Daily Archives: May 7, 2019

2019-05-07: News Headlines

Tom Secker (2019-05-07). Documents Expose How Hollywood Promotes War on Behalf of the Pentagon, CIA and NSA. globalresearch.ca Featured image: Plato's Cave reimagined for the Hollywood era‚Ää (Photo by: Derek Swansonn) |

| First published by Medium and Global Research on July 7, 2017 | Tom Secker and Matthew Alford report on their astonishing findings from trawling through thousands of new …

Stephen Lendman (2019-05-07). Pompeo Claims US Aggression Against Venezuela Would be Lawful. globalresearch.ca According to Pompeo, US presidents have constitutional authority under Article II to preemptively attack other nations. | The article states the following: "The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States…" | Nothing in the …

WSWS (2019-05-07). In wake of Venezuela coup fiasco, US military threats mount. wsws.org Both Secretary of State Pompeo and US puppet Juan Guaidó say that "military options" are under consideration.

WSWS (2019-05-07). In wake of Venezuela coup fiasco, US military threats mount. wsws.org Both Secretary of State Pompeo and US puppet Juan Guaidó say that "military options" are under consideration.

Tyler Durden (2019-05-07). CIA's Former Counterintelligence Chief on FBI in 2016: "I'd Call That Spying" on Trump. theantimedia.com (ZH) — The FBI's use of "confidential human informants" to obtain information from Trump campaign officials under false pretenses was straight up spying, according to the CIA's former head of counterintelligence, James Olson, a 30-year agency veteran who served under six presidents, and who once conducted an undercover overseas mission with his wife. "It does sounds …

Consortiumnews (2019-05-07). How US and Foreign Intel Agencies Interfered in a US Election. consortiumnews.com The evidence is plain—there was a broad, coordinated effort by the Obama Administration, with the help of foreign governments, to target Donald Trump and paint him as a Russian stooge, writes Larry Johnson By Larry C. Johnson Sic Semper Tyrannis … Read more →

WSWS (2019-05-07). Britain: National Union of Journalists World Press Freedom Day event ignores Julian Assange. wsws.org At the NUJ's World Press Freedom Day event, there was not a single mention of Assange by any of the speakers on the platform, all of whom claimed to be champions of press freedom.

WSWS (2019-05-07). Vote Socialist Equality Party! No to War and Austerity! For Socialism and Internationalism! wsws.org The Socialist Equality Party has placed at the very centre of its election campaign the demand that the Australia government immediately repatriate publisher and journalist, Julian Assange and courageous whistleblower, Chelsea Manning…

International Labor Media Network (2019-05-07). Press Freedom Day UK Embassy and the Federal Building San Francisco Stream. indybay.org On World Press Freedom Day supporters of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning and all journalists and whistleblowers rallied in San Francisco at the UK consulate and the US Federal Building. They spoke out about the attacks on journalism and the role of US imperialism. This was streamed live on the International Labor Media Network Channel…

WSWS (2019-05-07). Video: At Sydney rally Assange's father demands Australian government secure son's release. wsws.org Two days after Assange was sentenced to 50 weeks in jail, protesters rallied in Sydney's Martin Place.

WSWS (2019-05-07). After nearly two months in jail, Chelsea Manning submits powerful appeal for release. wsws.org Manning has been detained for contempt of court after she refused to testify before a grand jury impaneled to bring frame-up charges against WikiLeaks publisher and journalist Julian Assange.

WSWS (2019-05-07). The persecution of Assange and Manning is an attack on the working class. wsws.org We are publishing here the text of the speech to the 2019 Online International May Day Rally delivered by Oscar Grenfell.

Consortiumnews (2019-05-06). Top Ten Questions About the Mueller Report. consortiumnews.com Daniel Lazare examines some of the missing pieces in the special counsel's 448-page tome on Russian interference. By Daniel Lazare Special to Consortium News In January 2017, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued a report about Russian interference co-signed… Read more →

Democracy Now! (2019-05-06). Ex-Blackwater CEO Erik Prince Makes a Comeback Under Trump Selling Mercenary Armies Around the World. democracynow.org The House Intelligence Committee has sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department for Erik Prince, founder of the mercenary firm Blackwater. House Democrats are accusing Prince of lying to Congress during his November 2017 testimony before the Committee, when he described a meeting in the Seychelles with a Russian banker before Donald Trump's inauguration as a chance encounter. According to the Mueller report, the meeting was an attempt to establish a backchannel between the incoming Trump administration and Russia, and may have been arranged by the Trump team. The move is one of the latest actions placing…

RT (2019-05-06). Mueller report row: House Dem chair calls vote to hold AG Barr in contempt of Congress. rt.com House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler has scheduled a vote to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress, after Barr's Justice Department refused to hand over an unredacted copy of the Mueller report. |

