Under US pressure, social media companies censor critical content and suspend Venezuelan, Iranian, and Syrian accounts
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-13
As the US escalates its hybrid wars, Twitter and Facebook are suspending accounts and censoring content that conflicts with Washington's…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/12/us-pressure-social-media-censoring-suspending-venezuela-iran-syria/
'I wish I was inside that plane': Iran's IRGC chief expresses sorrow over downing of Ukrainian jet
rt.com | 2020-01-13
The top commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Major General Hossein Salami, has expressed his deepest condolences, saying he had never felt more ashamed in his life than after the Ukrainian passenger jet tragedy. | Debriefing the session of Iran's parliament on Sunday, Salami stated that IRGC has no other purpose or wish "but to be torn into pieces for the sake of the security, welfare and peace of [Iranian] people." | I swear on the life of my children… I wish I were inside that plane and fell down and burned along w…
rt.com/news/478089-irgc-chief-plane-downing-guilt/
Lowkey talks about Julian Assange, the media and internet manipulation
Andrew Butler | thecanary.co | 2020-01-12
At times when the drums of war beat loudest, we need to remember, recognise, and protect the important role played by whistleblowers. In the first of two exclusive interviews (above) Lowkey talks about Julian Assange and the need for media to question and hold power to account. | In part two (below), Lowkey explains how our online data is used by the state and corporations to monitor and manipulate us. He also discusses the importance of supporting whistleblowers who work to expose this. | By Andrew Butler…
thecanary.co/video/2020/01/12/lowkey-talks-about-julian-assange-the-media-and-internet-manipulation/
London Public rally with speakers on issue of Press freedom and the case of Julia
Free Julian Assange | indybay.org | 2020-01-12
University College London, Logan Hall…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/12/18829674.php
Twenty-six Things About the Islamic State (ISIS-ISIL-Daesh) that Obama and Trump Do Not Want You to Know About
Prof Michel Chossudovsky | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-12
The US led war against the Islamic State is a big lie. Going after "Islamic terrorists" is used to justify a military agenda. The Islamic State is a creation of US intelligence. Washington's "Counter-terrorism Agenda" in Iraq & Syria consists in Supporting the Terrorists.
globalresearch.ca/twenty-six-things-about-the-islamic-state-isil-that-obama-does-not-want-you-to-know-about/5414735
The Engineered Destruction and Political Fragmentation of Iraq
Prof Michel Chossudovsky | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-12
The objective is to engineer a civil war in Iraq, in which both sides are controlled indirectly by US-NATO. The scenario is to arm and equip them, on both sides, finance them with advanced weapons systems and then "let them fight".
globalresearch.ca/the-destruction-and-political-fragmentation-of-iraq-towards-the-creation-of-a-us-sponsored-islamist-caliphate/5386998
Ex-US intel officer: Pompeo 'lying through his teeth' on Iran
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-12
The Trump administration is imposing new sanctions on Iran and defying Iraq's call for a US troop withdrawal. This comes…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/12/ex-us-intel-officer-pompeo-lying-through-his-teeth-on-iran/
Star War Actor Rejects Advertising Depicting Pinochet as Jedi
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-12
The U.S. actor Mark Hamill, who is best known for playing Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, Saturday rejected an image in which far-right activists portrait Chile's dictator Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990) as a Jedi. | RELATED: | Chile: College Admissions Test Suspended Due To Student Protest | The story began when Natire Bolledo wrote to Hamill telling him that…
telesurenglish.net/news/Star-War-Actor-Rejects-Advertising-Depicting-Pinochet-as-Jedi-20200112-0009.html
All the Times the US allied with Gen. Soleimani against Common Enemies
Juan Cole | zcomm.org | 2020-01-12
The prime minister of Iraq says he invited Soleimani to Baghdad for peace negotiations with Saudi Arabia and then Trump just suddenly blew his guest away. Soleimani came openly on a commercial flight and went through passport control with his diplomatic passport…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/all-the-times-the-us-allied-with-gen-soleimani-against-common-enemies/
Invoking the United Nations' Historic "Uniting for Peace" Resolution 377 Before Trump Embroils Us in War with Iran
Dimitri Lascaris | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-12
In the early hours of January 3, 2020, the United States military assassinated Iran's most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani. | Soleimani's killing, accomplished by means of a drone strike in Baghdad, was done without the authorization of the Iraqi …
globalresearch.ca/invoke-u-n-uniting-peace-resolution-before-trump-embroils-us-war-iran/5700327
Fresno Peace in Iran Vigil Coordinates with Nationwide Protests
Peter Maiden | indybay.org | 2020-01-12
Over 100 people attended a vigil for peace with Iran in Fresno at 5 p.m. on January 9, in one of around three hundred demonstrations around the United States. The protest was coordinated with others by being held at the same time on the same day with the same message: no war with Iran.
