(2020-01-24). Houthis Anticipate US Assassination Attempts, Warn US Troops Will Be Targeted in Retaliation. mintpressnews.com 
The U.S. recently admitted that it tried and failed to kill an Iranian commander in Yemen, sparking both fear and mobilization among Yemen's Houthis.
(2020-01-24). Social justice comes for the boardroom: Goldman Sachs declares war on the straight, white, male corporate board. rt.com 
Investment bank Goldman Sachs won't underwrite companies' initial public offerings unless their boards have at least one "diverse" member. Social justice pandering or canny business move? | "Starting on July 1st in the US and Europe, we're not going to take a company public unless there's at least one diverse board candidate, with a focus on women," Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "And we're going to move towards 2021 requesting two," he added. | Solomon's understanding of the word "diverse" is ill-defined. Presumably, a "diverse" candidate is…
(2020-01-24). 'Nowhere on the Border,' an engrossing play on our conscience. peoplesworld.org 
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—The very fine Road Theatre Company is currently staging Carlos Lacámara's Nowhere on the Border (seen Jan. 18), a soul-wrenching, laser-beamed treatment of the emotional and economic issues around cross-border migration from Mexico into the U.S. Southwest. Gary (Chet Grissom), a border watch volunteer/vigilante from Pennsylvania with a son serving in Afghanistan, confronts …
(2020-01-24). European Commission 'very concerned' about rule of law situation in Poland. rt.com 
The European Commission said on Friday it was "very concerned" with the state of the rule of law in Poland, where the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has overhauled the courts, precipitating a deepening standoff between old and new judges. | "The Commission is very concerned about the rule of law situation in Poland, in particular about the final adoption of the law amending the organization of the ordinary courts," a spokesman said on Friday. The EU executive had previously asked Warsaw not to proceed with the legislation in the form that was eventually approved, he noted. | The Commission "will not hesita…
(2020-01-24). Will the Extinction of Delta Smelt Be Governor Gavin Newsom's Environmental Legacy? counterpunch.org 
The Delta smelt, once the most abundant species on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, continues its steep slide towards extinction. For the second year in a row, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in its annual fall midwater trawl survey in 2019 found zero Delta smelt during the months of September, October, November and December.
(2020-01-24). Globalizing the War on Indigenous People: Bolsonaro and Modi. counterpunch.org 
A man who has repeatedly romanticized dictatorship and advocated the use of torture seems like an odd choice for guest of honor at the annual celebration of the constitution in the biggest democracy in the world. However, it makes perfect sense that Brazil's notorious President, Jair Bolsonaro, has been invited to India's Republic Day parade
(2020-01-24). Law Professor: Trump Could Also Have Been Impeached for War Crimes, Assassinations & Corruption. democracynow.org 
Democratic lawmakers are continuing to lay out their case for removing the president from office in the final day of opening arguments by Democrats in the historic impeachment trial of President Trump. Republicans will begin their opening arguments on Saturday. The Senate trial comes a month after the House impeached Trump for withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine as part of an effort to pressure the Ukrainian president to investigate Trump's political rival, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. On Thursday, House impeachment manager Jerrold Nadler made the case that a president can…
(2020-01-24). 'The East is Black: Cold War China in the Black Radical Imagination'. peoplesworld.org 
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(2020-01-24). 'He's clearly not all there': NFL star Antonio Brown ordered to pay $100K to leave prison after burglary and battery charges. rt.com 
A judge has ordered an evaluation of Antonio Brown's mental state and handed the NFL free agent tough release terms after he spent the night in a Florida prison, turning himself in over an arrest warrant for battery and burglary. | Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Brown turned himself in to police after accusations that he and coach Glenn Holt attacked a driver and threw rocks at his truck as he tried to deliver possessions to Brown's Hollywood home. | Wearing a mint-coloured suit over a green tracksuit top, Brown strolled through the entrance of Broward Jail and announced himself before leaving shortl…
(2020-01-24). Aftermath: The Iran War After the Soleimani Assassination. counterpunch.org 
The thing that is so sad and so infuriating and so centrally symptomatic of everything wrong with American political culture, is that, with painfully few exceptions, Americans have no idea of what their government has done. They have no idea who Qassem Soleimani was, what he has accomplished, the web of relationships, action, and respect he has built, what his assassination means and will bring. The last person who has any clue about this, of course, is Donald Trump, who called Soleimani "a total monster." His act of killing Soleimani is the apotheosis of the abysmal, arrogant ignorance of U.S. political culture.
