Turkey To Eurasia - Russia"s Aleppo Battle Uses Houthis in Yemen - Morris
For five years now the Syrian civil war has ground out mercilessly. It"s left hundreds of thousands dead and uprooted 11 million people, half of whom have fled the country as refugees. What started as an Arab Spring like protest against the country"s leader has become a relentless and brutal conflict involving many powers across the region.
The battle and now bombardment that began four years ago in Aleppo, the country"s largest city, has been the bitter cauldron of that war. With scores of videos uploaded every day, showing the violence and destruction, the world has been able to watch as the city has been destroyed and tens of thousands have died. We"ve been able to see it, but it"s also been all too easy to look away.
Thanks to the brave work of filmmaker Waad Al-Kateab, which can be seen below, in the past few months Channel 4 News has been able to get closer to the horror than at any time since it became impossible for us to get in. Her work has highlighted the carnage in the hospitals, and the pain of the casualties and their families, which lie behind the statistics.
As this relentless battle and carnage continues, Channel 4 News will be reporting what happens in Aleppo in whatever form we can. Every day for the foreseeable future. In no small part thanks to the bravery and skill of Waad. Please watch her films.
Ben de Pear,
Editor, Channel 4 News
A warning, these reports contain images you may find distressing.
Trump Camp Hires Breitbart CEO to Head Campaign - August 17, 2016
The Twitterverse has more to fear from a gay conservative than a fire-breathing ISIS recruiter if the social media giants treatment of a pair of prolific and provocative posters is to be squared.
Twitter banned Breitbart tech editor and openly gay conservative Milo Yiannopoulos for life last month after his followers tweeted objectionable comments targeting African-American Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones, but a recent case in Londons Old Bailey shows Twitter took a hands-off approach to the poisonous posts of Anjem Choudary.
Jurors in the United Kingdom were told this week that British authorities repeatedly sought to get Choudarys Twitter posts and YouTube videos taken down after his pledge of allegiance to ISIS surfaced online. Choudary, who in interviews with Fox News and other media has for years made no secret of his embrace of Shariah law and Islamic radicalism, was convicted Tuesday of "inviting support for a proscribed organization," namely ISIS. He faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced next month.
During the trial, prosecutors complained that despite Choudarys incendiary Tweets and YouTube videos, they had no power to force social media companies to remove the material. On Thursday afternoon, Choudary"s Twitter page, which had 32,000 followers, was down.
Its a sharp contrast to the treatment Twitter last month afforded Yiannopoulos, who was banned from the 140-character forum after his "Ghostbusters" tweets, but says the ban is a reaction to years of conservative posts.
"An Islamic hate preacher convicted of inciting terrorism: fine," Yiannopoulos told FoxNews.com. "A gay man expressing concern about Muslim immigration: not fine. Welcome to the new, Shariah-compliant Twitter."
In conjunction with a scathing movie review last month, Yiannopoulos referred to Jones as a black dude and pegged her barely literate. His followers then directed a storm of racist tweets at Jones, prompting Twitter founder Jack Dorsey to personally intervene.
Following the Yiannopoulos incident, a Twitter spokesman told FoxNews.com it takes its responsibility of moderating speech seriously.
People should be able to express diverse opinions and beliefs on Twitter. But no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online, a Twitter spokesman told FoxNews.com in an email. We know many people believe we have not done enough to curb this type of behavior on Twitter.
But in the British court, a researcher from the National Counter Terrorism Police Operations Center catalogued a series of failed attempts to get Twitter to rein in Choudary, saying, "the police do not have the capability to remove any material from any platform."
Choudary currently has more than 32,000 followers on Twitter and his account can still be viewed online.
Testimony also showed that YouTube refused a June 23 request to take down a Choudary video titled, "Duties of the Kilafah by Anjem Choudary" which was refused. Another video, titled, "The Caliphate will expand into Europe and U.S.," was deemed "journalistic" by the site, officials said.
Justin Gatlin said USA was winning 123 at the Rio Olympics Justin Gatlin came up just short of qualifying for the 200-meter final. (Getty)
RIO DE JANEIRO For a man who has spent this week booed, catcalled, hissed, demonized, vilified, slung and arrowed, Justin Gatlin sounded remarkably sanguine. He had just lost in the semifinals of the 200-meter dash, a stunning exit that robbed the Olympic Stadium crowd an opportunity to take all of the love it lavishes upon Usain Bolt and deliver Gatlin the inverse. Every hero needs a villain. He is the Rio Games.
The rivalry I have with Usain has turned it into a professional wrestling feel, Gatlin said. Everyones cheering for Usain, but they have somebody theyve got to boo against.
He was smiling when he said this. He smiles when he says pretty much anything. He smiled when asked about the fans who made him an Iron Sheik-style heel, the embodiment of ugly America, Dopey McDoperson, and he said: You cant ask for a better or more exciting crowd.
