(2019-03-02). Whats Behind Australia's Decision to Suddenly Grant Julian Assange a Passport? mintpressnews.com 
The real question here is why the Australian government is playing nice by issuing Assange a passport since it has refused to acknowledge evidence of a sealed indictment or provide him with any sort of substantial assistance to get him home in the last eight-plus years.
(2019-03-02). Who Is US Intelligence Official Advising Guaido. telesurenglish.net Since leaving Venezuela on Feb. 22, despite a travel-ban in place against him, opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido has deployed an intense agenda of attacking democratically elected President Nicolas Maduro as he travels to Colombia, Brazil, Paraguay, and other South American countries, whose right-wing leaders were quick to throw their support behind his self-proclamation as interim president. | Besides traveling with his wife Fabiana Rosales, who has accompanied him on each visit as if they were…
(2019-03-02). US Federal Court subpoenas whistleblower Chelsea Manning. wsws.org The subpoena provides no information as to what prosecutors intend to ask Manning, but all indications are that it is part of an effort by the US Department of Justice to escalate its pursuit of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
(2019-03-02). Video: SEP national secretary James Cogan urges maximum participation in Free Julian Assange rallies. wsws.org Cogan demanded the Australian government answer why it does not accept the UN ruling that Julian Assange is being 'arbitrarily detained.'
(2019-03-02). US Promises to Defend Philippines Against China in South China Sea. theantimedia.com 
(ANTIWAR.COM) — In comments on Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed that the US still considers the 1951 Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty to be fully intact, and would adhere to it in the event Philippines forces come under fire in the South China Sea. US officials have repeatedly made clear that they intend to support the Philippines militarily …
(2019-03-02). Greetings from the Sri Lankan Abbotsleigh Estate Workers Action Committee to the Assange defence rallies in Australia. wsws.org Tea plantation workers struggling for decent working conditions have expressed their solidarity with the fight to free WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange.
(2019-03-02). Joe Lauria, editor-in-chief of Consortium News, endorses Free Assange demonstrations. wsws.org "Supporting Assange and WikiLeaks is supporting the people against the state."
(2019-03-02). Congressional Field Hearings Gather Stories of Voter Suppression. truthout.org Congressional leaders have begun a series of listening sessions and field hearings that seek to document the need for the full restoration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The U.S. Supreme Court gutted the VRA in its 2013 ruling in the Shelby County v. Holder case out of Alabama that ended federal preclearance of election changes in places with a history of voter discrimination, most of them in the South. | The gatherings are being organized by the House Administration Comm…
(2019-03-01). Remember the Maine? CIA Intervention in Venezuela. counterpunch.org 
In January 1897, Frederic Remington, a 19th-century painter famous for his depictions of the Old West, was on assignment in Havana for William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal to illustrate Spanish atrocities against Cubans. He sent a telegram to Hearst, noting: "Everything is quiet. There is no trouble. There will be no war. I wish to return." Hearst replied: "Please remain. You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war." More
(2019-03-01). Former CIA Whistleblower: Yes, Even the US Post Office Is Spying on You. mintpressnews.com The Mail Cover Program allows your mailman to photograph and send to federal law enforcement organizations the front and back of every piece of mail…
(2019-03-01). JOHN KIRIAKOU: Neither Rain, Sleet, nor Snow Will Stop the Post Office From Spying on You. consortiumnews.com It's called the "Mail Cover Program" and it's run by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Yes, even…
(2019-03-01). Watch the 18th Vigil for Julian Assange. consortiumnews.com The 18th Unity4J vigil for Julian Assange was held Friday evening. In this edition we broke down Trump lawyer Michael Cohn's testimony regarding WikiLeaks, Australia's repressive press law, as well as other news. You can watch it here: Read more →
(2019-03-01). Google Hedges on Promise to End Controversial Involvement in Military Drone Contract. theintercept.com Following months of protests from its employees, Google announced last summer that it would not renew its contract with the military on Project Maven, an initiative to use artificial intelligence to improve the targeting and surveillance capabilities of drones on the battlefield. | In an email sent this week by Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president for global affairs, the Silicon Valley giant appeared to hedge on its commitment to fully cut ties with the drone initiative.In an email sent this week b…
(2019-03-01). 'To Punish an Outspoken Whistleblower,' Chelsea Manning Subpoeaned to Testify Before Grand Jury. commondreams.org "By serving Chelsea Manning with a grand jury subpoena, the government is attempting once again to punish an outspoken whistleblower for her historic disclosures." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/manning-subpoena.jpg…
(2019-03-01). Chelsea Manning subpoenaed by grand jury, likely over past contact with Assange. rt.com 
Activist and whistleblower Chelsea Manning has been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury, though the summons makes no mention of what she will be questioned about.
