Daily Archives: June 16, 2019

2019-06-16: News Headlines

Global Research News (2019-06-16). Selected Articles: Gulf of Oman Attack: False Flag Towards Iran War? globalresearch.ca "It appears that Mike Pompeo has a hard time kicking his old habits. He appears to be as smug about lying as a CIA operative as he is as Secretary of State. Categorically blaming the Iranians for the recent oil …

Richard Silverstein (2019-06-16). Is Pompeo Angling to Interfere in British Politics? globalresearch.ca Apparently, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had quite a lively, candid conversation in a recent closed-door meeting with Jewish leaders. Among the invited guests, someone recorded Pompeo's comments, and they were quite revealing. | The Washington Post, which was given …

Wim Laven (2019-06-16). We Need Evidence-Based Decision Making. commondreams.org Copies of the "Mueller Report" printed by the US Government Publishing Office are seen at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on April 24, 2019. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/mueller-report-955px.jpg

The Canary (2019-06-15). Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe begins new hunger strike in Iran jail. thecanary.co Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe — the British-Iranian mother jailed in Iran on spying charges — has begun a new hunger strike, her husband has said.Richard Ratcliffe said he had received a phone call from his wife to tell him she had informed the Iranian judiciary she had stopped taking food in protest at her "unfair imprisonment".Mr Ratcliffe said he would also not eat for the duration of her protest.He said his wife's decision followed the fifth birthday of their daughter, Gabriella, who has not been allowed to leave Iran following her mother's arrest in 2016 and is living with her grandparents.Richard Ratc…

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich (2019-06-15). Pompeo's "Tanker Narrative" against Iran."Thank God my Enemy is so Stupid"! globalresearch.ca "I was the CIA director. We lied, We Cheated, We Stole". — Mike Pompeo | It appears that Mike Pompeo has a hard time kicking his old habits. He appears to be as smug about lying as a CIA operative as …

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich (2019-06-15). Mike Pompeo Has a Hard Time Kicking Old Habits. mintpressnews.com "I was the CIA director. We lied, We Cheated, We Stole". — Mike Pompeo | It appears that Mike Pompeo has a hard time kicking his old habits. He appears to be as smug about lying as a CIA operative as he is as Secretary of State. Categorically blaming the Iranians for the recent oil attack tankers has left allies scratching their heads; and perhaps leaving foes thinking: "Thank God my enemy is so stupid"! | On June 13, 2019, as Ayatollah Khamenei was holding talks in Tehran with Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, two oil tankers carrying oil to Jap…

Staff (2019-06-15). Don't Accept the "New Normal" — Keep Outrage Alive. truthout.org All you have to do is say something nobody understands and they'll do practically anything you want them to. — Holden Caulfield, The Catcher in the RyeOn Tuesday, after Donald Trump blew kisses at North Korea when it was revealed the regime had assassinated a CIA "asset" by spraying VX nerve agent in his face in the middle of a crowded airport, a friend asked me: "Is your capacity for shock as burned out as mine?" | The asset, by the bye, was Kim Jong Nam, half-bro…

Milton G. Allimadi (2019-06-15). Message To The Youth: Pan-African Unity Is The Path To Africa's Economic Empowerment. blackstarnews.com Nkrumah enjoys a light moment with Kennedy during U.S. visit. The CIA under President Johnson- backed the 1966 coup. Photo: Wikimedia Commons | | [Message To Africa's Youth] | | Most of Africa's socio-political and economic woes could be solved if most African countries were able to determine their own destiny–that is currently not the case. | | How is it that Congo can have mineral and natural resource wealth estimated at anywhere from $24 – to $30 trillion and remain impoverished? How is it that it can have the world's major sup…

Eric Margolis (2019-06-15). Will the Real Bombers Please Stand Up. commondreams.org U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks from the State Department briefing room on June 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. Pompeo said, "It is the assessment of the U.S. government that Iran is responsible for today's attacks in the Gulf of Oman. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/pompeo-false-flag-06132019-955px.jpg

Staff (2019-06-15). Bolton and Pompeo Are Trying to Start Another Forever War. truthout.org It is becoming increasingly evident that National Security Advisor John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo—President Trump's top two foreign policy appointees—are manufacturing a crisis in order to catapult the United States into an explosive conflict with Iran. | This shouldn't be remotely surprising, given their track records of supporting regime change across the Middle East, opposing the Ira…

Juan Cole (2019-06-15). Whatever Pompeo says, there is no certainty Iran mined the Tankers. nationofchange.org The mysterious mines that blew up two tankers, one of them Japanese-owned and operated, on Wednesday, sent a frisson of fear through the Gulf, since it was clear that Trump warmongers would blame Iran and then use the incident as a springboard to war. | Despite the confident pronouncements of "Benghazi Mike" Pompeo at his brief news conference, the fact is that US intelligence hasn't had time or access to come to a firm conclusion about the author of the mine attack. | Pompeo's people put out grainy video of some sort of small ship coming alongside one of the tankers and then leaving peacefully. Since this doe…

Andrew Korybko (2019-06-15). US-India Strategic Partnership: Pompeo Hinted at a Big "Surprise". Contain both Russia and China. asia-pacificresearch.com

Staff (2019-06-15). Supreme Court Ruling on Census Could Deal Grave Blow to Democracy. truthout.org The Supreme Court is poised to decide two cases that could prove devastating to the right to vote — the very foundation of a democracy. One case will review the Trump administration's attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The other will consider whether partisan gerrymandering is constitutional. They are related because the citizenship question would "allow Republicans to draft even more extreme gerrymandered maps to stymie Democrats," the New York Times reported. | "It's hard to overstate th…

Jason Ditz (2019-06-15). US Military Intelligence Accuses Russia of Nuclear Testing, Provides No Evidence. theantimedia.com (ANTIWAR.COM) — US military intelligence agency the DIA has issued a new statement directly accusing the Russian government of conducting low-yield nuclear tests in the course of developing more advanced nuclear arms. This is the second time the DIA has suggested Russia was conducting nuclear tests in the past month. The statement today, as with the previous one, came with no …

Jake Johnson (2019-06-15). Think US media won't help lead nation into war with Iran based on flimsy or false intelligence? Looks like they already are. nationofchange.org "Do U.S. reporters, anchors, and editors really want more Middle Eastern blood on their hands? If not, they need to fix their rather credulous and increasingly hawkish coverage of Iran—and fix it fast."