(2020-01-24). AK-46: The Case Against Amy Klobuchar. counterpunch.org 
"First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more
(2020-01-24). A Climate Time Bomb With Trump's Name Inscribed. counterpunch.org 
Thwaites, in West Antarctica, is the world's most dangerous glacier. As of January 15th, scientists have labeled it: "A Climate Time Bomb." Thwaites is crumbling apart on the underneath side where warm ocean currents circulate, which is clear evidence that global warming is really, truly hitting its stride even as America, obeying President Trump's orders,
(2020-01-24). Western Balkans' future 'should be toward Europe,' EU to discuss enlargement soon — Brussels. rt.com 
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said on Friday that the bloc will be holding intensive discussions in the coming weeks on how future enlargement should be managed. | Michel, who was in the Albanian capital Tirana to meet with PM Edi Rama, said all member states "are unanimous on one point — that the Western Balkans' future should be toward Europe," AP reports. | Hopes of Albania and its neighbor North Macedonia to launch EU membership talks last year were dashed by French President Emmanuel Macron in October, when he asked for a reform of the process for admitting countries to the 2…
(2020-01-24). The Long History of Elite Rule: What Will It Take To End It? counterpunch.org 
Elites have ruled over people and commanded the surplus produced by their labor for many millennia. It is this long history we have to contend with in today's crisis of capitalism that has produced endless wars and environmental catastrophes as corporate billionaire rulers continue to promote business as usual while preparing to fight each other with armed forces and nuclear weapons. This has all been "normalized."
(2020-01-24). Turkey sending military to train UN-backed govt's forces in Libya — Erdogan. rt.com 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that he is sending military personnel to Libya to train the forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord. | Erdogan announced the move on Friday, days after he apparently backed off on an earlier promise to deploy ground troops to the war-torn African country. The Turkish leader told journalists on Monday that a group of military "advisers" had been sent to Libya in the troops' stead. | The Turkish personnel will train the forces of Fayez al-Sarraj, who heads the Tripoli-based and UN-backed Government of National Accord. The GNA has been engaged in…
(2020-01-24). Iowa voters weigh many factors as they decide who to support. peoplesworld.org 
DES MOINES, Iowa — Harold Lanning is a retired factory worker. He's supporting Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination, but he was attending an Elizabeth Warren rally when People's World caught up with him. "There are so darn many good candidates it's hard to lock in on one particular one. I'm open to listening to …
(2020-01-24). 'Spygate' update: At least two FISA warrants to spy on Carter Page were 'not valid,' DOJ says. rt.com 
The top US spy court has revealed that at least two of the four warrants for spying on a Trump campaign adviser are now considered to have been improperly obtained, and all information gained from them is being restricted. | FBI applications under the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) described Carter Page as a foreign agent in order to spy on his communications during and after the 2016 presidential campaign. Thanks to the "two hop" rule for these warrants, the spying could have extended to the entire campaign as well as President Donald Trump himself. | In a January 7 ruling declassified on Thursd…
(2020-01-24). Brazilian prosecutors target journalist Glenn Greenwald for 'cybercrimes'. mronline.org 
Glenn Greenwald is accused of being involved in the hacking of communications of senior government officials. His reports exposed the conspiracy between Brazil's current justice minister, Sergio Moro, and the Federal Prosecutor's Office against former president Lula. |
(2020-01-24). Republicans Have Made a Mockery of Impeachment. truthdig.com 
It's not just Mitch McConnell. The Senate GOP has made clear it has no desire to get to the bottom of the charges against Donald Trump.