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/10/18829602.php
S.F. Rep Pelosi Postponed Vote on War Powers Act
Register Peace & Freedom or Green | indybay.org | 2020-01-12
San Francisco Representative Nancy Pelosi postponed the urgently needed vote on a War Powers Resolution to prevent a US war against Iran. And Top House Democrats want to abandon any vote on a War Powers Resolution. See | www.commondreams.org/news/2020/01/08/kicking-can-next-week-irresponsible-progressives-rebuke-pelosi-delaying-iran-war…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/08/18829556.php
Sunset Peace Vigil in Foster City
Jim Mitulski | indybay.org | 2020-01-12
In front of Foster City City Hall (610 Foster City Blvd)…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/11/18829654.php
Sunset Peace Vigil in Foster City
Jim Mitulski | indybay.org | 2020-01-12
In front of Foster City City Hall (610 Foster City Blvd)…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/11/18829654.php
Iran Summons UK Ambassador Over Role in Anti-Gov't Protest
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-12
The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that the U.K.'s Ambassador to Tehran was summoned over his participation in the anti-government protests this weekend. | RELATED: | Iran Rejects New Sanctions Imposed by the US | "Today, Rob Macaire was summoned because of his unconventional behaviour of attending an illegal rally on Saturday", the Foreign Ministry's website said. | Prior to his summoning, Macaire was reportedly detained by the Iranian authorities for breaking diplomatic protocol…
telesurenglish.net/news/Iran-Summons-UK-Ambassador-Over-Role-in-Anti-Govt-Protest-20200112-0003.html
No War With Iran! Redwood City Protest
MoveOn, Indivisible, Others | indybay.org | 2020-01-12
Intersection of Jefferson Avenue and El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94063…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/08/18829557.php
No New War on Iran! Emergency Protest
Leon Kunstenaar | indybay.org | 2020-01-12
Photos: Leon Kunstenaar | People rush to demonstrate against Trump war on Iran…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/08/18829569.php
We should be outraged that the police listed Extinction Rebellion as extremists. But we shouldn't be surprised
Emily Apple | thecanary.co | 2020-01-12
Environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion (XR) hit the headlines on 10 January after the police included it as an extremist ideology in its guide to "Safeguarding young people and adults from ideological extremism". | But while it's outrageous that a nonviolent group focussed on saving the planet from the climate crisis is listed as an extremist threat, we shouldn't be surprised. Because this is exactly how the police treat pro…
thecanary.co/opinion/2020/01/12/we-should-be-outraged-that-the-police-listed-extinction-rebellion-as-extremists-but-we-shouldnt-be-surprised/
Defying Police, Iranians Protest Over Plane Shootdown
Staff | truthdig.com | 2020-01-12
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates
Iran Reportedly Summons UK Envoy Over His Attendance at Anti-Government Rally
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-12
Earlier on Sunday, UK Ambassador to Iran Rob Macaire denied his taking part in Tehran protests that allegedly called for the prosecution of those responsible for the fatal mistake that led to the recent downing of the Ukrainian Airlines plane in the Iranian capital.
sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001121078015594-iran-uk-envoy-government-rally/
Defying Police, Iranians Protest Over Plane Shootdown
Staff | truthdig.com | 2020-01-12
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates
Iran summons UK ambassador over his participation in 'illegal rally' following his arrest at anti-govt protest
rt.com | 2020-01-12
The UK envoy's detention during an anti-government rally in Tehran has sparked a diplomatic scandal. The envoy, summoned on Sunday by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, says he was at a "vigil" for victims of the Ukrainian plane crash. | "Today, Rob Macaire was summoned because of his unconventional behavior of attending an illegal rally on Saturday," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. It also demanded that the British government provide clarification on the matter. | The diplomat was briefly detained late on Saturday outside of Amirkabir University in Tehran, as part of a group of people attending a…
rt.com/news/478058-iran-summons-uk-ambassador/
'Regime change is in the air': US establishment seeks to capitalize on Iranian protests… again
rt.com | 2020-01-12
The protests in Iran that followed Tehran's admission of its role in the downing of the Ukrainian passenger jet were met with an outpouring of support from Washington. But is it about Iranians, or regime change? | US officials and establishment figures certainly spared no effort as they went out of their way to show how much they supposedly admire the 'courage' of Iranians who took to the streets to vent their anger at the fact that a Ukrainian passenger jet, with many Iranians on board, was mistakenly shot down by Iran's military
Iran summons UK ambassador over his participation in 'illegal rally' following his arrest at anti-govt protest
rt.com | 2020-01-12
The UK envoy's detention during an anti-government rally in Tehran has sparked a diplomatic scandal. The envoy, summoned on Sunday by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, says he was at a "vigil" for victims of the Ukrainian plane crash. | "Today, Rob Macaire was summoned because of his unconventional behavior of attending an illegal rally on Saturday," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. It also demanded that the British government provide clarification on the matter. | The diplomat was briefly detained late on Saturday outside of Amirkabir University in Tehran, as part of a group of people attending a…
rt.com/news/478058-iran-summons-uk-ambassador/
US Plans Permanent Occupation of Iraq
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-12
The US plans permanent occupation of numerous nations worldwide, including Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and other countries it attacked preemptively. | It's up to officials of these countries and mass public opposition to end US occupation through the power of resistance. | Pentagon …
globalresearch.ca/us-plans-permanent-occupation-iraq/5700290
O Secretário Geral da ONU, António Guterres, nà£o condena os assassínios dos EUA no Iraque
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-12
A relatora especial da ONU sobre execuàßàµes extra judiciais, sumárias ou arbitrárias, Agnès Callamard, criticou o assassínio perpetrado pelo regime Trump, do General iraniano Soleimani, do Vice Presidente iraquiano da PMU, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis e de outros que …
globalresearch.ca/o-secretario-geral-da-onu-antonio-guterres-nao-condena-os-assassinios-dos-eua-no-iraque/5700383
Polls Show Americans Believe Killing Iranian General Made the US Less Safe
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-12
The Trump regime's assassination of widely respected Iranian General Qassem Soleimani made things less safe in the region and beyond. | Killing him was an act of war, the highest of high crimes under international law
Iranian Opposition Group Went From US Terror List to Halls of Congress
Middle East Eye | theantimedia.com | 2020-01-12
Meet the terrorist organization now lauded by top U.S. officials as an alternative to Iran's government.
theantimedia.com/iranian-opposition-group-went-from-us-terror-list-to-halls-of-congress/
US Expels More Than a Dozen Saudi Military Trainees Over Extremist Ties and Child Porn
Tyler Durden | theantimedia.com | 2020-01-12
Over a dozen Saudi servicemen stationed at US military installations will be expelled from the country.
theantimedia.com/us-expels-more-than-a-dozen-saudi-military-trainees-over-extremist-ties-and-child-porn/
Pentagon Chief Saw No Evidence US Embassies Were Under Threat
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2020-01-12
Defense Secretary Mark Esper told CBS that he'd seen no evidence at all to support the idea that US embassies were under threat.
theantimedia.com/pentagon-chief-saw-no-evidence-us-embassies-were-under-threat/
Dakar Rally tragedy: Portuguese rider Paulo Goncalves dies after crash in Saudi Arabia
rt.com | 2020-01-12
Portuguese motorbike rider Paulo Goncalves has tragically died after a crash during Sunday's seventh stage of the 2020 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. | The tragedy took place after 276 kilometers (171 miles) of the day's Riyadh to Wadi Al Dawasir test, which is mostly comprised of sand planes and dunes. | READ MORE: Italian cyclist tragically dies after sustaining head injury right before finish | Race organizers immediately summoned a medical helicopter to the scene after the 40-year-old rider was found unconsci…
