Time Magazine cover this week

https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000005063944/syria-chemical-attack-russia.html?emc=edit_ta_20170427&nl=top-stories&nlid=61515110&ref=cta

"A New York Times investigation shows how Syria and its main partner, Russia, have distorted the facts surrounding the chemical weapons attack on Khan Sheikhoun"

Sort of timely, given the Syrian president is complaining about "fake news" (he apparently watches Donald Trump).


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/05/world/middleeast/russia-account-syria-chemical-attack.html
"Evidence Contradicts Russia’s Account of the Syria Chemical Attack"
"The Russian government has sharply contested accounts by international leaders and witnesses that a deadly chemical attack in northern Syria last week was carried out by Syrian government forces. Here’s what the available evidence, including a declassified four-page American intelligence report, tells us about the reliability of the Russian account."

From the New York Times:
"President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has gone to great lengths to cultivate an image of authority and masculinity.Photos showing him bare-chested and riding a horse have become an online meme. Other widely publicized pictures show him in scuba diving gear, carrying a rifle with a scope or taking down an opponent in martial arts.

So when a Russian named Alexander V. Tsvetkov posted photos and comments last year depicting Mr. Putin quite differently on VKontakte, the country’s largest social network, the authorities took notice. The Central District Court of Tver ruled that a number of the images — including one depicting the Russian leader wearing lipstick, eye shadow and fake eyelashes — were “extremist.” Last month, the Justice Ministry took it a step further and updated its federal list of extremist materials. Offenders face a fine of up to 3,000 rubles or 15 days of administrative detention.

Among the banned materials? Image No. 4072, which Russian officials described as a poster resembling Mr. Putin “with makeup on his face — his eyelashes and lips are painted, which, as envisioned by the author/authors of the poster, should hint to an alleged nonstandard sexual orientation of the Russian president.” The poster of Mr. Putin in drag — reminiscent to some of Andy Warhol’s image of Marilyn Monroe — has been referred to widely on social media and by news outlets as a “gay clown,” with many noting this description is itself a stereotype."

Thanks to yes_justice

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Chechen Authorities Arresting and Killing Gay Men, Russian Paper Says

Sad news.

Yanked from Politicalcartoons.

Remarkable video of property by Russian opposition. Putin is called the richest person in the world, and he had a gift for you!

Alexei Navalny opposition video. Remarkable stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrwlk7_GF9g

Nice piece on Russia. John Oliver takes on a bit of the "Oh, but both sides are so evil!" with the "Yes, but" crowd but overall brings home the point that Trump really has no idea what he's doing and who he is dealing with.

Good write up on Milo Yiannopoulos appearance with Bill Maher Friday night.