RT (2019-05-06). Ban Russians from US, sanction sports teams & target Putin, says ex-NATO commander. rt.com The US is too "weak" on Russia in the wake of Mueller's report, a TIME article by former NATO commander James Stavridis claims, suggesting Washington go beyond sanctions to target Russian civilians, even President Putin himself. |

Staff (2019-05-06). Ex-Blackwater CEO Erik Prince Makes a Comeback Under Trump. truthout.org The House Intelligence Committee has sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department for Erik Prince, founder of the mercenary firm Blackwater. House Democrats are accusing Prince of lying to Congress during his November 2017 testimony before the Committee, when he described a meeting in the Seychelles with a Russian banker before Donald Trump's inauguration as a chance encounter. According to the Robert Mueller report, the meeting was an attempt to establish a backchannel between the incoming Trump administration and Russia, and may have been arranged by the Trump team. The move is one of the latest action…

Consortium News (2019-05-06). 10 Questions the Mueller Report Doesn't Answer. theantimedia.com (CN) — In January 2017, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued a report about Russian interference co-signed by three other agencies — the National Security Agency, the FBI, and the CIA — that was so evidence-free that even The New York Times said it was "unlikely to change the minds of skeptics who … remember the intelligence agencies' faulty assessments on …

Aaron Maté (2019-05-06). Rachel Maddow endorses regime change in Venezuela to "push Russia back," sympathizes with Bolton and Pompeo. thegrayzone.com The top rated MSNBC host took her trademark brand of liberal militarism to new levels by branding efforts to avert…

Jon Queally (2019-05-06). Despite International Law, Pompeo Claims US Military Attack on Venezuela "Would Be Lawful" theantimedia.com (CD) — After U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday morning that President Donald Trump has a "full range of options" when it comes to possible next moves against Venezuela, anti-war critics are wondering what the Democrats in Congress are prepared to do in order to curtail the administration's ongoing threat of using military force to …

F. William Engdahl (2019-05-06). Ever More Complex EU Gas Pipeline Geopolitics. globalresearch.ca Israel plans to construct the world's longest underwater gas pipeline together with Cyprus and Greece to carry Eastern Mediterranean gas on to Italy and the EU southern states. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has just endorsed the project. It …

teleSUR (2019-05-06). Russia's Lavrov Warns Against US Military Action in Venezuela. telesurenglish.net Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo in Finland Monday after which he warned that U.S. ‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äãmilitary intervention in Venezuela would be catastrophic and unjustified. | The two men met on the sidelines of a meeting of the Arctic Council in Finland. | Lavrov told reporters his meeting had been constructive and that the two top diplomats had made decent progress when it came to discussing strategic nuclear stability. | Lavrov also said he was…

John Nichols (2019-05-06). Andrew Gillum Wants the Supreme Court to Be a Central Issue in 2020. thenation.com Andrew Gillum Wants the Supreme Court to Be a Central Issue in 2020…

Austyn Ross (2019-05-06). NAACP Opposes Michael Park's Nomination to Second Circuit, Says Failure to Support Brown V. Board is Disqualifying. naacp.org Today, the NAACP announced its opposition to the nomination of Michael Park to the U.S Circuit Court for the Second Circuit. The Senate will vote on Mr. Park's nomination later this week. Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, made the following statement: "Next week, we celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Supreme Court's seminal decision in …

Staff (2019-05-06). Citizenship Question Could Invalidate 2020 Census. therealnews.com Immigration activist Attorney Andrea Senteno analyzes the significance of the Supreme Court's hearing on including a citizenship question on the 2020 census…

WSWS (2019-05-06). Assange's father tells demonstrators Australian government must secure son's release. wsws.org Friday's protest in Sydney was held two days after Assange was sentenced in a British court to 50 weeks' jail on bogus bail charges.

Thomas Knapp (2019-05-06). Julian Assange: An Opportunity for the US and the UK to Change Direction on Press Freedom. counterpunch.org May 3 was World Press Freedom Day. The annual observance usually focuses on the World Press Freedom Index published each year by Reporters without Borders. Break out the champagne! The United States ranked 48th of 179 countries this year, falling three places from 2018. A day earlier, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared in court in More

unitedEditor (2019-05-06). Israeli offensive, North Korean missiles, Venezuela, Assange. uwidata.com Israel offensive On May 4, the Israel Defense Forces announced an air strike on dozens of targets in the Gaza Strip. The office of the Turkish news agency Anadolu in the Gaza Strip was hit in the course of the offensive. Mevlàºt àáavu≈üoƒülu called the incident an example of aggression on the Israeli side, and …

Eoin Higgins, staff writer (2019-05-06). Pompeo, in Finland, Calls China Claims to Arctic 'Lawlessness'. commondreams.org Pompeo likened the situation to the South China Sea: "fraught with militarization and competing territorial claims." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/pompeo_finland_0.png

