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Türkiye extends support to Iran; Erdogan says Netanyahu surpassed Hitler
Aman Sahu New Delhi
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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Boston mayoral candidate on his Jeffrey Epstein-like name: 'Trying to be straight up'
An Australian man running for mayor in Massachusetts is facing a unique problem due to comparisons to the convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, because of his name. Geoffrey Epstein, who goes by 'Geoff,' however, has said that he wasn't afraid of the homophonic resemblance of his name to the notorious sex trafficker. The Australian man, who was born on September 11, holds a PhD in theoretical physics.( 'That other one is a dead American, and I am a live Aussie. But, of course, there is all the horrifying criminality and darkness of the other guy. I have lived my life trying to be straight up and improving things,' Epstein, who is seeking office in Framingham, told HuffPost. The aspiring politician has said that he does not intend to change his name to avoid association with Epstein. 'I like my name and I am proud of my family,' he said, adding that his family fought in World War II. The Australian man, who was born on September 11, holds a PhD in theoretical physics. In 2024, another politician, a New York State Assemblyman named Harvey Epstein, faced a similar controversy over his name, which is similar to that of Jeffrey Epstein, as well as convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein. "Your name is your name. It is what it is. Both [Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein] are horrific,' the politician had said.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Huda Kattan under fire for spreading anti-Israel conspiracy theories, TikTok takes down her ‘vile' video
TikTok has removed a contentious anti-Israel video that was posted by influencer and famous beauty mogul Huda Kattan. Huda Kattan's controversial TikTok video alleging Israel's involvement in historical atrocities was removed for violating community guidelines. (AP) In a video shared with her over 11 million TikTok followers, Kattan, the creator and spokesperson for the billion-dollar company Huda Beauty, accused Israel of masterminding the September 11 terrorist attacks, World War I, World War II, and the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Notably, both World Wars I (1914–1918) and II (1939–1945) took place prior to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. 'All of the conspiracy theories coming out and a lot of evidence behind them — that Israel has been behind World War I, World War II, September 11, October 7 — they allowed all of this stuff to happen. Is this crazy?' Kattan stated on camera. 'Like, I had a feeling — I was like, 'Are they behind every world war?' Yes.' Also Read: Stephen A. Smith claps back at Michelle Obama's 'offensive' ESPN remarks, gives her sharp lesson on reality TV, voting Titok reacts to Huda Kattan's video Speaking to CNN, TikTok spokesman confirmed that they pulled Kattan's video for breaking its community rules, a spokesman confirmed to CNN. 'In a global community, it is natural for people to have different opinions, but we seek to operate on a shared set of facts and reality,' as per TikTok community rules. 'We do not allow misinformation that may cause significant harm to individuals or society, regardless of intent.' Huda Kattan's video sparks calls to boycott Huda Beauty products The video has sparked calls on social media and among Jewish communities for Sephora and other retailers to sever the association with Kattan's well-known cosmetics business, Huda cosmetics, which Forbes estimates generates about $200 million in sales annually and was valued at $1.2 billion in 2017. Kattan has previously been the target of boycott calls over her anti-Israel remarks after Hamas October 7 attack. She has been a vocal opponent of Israel and a strong advocate for Palestinians in Gaza. Anti-Defamation League slams Huda Kattan The latest TikTok video that Kattan posted sparked immediate criticism from Jewish organizations. 'Huda Kattan built a brand around beauty — but these antisemitic conspiracy theories are nothing short of ugly hate,' Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League. 'Spreading vile myths about Jews to millions of followers isn't just reckless — it's dangerous.' The American Jewish Committee shared her video, saying that she 'is using her massive platform to spread vile antisemitic conspiracy theories.' 'This isn't 'criticism of Israel.' It's centuries-old hate, repackaged and broadcast to millions,' the Committee added. Kattan appeared in Forbes's 2023 and 2024 lists of America's Richest Self-Made Women and Most Powerful Women in Business, respectively.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Killing a Mockingbird? What is Operation Mockingbird and how it was used to manipulate the press and spread propaganda
Former congresswoman and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is making waves by claiming that Operation Mockingbird, a once-secret CIA media infiltration program, is still being used today to manipulate public perception and attack political figures like Donald Trump . Her explosive remarks have reignited interest in this decades-old Cold War program that allegedly turned some of the world's most respected newsrooms into tools of US intelligence. Once dismissed as conspiracy theory, Operation Mockingbird was later confirmed through declassified documents and congressional testimony, revealing a chilling truth: America's own media was being used to influence, distort, and sometimes deceive. The operation's resurfacing in today's political discourse has sparked debate not only about government transparency and media integrity, but also about the very meaning of democracy in the information age. The phrase 'killing a mockingbird' takes on eerie new weight—not just as a nod to the iconic novel by Harper Lee, but as a metaphor for the silencing of truth and the betrayal of journalistic ideals. What was Operation Mockingbird? Operation Mockingbird was a covert program launched by the CIA in the late 1940s during the early Cold War. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Colombia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Its primary purpose was to influence both domestic and foreign media in order to promote US foreign policy goals and counter Soviet propaganda. Under this initiative, the CIA recruited leading journalists from major newspapers, magazines, and broadcasting networks, often with their knowledge—and sometimes without it. Revealed in part through the 1975 Church Committee hearings and later FOIA disclosures, Mockingbird extended to prominent media institutions like The New York Times, Time Magazine, CBS News, and others. Journalists were used to plant fabricated stories, shape narratives, and even pass along classified information under the guise of 'leaks.' Some journalists were reportedly paid directly, while others collaborated due to ideological alignment with anti-communist efforts. Among the most cited examples: Joseph Alsop, a popular syndicated columnist, was on the CIA's payroll and traveled abroad to report with agency guidance. CBS founder William Paley was known to cooperate with the CIA, allowing operatives access to journalists and overseas newsrooms. The New York Times and Time magazine were also named in connection with journalists who had ties to the CIA—some knowingly, others not. Frank Wisner, who headed the CIA's Office of Policy Coordination, reportedly called the program his "Mighty Wurlitzer," referring to the agency's ability to play public opinion like a well-tuned instrument. Why was operation Mockingbird started? After World War II, the United States found itself locked in a psychological and ideological struggle with the Soviet Union. Information was the new weapon, and controlling the narrative was seen as essential to national security. The CIA, formed in 1947, quickly understood that propaganda was just as crucial as espionage. Operation Mockingbird began under CIA Director Allen Dulles and was orchestrated in part by Frank Wisner, who led the agency's Office of Policy Coordination. He called it the "mighty Wurlitzer," a metaphor for the way the agency could 'play' global opinion like an organ, producing stories that supported American interests abroad and at home. Major incidents and exposures The full extent of Operation Mockingbird remained hidden until the 1970s, when investigative journalists like Carl Bernstein (of Watergate fame) and congressional inquiries started uncovering the CIA's media ties. Bernstein's 1977 exposé in Rolling Stone revealed that more than 400 American journalists had secretly carried out assignments for the CIA over the years. The most explosive revelations came during the Church Committee hearings in 1975, chaired by Senator Frank Church. The committee confirmed that the CIA had infiltrated major newsrooms and that some editors had knowingly allowed intelligence agents to use their platforms for disinformation. While the CIA claimed to have ended the practice in the late 1970s, no verifiable external oversight was ever put in place to ensure it truly stopped. Echoes in the modern era: Tulsi Gabbard's explosive claims Fast forward to 2025, Tulsi Gabbard, now a prominent critic of the intelligence community, stated in a recent interview that 'Operation Mockingbird never ended—it just evolved.' According to Gabbard, deep state elements within the CIA continue to feed intelligence selectively to sympathetic media outlets to shape political narratives. She alleges this has been used repeatedly to attack Donald Trump and suppress dissenting views. 'There are people in the intelligence community who believe their will is more important than the will of the American people,' Gabbard said. 'They weaponize intelligence by leaking it to their friends in the media with the intent of undermining President Trump's agenda.' Though her statements are controversial, they reflect a broader public concern about the integrity of media in the digital age, especially when anonymous sources and government leaks play such a dominant role in shaping headlines. Operation Mockingbird and the death of journalistic trust Whether or not Operation Mockingbird in its original form still exists, the legacy of government influence over the media has left a permanent scar. In the age of disinformation, social media manipulation, and algorithmic echo chambers, critics argue that propaganda no longer requires covert agents—it thrives in the open. The damage Mockingbird caused wasn't just about false narratives. It undermined the credibility of the press, sowed distrust among the public, and blurred the line between journalism and statecraft. The very institutions that were meant to hold power accountable had, in many cases, become part of the machinery of power itself. A literary echo: Harper Lee and the silencing of innocence The phrase 'killing a mockingbird' is, of course, most famously associated with Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960. A poignant story about justice, morality, and racism in the American South, the novel's title refers to the idea that it's a sin to harm something innocent and pure—like a mockingbird. Lee, who passed away in 2016, was famously private and published only one other novel (Go Set a Watchman). Her work became a symbol of moral clarity and literary integrity. In contrast, the real Operation Mockingbird represents the opposite: the corruption of innocence in the public discourse, the co-opting of trusted voices, and the erosion of ethical storytelling. The metaphor is apt. Just as Harper Lee's mockingbird stood for truth and goodness, the CIA's covert campaign stood as an affront to those values—targeting not birds, but belief itself. The ongoing debate: Conspiracy or continuity? Skeptics argue that references to Operation Mockingbird today are exaggerated or misused as political weapons. There is no publicly available proof that the CIA is currently orchestrating media influence on the same scale as during the Cold War. But whistleblowers, declassified documents, and investigative reports continue to hint at covert relationships between intelligence agencies and media outlets. In an age of political polarization and information warfare, many believe the spirit of Mockingbird lives on—not as a centralized program, but as a culture of influence, leaks, and narrative control. The blurring lines between journalism, activism, and political advocacy only further complicate the matter. Watch the skies—and the headlines Operation Mockingbird serves as a stark reminder that the battle for truth often takes place behind closed doors. Whether it's old-school newspaper editors or modern social media influencers, the question remains: Who's shaping the story, and why? Tulsi Gabbard's claims may stir controversy, but they also prompt a vital question—have we really put the ghosts of Mockingbird to rest, or have they simply migrated to a new nest in the digital age? In a world where truth is often the first casualty, understanding the past might be our best defense against repeating it.