Mohamed Elmaazi (2019-06-15). Assange is being prosecuted for 'exposing the crimes of empire', says award winning journalist. thecanary.co Award-winning journalist Christopher Hedges accused the UK and US authorities of 'judicially lynching' Julian Assange. Speaking outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, Hedges said he came to London from the US "to speak out against"

WSWS (2019-06-15). WikiLeaks publisher Assange faces US extradition trial next February. wsws.org The UK government has made clear that it will do everything possible to expedite Washington's vindictive attempt to render the courageous journalist to face imprisonment, torture, and execution in the US.

Orion Edmonson (2019-06-15). Basta !!! Free Chelsea Manning & Julien Assange Oakland Weekly Friday Vigil. indybay.org Fruitvale and MacArthur Oakland…

WSWS (2019-06-15). Activist Lauri Love and others speak out in defence of Assange. wsws.org Members of the Julian Assange Defence Committee and the SEP were joined by people from across London and further afield, including two "Yellow Vest" protestors from France.

Alexander Rubinstein (2019-06-14). Pompeo Gulf of Oman Narrative Torpedoed by Vessel's Japanese Owner. mintpressnews.com The Japanese owner of the vessel maintains that there were no mines — or torpedos — involved, denying that such could have been the case because the damage to the ship was above the waterline. He went so far as to call the whole U.S.-pedaled notion of mines being responsible "false."

Stephen Lendman (2019-06-14). Pompeo Blames Iran for Likely Gulf of Oman False Flag. globalresearch.ca Cui bono is most important whenever an incident like Thursday attacks on vessels in the Gulf of Oman occurs. | Clearly, Iran had nothing to gain and plenty to lose from the incident. The Trump regime and its anti-Iran imperial partners …

Staff (2019-06-14). Vijay Prashad: U.S. Rushes to Blame Iran for Tanker Attacks as Much of World Pushes for Diplomacy. democracynow.org Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are again ratcheting up as the Trump administration accused Iran of orchestrating an attack Thursday on Japanese and Norwegian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Iran denied any involvement and accused the Trump administration of trying to sabotage diplomacy. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo directly accused Iran of attacking the oil tankers, and the U.S. released video of what it claimed was Iran's Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded mine from the side of the Japanese oil tanker that was attacked. However, the president of the Japanese company that owns the ship said it…

Trita Parsi (2019-06-14). Trump Blames Iran for the Tanker Attacks. But Let's be Skeptical of his Administration's Pro-War Bluster. commondreams.org Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in the State Department briefing room on Thursday. (Photo: Win McNamee / Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/pompeo_3.jpeg

Staff (2019-06-14). Headlines for June 14, 2019. democracynow.org Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Accuses Iran of Attacking Oil Tankers, Federal Elections Commissioner Warns Trump over Foreign Help for Re-election, Sarah Huckabee Sanders to Step Down as White House Press Secretary, Federal Watchdog Recommends Kellyanne Conway Be Fired for Hatch Act Violations, Teen Mother and Premature Baby Found Neglected in Border Patrol Custody, Whole Villages Evacuated Amid Record Heat and Drought in India, Study Finds U.S. Pentagon Emits More Greenhouse Gas Than Portugal, Accused New Zealand Mosque Shooter Pleads Not Guilty to Terrorism and Murder, Palestinian Medic, Shot in the Head by Isr…

Jake Johnson (2019-06-14). 'Deja Vu' of Iraq War Lies as US Blames Iran for Tanker Attack Without Single Shred of Evidence. theantimedia.com (CD) — In a press conference that immediately evoked memories of the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday claimed Iran was behind alleged attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman without presenting one single shred of evidence. "This assessment is based on intelligence, the weapons used, the …

Juan Cole (2019-06-14). Whatever Pompeo Says, There Is No Certainty Iran Mined the Tankers. commondreams.org Despite what the Saudis and blowhards like Benghazi Mike keep alleging, the Houthis don't take orders from Iran and don't have that much to do with one another. (Photo: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/pompeo_trump_bolton_iran.jpeg

Staff (2019-06-14). Mike Pompeo Blames Iran for Tanker Attack Without Single Shred of Evidence. truthout.org In a press conference that immediately evoked memories of the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday claimed Iran was behind alleged attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman without presenting one single shred of evidence. | "This assessment is based on intelligence, the weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, and the fact…

Richard Silverstein (2019-06-14). Is Pompeo Angling to Interfere in British Politics? commondreams.org There is absolutely no indication that British Jews as a whole feel the need for any such US intervention, nor any indication that British Jews or the British electorate as a whole accept the charge that Labour (and Corbyn by extension) is riddled with antisemitism. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/pomp.jpeg

Staff (2019-06-14). World Pushes for Diplomacy as US Rushes to Blame Iran for Tanker Attacks. truthout.org Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are again ratcheting up as the Trump administration accused Iran of orchestrating an attack Thursday on Japanese and Norwegian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Iran denied any involvement and accused the Trump administration of trying to sabotage diplomacy. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo directly accused Iran of attacking the oil tankers, and the U.S. released video of what it claimed was Iran's Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded mine from the side of the Japanese oil tanker that was attacked. However, the president of the Japanese company that owns the ship said…

