Veteran "Four Corners" journalist Andrew Fowler denounces Australian government's refusal to defend Assange
wsws.org | 2020-02-21
"The persecution of Assange is an attack on anyone who speaks out against the power and authority of the United States. It is a warning to every journalist: 'Pull your head in. Shut up. Don't question.'"
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/21/afow-f21.html

UK Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell visits Julian Assange in Belmarsh Prison
wsws.org | 2020-02-21
McDonnell described the Assange case as "one of the most important and significant political trials of this generation," but made clear that his party will do nothing to mobilise the immense popular support that exists for the WikiLeaks publisher.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/21/mcdd-f21.html

Global Protest Call Monday 24 Feb To Demand Freedom Of Julian Assange
BayAction2FreeAssange | indybay.org | 2020-02-21
British Consulate General | 1 Sansome Street | San Francisco, CA | Along with Belmarsh Prison, London and UK embassies and consulates around the world…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/20/18830859.php

Saudis 'intercept missiles fired from Yemen' as Pompeo tours kingdom with 'Iranian threat' show & promotes US air defenses (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-02-21
Several ballistic missiles fired from the direction of Yemen were allegedly intercepted by Saudi Arabia's air defenses, as the US secretary of state travels the country talking up the "Iranian threat" and the might of US weapons. | The missiles are said to have been launched from the direction of Yemen's capital, Sanaa and reportedly targeted an oil terminal near the city of Yanbu early on Friday morning local time, though few details about the attack have been confirmed. | "The Royal Saudi Air Defense intercepted ballistic missiles launched by the terrorist Iran-backed Houthi militia towards Saudi cities," th…
rt.com/news/481329-saudi-yemen-missiles-pompeo/

Kremlin: Claims of Russian backing for Trump in US election 'untrue' & down to 'paranoia'
rt.com | 2020-02-21
Vladimir Putin's spokesman says statements suggesting Russia plans to interfere in this year's US Presidential election "don't have anything in common with the truth." | Dmitry Peskov slammed the idea Moscow will attempt to help President Donald Trump achieve re-election as being of "paranoid character." | He was responding to US media reports which claimed US intelligence has warned politicians that Moscow is already laying the groundwork to get behind the Republican Party incumbent. | CNN, quoting its usual anonymous sources, told of a briefing where Russian readiness to use hacking, the 'weaponisation' of s…
rt.com/russia/481381-trump-us-russia-paranoia-elections/

Another 'highly likely'-style accusation: Moscow brushes aside 'evidence-free' Georgia cyberattack
rt.com | 2020-02-21
The US and its allies have claimed Russia's military intelligence defaced Georgian websites with an image of the country's former president. Moscow says the accusation is not backed by any evidence and is clearly just a PR stunt. | In late October last year, Georgia suffered what was described as the largest cyberattack in its history. Over 15,000 web pages

Don't Extradite Julian Assange Says Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-21
On 28 January the parliamentary arm of Europe's largest human rights body, the Council of Europe, passed a resolution on media freedom declaring that Julian Assange's extradition to the US "must be barred" and that he "must be promptly released". The body is made up of 327 legislatures from each of the Council's 47 members, which includes the UK.
sputniknews.com/europe/202002211078369422-dont-extradite-julian-assange-says-council-of-europes-commissioner-for-human-rights/

Hopes Low for Julian Assange's France Asylum Bid as Extradition Battle Looms
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-21
A hearing begins next week in London on whether Julian Assange should be extradited to the United States on charges of espionage. Emmanuel Macron could become the unlikely maker of Assange's destiny as the WikiLeaks founder's lawyers are going to submit a request for asylum to France.
sputniknews.com/world/202002211078370661-hopes-low-for-julian-assanges-france-asylum-bid-as-extradition-battle-looms/

Deescalation deal with Taliban on Feb. 29: Pompeo
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-21
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday announced the U.S. and Taliban had reached an agreement to "reduce violence across Afghanistan," set to be signed on Feb. 29."After decades of conflict, we have come to an understanding with the Taliban on a significant reduction in violence across Afghanistan. This is an important step on a long road to peace, and I call on all Afghans to seize this opportunity," Pompeo said on Twitter.Pompeo's announcement came onboard flight to Oman."The United States and the Taliban have been engaged in extensive talks to facilitate a political settlement to end the war in Afghani…
yenisafak.com/en/news/deescalation-deal-with-taliban-on-feb-29-pompeo-3512516

New push on cyber 'security' laws
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-21
cyber security laws Viv MileyIssue 1254 Australia privacy Bill of RightsFebruary 21, 2020Worried about online privacy? You should be. Not only are social media corporations spying on you, thanks to Austral…
greenleft.org.au/content/new-push-cyber-security-laws

Lawyers file new motion demanding release of Chelsea Manning
wsws.org | 2020-02-20
Lawyers for Manning, the courageous whistleblower who has been in prison for eleven months for refusing to testify before a secret grand jury in the case of Julian Assange, have filed a new motion in federal court demanding her release.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/20/mann-f20.html

Assange's Extradition Case: Critical Moment for the Anti-War Movement
Nozomi Hayase | zcomm.org | 2020-02-20
The US government's extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange is a critical moment for press freedom, but also for the anti-war movement…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/assanges-extradition-case-critical-moment-for-the-anti-war-movement/