Binoy Kampmark (2019-05-06). Disproportionate Sentences: Julian Assange, Bail, and Extradition. counterpunch.org Should journalism ever have a deity worth His, Her or Its salt, looking down upon the recent proceedings against Julian Assange will provide endless choking fits of confusion and dismay. The prosecution continues in the twisted logic that engaging a source to disclose something secret while also protecting anonymity is somehow unnatural in the world More

RT (2019-05-05). 'Any US action in Venezuela would be lawful': Pompeo drums up invasion option after failed coup. rt.com As Mike Pompeo prepares to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the crisis in Venezuela, the US secretary of state said bluntly that President Donald Trump has a "full range" of powers to intervene at will. |

unitedEditor (2019-05-05). April 2019 — geopolitical events. uwidata.com Europe Assange arrested On April 11, Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, was arrested in London after Ecuador revoked political asylum earlier granted to the journalist. Since 2012, Assange has been held in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Britain is likely to extradite Assange to the US against Assange's wishes. Assange is accused in …

Binoy Kampmark (2019-05-04). Disproportionate Sentences: Julian Assange, Bail, and Extradition. dissidentvoice.org Should journalism ever have a deity worth His, Her or Its salt, looking down upon the recent proceedings against Julian Assange will provide endless choking fits of confusion and dismay. The prosecution continues in the twisted logic that engaging a source to disclose something secret while also protecting anonymity is somehow unnatural in the world …

Staff (2019-05-04). Assange Extradition Will Have Chilling Effect on Investigative Journalism, Free Speech. therealnews.com We speak to Julian Assange's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, about the first extradition hearing Assange had in London, where he refused to voluntarily turn himself over to US authorities…

Staff (2019-05-04). Guilt by Association? Arrest of Assange Friend Has No Basis. therealnews.com Cyber-security and privacy expert Ola Bini was arrested in Ecuador the same day that Ecuador revoked Julian Assange's asylum. A court now affirmed his pre-trial detention, while his parents and his lawyers say it has no basis…

RT (2019-05-04). Lee Camp ponders Pompeo's CIA lies & Guaido's embassy-storming goons (VIDEO). rt.com American comedian Lee Camp dove into this week's most eye-catching headlines, tearing apart bizarre comments made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and weighing in on right-wingers laying siege to the Venezuelan Embassy.

Staff (2019-05-03). Barr Hearings on Mueller Report Display the Threat to Democracy. therealnews.com Attorney and activist Kamau Franklin dissects the questioning of Attorney General Barr on his handling of the Mueller report…

Democracy Now! (2019-05-03). Headlines for May 3, 2019. democracynow.org Pelosi Accuses Barr of Lying to Congress over Mueller Report, Rep. Nadler Threatens to Hold Barr in Contempt, Over a Million Evacuate as Cyclone Slams Northeastern India, Venezuela Court Orders Arrest of Opposition Leader Leopoldo López, Two Activists Arrested Outside Venezuelan Embassy in D.C., EU Threatens to Sue U.S. over New Restrictions on Cuba, Senate Fails to Overturn Trump Veto on Yemen War, Assange to Fight Extradition to the United States, Pentagon Accused of Killing 10x as Many Civilians Overseas as Acknowledged in New Report, Report: U.S. Military Spending Is Higher Than Next Eight Countries Combined,…

John Nichols (2019-05-03). The Constitution Is on the Side of Jerry Nadler, Not William Barr. thenation.com The Constitution Is on the Side of Jerry Nadler, Not William Barr…

Special to People's World (2019-05-03). House issues ultimatum to Barr to release full Mueller report. peoplesworld.org

susan_p (2019-05-03). Venezuela: Another coup fails. greenleft.org.au "Interim President" Juan Guaido and right-wing opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez spearheaded an unsuccessful coup attempt in Caracas on April 30. | The thwarted uprising started in the early morning hours when renegade military and intelligence officers reportedly released Lopez from house arrest. Lopez then joined Guaido and a handful of soldiers on the Altamira overpass in east Caracas, outside the Francisco de Miranda airbase, known as La Carlota. | Lopez and Guaido released videos on social media, call…

Kevin Gosztola (2019-05-03). 'A Massive Chill On Investigative Journalism': First Hearing In Julian Assange's Extradition Case. shadowproof.com The first procedural hearing in WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition case was held in the United Kingdom. It was very brief, and Assange appeared via video link from Belmarsh prison. "I do not wish to surrender myself for extradition for doing journalism that has won many, many awards and protected…

Whitney Webb (2019-05-03). Anti-War Voices on Both Sides Warn of Coming CIA Provocation to Kill Guaidó, Blame Maduro. mintpressnews.com With Guaidó rapidly losing momentum and credibility after Tuesday's failed coup, López and his U.S. backers may turn on their own if they think it will benefit or energize their cause or if it could be used to set the stage for foreign military intervention.

