in spreading obscenity and immorality", Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)- a state-run regulatory authority, said in a twitter post."TikTok will moderate the account in accordance with local laws," it added.Last month, Information Minis…
yenisafak.com/en/technology/pakistan-lifts-ban-on-tiktok-3552159

'Bad arm!' Trump blasts 'disaster' Fauci in campaign call, slams doctor's baseball pitching
rt.com | 2020-10-19
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…
rt.com/usa/503958-trump-fauci-first-pitch/

Man threatens to jump from Trump Tower Chicago 'unless allowed to speak with President Trump'
rt.com | 2020-10-19
A man has scaled the Trump Tower in Chicago, allegedly demanding to speak with the president and threatening to cut his rope and jump if not allowed to get his "message" out. | Multiple videos and photos shared on social media show a man dangling on a rope around the 16th floor of the 98-story Trump Tower in Chicago on Sunday night. | Situation at the Chicago Trump tower. Man dangling on rope off balcony. Unknown intentions. Police/Fire rescue on scene. | . @WGNTV @ChicagoBreaking
rt.com/usa/503873-trump-tower-chicago-man/

'Are you kidding me?' Final presidential debate will NOT feature foreign policy among topics in wake of Hunter Biden scandal
rt.com | 2020-10-19
The final debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden will not include foreign policy as a topic, a decision for which the president's campaign has slammed the commission, especially after the recent Hunter Biden allegations. | "Good morning to everyone except Presidential Debate Commission members who changed focus of final debate away from foreign policy," the Trump campaign's senior adviser Jason Miller tweeted on Monday morning. | Miller theorized the topics were steered away from foreign policy "so Joe Biden wouldn't have to answer to being compromised by the Chinese Communist Party, supporting endless wars…
rt.com/usa/503931-trump-biden-debate-foreign-policy/

US to remove Sudan from its terrorism sponsors list in exchange for $335 MILLION payment to terrorist attack victims — Trump
rt.com | 2020-10-19
Washington will take Sudan off its list of state sponsors of terrorism as soon as the African state pays $335 million in compensation to victims of Al-Qaeda attacks on US embassies, President Donald Trump has said. | The US and Sudan reached an agreement on the payment, Trump announced in a Twitter post, adding that once the money is transferred he will remove it from the terrorist sponsors list. The president called it "a big step" for Sudan and said that American people would finally get long-deserved justice. | GREAT news! New government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 MILLION t…
rt.com/news/503956-sudan-us-terrorist-sponsors-list/

Gym seeks to dodge Poland's new Covid-19 lockdown by rebranding as 'Church of the Healthy Body'
rt.com | 2020-10-19
With the government in Warsaw imposing strict lockdown measures on almost 70 percent of Poland's population, a gym in Krakow has found a way to operate, albeit in a severely limited capacity — by declaring itself a church. | "Since fitness classes cannot function, starting today our club will start hosting religious gatherings of the 'Church of the Healthy Body'," Marta Jamroz, manager of the Atlantic Sports Fitness in Poland's second-largest city, wrote on Facebook over the weekend. | Hard to believe?
rt.com/news/503950-krakow-gym-coronavirus-lockdown-poland/

'Shameless self-promotion': Piers Morgan attacks 'gutless weasels' in govt, projects new book onto parliament
rt.com | 2020-10-19
Good Morning Britain's Piers Morgan has projected a message from his new book onto the Houses of Parliament in protest at government ministers' boycotting of his show due to his caustic critiques of their Covid-19 response. | "…As everyone knows, the Government has boycotted [Good Morning Britain] for over 170 days," Morgan wrote in a Monday tweet, revealing that since the "gutless weasels" refused to appear on his show, "I decided to go to them" instead. | Next to the message, Morgan attached a nighttime photo of the Houses of Parliament showing the words "WAKE UP" which he managed to deliver onto the build…
rt.com/uk/503945-piers-morgan-attacks-gutless-weasels/