(2020-01-24). Schiff on Trump impeachment: "If right doesn't matter we're lost" peoplesworld.org 
With the words "If right doesn't matter we're lost" the chief House impeachment manager, Rep. Adam Schiff, D., Calif., ended a day of testimony in the Senate chamber yesterday where lawmakers proved conclusively to anyone listening that President Trump is guilty of abuse of power. Unexpectedly, at the very end of the day Schiff, in …
(2020-01-24). EU's foreign policy chief extends timeline for dispute mechanism on Iran nuclear accord. rt.com 
The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday he had extended the time available to discuss ways to save the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran under a dispute mechanism triggered by France, Germany and Britain. "There is agreement that more time is needed due to the complexity of the issues involved. The timeline is therefore extended," Borrell said in a statement. | On January 14, Borrell was notified by Paris, London and Berlin that they had triggered the dispute mechanism, in theory starting a 15-day process to resolve issues with Iran. | However, it is not clear when the 15-day period should start b…
(2020-01-24). 'False sense of security!' Pakistan claims India's S-400 deal fuels arms race… as it tests ballistic missile. rt.com 
India's decision to buy Russia's S-400 missile defense system could spark an arms race, Pakistan has claimed, urging its regional rival to ditch it for the sake of "stability" the same day it tested a new nuclear-capable missile. | Citing "concerns regarding the induction of ballistic missile defense systems in the region," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Aisha Farooqui
(2020-01-24). Merkel and Erdogan's smiles hide tough times ahead: What can we expect from EU-Turkey talks? rt.com 
They may be all smiles for the cameras, but the issues Angela Merkel and Recep Tayyip Erdogan are set to discuss — from Syrian refugees to Turkey's attempts to join the EU — may stall talks and deteriorate relations even further.
(2020-01-24). OPCW investigator testifies at UN that no chemical attack took place in Douma, Syria. mronline.org 
In testimony before the United Nations Security Council, former OPCW inspection team leader and engineering expert Ian Henderson stated that their investigation in Douma, Syria suggested no chemical attack took place. But their findings were suppressed. |
(2020-01-24). Dutch motorcyclist Edwin Straver becomes second rider to die at 2020 Dakar Rally. rt.com 
Dakar Rally officials have announced that Dutch rider Edwin Straver has passed away after succumbing to serious injuries he sustained following a fall earlier this month at the race's penultimate stage. | Straver, 48, crashed 77 miles (124 km) into the 11th stage of the race on January 16 and was transported by helicopter to a nearby medical facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. | He required resuscitation at the scene of the accident, where it was reported it took emergency workers around 10 minutes to get his heart beating. Further examinations in the hospital revealed that he had suffered a break to one of his…
(2020-01-24). 'I want to open new fronts with Russia & China as US lived off the fat of our land,' Philippines' Duterte tells RT. rt.com 
Speaking to RT, firebrand President Rodrigo Duterte spewed vitriol at the US for seeing the Philippines as "a vassal state," revealing that he has sets his hopes on reaching out to Moscow and Beijing instead. | "America is not the Philippines and the Philippines is not America. It ain't that way anymore, and I refuse to dovetail under American foreign policy," Duterte proclaimed in a candid interview with RT. | Although Washington — which acquired the Philippines from Spain for just $20 million in the late 19th century — had "lived off the fat of the land," their attitudes haven't seemed to change ov…
(2020-01-24). Lee Camp straightens out 'sewage' NYT article that claims Russian bots 'sowed confusion' in South America (VIDEO). rt.com 
American comedian Lee Camp issued a scathing retort to a New York Times piece alleging that Russian bots stoked tensions in South America, jokingly noting that it would take several years to fully dissect the baseless report. | The host of Redacted Tonight marveled at how the piece, titled "As Protests in South America Surged, So Did Russian Trolls on Twitter, US Finds," was based on data provided by not-very-objective State Department 'analysts'. For Camp, this raised a number of obvious red flags. | He argued that, contrary to the US government-sourced piece, Washington and its cheerleaders in the media are…
(2020-01-24). WATCH: Escaped elephants frolic in snowy streets of Russia's Ekaterinburg. rt.com 