Jake Johnson (2019-06-14). 'Deja Vu' of Iraq War Lies: Mike Pompeo Blames Iran for Tanker Attack Without A Shred of Evidence. globalresearch.ca In a press conference that immediately evoked memories of the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday claimed Iran was behind alleged attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman …

kathy_f (2019-06-14). Secrets and lies in Afghanistan: Whistleblower helps the case to withdraw troops. greenleft.org.au The Afghanistan war may be largely forgotten, were it not for the Australian Federal Police raid on the ABC's Sydney offices on June 5 to collect evidence for the trial of army lawyer and whistleblower David McBride. | Afghanistan is the longest war Australia has ever been involved in. Yet it has largely been conducted in secret, with few media reports and even fewer politicians wanting to talk about it. | Afghanistan is now increasingly being seen to be another "bad" war. Following the 9/11 terror attacks, Iraq was touted as the only "bad" war, as politicians scrambled to justify their support for the "good" war…

Staff (2019-06-14). "Advocate": Israeli Attorney Lea Tsemel Reflects on Defending Palestinians Who Resist Occupation. democracynow.org Attorney Lea Tsemel has defended Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli courts for nearly half a century, insisting on their humanity and their right to a fair trial. Her work has earned her the scorn and reprobation of many Israelis, as well as death threats. A staunch critic of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, Tsemel has long argued that Palestinians who carry out politically motivated violence are freedom fighters, not "terrorists." In 1999, Tsemel won a landmark case in the Israeli Supreme Court, making it illegal for Israeli officials to torture detained Palestinians during interrogations. The docume…

Laura Walubengo (2019-06-14). Swiss court rejects IAAF appeal against Semenya. cgtn.com Caster Semenya poses prior to the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Getty Images for Laureus) | South African Olympic champion Caster Semenya will be allowed to compete without restriction after the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland rejected an urgent request by the IAAF to re-impose eligibility regulations on the athlete. | The Swiss Supreme Court upheld an order issued on May 31, requiring the IAAF to suspend eligibility rules against Semenya, stressing in the ruling that the Athletics body had not brought forward any new arguments to justify a reconsideration of the prior o…

WSWS (2019-06-14). US Supreme Court refuses to hear Guantanamo detainee's habeas corpus appeal. wsws.org The court's refusal to hear the case of a man who has been imprisoned and tortured for nearly two decades without ever being convicted of a crime corresponds to the inexorable lurch by the entire political establishment towards dictatorship and barbarism.

Jake Johnson, staff writer, Jon Queally, staff writer (2019-06-14). Think US Media Won't Help Lead Nation Into War With Iran Based on Flimsy or False Intelligence? Looks Like They Already Are. commondreams.org "Do U.S. reporters, anchors, and editors really want more Middle Eastern blood on their hands? If not, they need to fix their rather credulous and increasingly hawkish coverage of Iran—and fix it fast." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/iran_war_media.jpg

Noor Al-Sibai (2019-06-14). Echoes of Flint in 'Chernobyl'. truthdig.com On May 30, toward the end of its five-week run on HBO, author Stephen King tweeted that the mini-series "Chernobyl" is impossible to watch without considering our feckless and incompetent president. "Like those in charge of the doomed Russian reactor," King wrote, "[Donald Trump] is a man of mediocre intelligence in charge of great power—economic, global—that he does not understand." | May 30, 2019 | As television critics have observed, "Chernobyl" all but Dr. Binoy Kampmark (2019-06-14). Julian Assange and the Scales of Justice: Exceptions, Extraditions and Politics. globalresearch.ca The Home Secretary of the United Kingdom did his thing, which was little in the way of disagreement. The superpower has issued a request; the retainer would comply. This week, the US Department Justice Department formally sought the extradition of …

Staff (2019-06-14). John Pilger: Julian Assange Extradition Case is a WAR ON JOURNALISM! dissidentvoice.org Going Underground's Farhaan Ahmed talks to John Pilger after Julian Assange's US extradition hearing, where it was decided that Julian would not face a full extradition hearing next year until after the 24th of February.

Kevin Gosztola (2019-06-14). Judge Sets 'Long Timetable' For Assange To Prepare Defense Against Extradition. shadowproof.com In the United States government's extradition case against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, his attorneys agreed to a "long timetable" so he may prepare his defense against "incredibly serious charges, which impact upon typical newsgathering activities." | Judge Emma Arbuthnot set a five-day hearing over the extradition request that will take place in late February 2020. One of the first major filings in the case will come from the U.S. government in July. | Assange faces 17 counts of allegedly violating the Espionage Act for publishing classified information from Chelsea Manning and one conspiracy to commit com…

Pablo Navarrete (2019-06-14). John Pilger slams the 'ridiculous' extradition case against Julian Assange. thecanary.co As Julian Assange is ordered to face a full extradition hearing next year, veteran journalist and filmmaker John Pilger spoke to The Canary outside Westminster Magistrates' Court. | The WikiLeaks founder is fighting against being sent to the US to face 18 charges, including allegations of conspiring to hack into a classified Pentagon computer. | The US extradition case was formally opened at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, a day after an extradition request was signed off by home secretary Sajid Javid. | Assange's legal team branded charges in the US "an outrageous and full-frontal assault" on journalis…

WSWS (2019-06-14). UK home secretary signs US extradition request for Julian Assange. wsws.org The move, coming just one day before Assange's first extradition hearing, makes clear the British government's intent to hand the journalist over to his persecutors in Washington.