Democracy Now! (2019-05-02). Headlines for May 2, 2019. democracynow.org Attorney General Barr Grilled by Senate Judiciary over Mueller Report, Trump Administration Says It May Go to War to Oust Venezuelan President, Hundreds Arrested in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Paris, France, at May Day Rallies, Haitians Mark May Day with Calls for Living Wages, Ouster of President MoàØse, Honduras Cancels Education and Healthcare Privatization Plans Amid Protests, Puerto Rico May Day Protesters Demand End to Austerity Measures, 10,000 South Carolina Teachers Rally for Union Rights and Livable Wages, New York Domestic Workers Join Protest at the Trump Building on Wall Street, 16-Year-Old Gu…

Keegan Hankes, Researcher, Intelligence Project (2019-05-02). SPLC: Facebook and Instagram ban far-right and extremist figures, but still have more work to do against hateful content. splcenter.org Facebook and Instagram announced today that they have banned several far-right, antisemitic and extremist figures and organizations for being "dangerous," a sign that they are more aggressively enforcing their hate speech policies under pressure from civil rights organizations, including the SPLC.

Consortiumnews (2019-05-02). Assange to Extradition Court: 'I Won't Surrender to the US for Doing Journalism'. consortiumnews.com The WikiLeaks founder appeared via video link in Westminster Magistrates Court for the first hearing in what could be a lengthy process in the US request for extradition. By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News Julian Assange had his first… Read more →

Democracy Now! (2019-05-01). Headlines for May 1, 2019. democracynow.org Venezuelan President Says U.S.-Backed Coup Attempt Has Been Defeated, Julian Assange Sentenced to 50 Weeks in British Jail as U.S. Presses Extradition, Robert Mueller Sent Letter to Complain About AG William Barr's Summary of Report, Ady Barkan, Activist Dying of ALS, Testifies to Congress in Favor of Medicare for All, 2 Killed, 4 Injured as Gunman Opens Fire at University of North Carolina, Minnesota Cop Guilty of Murder, Manslaughter in Killing of Australian Woman, Prominent Black Women Rally on Capitol Hill in Defense of Rep. Ilhan Omar, Democratic Leaders Agree With Trump to Pursue $2 Trillion Infrastructure…

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2019-05-01). Venezuelans Hold Rival Marches for Workers' Day as Pompeo Threatens 'Military Action'. venezuelanalysis.com Opposition leader Juan Guaido called for "escalating strikes" following Tuesday's failed military putsch.

Democracy Now! (2019-04-30). Headlines for April 30, 2019. democracynow.org Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Claim a Coup Is Underway, Trump to Make Asylum Seekers Pay Application Fees, Trump Organization Sues Banks in Bid to Resist Congressional Subpoenas, Pentagon Links More U.S. Military Members to Neo-Nazi Group, Christchurch, NZ Police Find Explosive Device Amid Fears of More Anti-Muslim Violence, Terror Suspect Arrested After Receiving Fake Explosives from FBI Informant, Lori Gilbert-Kaye, Killed in Synagogue Shooting, Mourned at San Diego Funeral, Trump to Designate the Muslim Brotherhood a Terrorist Organization, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Who Oversaw Mueller Probe, Ste…

ACLU (2019-04-30). There's a Battle Brewing at Google Over Employee Speech. The Outcome Affects Us All. aclu.org Retaliating against Big Tech employees who push their employers to do the right thing is a threat to us all. | The outcome of a battle heating up at Google over the limits of employee free speech will have huge consequences for all of us. Will Google shut down internal dissent and silence whistleblowers? Or will the company live up to its initial motto, "Don't be evil?" | In 2017, researchers Meredith Whittaker and Kate Crawford founded the AI Now Institute at New York University, with the goal of "produc[ing] interdisciplinary research on the social implication…

2019-05-07: Social Media Postees

Documents Expose How Hollywood Promotes War on Behalf of the Pentagon, CIA and NSA
Tom Secker | globalresearch.ca | 2019-05-07
Featured image: Plato's Cave reimagined for the Hollywood era‚Ää (Photo by: Derek Swansonn) |

| First published by Medium and Global Research on July 7, 2017 | Tom Secker and Matthew Alford report on their astonishing findings from trawling through thousands of new | …


globalresearch.ca/documents-expose-how-hollywood-promotes-war-on-behalf-of-the-pentagon-cia-and-nsa/5597891

Pompeo Claims US Aggression Against Venezuela Would be Lawful
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2019-05-07
According to Pompeo, US presidents have constitutional authority under Article II to preemptively attack other nations. | The article states the following: "The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States…" | Nothing in the …
globalresearch.ca/pompeo-claims-us-aggression-against-venezuela-lawful/5676761

In wake of Venezuela coup fiasco, US military threats mount
wsws.org | 2019-05-07
Both Secretary of State Pompeo and US puppet Juan Guaidó say that "military options" are under consideration.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/07/venn-m07.html