Workers and residents alike were stunned to look out their windows and see not one but two Indian elephants taking a snow bath on the streets of the Russian city of Ekaterinburg on Thursday. | The star performers of a visiting Italian circus, 45-year-old Carla and 50-year-old Roni, couldn't resist taking a stroll in the -5C air and frolicking in the snow in the city before their days-long drive to Saint Petersburg, having broken away from their trainers during a well-earned break. | Elephants on loose in Russia after circus escape
(2020-01-24). Putin returns fallen cap to member of Palestinian honor guard during Bethlehem visit (VIDEO). rt.com 
The Russian president made a small but noticeable contribution to keeping the Palestinian Authority in order when he put a fallen peaked cap back where it belonged — on the head of a member of an honor guard. | The amusing interlude happened on Friday as Vladimir Putin was visiting the Palestinian city of Bethlehem to meet PA chief Mahmoud Abbas. | A hat of an honor guard occurred during the reception ceremony for the Russian President in Bethlehem, Russia…
(2020-01-24). When will the Winter come to an end? mronline.org 
On 17 January, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led the Friday prayers for the first time in eight years. He mocked the 'American clowns' who threatened Iran and said that Iran's response to the U.S. assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani was a 'slap in the face' of U.S. power. |
(2020-01-24). Promtheus' Fire: Climate Change in the Time of Willful Ignorance. counterpunch.org 
Prologue Greek myths assert Prometheus, Titan god of foreknowledge, was grandfather of the Greeks. He defied Zeus and brought the fire of knowledge and civilization to his relatives. Zeus reacted with violence. He ordered the god of metallurgy and technology Hephaistos to tie Prometheus on a pillar. Zeus sent an eagle, which tortured Prometheus. Every
(2020-01-24). Merkel's Turkish delights: Erdogan showers German chancellor with gifts as the two meet in Istanbul (PHOTOS). rt.com 
Hosting Angela Merkel in Istanbul, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched a charm offensive of sorts, presenting her with a set of luxury antique gifts that she seemed visibly pleased to receive. | Merkel and Erdogan briefly met in Istanbul on Friday to discuss tough issues such as migration from the Middle East to Europe and Turkey's bid to join the EU. The pair took a short break from affairs of state later in the day to inaugurate a Turkish-German University (TAU) campus in Istanbul. | But the ceremony turned out to be far more eye-catching than similar events held elsewhere in the world as the Turkis…
(2020-01-24). McDonald's reportedly shuts down restaurants in five Chinese cities as coronavirus spreads. rt.com 
Fast food chain McDonald's has announced it will halt operations in five cities in China's Hubei province, where the new deadly coronavirus is believed to originate. The suspension reportedly comes into effect on Friday. | The restaurant chain has dozens of locations in the region, including in the city of Wuhan, which is considered to be the epicenter of the virus. | Apart from Wuhan, where most infections have occurred, McDonalds will reportedly close restaurants in Ezhou, Huanggang, Qianjing and Xiantao. | Chinese authorities have placed several cities on lockdown, restricting movement for over 30 million p…
(2020-01-24). Serena stunned! Williams loses to China's Wang at Australian Open as chance for 24th Grand Slam slips away AGAIN. rt.com 
The chance of a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam again went begging for Serena Williams as she lost to China's Wang Qiang in the third round of the Australian Open. | Williams, a seven-time champion in Melbourne, went down to Chinese number 27 seed Wang in three sets, 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 at Rod Laver Arena. | For Williams, who was seeded eighth Down Under, it means she remains stuck on 23 Grand Slam titles and again misses out on the chance to level Australian great Margaret Court's all-time mark of 24. | Williams, 38, last won a Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2017, and has since lost in four consecut…
(2020-01-24). Killer coronavirus comes to Europe, 2 cases confirmed in France. rt.com 
French authorities have confirmed two cases of the deadly Wuhan coronavirus, its Health Minister Agnes Buzyn has announced. The affected patients — one in Paris, another in Bordeaux — are the first diagnosed carriers in Europe since the flu-like illness first surfaced in China in December. | The virus, which is believed to have first spread from animals to humans at a food market in Wuhan, has killed more than two dozen people so far and infected at least 800 more. The patient in Bordeaux had returned from a trip to Wuhan on Wednesday. | Chinese authorities have restricted public movement in 13 citie…