Binoy Kampmark (2019-06-14). Julian Assange and the Scales of Justice: Exceptions, Extraditions and Politics. dissidentvoice.org The Home Secretary of the United Kingdom did his thing, which was little in the way of disagreement. The superpower has issued a request; the retainer would comply. This week, the US Department Justice Department formally sought the extradition of Julian Assange. The process was certified by Sajid Javid, a man rather distracted of late. …

Orion Edmonson (2019-06-14). Basta !!! Free Chelsea Manning & Julien Assange Oakland Weekly Friday Vigil. indybay.org Fruitvale and MacArthur Oakland…

Staff (2019-06-14). Bini, Friend of Assange, Spent Two Months in Jail Without Charge in Ecuador. truthout.org WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared before a magistrates' court in London Friday, saying his life was "effectively at stake" if the U.K. honors an extradition request from the United States, where he faces 17 counts of violating the Espionage Act. Meanwhile, a friend of Assange, Swedish programmer and data privacy activist Ola Bini, is still in prison in Ecuador, after being arrested April 11, the same day Assange was forcibly taken by British authorities from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, and has been jailed ever since without charges. We speak with Vijay Prashad, director of Tricontinental: Institu…

Kevin Gosztola (2019-06-14). Facing Serious Charges, Judge Sets 'Long Timetable' For Assange To Prepare Defense Against Extradition. shadowproof.com In the United States government's extradition case against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, his attorneys agreed to a "long timetable" so he may prepare his defense against "incredibly serious charges, which impact upon typical newsgathering activities." | Judge Emma Arbuthnot set a five-day hearing over the extradition request that will take place in late February 2020. One of the first major filings in the case will come from the U.S. government in July. | Assange faces 17 counts of allegedly violating the Espionage Act for publishing classified information from Chelsea Manning and one conspiracy to commit com…

Mohamed Elmaazi (2019-06-14). Attempt to extradite Assange represents 'an assault on journalistic rights', says his defence lawyer. thecanary.co The author attended Julian Assange's extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court. | Julian Assange's arrest and potential extradition to the US represents an "assault on journalistic rights" and on "principles of free speech", his defence lawyer told Westminster Magistrates' Court (MC) on 14 June 2019. Mark Summers QC was explaining why it was not practical for judge Emma Arbuthnot to decide on Assange's extradition case this year. | A complex case involving a "multiplicity of profound issues": | Most attendees expected the substantive issues to start being discussed on 14 June. But unexpectedly…

Staff (2019-06-14). Ola Bini Was Friends with Julian Assange. He Has Spent Two Months in Jail Without Charge in Ecuador. democracynow.org WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared before a magistrates' court in London Friday, saying his life was "effectively at stake" if the U.K. honors an extradition request from the United States, where he faces 17 counts of violating the Espionage Act. Meanwhile, a friend of Assange's, Swedish programmer and data privacy activist Ola Bini, is still in prison in Ecuador, after being arrested April 11, the same day Assange was forcibly taken by British authorities from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, and has been jailed ever since without charges. We speak with Vijay Prashad, director of Tricontinental: Institut…

teleSUR (2019-06-14). Assange to Face Full US Extradition Hearing in February 2020. telesurenglish.net The co-founder of Wikileaks Julian Assange will face a new, full U.S. extradition hearing in February 2020, a court at Westminster magistrates, in London, has heard. The February 2020 hearing will reportedly last for five days, they said. | RELATED: | UK Signs Request To Extradite Assange to US | The hearing date was set after British Home Secretary Sajid Javid revealed on Thursday that he had signed and certified the U.S. extradition order papers. | The U.S. Justice Department filed 18 charges…

Kevin Gosztola (2019-06-14). Facing Serious Charges, Judge Sets 'Long Timetable' For Assange To Prepare Defense Against Extradition. commondreams.org Supporters of Julian Assange demonstrate outside court in London. (Photo: Screen shot from Ruptly livestream) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/assange.png

Alexander Rubinstein (2019-06-13). American Gov't, NGOs Fuel and Fund Hong Kong Anti-Extradition Protests. mintpressnews.com HONG KONG — Protesters in Hong Kong attempted to storm the parliament on Tuesday in opposition to an amendment to the autonomous territory's extradition law with mainland China. The protest's messaging and the groups associated with it, however, raise a number of questions about just how organic the movement is. | Some of the groups involved receive significant funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a CIA soft-power cutout that has played a critical role in innumerable U.S. regime-change operations. | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi weighed in on the bill, which is being considered in Hong Kong…

2019-06-16: Social Media Postees

Selected Articles: Gulf of Oman Attack: False Flag Towards Iran War?
Global Research News | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-16
"It appears that Mike Pompeo has a hard time kicking his old habits. He appears to be as smug about lying as a CIA operative as he is as Secretary of State. Categorically blaming the Iranians for the recent oil …
globalresearch.ca/selected-articles-gulf-oman-attack-false-flag-towards-iran-war/5680780

Is Pompeo Angling to Interfere in British Politics?
Richard Silverstein | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-16
Apparently, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had quite a lively, candid conversation in a recent closed-door meeting with Jewish leaders. Among the invited guests, someone recorded Pompeo's comments, and they were quite revealing. | The Washington Post, which was given …
globalresearch.ca/pompeo-angling-interfere-british-politics/5680724

We Need Evidence-Based Decision Making
Wim Laven | commondreams.org | 2019-06-16
Copies of the "Mueller Report" printed by the US Government Publishing Office are seen at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on April 24, 2019. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/mueller-report-955px.jpg
commondreams.org/views/2019/06/16/we-need-evidence-based-decision-making?cd-origin=rss

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe begins new hunger strike in Iran jail
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2019-06-15
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe — the British-Iranian mother jailed in Iran on spying charges — has begun a new hunger strike, her husband has said.Richard Ratcliffe said he had received a phone call from his wife to tell him she had informed the Iranian judiciary she had stopped taking food in protest at her "unfair imprisonment".Mr Ratcliffe said he would also not eat for the duration of her protest.He said his wife's decision followed the fifth birthday of their daughter, Gabriella, who has not been allowed to leave Iran following her mother's arrest in 2016 and is living with her grandparents.Richard Ratc…
thecanary.co/breaking-news/2019/06/15/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-begins-new-hunger-strike-in-iran-jail/