There is a chance that Justin Gatlin has perfected the art of artifice, that he knows by now sprinkling sugar on top of anything makes it better, no matter how foul. Or maybe Gatlin really is speaking the truth when he says he feels no animus toward the Brazilian crowd and, really, the one worldwide, too that experienced a surge of schadenfreude when over the last 20 meters his temperamental ankle locked up and torpedoed his crack at another Olympic medal.
For 10 years now, Gatlin has worn the scarlet D. There is no greater sin in track and field than doping, and twice Gatlin was caught with something in his blood that wasnt supposed to be. The first time it was amphetamines. He said they were for ADD. The second time was for testosterone. He said a massage therapist rubbed him with illicit cream. Both stories may well be true. Neither matters. Nuance is one thing, doping another, and never the twain shall meet.
And so Gatlin lives this odd existence where he does something he loves knowing plenty hate him for doing it.
It would be an immature mindset for me to come out here and think that every Brazilian is against me, Gatlin said. They want to see a great show, and Usain is a great competitor and a showman. He puts on a great show. For me, when I ran here earlier last month mano a mano, one of the fans gave me a flag. I instantly tied it to my book bag, and I still have it tied to my book bag, a Brazilian flag. I get a lot of love here.
[Photos: Unusual rituals and superstitions of Olympians]
The other baddie of the Games non-Ryan Lochte division was Yulia Efimova, the Russian swimmer whose situation mirrored Gatlins. Illicit substances showed up in tests twice. The doping accusations chased her. She was called out by Lilly King, then beaten for a gold medal by King, then said this felt like a resurrection of the Cold War, then brought into question Michael Phelps, then said she didnt trust any Americans, and by the end, Efimova had only reinforced her villainy when in all likelihood shes no dirtier than plenty of her competitors.
Rather than fight the doping furor, Gatlin chose to embrace it, and thats what one would expect from a 34-year-old with some wisdom and perspective and, most important, a predilection toward forgiveness. Its not easy to be angry all the time. Its a monstrous burden to carry. And, sure, some athletes may channel that anger toward better performances, but the mental weight can be neither cleaned nor jerked. It lingers, festers, burrows.
The aggrieved and righteously indignant didnt do in Gatlin on Wednesday. He blamed his issues on an ankle injury suffered in November. It never healed fully, he said, and it tightened up before the 200, days after it kept loose for the 100-meter dash and he won silver behind Bolt.
No matter how much the physiotherapists worked Gatlin before the 200, his Achilles felt wrong and the pain intensified on the turn, which was especially tight because of his Lane 3 positioning. Gatlin faded hard over the last 20 meters. Alonso Edward passed him and won the race. Churandy Martina, who lives across the street from Gatlin in Orlando, beat him by .03 seconds. Gatlins 20.13-second time ranked ninth among semifinalists. Eight make the finals.
I wasnt fully surprised, Bolt said. I thought he wouldve actually made it, but I could tell from the 100 meters that he was feeling the pain and was slowing down. Its just the fact that youre getting older.
For sprinters, 34 is grandfatherly, and the small patch of gray in Gatlins hair signifies his age (not to mention his relative lack of vanity). And yet the four-year ban for testosterone, Gatlin has said, allowed him to keep his legs strong and healthy and more like those of a 20-something. He feels good enough h**l be back next season. Hes even expecting to set a personal record in the 100.
Which, of course, would rekindle even more doping speculation. Gatlin knows he invited it with his history, and he knows as long as he runs, the scarlet D wont be far away. Its his reality.
Gatlin plays a pretty terrible bad guy, though. He wont speak ill of Brazil, wont punch back at the shots he absorbs, wont take the bait. Its impressive, actually, how Justin Gatlin knows the world wants to see him a certain way and refuses to hew to its narrative. Theres just one thing something hed love more than the medals and the personal bests and any accolades left that Justin Gatlin wants and never will get because forgiveness doesnt come easy: to be the hero.
Bade Bhaiyya Ki Dulhania team wishing Happy Raksha Bandhan By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi | Published:August 18, 2016 8:37 pm Prasoon Joshi pens a beutiful poem on Raksha Bandhan, and sends across an important message. (Source: Facebook)
Raksha Bandhan celebrates the sacred bond of siblings, with the brother getting a rakhi tied on his hand as a symbol of ensuring his sisters safety from all evil. Centred around this auspicious festival, renowned lyricist and ad man Prasoon Joshi has written a poem on sisters, sharing it on his Facebook page.
She, who might be younger to you in age, but cares for you no less than a parent.She, who leaves the door quietly open when she knows you are coming in late. She, who only smiles dismissing what you are saying, knowing very well that they are lies.
Joshi pays a tribute to all the sisters across the world on Raksha Bandhan through his heart-touching poem.
Written in Hindi, the poem talks about how a sister does those little things that show just how much she loves you. Her acts of kindness show how big her heart is. Yet, on Raksha Bandhan, Prasoon writes, the brother becomes the more responsible, the elderone, because of the sense of responsibility that is imbibed into him by the simple tin thread of the rakhi she ties on his wrist. Yet, thats only for a moment
Prasoon reminds us how the sister through her acts of love will remain the elder one, even if shemight beyoungerin age.