(2019-02-28). Whistleblower claims Facebook employing 'deboosting' tools to suppress conservative content. rt.com 
Conservative transparency group Project Veritas has released an expose featuring a former Facebook employee describing the company's alleged practices of deboosting, burying and deleting right-wing content.
(2019-02-26). The "Permanent War State" Aims to Plunder Venezuela — Wilkerson and Jay. therealnews.com 
Trump promises "democracy and freedom" to Venezuela, delivered by Elliott Abrams who brought you illegal wars, coups, and support for dictatorships; and Mike Pompeo and VP Pence, both with deep ties to the Koch brothers who need Venezuelan heavy crude to feed their Texas refinery — Col. Larry Wilkerson joins TRNN's Paul Jay…
(2019-02-25). The Supreme Court Rightly Cited the Black Codes in Ruling Against Excessive Fines, Fees, and Forfeitures. aclu.org The justices held that the Eighth Amendment protects people from state and local authorities' abusive reliance on monetary penalties to raise money. | Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a rare unanimous ruling in Timbs v. Indiana, holding for the first time that the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause applies to state and local governments — not just federal authorities. | The fact that this landmark decision is unanimous is itself remarkable. But it bears noting that in…
(2019-02-21). Ending the Punishment of Poverty: Supreme Court Rules Against High Fines & Civil Asset Forfeiture. democracynow.org 
In a major victory for civil liberties advocates, the Supreme Court has unanimously ruled to limit the practice of civil asset forfeiture—a controversial practice where police seize property that belongs to people suspected of crimes, even if they are never convicted. On Wednesday, the court ruled the Eighth Amendment protects people from state and local authorities imposing onerous fines, fees and forfeitures to generate money. The case centered on an Indiana man named Tyson Timbs, whose Land Rover was seized when he was arrested for selling drugs. The vehicle was worth $42,000—more than four times t…
(2019-02-19). New hate map helps users explore landscape of hate. splcenter.org The Southern Poverty Law Center has introduced an updated, interactive hate map equipped with new features to help people better understand the hate groups operating in their state and across the country.
(2019-02-16). Unequal Justice: Kavanaugh's Vote on Abortion Access Bodes Ill for Roe. progressive.org It hasn't taken Kavanaugh long to show his true colors. The big reveal came on February 7, when he voted against a "stay" that will keep a draconian Louisiana abortion law from taking effect.
(2019-02-15). SPLC statement on Supreme Court's denial of Trump administration's request to immediately enforce asylum ban. splcenter.org The U.S. Supreme Court today denied the Trump administration's request to immediately enforce a new policy of denying asylum to migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border between ports of entry.
(2018-11-29). On Julian Assange and the Political Economy & future of Europe. zcomm.org Interview on the socio-economic transformations taking place within the core of the European Union and how much time is left until it disintegrates…
(2018-11-26). Crucifying Julian Assange. zcomm.org Chris Hedges and Joe Lauria, journalist and editor-in-chief, Consortium, discuss efforts to force #WikiLeaks publisher, #JulianAssange, out of the Ecuador Embassy in London and extradite him to the USA to stand trial.