Mike Pompeo Has a Hard Time Kicking Old Habits
Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich | mintpressnews.com | 2019-06-15
"I was the CIA director. We lied, We Cheated, We Stole". — Mike Pompeo | It appears that Mike Pompeo has a hard time kicking his old habits. He appears to be as smug about lying as a CIA operative as he is as Secretary of State. Categorically blaming the Iranians for the recent oil attack tankers has left allies scratching their heads; and perhaps leaving foes thinking: "Thank God my enemy is so stupid"! | On June 13, 2019, as Ayatollah Khamenei was holding talks in Tehran with Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, two oil tankers carrying oil to Jap…
mintpressnews.com/pompeo-tanker-narrative/259223/

Pompeo's "Tanker Narrative" against Iran."Thank God my Enemy is so Stupid"!
Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-15
"I was the CIA director. We lied, We Cheated, We Stole". — Mike Pompeo | It appears that Mike Pompeo has a hard time kicking his old habits. He appears to be as smug about lying as a CIA operative as …
globalresearch.ca/pompeos-tanker-narrative-against-iran-thank-god-my-enemy-is-so-stupid/5680684

Message To The Youth: Pan-African Unity Is The Path To Africa's Economic Empowerment
Milton G. Allimadi | blackstarnews.com | 2019-06-15
Nkrumah enjoys a light moment with Kennedy during U.S. visit. The CIA under President Johnson- backed the 1966 coup. Photo: Wikimedia Commons | | [Message To Africa's Youth] | | Most of Africa's socio-political and economic woes could be solved if most African countries were able to determine their own destiny–that is currently not the case. | | How is it that Congo can have mineral and natural resource wealth estimated at anywhere from $24 – to $30 trillion and remain impoverished? How is it that it can have the world's major sup…
www.blackstarnews.com/global-politics/africa/message-to-the-youth-pan-african-unity-is-the-path-to-africas

Don't Accept the "New Normal" — Keep Outrage Alive
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-06-15
All you have to do is say something nobody understands and they'll do practically anything you want them to. — Holden Caulfield, The Catcher in the RyeOn Tuesday, after Donald Trump blew kisses at North Korea when it was revealed the regime had assassinated a CIA "asset" by spraying VX nerve agent in his face in the middle of a crowded airport, a friend asked me: "Is your capacity for shock as burned out as mine?" | The asset, by the bye, was Kim Jong Nam, half-bro…
truthout.org/articles/dont-accept-the-new-normal-keep-outrage-alive/

Bolton and Pompeo Are Trying to Start Another Forever War
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-06-15
It is becoming increasingly evident that National Security Advisor John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo–President Trump's top two foreign policy appointees–are manufacturing a crisis in order to catapult the United States into an explosive conflict with Iran. | This shouldn't be remotely surprising, given their track records of supporting regime change across the Middle East, opposing the Ira…
truthout.org/articles/bolton-and-pompeo-are-trying-to-start-another-forever-war/

Will the Real Bombers Please Stand Up
Eric Margolis | commondreams.org | 2019-06-15
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks from the State Department briefing room on June 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. Pompeo said, "It is the assessment of the U.S. government that Iran is responsible for today's attacks in the Gulf of Oman. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/pompeo-false-flag-06132019-955px.jpg
commondreams.org/views/2019/06/15/will-real-bombers-please-stand?cd-origin=rss

US-India Strategic Partnership: Pompeo Hinted at a Big "Surprise". Contain both Russia and China
Andrew Korybko | asia-pacificresearch.com | 2019-06-15
asia-pacificresearch.com/pompeo-hinted-big-surprise-during-his-upcoming-trip-india/5628692

Whatever Pompeo says, there is no certainty Iran mined the Tankers
Juan Cole | nationofchange.org | 2019-06-15
The mysterious mines that blew up two tankers, one of them Japanese-owned and operated, on Wednesday, sent a frisson of fear through the Gulf, since it was clear that Trump warmongers would blame Iran and then use the incident as a springboard to war. | Despite the confident pronouncements of "Benghazi Mike" Pompeo at his brief news conference, the fact is that US intelligence hasn't had time or access to come to a firm conclusion about the author of the mine attack. | Pompeo's people put out grainy video of some sort of small ship coming alongside one of the tankers and then leaving peacefully. Since this doe…
nationofchange.org/2019/06/15/whatever-pompeo-says-there-is-no-certainty-iran-mined-the-tankers/

Supreme Court Ruling on Census Could Deal Grave Blow to Democracy
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-06-15
The Supreme Court is poised to decide two cases that could prove devastating to the right to vote — the very foundation of a democracy. One case will review the Trump administration's attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The other will consider whether partisan gerrymandering is constitutional. They are related because the citizenship question would "allow Republicans to draft even more extreme gerrymandered maps to stymie Democrats," the New York Times reported. | "It's hard to overstate th…
truthout.org/articles/supreme-court-ruling-on-census-could-deal-grave-blow-to-democracy/

US Military Intelligence Accuses Russia of Nuclear Testing, Provides No Evidence
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2019-06-15
(ANTIWAR.COM) — US military intelligence agency the DIA has issued a new statement directly accusing the Russian government of conducting low-yield nuclear tests in the course of developing more advanced nuclear arms. This is the second time the DIA has suggested Russia was conducting nuclear tests in the past month. The statement today, as with the previous one, came with no …

US Military Intelligence Accuses Russia of Nuclear Testing, Provides No Evidence

Think US media won't help lead nation into war with Iran based on flimsy or false intelligence? Looks like they already are
Jake Johnson | nationofchange.org | 2019-06-15
nationofchange.org/2019/06/15/think-us-media-wont-help-lead-nation-into-war-with-iran-based-on-flimsy-or-false-intelligence-looks-like-they-already-are/

WikiLeaks publisher Assange faces US extradition trial next February
wsws.org | 2019-06-15
The UK government has made clear that it will do everything possible to expedite Washington's vindictive attempt to render the courageous journalist to face imprisonment, torture, and execution in the US.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/06/15/assa-j15.html

