Controversy swirls over CNN interview with creator of wrestling match attack GIF circulated by Trump, with critics assailing the network over the terms of their agreement to protect the source’s anonymity.‎ Louisiana congressman films, shares, and then retracts political selfie video taken in Auschwitz gas chambers. Nooses resurge as emblems of anonymous hatred. -Suzanne Nossel, Executive Director

 

U.S.

CNN slammed for threat to reveal identity of Trump ‘wrestling’ CNN creator
CNN is facing backlash on social media after tracking down the creator of a video of President Trump tackling a man with a CNN logo superimposed over his head and appearing to suggest it would reveal the person’s identity if he engaged in “ugly behavior” on social media again, resulting in the hashtag #CNNBlackmail.
THE HILL

Congressman retracts Auschwitz video and apologizes, after criticism
Louisiana Republican Clay Higgins has retracted a video he recorded at Auschwitz, apologizing to “any who may feel that my video posting was wrong or caused pain.”
NPR

Hangman’s noose, symbol of racial animus, keeps cropping up
An employee at the United States Mint in Philadelphia hung a noose Wednesday at the workstation of a black colleague, the latest in a series of reports this year involving nooses.
NEW YORK TIMES

Investigators explore if Russia colluded with pro-Trump sites during election
The spread of Russian-made fake news stories aimed at discrediting Hillary Clinton on social media is emerging as an important line of inquiry in multiple investigations into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow.
THE GUARDIAN

The National Enquirer’s fervor for Trump
The magazine supported Trump in its first political endorsement ever. A top executive has unabashedly boasted about using his media empire to help his friends—especially Trump.
NEW YORKER

 
Global

Health of Chinese Nobel peace laureate Liu Xiaobo worsens, hospital says
Liu’s family had been asked to be on standby in the hospital over the next 24 hours. China’s best-known political prisoner has been diagnosed with liver cancer.
LOS ANGELES TIMES

Putting ‘Don Giovanni’ on a truck, and returning opera to its roots
The opera, sponsored in part by Rome’s municipal government, was performed on a mobile stage to further the idea that “culture is a fundamental right.”
NEW YORK TIMES

Amnesty says Turkey director and activists detained in Istanbul
Idil Eser, the head of Amnesty International Turkey, was taken away on Wednesday along with activists and trainers during a digital security and information management workshop.
THE GUARDIAN

No end in sight to Arab crisis as Qatar rejects demands, including shutting down Al Jazeera
The group of Arab nations said it will press ahead with efforts to isolate Qatar, maintaining a blockade that has undermined the nation’s wealthy economy and fueled regional tensions.
THE WASHINGTON POST

At the movies in China, some propaganda with your popcorn
Cinemas have been ordered to play one of four government-issued videos before every movie screening. The videos promote “socialist core values” and feature A-list Chinese celebrities like Jackie Chan.
NEW YORK TIMES

 

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