In wake of Venezuela coup fiasco, US military threats mount
wsws.org | 2019-05-07
Both Secretary of State Pompeo and US puppet Juan Guaidó say that "military options" are under consideration.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/07/vene-m07.html

How US and Foreign Intel Agencies Interfered in a US Election
consortiumnews.com | 2019-05-07
The evidence is plain–there was a broad, coordinated effort by the Obama Administration, with the help of foreign governments, to target Donald Trump and paint him as a Russian stooge, writes Larry Johnson By Larry C. Johnson Sic Semper Tyrannis … Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/05/07/how-us-and-foreign-intelligence-agencies-interfered-in-a-us-election/

CIA's Former Counterintelligence Chief on FBI in 2016: "I'd Call That Spying" on Trump
Tyler Durden | theantimedia.com | 2019-05-07
(ZH) — The FBI's use of "confidential human informants" to obtain information from Trump campaign officials under false pretenses was straight up spying, according to the CIA's former head of counterintelligence, James Olson, a 30-year agency veteran who served under six presidents, and who once conducted an undercover overseas mission with his wife. "It does sounds …

CIA's Former Counterintelligence Chief on FBI in 2016: "I'd Call That Spying" on Trump

Press Freedom Day UK Embassy and the Federal Building San Francisco Stream
International Labor Media Network | indybay.org | 2019-05-07
On World Press Freedom Day supporters of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning and all journalists and whistleblowers rallied in San Francisco at the UK consulate and the US Federal Building. They spoke out about the attacks on journalism and the role of US imperialism. This was streamed live on the International Labor Media Network Channel…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/05/04/18823172.php

Britain: National Union of Journalists World Press Freedom Day event ignores Julian Assange
wsws.org | 2019-05-07
At the NUJ's World Press Freedom Day event, there was not a single mention of Assange by any of the speakers on the platform, all of whom claimed to be champions of press freedom.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/07/free-m07.html

Video: At Sydney rally Assange's father demands Australian government secure son's release
wsws.org | 2019-05-07
Two days after Assange was sentenced to 50 weeks in jail, protesters rallied in Sydney's Martin Place.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/07/assa-m07.html

The persecution of Assange and Manning is an attack on the working class
wsws.org | 2019-05-07
We are publishing here the text of the speech to the 2019 Online International May Day Rally delivered by Oscar Grenfell.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/07/gren-m07.html

After nearly two months in jail, Chelsea Manning submits powerful appeal for release
wsws.org | 2019-05-07
Manning has been detained for contempt of court after she refused to testify before a grand jury impaneled to bring frame-up charges against WikiLeaks publisher and journalist Julian Assange.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/07/chel-m07.html

Vote Socialist Equality Party! No to War and Austerity! For Socialism and Internationalism!
wsws.org | 2019-05-07
The Socialist Equality Party has placed at the very centre of its election campaign the demand that the Australia government immediately repatriate publisher and journalist, Julian Assange and courageous whistleblower, Chelsea Manning…
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/07/sepm-m07.html

Ex-Blackwater CEO Erik Prince Makes a Comeback Under Trump
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-05-06
The House Intelligence Committee has sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department for Erik Prince, founder of the mercenary firm Blackwater. House Democrats are accusing Prince of lying to Congress during his November 2017 testimony before the Committee, when he described a meeting in the Seychelles with a Russian banker before Donald Trump's inauguration as a chance encounter. According to the Robert Mueller report, the meeting was an attempt to establish a backchannel between the incoming Trump administration and Russia, and may have been arranged by the Trump team. The move is one of the latest action…
truthout.org/video/ex-blackwater-ceo-erik-prince-makes-a-comeback-under-trump/

Top Ten Questions About the Mueller Report
consortiumnews.com | 2019-05-06
Daniel Lazare examines some of the missing pieces in the special counsel's 448-page tome on Russian interference. By Daniel Lazare Special to Consortium News In January 2017, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued a report about Russian interference co-signed… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/05/06/top-10-questions-about-the-mueller-report/

10 Questions the Mueller Report Doesn't Answer
Consortium News | theantimedia.com | 2019-05-06
(CN) — In January 2017, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued a report about Russian interference co-signed by three other agencies — the National Security Agency, the FBI, and the CIA — that was so evidence-free that even The New York Times said it was "unlikely to change the minds of skeptics who … remember the intelligence agencies' faulty assessments on …

10 Questions the Mueller Report Doesn’t Answer

Ban Russians from US, sanction sports teams & target Putin, says ex-NATO commander
rt.com | 2019-05-06
The US is too "weak" on Russia in the wake of Mueller's report, a TIME article by former NATO commander James Stavridis claims, suggesting Washington go beyond sanctions to target Russian civilians, even President Putin himself. | …
rt.com/usa/458527-sanction-russians-putin-stavridis/