Assange is being prosecuted for 'exposing the crimes of empire', says award winning journalist
Mohamed Elmaazi | thecanary.co | 2019-06-15
Award-winning journalist Christopher Hedges accused the UK and US authorities of 'judicially lynching' Julian Assange. Speaking outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, Hedges said he came to London from the US "to speak out against"
thecanary.co/trending/2019/06/15/assange-is-being-prosecuted-for-exposing-the-crimes-of-empire-says-award-winning-journalist/

Activist Lauri Love and others speak out in defence of Assange
wsws.org | 2019-06-15
Members of the Julian Assange Defence Committee and the SEP were joined by people from across London and further afield, including two "Yellow Vest" protestors from France.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/06/15/inte-j15.html

Basta !!! Free Chelsea Manning & Julien Assange Oakland Weekly Friday Vigil
Orion Edmonson | indybay.org | 2019-06-15
Fruitvale and MacArthur Oakland…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/06/13/18823921.php

Whatever Pompeo Says, There Is No Certainty Iran Mined the Tankers
Juan Cole | commondreams.org | 2019-06-14
Despite what the Saudis and blowhards like Benghazi Mike keep alleging, the Houthis don't take orders from Iran and don't have that much to do with one another. (Photo: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/pompeo_trump_bolton_iran.jpeg
commondreams.org/views/2019/06/14/whatever-pompeo-says-there-no-certainty-iran-mined-tankers?cd-origin=rss

Vijay Prashad: U.S. Rushes to Blame Iran for Tanker Attacks as Much of World Pushes for Diplomacy
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-06-14
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are again ratcheting up as the Trump administration accused Iran of orchestrating an attack Thursday on Japanese and Norwegian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Iran denied any involvement and accused the Trump administration of trying to sabotage diplomacy. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo directly accused Iran of attacking the oil tankers, and the U.S. released video of what it claimed was Iran's Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded mine from the side of the Japanese oil tanker that was attacked. However, the president of the Japanese company that owns the ship said it…
www.democracynow.org/2019/6/14/us_blames_iran_oil_tankers_attack

Pompeo Blames Iran for Likely Gulf of Oman False Flag
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-14
Cui bono is most important whenever an incident like Thursday attacks on vessels in the Gulf of Oman occurs. | Clearly, Iran had nothing to gain and plenty to lose from the incident. The Trump regime and its anti-Iran imperial partners …
globalresearch.ca/pompeo-falsely-blames-iran-likely-gulf-oman-false-flag/5680576

'Deja Vu' of Iraq War Lies as US Blames Iran for Tanker Attack Without Single Shred of Evidence
Jake Johnson | theantimedia.com | 2019-06-14
(CD) — In a press conference that immediately evoked memories of the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday claimed Iran was behind alleged attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman without presenting one single shred of evidence. "This assessment is based on intelligence, the weapons used, the …

'Deja Vu' of Iraq War Lies as US Blames Iran for Tanker Attack Without Single Shred of Evidence

Pompeo Gulf of Oman Narrative Torpedoed by Vessel's Japanese Owner
Alexander Rubinstein | mintpressnews.com | 2019-06-14
The Japanese owner of the vessel maintains that there were no mines — or torpedos — involved, denying that such could have been the case because the damage to the ship was above the waterline. He went so far as to call the whole U.S.-pedaled notion of mines being responsible "false."
mintpressnews.com/pompeo-gulf-oman-narrative/259210/

Mike Pompeo Blames Iran for Tanker Attack Without Single Shred of Evidence
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-06-14
In a press conference that immediately evoked memories of the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday claimed Iran was behind alleged attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman without presenting one single shred of evidence. | "This assessment is based on intelligence, the weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, and the fact…
truthout.org/articles/mike-pompeo-blames-iran-for-tanker-attack-without-single-shred-of-evidence/

Trump Blames Iran for the Tanker Attacks. But Let's be Skeptical of his Administration's Pro-War Bluster
Trita Parsi | commondreams.org | 2019-06-14
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in the State Department briefing room on Thursday. (Photo: Win McNamee / Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/pompeo_3.jpeg
commondreams.org/views/2019/06/14/trump-blames-iran-tanker-attacks-lets-be-skeptical-his-administrations-pro-war?cd-origin=rss

'Deja Vu' of Iraq War Lies: Mike Pompeo Blames Iran for Tanker Attack Without A Shred of Evidence
Jake Johnson | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-14
In a press conference that immediately evoked memories of the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday claimed Iran was behind alleged attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman …
globalresearch.ca/deja-vu-iraq-war-lies-mike-pompeo-blames-iran-tanker-attack-without-single-shred-evidence/5680606

Is Pompeo Angling to Interfere in British Politics?
Richard Silverstein | commondreams.org | 2019-06-14
There is absolutely no indication that British Jews as a whole feel the need for any such US intervention, nor any indication that British Jews or the British electorate as a whole accept the charge that Labour (and Corbyn by extension) is riddled with antisemitism. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/pomp.jpeg
commondreams.org/views/2019/06/14/pompeo-angling-interfere-british-politics?cd-origin=rss

World Pushes for Diplomacy as US Rushes to Blame Iran for Tanker Attacks
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-06-14
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are again ratcheting up as the Trump administration accused Iran of orchestrating an attack Thursday on Japanese and Norwegian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Iran denied any involvement and accused the Trump administration of trying to sabotage diplomacy. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo directly accused Iran of attacking the oil tankers, and the U.S. released video of what it claimed was Iran's Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded mine from the side of the Japanese oil tanker that was attacked. However, the president of the Japanese company that owns the ship said…
truthout.org/video/us-rushes-to-blame-iran-for-tanker-attacks-as-world-pushes-for-diplomacy/