rt.com/sport/478065-dakar-rider-paulo-goncalves-dies/
China's smart supercities powered by 5G to become new growth engine
rt.com | 2020-01-12
The next phase of growth in China could come from developing smart supercities through 5G connectivity, smart grids, renewable energy and modern transportation, according to a report by Morgan Stanley. | It expects the country's urbanization ratio to grow from the current 60 percent to 75 percent by 2030, bringing in 220 million new city residents. | Morgan Stanley defines smart tech supercities as regional clusters of giant hubs surrounded by large satellite cities. | "In our view, China is poised to be a global leader in smart city and city cluster development," said Morgan Stanley's Chief China Economist Ro…
rt.com/business/475596-china-smart-supercities-5g/
The US-China Power Struggle, Two Decades of CIA Interference in Tibet
Shane Quinn | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-12
America's position as the world's strongest country faces its greatest challenge today from China, as is widely acknowledged. Yet the United States-China power struggle is not merely a phenomenon of this century, but has been ongoing for at least 70 …
globalresearch.ca/us-china-power-struggle-two-decades-cia-interference-tibet/5700280
Colombia: Two Indigenous Leaders Were Killed in Cauca Valley
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-12
Two members of the Quintin Lame's Grandchildren Movement (NQL), Amparo Guejia and Juan Dicue were killed by an unidentified armed group‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã on Friday at La Buitrera village, in the Cauca Valley, Colombia. | RELATED: | Colombia: A Woman Is the First Social Leader Killed This Year | "They were founders of a social organization. We just know…
telesurenglish.net/news/Colombia-Two-Indigenous-Leaders-Were-Killed-in-Cauca-Valley-20200112-0005.html
Brazil to Go Through With Mining on Tribal Lands
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-12
Brazil's right-wing regime said it was pushing ahead with its plans to mine on tribal lands, despite the objections of the people that live in these targeted areas. | RELATED: | Number of Fires in Brazilian Amazon Increased 30% in 2019 | The Brazilian regime held a briefing on Friday to inform European diplomats about the proposals that have drawn criticism from Indigenous advocates in Brazil and overseas. | According to a public statement on the ministry's website, the Mning and En…
telesurenglish.net/news/Brazil-to-Go-Through-With-Mining-on-Tribal-Lands-20200112-0004.html
Several Rockets Hit Iraqi Airbase: 4 Wounded
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-12
The Iraqi Armed Forces announced on their official Twitter account that a number of rockets targeted the Al-Balad Airbase in the country's Salah Al-Deen Province. | RELATED: | Iran Admits Fault in Downing of Ukranian Airliner | "The Al-Balad Airbase in the Salah Al-Deen Governorate came under attack by eight Katyusha rockets, wounding four members of the Iraqi Air Force, including two officers," the Iraqi Armed Forces said. | The Iraqi Armed Forces did not release anymore details about the…
telesurenglish.net/news/Several-Rockets-Hit-Iraqi-Airbase-4-Wounded-20200112-0006.html
Report Reveals Why US Troops Suffered No Casualties During Iran Strike on American Bases in Iraq
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-12
Wednesday's Iranian missile attack on US military forces at the Ayn Al-Asad Air Base and a facility in Erbil in Iraq came in response to an American drone strike that killed a top Iranian general earlier this month.
sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001121078014867-iran-missile-attack-us-iraq-targets/
This Iranian War Vet Has Some Advice for Trump: Don't Play Checkers with the Grandmasters of Chess
Habib Ahmadzadeh | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-12
Dear President Trump, | In a recent Tweet, you claimed that "Iranians never won a war, but never lost a negotiation." As a world citizen and a veteran of the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, I have firsthand experience with the bitterness of …
globalresearch.ca/iranian-war-vet-has-some-advice-trump-dont-play-checkers-grandmasters-chess/5685775
The tenuous deployment of US troops in Iraq
Abdul Rahman | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-01-12
With the resolution of the Iraqi parliament demanding the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country, the presence of the nearly 5,200 US soldiers has become a major flashpoint…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/01/12/the-tenuous-deployment-of-us-troops-in-iraq/
4 Iraqi Air Force servicemen injured as 8 rockets hit base housing US troops
rt.com | 2020-01-12
At least four Iraqi soldiers have been injured in mortar shelling targeting Al-Balad airbase housing American troops. The facility has become a frequent target of attacks in the wake of the US killing of a top Iranian commander. | At least eight 'Katyusha' rockets hit the base located some 80 kilometers north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the prime minister's office has confirmed. The rockets allegedly struck a runaway located inside the facility, military sources earlier told Reuters. | There have been no reports of any casualties among the US military personnel. No groups has so far claimed responsibility…
rt.com/news/478077-iraq-base-balad-hit-injured/