Mueller report row: House Dem chair calls vote to hold AG Barr in contempt of Congress
rt.com | 2019-05-06
House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler has scheduled a vote to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress, after Barr's Justice Department refused to hand over an unredacted copy of the Mueller report. | …
rt.com/usa/458505-barr-contempt-vote-mueller/

Ex-Blackwater CEO Erik Prince Makes a Comeback Under Trump Selling Mercenary Armies Around the World
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-05-06
The House Intelligence Committee has sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department for Erik Prince, founder of the mercenary firm Blackwater. House Democrats are accusing Prince of lying to Congress during his November 2017 testimony before the Committee, when he described a meeting in the Seychelles with a Russian banker before Donald Trump's inauguration as a chance encounter. According to the Mueller report, the meeting was an attempt to establish a backchannel between the incoming Trump administration and Russia, and may have been arranged by the Trump team. The move is one of the latest actions placing…
www.democracynow.org/2019/5/6/ex_blackwater_ceo_erik_prince_makes

Despite International Law, Pompeo Claims US Military Attack on Venezuela "Would Be Lawful"
Jon Queally | theantimedia.com | 2019-05-06
(CD) — After U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday morning that President Donald Trump has a "full range of options" when it comes to possible next moves against Venezuela, anti-war critics are wondering what the Democrats in Congress are prepared to do in order to curtail the administration's ongoing threat of using military force to …

Despite International Law, Pompeo Claims US Military Attack on Venezuela "Would Be Lawful"

Russia's Lavrov Warns Against US Military Action in Venezuela
telesurenglish.net | 2019-05-06
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo in Finland Monday after which he warned that U.S. ‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äãmilitary intervention in Venezuela would be catastrophic and unjustified. | The two men met on the sidelines of a meeting of the Arctic Council in Finland. | Lavrov told reporters his meeting had been constructive and that the two top diplomats had made decent progress when it came to discussing strategic nuclear stability. | Lavrov also said he was…
telesurenglish.net/news/After-Pompeo-Meeting-Russias-Lavrov-Says-US-Military-Action-in-Venezuela-Would-Be-Catastrophic-20190506-0011.html

Rachel Maddow endorses regime change in Venezuela to "push Russia back," sympathizes with Bolton and Pompeo
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-05-06
The top rated MSNBC host took her trademark brand of liberal militarism to new levels by branding efforts to avert…
thegrayzone.com/2019/05/06/rachel-maddow-endorses-war-venezuela/

Ever More Complex EU Gas Pipeline Geopolitics
F. William Engdahl | globalresearch.ca | 2019-05-06
Israel plans to construct the world's longest underwater gas pipeline together with Cyprus and Greece to carry Eastern Mediterranean gas on to Italy and the EU southern states. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has just endorsed the project. It …
globalresearch.ca/eu-gas-pipeline-geopolitics/5676572

Pompeo, in Finland, Calls China Claims to Arctic 'Lawlessness'
Eoin Higgins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-05-06
Pompeo likened the situation to the South China Sea: "fraught with militarization and competing territorial claims." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/pompeo_finland_0.png
commondreams.org/news/2019/05/06/pompeo-finland-calls-china-claims-arctic-lawlessness?cd-origin=rss

Citizenship Question Could Invalidate 2020 Census
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-06
Immigration activist Attorney Andrea Senteno analyzes the significance of the Supreme Court's hearing on including a citizenship question on the 2020 census…
therealnews.com/stories/citizenship-question-could-invalidate-2020-census

NAACP Opposes Michael Park's Nomination to Second Circuit, Says Failure to Support Brown V. Board is Disqualifying
Austyn Ross | naacp.org | 2019-05-06
Today, the NAACP announced its opposition to the nomination of Michael Park to the U.S Circuit Court for the Second Circuit. The Senate will vote on Mr. Park's nomination later this week. Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, made the following statement: "Next week, we celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Supreme Court's seminal decision in …
naacp.org/latest/naacp-opposes-michael-parks-nomination-second-circuit-says-failure-support-brown-v-board-disqualifying/

Andrew Gillum Wants the Supreme Court to Be a Central Issue in 2020
John Nichols | thenation.com | 2019-05-06
Andrew Gillum Wants the Supreme Court to Be a Central Issue in 2020…
thenation.com/article/andrew-gillum-supreme-court-2020/

Julian Assange: An Opportunity for the US and the UK to Change Direction on Press Freedom
Thomas Knapp | counterpunch.org | 2019-05-06
May 3 was World Press Freedom Day. The annual observance usually focuses on the World Press Freedom Index published each year by Reporters without Borders. Break out the champagne! The United States ranked 48th of 179 countries this year, falling three places from 2018. A day earlier, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared in court in…
counterpunch.org/2019/05/06/julian-assange-an-opportunity-for-the-us-and-the-uk-to-change-direction-on-press-freedom/