With Biden Path to Victory Still Fraught, Senate Democrats Issue All-Hands-on-Deck Warning Against Trump and GOP Election Threats
Jake Johnson, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-10-19
"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
commondreams.org/news/2020/10/19/biden-path-victory-still-fraught-senate-democrats-issue-all-hands-deck-warning?cd-origin=rss

Why Are Fauci, Redfield, and the "Presstitutes" Deceiving Us About the Masks?
Dr. Paul Craig Roberts | globalresearch.ca | 2020-10-19
Twitter, the Censor and Explainer Controller for the Deep State, removed a tweet from White House Covid adviser Dr. Scott Atlas who reported accurately that the masks people are wearing do not prevent the transmission of Covid-19. | As I have …
globalresearch.ca/why-fauci-redfield-presstitutes-deceiving-about-masks/5726961

How Did We Get Here?
Nicholas Lemann | thenation.com | 2020-10-19
How Did We Get Here?
thenation.com/article/politics/let-them-eat-tweets-the-system-never-trump/

No Real Change Can Come If Speech Is Restricted by Monopolistic Oligarchs
_____ | strategic-culture.org | 2020-10-18
Caitlin JOHNSTONE | In a solid new article titled " Facebook and Twitter Cross a Line Far More Dangerous Than What They Censor" on the cross-platform silencing of The New York Post's publication of Hunter Biden's emails, The Intercept's Glenn Greenwald writes the following: | That is always how it will work: it is exclusively the voices on the fringes and the margins, the dissidents, those who reside outside of the factions of power who will be subjected to this sil…
strategic-culture.org/news/2020/10/18/no-real-change-can-come-if-speech-is-restricted-by-monopolistic-oligarchs/

Bolivian Elections Live Blog
Dan Beeton | cepr.net | 2020-10-18
UPDATE: 12: 48 a.m. ET: De facto president Jeanine Anez has posted a message on Twitter congratulating Luis Arce and David Choquehuanca on their apparent victory in today's election. UPDATE 12: 12 a.m. ET, October 19: Just after midnight, Unitel reported results of its quick count, conducted by Ciesmori. These are unofficial results from a private …
cepr.net/bolivian-elections-live-blog/

Bolivian Elections Live Blog
Dan Beeton | cepr.net | 2020-10-18
UPDATE: 12: 48 p.m. ET: De facto president Jeanine Anez has posted a message on Twitter congratulating Luis Arce and David Choquehuanca on their apparent victory in today's election. UPDATE 12: 12 p.m. ET: Just after midnight, Unitel reported results of its quick count, conducted by Ciesmori. These are unofficial results from a private company, the …
cepr.net/bolivian-elections-live-blog/

Egypt court releases satirist and blogger Shady Abu Zaid
Nadda Osman | middleeasteye.net | 2020-10-18
Egypt court releases satirist and blogger Shady Abu Zaid | Cairo's Criminal Court orders release of Abu Zaid with probationary measures after more than two years in detention | Nadda Osman | Sun, 10/18/2020 – 12: 18 | Abu Zaid's release was met with jubilation and scepticism as thousands continue to languish in Egypt's jails (Screengrab/Facebook) | A Giza criminal court ordered the release of satirist and video blogge…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/shady-abu-zaid-egypt-court-releases-satirist-and-blogger

Iran's Zarif, Afghanistan's Abdullah hold meeting in Tehran
Mehr News Agency | en.mehrnews.com | 2020-10-18
TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh announced in a tweet that Foreign Minister Zarif has begun talks with Head of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah.
en.mehrnews.com/news/164841/Iran-s-Zarif-Afghanistan-s-Abdullah-hold-meeting-in-Tehran

You're in a cult! Trump haters pile on celebrity, Scientologist & suspected QAnon believer Kirstie Alley
rt.com | 2020-10-18
With just over two weeks till the election, American society seems to be as polarized as ever. Actress Kirstie Alley was showered with vitriol on Twitter after expressing support for Donald Trump's re-election. | Alley, who is best known for her role in the sitcom Cheers, stirred lots of anger online on Saturday after declaring that her vote this year will go to the incumbent president, because "he is NOT a politician." | I'm voting for @realDonaldTrump because he's NOT a politician. I voted for him 4 years ago for this reason and shall vote…
rt.com/usa/503847-kirstie-alley-maga-cult/

