Brian Whitaker
Journalist, former Middle East editor of the Guardian newspaper. Author of 'Arabs Without God: Atheism and Freedom of Belief in the Middle East', plus several other books about the region. Website: al-bab.com
- Reposted by Brian WhitakerOK. Green smoke. Coloured smoke grenades have existed for decades. They are for signalling purposes. They are not meant for riot control purposes. As with any smoke, they are irritating, but they are not meant for that purpose, so use as "riot control" agents is an off-label usage.
- Anyone who does translation work should take a look at Grok's posts about Hebrew (x.com/search?q=gro...). Grok (Elon?) has ideas about good/bad translation that strike me as pretty weird.
- 1/3 In the last few days something odd has been happening with posts on X in Hebrew. Non-Hebrew speakers would click “translate” and, for some posts, would get a translation. Other posts, though, would trigger a message saying “Hebrew is not currently supported for translation”.
- 🧵1/6 UKLFI, the pro-Israel organisation whose chief executive claimed the Gaza war could increase the life expectancy of Palestinians by reducing obesity rates, has come up with another grotesque idea ...
- Re Zelenskyy's attire: In WW2 Winston Churchill wore a one-piece "siren suit" for meetings with Roosevelt (at the White House), Eisenhower and Stalin.
- At least 365 people have been arrested at a demonstration in London in support of proscribed group Palestine Action, police say. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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- It seems very likely Bob Vylan will be prosecuted, if only to make an example of them. Worth noting, though, that it's the sort of case where juries sometimes turn bolshie and deliver the "wrong" verdict.
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- 🧵UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) is getting a lot of attention following disgusting remarks by its chief executive, Jonathan Turner. For anyone not aware of the group's activities, here's some background ...
- 🧵(1/5) The war in Gaza may be improving the health of Palestinians and increasing life expectancy, according to the head of UKLFI, a British organisation that works to stifle criticism of Israel.
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- Reposted by Brian Whitaker‘Kennedy told reporters that there were "many, many good ways to treat measles and doctors need to know that and to know those methods.’ One problem; there is no treatment for measles. Signed, a doctor who’s been forced to deal with measles because of this stupid fraud.
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- 1/4 Today the Sunday Times has begun serialising a new book about the assassination of its chief foreign correspondent, David Holden, in 1977. Holden was shot dead shortly after arriving in Cairo on an assignment. Who killed him, and why, has been a mystery ever since.
- A constructive step by the new Syrian authorities towards resolving the chemical weapons issue. #OPCW www.opcw.org/media-centre...
- Holocaust Survivor Summoned for Police Interview Over Gaza Solidarity March – Byline Times bylinetimes.com/2025/03/04/h...
- Zelensky to meet King Charles tomorrow. 🤣Trump is going to be furious.
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- Muhsin Hendricks, known as the world's first openly gay imam, has been shot dead in South Africa www.mambaonline.com/2025/02/15/h...
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- Exclusive: Egyptian firm charges trucks entering Gaza $20,000 in ‘bribes’ www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-o...
- Just got a surprise windfall from my bank. Can't decide what to do with the money.
- Names of Syria's Preparatory Committee emerge: "Provided these names are confirmed in the coming hours, the breadth of the group represents about as good a result as might have been imagined." www.syriaweekly.com/p/new-syrias...
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- A series of meetings in Damascus last week has raised hopes that the full extent of Syria’s chemical weapons activity under the Assad regime will finally be revealed. al-bab.com/blog/2025/02...
- OPCW chief's meeting with Syrian leader raises hopes that the full extent of chemical weapons activity under the Assad regime will finally be revealed. brian-whit.medium.com/opcw-chief-m...
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- Reposted by Brian WhitakerDear Democratic Leaders: here’s a free idea, send members of congress into the buildings where Elons people are and see what they’re doing. Dare them to stop you. Do something
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- Reposted by Brian WhitakerIncredibly moving Justin Trudeau remarks: "We have fought and died alongside you....During your darkest hours...we were always there. Standing with you, grieving with you, the American people....Canadians are a little perplexed as to why our closest friends and neighbors are choosing to target us."
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- The entire USAID website has disappeared www.usaid.gov