U.S. Media Outlets Fail to Disclose U.S. Government Ties of 'Iranian Journalist' Echoing Trump Talking Points
Eli Clifton | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-12
The Trump administration is adamant that Iranians welcome the assassination of Qassem Soleimani. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed Iraqis were "dancing in the street … thankful that General Soleimani is no more" and that Iranians will view the U.S. …
globalresearch.ca/u-s-media-outlets-fail-disclose-u-s-government-ties-iranian-journalist-echoing-trump-talking-points/5700320
Juan Guaido Wants to Silence teleSUR by Taking Over TV Signal
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-12
The self-proclaimed 'president' of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, announced on Saturday that he has plans to take over teleSUR's television signal in an attempt to silence the channel. | RELATED: | US Seeks to Affect Cuba's Revenue by Banning Charter Flights | "In the next few days we keep moving forward: tomorrow we announce the steps to recover the Telesur signal in the continent, and be aware of where and when we are going to hold the session of the @AsambleaVE‚Äã&sb…
telesurenglish.net/news/Juan-Guaido-Wants-to-Silence-teleSUR-by-Taking-Over-TV-Signal-20200112-0001.html
Juan Guaido Wants to Silence teleSUR by Taking Over TV Signal
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-12
The self-proclaimed 'president' of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, announced on Saturday that he has plans to take over teleSUR's television signal in an attempt to silence the channel. | RELATED: | US Seeks to Affect Cuba's Revenue by Banning Charter Flights | "In the next few days we keep moving forward: tomorrow we announce the steps to recover the teleSUR signal in the continent, and be aware of where and when we are going to hold the session of the @AsambleaVE to open all together th…
telesurenglish.net/news/Juan-Guaido-Wants-to-Silence-teleSUR-by-Taking-Over-TV-Signal-20200112-0001.html
Facebook 'thought police' censors pro-Iran posts 'to comply with US sanctions'… as Trump warns Tehran against censorship
rt.com | 2020-01-12
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…
rt.com/news/478044-instagram-iran-trump-censorship/
US sanctions will delay Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline but WON'T END IT, Polish PM admits
rt.com | 2020-01-12
The Polish prime minister has admitted that US sanctions will fail to torpedo the major Baltic Sea pipeline intended to supply Germany with Russian natural gas, and says he wishes the project had "never begun in the first place." | "I believe the US sanctions will delay the project but will not end it," Mateusz Morawiecki told German newspaper Die Welt in an interview. | Swiss-Dutch pipe-laying company Allseas stopped its work on the pipeline in December through fear of getting hit by the sanctions, which were adopted by the US earlier that month. | Morawiecki, whose government argues that the project will mak…
rt.com/news/478068-poland-pm-nord-stream/
Bolivia: De Facto Regime Supporters Kidnapped Evo's Ex-Minister
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-12
Evo Morales' former Interior Minister Carlos Romero denounced Saturday that The Resistance, a shock group supporting the coup-based government led by Jeanine Añez, kept him kidnapped for two days inside his home. | RELATED: | Bolivia: Coup Govt. Tries to Convince Europe There Was No Coup | "They have kidnapped me in my own house. They've locked the water stopcock, I had no food or water," Romero told reporters at the hospital where he is still convalescing.
telesurenglish.net/news/Bolivia-De-Facto-Regime-Supporters-Kidnapped-Evos-Ex-Minister-20200112-0007.html
Ro Khanna "End the War in Iran"
Roknich | indybay.org | 2020-01-12
BREAKING: Minutes ago, US Representaive Ro Khanna spoke at the Bernie Sanders rally in Iowa City Iowa. Here's video from minutes ago.
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/12/18829675.php
Trump's defense secretary admits he 'didn't see' evidence about Soleimani planning attacks against US embassies
rt.com | 2020-01-12
President Donald Trump warned that Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani was planning "imminent" attacks against Americans, but his own defense secretary seems to be unable to back this claim. | Secretary of Defense Mark Esper revealed in a Sunday interview with 'Face the Nation' on CBS that he "didn't see" specific evidence that supported the president's claim that Soleimani was planning attacks on four US embassies, which Trump touted in a Friday interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham. | "The president said that he believed that there probably could have been attacks against additional embassies," Espe…
rt.com/usa/478078-trump-soleimani-esper-evidence/
No war on Iran. No war on women
Curt Wechsler | indybay.org | 2020-01-12
RefuseFascism Organizers meeting | 1590 Bryant, San Francisco…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/12/18829688.php
Italian Vessel Travelling to GNA-Controlled Port in Libya Detained by Haftar's Forces
sputniknews.com | 2020-01-12
Earlier, the Libyan National Army warned marine traffic about using the ports of Misrata and Khoms, but the UN-backed Libyan government said that the cities were under their control and vessels could enter the ports unimpeded.
sputniknews.com/africa/202001121078015205-italian-vessel-travelling-to-gna-controlled-port-in-libya-detained-by-khaftars-forces/