Assange's father tells demonstrators Australian government must secure son's release
wsws.org | 2019-05-06
Friday's protest in Sydney was held two days after Assange was sentenced in a British court to 50 weeks' jail on bogus bail charges.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/06/assa-a06.html

Israeli offensive, North Korean missiles, Venezuela, Assange
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-05-06
Israel offensive On May 4, the Israel Defense Forces announced an air strike on dozens of targets in the Gaza Strip. The office of the Turkish news agency Anadolu in the Gaza Strip was hit in the course of the offensive. Mevlàºt àáavu≈üoƒülu called the incident an example of aggression on the Israeli side, and …
uwidata.com/3324-israeli-offensive-north-korean-missiles-venezuela-assange/

Disproportionate Sentences: Julian Assange, Bail, and Extradition
Binoy Kampmark | counterpunch.org | 2019-05-06
Should journalism ever have a deity worth His, Her or Its salt, looking down upon the recent proceedings against Julian Assange will provide endless choking fits of confusion and dismay. The prosecution continues in the twisted logic that engaging a source to disclose something secret while also protecting anonymity is somehow unnatural in the world…
counterpunch.org/2019/05/06/disproportionate-sentences-julian-assange-bail-and-extradition/

'Any US action in Venezuela would be lawful': Pompeo drums up invasion option after failed coup
rt.com | 2019-05-05
As Mike Pompeo prepares to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the crisis in Venezuela, the US secretary of state said bluntly that President Donald Trump has a "full range" of powers to intervene at will. | …
rt.com/usa/458433-venezuela-military-invasion-lawful-pompeo/

April 2019 — geopolitical events
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-05-05
Europe Assange arrested On April 11, Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, was arrested in London after Ecuador revoked political asylum earlier granted to the journalist. Since 2012, Assange has been held in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Britain is likely to extradite Assange to the US against Assange's wishes. Assange is accused in …
uwidata.com/3303-april-2019-geopolitical-events/

Lee Camp ponders Pompeo's CIA lies & Guaido's embassy-storming goons (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2019-05-04
American comedian Lee Camp dove into this week's most eye-catching headlines, tearing apart bizarre comments made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and weighing in on right-wingers laying siege to the Venezuelan Embassy. | …
rt.com/usa/458372-lee-camp-venezuela-assange-nyc/

Disproportionate Sentences: Julian Assange, Bail, and Extradition
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-05-04
Should journalism ever have a deity worth His, Her or Its salt, looking down upon the recent proceedings against Julian Assange will provide endless choking fits of confusion and dismay. The prosecution continues in the twisted logic that engaging a source to disclose something secret while also protecting anonymity is somehow unnatural in the world …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/05/disproportionate-sentences-julian-assange-bail-and-extradition/

Assange Extradition Will Have Chilling Effect on Investigative Journalism, Free Speech
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-04
We speak to Julian Assange's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, about the first extradition hearing Assange had in London, where he refused to voluntarily turn himself over to US authorities…
therealnews.com/stories/assange-extradition-will-have-chilling-effect-on-investigative-journalism-free-speech

Guilt by Association? Arrest of Assange Friend Has No Basis
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-04
Cyber-security and privacy expert Ola Bini was arrested in Ecuador the same day that Ecuador revoked Julian Assange's asylum. A court now affirmed his pre-trial detention, while his parents and his lawyers say it has no basis…
therealnews.com/stories/guilt-by-association-arrest-of-assange-friend-has-no-basis

The Constitution Is on the Side of Jerry Nadler, Not William Barr
John Nichols | thenation.com | 2019-05-03
The Constitution Is on the Side of Jerry Nadler, Not William Barr…
thenation.com/article/william-barr-jerry-nadler-constitution-mueller-report/

House issues ultimatum to Barr to release full Mueller report
Special to People's World | peoplesworld.org | 2019-05-03
peoplesworld.org/article/house-issues-ultimatum-to-barr-to-release-full-mueller-report/

Barr Hearings on Mueller Report Display the Threat to Democracy
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-03
Attorney and activist Kamau Franklin dissects the questioning of Attorney General Barr on his handling of the Mueller report…
therealnews.com/stories/barr-hearings-on-mueller-report-display-the-threat-to-democracy

Venezuela: Another coup fails
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-05-03
"Interim President" Juan Guaido and right-wing opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez spearheaded an unsuccessful coup attempt in Caracas on April 30. | The thwarted uprising started in the early morning hours when renegade military and intelligence officers reportedly released Lopez from house arrest. Lopez then joined Guaido and a handful of soldiers on the Altamira overpass in east Caracas, outside the Francisco de Miranda airbase, known as La Carlota. | Lopez and Guaido released videos on social media, call…
greenleft.org.au/content/venezuela-another-coup-fails