Chicken company targeted by boycotters over Sen. Perdue's 'racist' Kamala remarks despite ZERO affiliation
rt.com | 2020-10-18
Perdue Farms has struggled to distance itself from Sen. David Perdue (R-Georgia) after he 'mispronounced' Kamala Harris' name in a 'racist' way, triggering a wave of outraged calls for a boycott of a totally unrelated firm. | Twitter users have scolded the Georgia senator for his remarks at a Friday Trump campaign rally where he appeared to mock Harris' name, poor humor some are chalking up to racism. | "The most insidious thing that Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden are trying to perpetrate, and Bernie and Elizabeth and Kamala — Kah-ma-la or Kah-mah-la or Kamalamalamala, I don't know…" Perdue said. | Perdue…
rt.com/usa/503818-perdue-chicken-kamala-harris/

'Still think Antifa is just an idea?' Black conservative activist gets tooth knocked in clashes during free speech rally (VIDEOS)
rt.com | 2020-10-18
Conservative protesters in San Francisco accuse Antifa activists of violently attacking their rally. Police officers were injured at the event as well. | A "free speech rally" was held at the United Nations Plaza on Saturday. Some demonstrators wore red 'Make America Great Again' Trump campaign hats and carried pro-police 'Thin Blue Line' flags, as well as US flags. The activists came to decry what they call censorship of conservative views and stories by social media giants, like San Francisco-based Twitter. | Counter-protesters rushed to the scene as well, quickly outnumbering their rivals. Carrying makeshif…
rt.com/usa/503823-clashes-san-fransisco-rally/

'Milan NEVER had a king': Zlatan declares he's GOD in attack on ace Lukaku after recovering from coronavirus for Italian derby win
rt.com | 2020-10-18
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has finally taken his chance to hit back at fellow striker Romelu Lukaku in an exchange of taunts on social media, dismissing the Inter Milan forward's claim to be "king" of the city by calling himself god. | AC Milan forward Ibrahimovic had bided his time to reply to Lukaku's thinly-veiled barb following Inter's thrilling 4-2 win at home to Milan in February, when the Sweden legend scored one of the goals as the visitors took a surprise 2-0 win. | Lukaku scored a last-gasp goal to cap a dismal second half for Ibrahimovic and Milan, who were well below their title-challenging arch-rivals at…
rt.com/sport/503863-zlatan-instagram-milan-lukaku/

Why Are Fauci, Redfield, and the Presstitutes Deceiving Us About Masks?
Paul Craig Roberts | thealtworld.com | 2020-10-18
Twitter, the Censor and Explainer Controller for the Deep State, removed a tweet from White House Covid adviser Dr. Scott Atlas who reported accurately that the masks people are wearing do not prevent the transmission of Covid-19. | As I have reported to you from the beginning, the only mask available to the public that provides protection against Covid is a N95 mask. Even this mask does not provide 100% protection. The masks people are wearing provide zero protection. | This is simply a fact. Dr. Atlas knows it as does every one familiar with masks, including Fauci at NIH and Redfield at CDC. Indeed, both Fauci…
thealtworld.com/paul_craig_roberts/why-are-fauci-redfield-and-the-presstitutes-deceiving-us-about-masks

Bangkok shuts down transport systems as pro-democracy protests continue
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-10-17
Authorities in Bangkok have shut down mass transit systems and set up roadblocks as Thailand's capital braced for a fourth straight day of determined anti-government protests. The pro-democracy protesters have been doing their best to elude the authorities, using social media to assemble followers before police have time to block them.The government has announced plans to take legal action against Twitter and Facebook accounts announcing the protests. But fresh calls to action were still posted on 17 October.Pro-democracy protesters flash three-fingers salute against shutting down mass transport system at Ashok B…
thecanary.co/global/world-news/2020/10/17/bangkok-shuts-down-transport-systems-as-protests-continue/