Heres the Facebook post titled Raksha Bandhan poem by Prasoon Joshi.
Tell us what you think about the renowned screenwriters poem.
Jill Stein Green Party CNN Presidential Town Hall Full Interview 17th August 2016
Jill Stein"s vice presidential running mate, Ajamu Baraka, defended his decision to call President Barack Obamaan "Uncle Tom president," saying he "stands by" his choice to use the he"s used to describe America"s first black president.
The moment came Wednesday night during CNN"s Green Party town hall, when moderator Chris Cuomo asked Baraka why he has used the term "Uncle Tom" to criticize .
"There are legitimate arguments to be made," Cuomo said about Obama"s presidency. "But you called him an Uncle Tom. Now that"s a little bit different than making legitimate arguments."
But Baraka defended using defined by Merriam-Webster"s dictionary as a black person "overeager to win the approval of whites" by saying he used it while speaking to a
Cuomo, however, wasn"t having that argument.
"Is there any good context?" Cuomo asked Baraka of the term.
"What I wanted to do was basically to tell people who had this hope in Barack Obama, that if we were concerned and serious about how we could displace white power, we had to demystify the policies and the positions of this individual," Baraka said. "So that was how it got framed, to shock people into a more critical look at this individual, and that"s how I did it, and I stand by that."
Cuomo then turned to Stein to ask whether she agrees with her running mate"s decision to use a against Obama.
Stein did not disavow Baraka"s response, giving a vague answer with buzzwords.
"I am so grateful that we have an opportunity to go beyond sound bites," Stein said. "And I understand Ajamu"s passion, his frustration and his struggle. And I also understand his transcendence and the way in which this is a challenge to us all right now to both feel the passion of our struggle but also to be capable of transcending it and connecting with each other, healing our wounds and forging a bigger vision and a bigger community."
She went on to say that she"s "worked with Ajamu for years" and that she has "never heard him use derogatory language."
Twitter was aghast at the exchange, with many calling Baraka"s use of the term "disgusting," and criticizing Stein for standing by her running mate"s use of the epithet.
ESPN First Take (TV series) Will RG3 Turn It Around In Cleveland Browns
By: The Big Lead Staff| 2 hours agoFollow @thebiglead
The saga of Robert Griffin IIIand his new girlfriend, FSU track athleteGrete Sadeiko, whose name he already has tattooed on his arm, transfixed the sports world on Wednesday. All of this came just one day after news emerged that RG3 was divorcingRebecca Liddicoat,his wife of three years.
TMZ has done some follow-up reporting. Citing sources close to the estranged couple, they say that RG3 and Sadeiko met on Instagram in January, the social media relationship turned real, and Griffins wife was upset when she found out about it in April.
Further according to TMZs sourcing, RG3 and his wifehad been separated since around then, but Liddicoat, who held out hope for saving the marriage, was blindsided when the Browns quarterback filed for divorce earlier this week.
Depending on what documents were signed before the marriage, on the surface it does not appear at this time as though RG3s behavior will be looked upon favorably in the proceedings. That being said, we only know one side of the story and perhaps more information will emerge.
RG3 Already Has New Girlfriend Grete Sadeiko"s Name Tattooed on His Forearm
Amy Schumer has spoken out about her disappointment over one of her show writer"s controversial comments about rape.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, Kurt Metzger who has worked as a writer on Inside Amy Schumer criticized women who claim to have been raped, but do not report it to the police.
"I am so saddened and disappointed in Kurt Metzger," Schumer tweeted in response to the Inside Amy Schumer writer. "He is my friend and a great writer and I couldn"t be more against his recent actions."
Metzger"s post, obtained in a screenshot by Medium.com, joked about the topic as he wrote that declaring someone is a rapist without evidence is "like hammering the nails into Jesus My Lord"s feet! Or re-raping the victim"s good hole. Or asking for proof in a murder trial!"
As fans responded to Schumer"s tweet, questions about Metzger"s employment continued to come up, prompting the actress who recently revealed she was a victim of sexual assault to later tweet, "Kurt does not work for me. He is not a writer on my show. Please stop asking me about it. His words are not mine."
Metzger"s most recent writing credit on the show is from an April episode.
Metzger responded in a series of social media posts defending his position on the topic, saying that he wasn"t victim blaming and that the people who are accusing him of doing so are missing the point that he was simply asking for more information.
"Sorry for spreading so much HATE by merely asking ANY QUESTIONS before I join your mob! Can u please accept my apology," he wrote, adding in other tweets, "Wouldn"t blame a victim for trying to destroy an attacker"s rep Notice I didn"t declare guilt or innocence on this dude? I merely stated that the idea of an "internal ucb [Upright Citizen"s Brigade] investigation" is f---ed."
Metzger continued his defense on Facebook and will discuss the issue in an interview on Race Wars on Sirius XM"s Opie Radio on Wednesday night.
