International

Russia Invades Ukraine, Putin warns ‘consequences you have never seen’ to those who interfere

Published

2 years ago

February 24, 2022

Overnight Wednesday, Russian forces attacked Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv. Russia called the invasion a “special military operation.” Russia’s President Vladimir Putin warned the world that if any country intervenes, they could receive “consequences you have never seen.”

The full-scale attack has already left “dozens dead.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to promise “we will defend ourselves” although Russia has publicly stated Zelensky is a direct target they are going after.

The Associated Press reported smoke and debris were seen at a Ukrainian air defense base in Mariupol, a port city in southeastern Ukraine, in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike on Thursday. “The Russian military claimed to have wiped out Ukraine’s entire air defenses in a matter of hours, though its claims couldn’t immediately be verified.”

President Joe Biden will address the nation at noon on Thursday from the White House. The U.S. and its allies, many of which have or are actively imposing sanctions against Russia, have condemned the attacks against Ukraine.

The AP reports “sirens rang out in Ukraine’s capital, large explosions were heard there and in other cities, and people massed in train stations and took to roads, as the government said the former Soviet republic was seeing a long-anticipated invasion from the east, north and south. It reported more than 40 soldiers had been killed and dozens wounded so far.”

International

The Guardian Removes Osama bin Laden’s “Letter to America” Amidst Viral Resurfacing

Published

3 weeks ago

November 16, 2023

Alexander Carter

The Guardian, a left-wing media outlet, has taken down Osama bin Laden’s notorious “Letter to America” from its website this week after the words of the deceased terrorist mastermind, responsible for the attacks on September 11, 2001, gained traction on social media.

The letter, which had been published on The Guardian’s website since 2002, resurfaced online, causing a sudden spike in traffic. Social media users unearthed and shared the anti-American and antisemitic content, propelling the document to viral status. The Guardian, acknowledging the increased circulation without the full context, opted to remove the transcript.

According to reports from Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for The Guardian stated, “The transcript published on our website 20 years ago has been widely shared on social media without the full context. Therefore we have decided to take it down and direct readers to the news article that originally contextualized it instead.” The outlet declined to provide additional comments on the matter.

Osama bin Laden’s letter, translated into English, justified al-Qaeda’s attacks against the U.S. by citing American actions in Palestine. The deceased terrorist accused the U.S. of supporting the creation and continuation of Israel, labeling it one of the “greatest crimes” that must be erased. Bin Laden’s letter also propagated antisemitic tropes, claiming Jews control American policies, media, and the economy.

The 9/11 attacks, orchestrated by al-Qaeda, resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and left thousands more injured. The letter’s resurgence occurred as it was shared by social media influencers on platforms like TikTok, with some expressing a change in perspective. Pro-Palestinian activist Lynette Adkins was among those who shared the letter online, prompting discussions and reflections.

The Guardian’s decision to remove the letter from its website underscores the sensitivity surrounding the content and its potential impact, particularly as young individuals across America engage with pro-Palestinian talking points. The episode has sparked debates about the influence of social media in reshaping perceptions and the responsibility of media outlets in disseminating controversial historical documents.