(2020-01-24). Dozens of Indian students TRAPPED in Wuhan as China scrambles to stop spread of deadly coronavirus. rt.com 
A group of young Indians studying medicine in Wuhan, China have found themselves trapped in the city, as Beijing rushes to contain the new coronavirus outbreak. | Wuhan, home to 11 million people, has been put on lockdown by authorities in an effort to stop the spread of the deadly virus. Restrictions were also placed on two nearby cities, creating a quarantine of nearly 18 million people in total. | Among them are 25 Indian students who attend Wuhan University's College of Medicine. The medical students will likely be trapped in the city until health officials give the all clear. Chinese soldiers and SWAT tea…
(2020-01-24). McDonald's shuts down restaurants in five Chinese cities as coronavirus spreads. rt.com Fast food chain McDonald's has announced it will halt operations in five cities in China's Hubei province, where the new deadly coronavirus is believed to originate. The suspension comes into effect on Friday. | The restaurant chain has dozens of locations in the region, including in the city of Wuhan, which is considered to be the epicenter of the virus. | Apart from Wuhan, where most infections have occurred, McDonalds will close restaurants in Ezhou, Huanggang, Qianjing and Xiantao. The company says that the temporary measure is introduced for "for employee and customer health and safety." | In a statement…
(2020-01-24). Killer coronavirus KOs Ramirez v Postol WBC & WBO unification world title fight in China. rt.com 
The WBC and WBO light-welterweight world title showdown between Jose Ramirez and Viktor Postol scheduled to take place in Haikou, China has been postponed amid fears of the spread of the deadly coronavirus in the country. | The fight was scheduled for February 1 in the Chinese province of Haikou but according to Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, the clash will be rescheduled for a later date following growing concerns about the spread of the fatal illness, which has claimed a reported 26 lives in China alone. | There have been a further 500 cases being suspected across the globe and measures to halt its spread via tradit…
(2020-01-24). Chinese authorities share FIRST PHOTOS of deadly coronavirus. rt.com 
The first close-up images of the deadly coronavirus which has killed at least 26 people and infected some 830 others in China's Wuhan have been released. | The Institute of Microbiology at Chinese Academy of Sciences | The Wuhan Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV is closely related to both the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV), and has so far spre…
(2020-01-24). Singapore confirms 2 more Wuhan virus cases, tally is now 3. rt.com 
Singapore has confirmed two more cases of a new strain of coronavirus, the Health Ministry said on Friday. The statement comes a day after the first case of the infection, which originated in China, was identified. | The ministry said it expected more imported cases because of high travel volume from China, where the virus has killed 25 people and infected more than 800, according to Reuters. Singapore's tally of confirmed cases is now three. | Schools in Singapore asked parents to declare overseas holiday plans as authorities screened travelers at air, land, and sea checkpoints on Friday, to combat the spread…
(2020-01-24). 'Million-Man March' kicks off in Baghdad to demand US troop pullout (VIDEO, PHOTOS). rt.com 
A massive demonstration —called for by a prominent Shia cleric— has flooded the streets of the Iraq's capital Baghdad, with thousands voicing their anger at the US military presence there. | Early on Friday morning, throngs of protesters — men and women, young and old — began amassing at al-Hurriya Square in central Baghdad, near the city's main university. The anti-America rally, dubbed the "Million-man March," was called by Moqtada al-Sadr, Iraq's top Shiite cleric. | Some were wearing white robes, symbolizing their readiness to die for a religious cause, while others were pictured hol…
(2020-01-24). Trump to Announce Peace Plan Giving Israel 'Everything It Wants'. truthdig.com 
President Donald Trump is expected to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Netanyahu's political rival Benny Gantz at the White House on January 28 to unveil the president's "Deal of the Century" peace deal for the Middle East. | Though the full plan has not been released, the deal reportedly delivers nearly all of Israel's demands in exchange for the possibility of maybe, someday recognizing a Palestinian state. | "Peace has nothing to do with it," said Haaretz journalist Amir Tibon. | t.co/NaOhr3QEZX | — Amir Tibon (@amirtibon) (2020-01-24). International Court of Justice Orders Burmese Authorities to Protect Rohingya Muslims from Genocide. democracynow.org 