Secrets and lies in Afghanistan: Whistleblower helps the case to withdraw troops
kathy_f | greenleft.org.au | 2019-06-14
The Afghanistan war may be largely forgotten, were it not for the Australian Federal Police raid on the ABC's Sydney offices on June 5 to collect evidence for the trial of army lawyer and whistleblower David McBride. | Afghanistan is the longest war Australia has ever been involved in. Yet it has largely been conducted in secret, with few media reports and even fewer politicians wanting to talk about it. | Afghanistan is now increasingly being seen to be another "bad" war. Following the 9/11 terror attacks, Iraq was touted as the only "bad" war, as politicians scrambled to justify their support for the "good" war…
greenleft.org.au/content/secrets-and-lies-afghanistan-whistleblower-helps-case-withdraw-troops

"Advocate": Israeli Attorney Lea Tsemel Reflects on Defending Palestinians Who Resist Occupation
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-06-14
Attorney Lea Tsemel has defended Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli courts for nearly half a century, insisting on their humanity and their right to a fair trial. Her work has earned her the scorn and reprobation of many Israelis, as well as death threats. A staunch critic of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, Tsemel has long argued that Palestinians who carry out politically motivated violence are freedom fighters, not "terrorists." In 1999, Tsemel won a landmark case in the Israeli Supreme Court, making it illegal for Israeli officials to torture detained Palestinians during interrogations. The docume…
www.democracynow.org/2019/6/14/lea_tsemel_advocate_documentary_israel_palestine

US Supreme Court refuses to hear Guantanamo detainee's habeas corpus appeal
wsws.org | 2019-06-14
The court's refusal to hear the case of a man who has been imprisoned and tortured for nearly two decades without ever being convicted of a crime corresponds to the inexorable lurch by the entire political establishment towards dictatorship and barbarism.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/06/14/cour-j14.html

Swiss court rejects IAAF appeal against Semenya
Laura Walubengo | cgtn.com | 2019-06-14
Caster Semenya poses prior to the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Getty Images for Laureus) | South African Olympic champion Caster Semenya will be allowed to compete without restriction after the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland rejected an urgent request by the IAAF to re-impose eligibility regulations on the athlete. | The Swiss Supreme Court upheld an order issued on May 31, requiring the IAAF to suspend eligibility rules against Semenya, stressing in the ruling that the Athletics body had not brought forward any new arguments to justify a reconsideration of the prior o…
africa.cgtn.com/2019/06/14/swiss-court-rejects-iaaf-appeal-against-semenya/

Think US Media Won't Help Lead Nation Into War With Iran Based on Flimsy or False Intelligence? Looks Like They Already Are
Jake Johnson, staff writer, Jon Queally, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-06-14
"Do U.S. reporters, anchors, and editors really want more Middle Eastern blood on their hands? If not, they need to fix their rather credulous and increasingly hawkish coverage of Iran—and fix it fast." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/iran_war_media.jpg
commondreams.org/news/2019/06/14/think-us-media-wont-help-lead-nation-war-iran-based-flimsy-or-false-intelligence?cd-origin=rss

Assange to Face Full US Extradition Hearing in February 2020
telesurenglish.net | 2019-06-14
The co-founder of Wikileaks Julian Assange will face a new, full U.S. extradition hearing in February 2020, a court at Westminster magistrates, in London, has heard. The February 2020 hearing will reportedly last for five days, they said. | RELATED: | UK Signs Request To Extradite Assange to US | The hearing date was set after British Home Secretary Sajid Javid revealed on Thursday that he had signed and certified the U.S. extradition order papers. | The U.S. Justice Department filed 18 charges…
telesurenglish.net/news/Assange-to-Face-Full-US-Extradition-Hearing-in-February-2020-20190614-0004.html

Basta !!! Free Chelsea Manning & Julien Assange Oakland Weekly Friday Vigil
Orion Edmonson | indybay.org | 2019-06-14
Fruitvale and MacArthur Oakland…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/06/13/18823921.php

John Pilger slams the 'ridiculous' extradition case against Julian Assange
Pablo Navarrete | thecanary.co | 2019-06-14
As Julian Assange is ordered to face a full extradition hearing next year, veteran journalist and filmmaker John Pilger spoke to The Canary outside Westminster Magistrates' Court. | The WikiLeaks founder is fighting against being sent to the US to face 18 charges, including allegations of conspiring to hack into a classified Pentagon computer. | The US extradition case was formally opened at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, a day after an extradition request was signed off by home secretary Sajid Javid. | Assange's legal team branded charges in the US "an outrageous and full-frontal assault" on journalis…
thecanary.co/uk/2019/06/14/john-pilger-slams-the-ridiculous-extradition-case-against-julian-assange/

John Pilger slams the 'ridiculous' extradition case against Julian Assange
Pablo Navarrete | thecanary.co | 2019-06-14
As Julian Assange is ordered to face a full extradition hearing next year, veteran journalist and filmmaker John Pilger spoke to The Canary outside Westminster Magistrates' Court. | The WikiLeaks founder is fighting against being sent to the US to face 18 charges, including allegations of conspiring to hack into a classified Pentagon computer. | The US extradition case was formally opened at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, a day after an extradition request was signed off by home secretary Sajid Javid. | Assange's legal team branded charges in the US "an outrageous and full-frontal assault" on journalis…
thecanary.co/uk/2019/06/14/john-pilger-slams-the-ridiculous-extradition-case-against-julian-assange/

Julian Assange and the Scales of Justice: Exceptions, Extraditions and Politics
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-14
The Home Secretary of the United Kingdom did his thing, which was little in the way of disagreement. The superpower has issued a request; the retainer would comply. This week, the US Department Justice Department formally sought the extradition of …
globalresearch.ca/julian-assange-scales-justice-exceptions-extraditions-politics/5680537

Bini, Friend of Assange, Spent Two Months in Jail Without Charge in Ecuador
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-06-14
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared before a magistrates' court in London Friday, saying his life was "effectively at stake" if the U.K. honors an extradition request from the United States, where he faces 17 counts of violating the Espionage Act. Meanwhile, a friend of Assange, Swedish programmer and data privacy activist Ola Bini, is still in prison in Ecuador, after being arrested April 11, the same day Assange was forcibly taken by British authorities from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, and has been jailed ever since without charges. We speak with Vijay Prashad, director of Tricontinental: Institu…
truthout.org/video/bini-friend-of-assange-spent-two-months-in-jail-without-charge-in-ecuador/