'A Massive Chill On Investigative Journalism': First Hearing In Julian Assange's Extradition Case
Kevin Gosztola | shadowproof.com | 2019-05-03
The first procedural hearing in WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition case was held in the United Kingdom. It was very brief, and Assange appeared via video link from Belmarsh prison. "I do not wish to surrender myself for extradition for doing journalism that has won many, many awards and protected…
shadowproof.com/2019/05/02/massive-chill-investigative-journalism-hearing-assange-extradition/

Anti-War Voices on Both Sides Warn of Coming CIA Provocation to Kill Guaidó, Blame Maduro
Whitney Webb | mintpressnews.com | 2019-05-03
With Guaidó rapidly losing momentum and credibility after Tuesday's failed coup, López and his U.S. backers may turn on their own if they think it will benefit or energize their cause or if it could be used to set the stage for foreign military intervention.
mintpressnews.com/anti-war-voices-warn-of-cia-provocation-to-kill-guaido-blame-maduro/258178/

SPLC: Facebook and Instagram ban far-right and extremist figures, but still have more work to do against hateful content
Keegan Hankes, Researcher, Intelligence Project | splcenter.org | 2019-05-02
Facebook and Instagram announced today that they have banned several far-right, antisemitic and extremist figures and organizations for being "dangerous," a sign that they are more aggressively enforcing their hate speech policies under pressure from civil rights organizations, including the SPLC.
splcenter.org/news/2019/05/02/splc-facebook-and-instagram-ban-far-right-and-extremist-figures-still-have-more-work-do

Assange to Extradition Court: 'I Won't Surrender to the US for Doing Journalism'
consortiumnews.com | 2019-05-02
The WikiLeaks founder appeared via video link in Westminster Magistrates Court for the first hearing in what could be a lengthy process in the US request for extradition. By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News Julian Assange had his first… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/05/02/assange-to-extradition-court-i-wont-surrender-to-the-us-for-doing-journalism/

Venezuelans Hold Rival Marches for Workers' Day as Pompeo Threatens 'Military Action'
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-05-01
Opposition leader Juan Guaido called for "escalating strikes" following Tuesday's failed military putsch.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14458

Headlines for April 30, 2019
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-04-30
Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Claim a Coup Is Underway, Trump to Make Asylum Seekers Pay Application Fees, Trump Organization Sues Banks in Bid to Resist Congressional Subpoenas, Pentagon Links More U.S. Military Members to Neo-Nazi Group, Christchurch, NZ Police Find Explosive Device Amid Fears of More Anti-Muslim Violence, Terror Suspect Arrested After Receiving Fake Explosives from FBI Informant, Lori Gilbert-Kaye, Killed in Synagogue Shooting, Mourned at San Diego Funeral, Trump to Designate the Muslim Brotherhood a Terrorist Organization, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Who Oversaw Mueller Probe, Ste…
www.democracynow.org/2019/4/30/headlines

There's a Battle Brewing at Google Over Employee Speech. The Outcome Affects Us All
aclu.org | 2019-04-30
Retaliating against Big Tech employees who push their employers to do the right thing is a threat to us all. | The outcome of a battle heating up at Google over the limits of employee free speech will have huge consequences for all of us. Will Google shut down internal dissent and silence whistleblowers? Or will the company live up to its initial motto, "Don't be evil?" | In 2017, researchers Meredith Whittaker and Kate Crawford founded the AI Now Institute at New York University, with the goal of "produc[ing] interdisciplinary research on the social implication…
aclu.org/blog/free-speech/employee-speech-and-whistleblowers/theres-battle-brewing-google-over-employee

How Movement To Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Prevailed Over Obstruction Of A Progressive Prosecutor
Jared Ware & Miles Quarles | shadowproof.com | 2019-04-29
A late December ruling by the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Judge Leon Tucker re-opened pathways for long-time political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal to litigate his freedom. | "Progressive prosecutor" Larry Krasner's appeal of the ruling stood in the way until Wednesday, April 17. At issue was whether Ronald Castille–a former Philadelphia District Attorney, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice, and Krasner transition team member–had a constitutional duty to recuse himself from Mumia's appeals of…
shadowproof.com/2019/04/29/how-movement-to-free-mumia-abu-jamal-prevailed-over-obstruction-of-a-progressive-prosecutor/

FBI: The greatest danger comes from Beijing
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-04-29
Recently, FBI Director Christopher Wray declared that the greatest danger to the US is from Beijing, not Moscow. Director Wray: No country poses a broader, more severe intelligence collection threat than China. China has pioneered a societal approach to stealing innovation in any way it can, from a wide array of businesses, universities, & organizations. …
uwidata.com/3230-fbi-the-greatest-danger-comes-from-beijing/

Free Advice for Democrats
Mark Fiore | progressive.org | 2019-04-25
Now that the redacted Mueller report lays out what appears to be evidence of a president obstructing justice, it's up to Congress.
progressive.org/dispatches/free-advice-for-democrats-fiore-190425/