In a major ruling, the U.N. International Court of Justice at The Hague has ordered Burma to "take all measures within its power" to protect Rohingya Muslims from genocide. The court issued the ruling Thursday, calling the 600,000 Rohingya remaining in Burma, also known as Myanmar, "extremely vulnerable" to military violence. The court ordered Burma to report regularly to the tribunal about its progress. The ruling is a sharp rebuke of Burma's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who last month asked the court to drop the genocide case against Burma. Suu Kyi is a Nobel Peace Prize winner who spent over a decade figh…
(2020-01-24). What We Lose When We Lose Wildlife. counterpunch.org 
I grew up in Michigan — a place with many deer and very few wolves to keep their populations in-check. Flawed wildlife management decisions caused our wolf numbers to plummet decades ago. While gray wolves are historically native to the state, the only place I've seen one is the Potter Park Zoo — a tiny
(2020-01-24). From Paris, With Tear Gas… counterpunch.org 
Coming from the south on Avenue d'Italie on foot or bike things were obviously out of the ordinary, impossible as it may be to define ordinary in France at this moment. Long lines of cars pressed together, red and white tape strung everywhere it wasn't five minutes before, sidewalks lined with gargantuan tour buses, their
(2020-01-24). In the Name of "Israel's Security": Retreating US Gives Israel Billions More in Military Funding. counterpunch.org 
Billions of US tax-payers' money will continue to be funneled into Israel in the next fiscal year, and for many years in the foreseeable future. Republican and Democratic Senators have recently achieved just that, passing a bill aimed at providing Israel with $3.3 billion in annual aid. The Bill, co-sponsored by Democratic Senator, Chris Coons
(2020-01-24). Don't Kill 72 Grizzly Bears So Cattle Can Graze on Public Lands. counterpunch.org 
We have tens of millions of cattle in America but we only have about 700 grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Yet an October 2019 decision by the Bridger-Teton National Forest's Pinedale District authorizes continued cattle grazing on 267 square miles of public lands that will result in the deaths of an estimated 72 grizzly
(2020-01-24). Outspoken former army figure named N. Korea's FM — reports. rt.com 
Pyongyang has reportedly named a sharp-tongued former army officer with little foreign policy experience as its top diplomat. Ri Son-gwon's new title as foreign minister was disclosed on Friday in a Korean Central News Agency dispatch. It said he attended a reception for foreign diplomats in Pyongyang the previous day. | South Korean and other media have also reported North Korea informed foreign diplomats in Pyongyang of Ri's job last week. Ri, an outspoken retired army colonel, previously headed a government body responsible for relations with Seoul and has taken part in numerous inter-Korean military talks…
(2020-01-24). One of the brightest explosions ever seen was actually a giant star EATING its neighbor — study. rt.com 
The record-setting stellar explosion SN 2006gy was 50 billion times brighter than our sun, with a blast so energetic it baffled the scientific community. Now scientists think they have uncovered what made it so incredibly bright. | The explosion, which became known as a 'hypernova,' occurred in September 2006 some 240 million light-years away in the Perseus constellation. Astronomers looked on in awe as the blast grew even brighter over the course of 70 days, completely outshining its host galaxy, in a cosmic event hundreds of times more powerful than a standard supernova. | | SN 2006gy was the brightest and…
(2020-01-24). American bot? US veteran shares thousands of anti-Morales tweets during Bolivia coup. rt.com 
A new report has revealed that the right-wing coup in Bolivia received automated support from a US Army veteran, who retweeted thousands of anti-Morales messages believed to have been written by fake Twitter accounts. | In the days preceding socialist President Evo Morales' decision to step down amid pressure from the military, thousands of new accounts were created on Twitter — with many of them parroting identical messages reading, in English, "Friends from everywhere, in Bolivia there was no coup." | According to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, an estimated 68,000 shady accounts were cr…