Facing Serious Charges, Judge Sets 'Long Timetable' For Assange To Prepare Defense Against Extradition
Kevin Gosztola | shadowproof.com | 2019-06-14
In the United States government's extradition case against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, his attorneys agreed to a "long timetable" so he may prepare his defense against "incredibly serious charges, which impact upon typical newsgathering activities." | Judge Emma Arbuthnot set a five-day hearing over the extradition request that will take place in late February 2020. One of the first major filings in the case will come from the U.S. government in July. | Assange faces 17 counts of allegedly violating the Espionage Act for publishing classified information from Chelsea Manning and one conspiracy to commit com…
shadowproof.com/2019/06/14/facing-serious-charges-judge-sets-long-timetable-for-assange-to-prepare-defense-against-extradition/

Attempt to extradite Assange represents 'an assault on journalistic rights', says his defence lawyer
Mohamed Elmaazi | thecanary.co | 2019-06-14
The author attended Julian Assange's extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court. | Julian Assange's arrest and potential extradition to the US represents an "assault on journalistic rights" and on "principles of free speech", his defence lawyer told Westminster Magistrates' Court (MC) on 14 June 2019. Mark Summers QC was explaining why it was not practical for judge Emma Arbuthnot to decide on Assange's extradition case this year. | A complex case involving a "multiplicity of profound issues": | Most attendees expected the substantive issues to start being discussed on 14 June. But unexpectedly…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2019/06/14/attempt-to-extradite-assange-represents-an-assault-on-journalistic-rights-says-his-defence-lawyer/

Judge Sets 'Long Timetable' For Assange To Prepare Defense Against Extradition
Kevin Gosztola | shadowproof.com | 2019-06-14
In the United States government's extradition case against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, his attorneys agreed to a "long timetable" so he may prepare his defense against "incredibly serious charges, which impact upon typical newsgathering activities." | Judge Emma Arbuthnot set a five-day hearing over the extradition request that will take place in late February 2020. One of the first major filings in the case will come from the U.S. government in July. | Assange faces 17 counts of allegedly violating the Espionage Act for publishing classified information from Chelsea Manning and one conspiracy to commit com…
shadowproof.com/2019/06/14/facing-serious-charges-judge-sets-long-timetable-for-assange-to-prepare-defense-against-extradition/

John Pilger: Julian Assange Extradition Case is a WAR ON JOURNALISM!
Staff | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-06-14
Going Underground's Farhaan Ahmed talks to John Pilger after Julian Assange's US extradition hearing, where it was decided that Julian would not face a full extradition hearing next year until after the 24th of February.
dissidentvoice.org/2019/06/john-pilger-julian-assange-extradition-case-is-a-war-on-journalism/

Julian Assange and the Scales of Justice: Exceptions, Extraditions and Politics
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-06-14
The Home Secretary of the United Kingdom did his thing, which was little in the way of disagreement. The superpower has issued a request; the retainer would comply. This week, the US Department Justice Department formally sought the extradition of Julian Assange. The process was certified by Sajid Javid, a man rather distracted of late. …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/06/julian-assange-and-the-scales-of-justice-exceptions-extraditions-and-politics/

UK home secretary signs US extradition request for Julian Assange
wsws.org | 2019-06-14
The move, coming just one day before Assange's first extradition hearing, makes clear the British government's intent to hand the journalist over to his persecutors in Washington.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/06/14/assa-j14.html

Ola Bini Was Friends with Julian Assange. He Has Spent Two Months in Jail Without Charge in Ecuador
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-06-14
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared before a magistrates' court in London Friday, saying his life was "effectively at stake" if the U.K. honors an extradition request from the United States, where he faces 17 counts of violating the Espionage Act. Meanwhile, a friend of Assange's, Swedish programmer and data privacy activist Ola Bini, is still in prison in Ecuador, after being arrested April 11, the same day Assange was forcibly taken by British authorities from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, and has been jailed ever since without charges. We speak with Vijay Prashad, director of Tricontinental: Institut…
www.democracynow.org/2019/6/14/ola_bini_ecuador_arrest_wikileaks_assange

John Pilger: Julian Assange Extradition Case is a WAR ON JOURNALISM!
Staff | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-06-14
Going Underground's Farhaan Ahmed talks to John Pilger after Julian Assange's US extradition hearing, where it was decided that Julian would not face a full extradition hearing next year until after the 24th of February.
dissidentvoice.org/2019/06/john-pilger-julian-assange-extradition-case-is-a-war-on-journalism/

Facing Serious Charges, Judge Sets 'Long Timetable' For Assange To Prepare Defense Against Extradition
Kevin Gosztola | commondreams.org | 2019-06-14
Supporters of Julian Assange demonstrate outside court in London. (Photo: Screen shot from Ruptly livestream) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/assange.png
commondreams.org/views/2019/06/14/facing-serious-charges-judge-sets-long-timetable-assange-prepare-defense-against?cd-origin=rss

American Gov't, NGOs Fuel and Fund Hong Kong Anti-Extradition Protests
Alexander Rubinstein | mintpressnews.com | 2019-06-13
HONG KONG — Protesters in Hong Kong attempted to storm the parliament on Tuesday in opposition to an amendment to the autonomous territory's extradition law with mainland China. The protest's messaging and the groups associated with it, however, raise a number of questions about just how organic the movement is. | Some of the groups involved receive significant funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a CIA soft-power cutout that has played a critical role in innumerable U.S. regime-change operations. | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi weighed in on the bill, which is being considered in Hong Kong…
mintpressnews.com/us-hong-kong-protests/259187/