Labor Party leads Australian attack on British government over Huawei
wsws.org | 2020-02-20
The line-up behind the US confrontation with China sheds further light on the persecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/20/chin-f20.html

Motion to US District Court to Release Chelsea Manning from Punitive Incarceration
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-20
Like Julian Assange, Chelsea Manning is a victim of police state injustice. | She's been imprisoned since last spring and fined $1,000 daily for invoking her constitutional right to remain silent

"Leave Our Bloke Alone": A Little Mission for Julian Assange
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-20
I think that now it is time that the government I am a part of needs to be standing up and saying to both the UK and the US: 'enough is enough, leave our bloke alone and let him come home.'

Slow Motion Murder of Julian Assange by US/UK Regimes
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-20
Assange's crucifixion is all about waging war on dissent, truth-telling on major issues, and journalism the way it's supposed to be. | It's about creeping totalitarian rule in the US, UK, and West

John McDonnell visits Julian Assange and slams his 'political persecution'
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-02-20
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell visited Julian Assange at Belmarsh Prison on Thursday. | McDonnell said of Assange's case: I think this is one of the most important and significant political trials of this generation, in fact longer. … | The way in which a person is being persecuted for political reasons, for simply exposing the truth for what went on in relation to recent wars. | And he stressed: We don't believe that extradition should be used for political purposes. And all the evidence… demonstrates that this is a political trial, and we're hoping…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2020/02/20/john-mcdonnell-visits-julian-assange-and-slams-his-political-persecution/

Pardoning Julian Assange: Donald Trump, WikiLeaks and the DNC
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-20
The central pillar to Democratic paranoia and vengefulness regarding the loss of Hillary Clinton in 2016 was the link between Russian hacking, the servers of the Democratic National Committee and the release of emails via WikiLeaks. Over time, that account …
globalresearch.ca/pardoning-julian-assange-donald-trump-wikileaks-dnc/5704145

The Supreme Court Will Decide Whether Asylum Seekers Receive Their Day in Court
Nicky Vogt | aclu.org | 2020-02-20
In March, we will be in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to defend the right to a day in court for asylum seekers and other vulnerable noncitizens. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) vs. Vijayakumar Thuraissigiam considers whether immigrants are entitled to seek judicial review of their expedited removal orders in federal court. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with our argument that the Constitution guarantees that individuals deprived of their liberty have their day in federal court. | That decision w…
aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/the-supreme-court-will-decide-whether-asylum-seekers-receive-their-day-in-court

Barrister says 'democracy at stake' in Assange trial
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-20
civil liberties Pip HinmanIssue 1254 Australia WhistleblowersFebruary 20, 2020February 24 is the first day of Wikileaks' founder Julian Assange's extradition hearing at Belmarsh Prison in London. The United States government will argue for his extradition to the US.
greenleft.org.au/content/barrister-says-democracy-stake-assange-trial

Extradition of Assange Would Set a Dangerous Precedent
Prof. Marjorie Cohn | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-19
The Trump administration is seeking extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States for trial on charges carrying 175 years in prison. On February 24, a court in the U.K. will hold a hearing to determine whether to …
globalresearch.ca/extradition-assange-would-set-dangerous-precedent/5704114

A year in jail & quarter million fine since, lawyers seek freedom for Chelsea Manning refusing to testify against WikiLeaks
rt.com | 2020-02-19
Chelsea Manning's attorney has filed a new motion requesting her release from jail, where she has been for nearly a year for continuously refusing to testify before a grand jury against WikiLeaks and Julian Assange. | Manning's incarceration has "exceeded its lawful scope" by moving from being a coercive tactic to a criminal punishment, her lawyer Moira Meltzer-Cohen said in a motion requesting her release filed on Friday. | Manning was jailed in March of 2019 for refusing to testify before a gran…
rt.com/usa/481233-chelsea-manning-wikileaks-grand-jury/

New blow to media freedom, whistleblowers
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-19
Fighting Fund civil liberties Jim McIlroyIssue 1254 Australia The Afghan Files AFP raid ABCFebruary 19, 2020Federal Court judge We…
greenleft.org.au/content/new-blow-media-freedom-whistleblowers

Selected Articles: The Truth About Assange
Global Research News | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-19
Extradition of Assange Would Set a Dangerous Precedent | By Prof. Marjorie Cohn, February 19, 2020 | The Trump administration is seeking extradition of WikiLeaks founderJulian Assange to the United States for trial on charges carrying 175 years in prison. …
globalresearch.ca/selected-articles-truth-about-assange/5704119

While demanding Assange, US refuses to extradite CIA agent who killed British teen
Alexander Rubinstein | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-18
High-ranking CIA agent Anne Sacoolas is charged with killing a teenage British citizen. While the US demands Julian Assange's extradition,…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/18/assange-us-extradite-cia-killed-british-teen/

John Pilger: It is time for Julian Assange to be saved, not betrayed
John Pilger | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-18
The truth is that Australia could have rescued Julian Assange and can still rescue him. Leaders of his homeland who have…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/17/john-pilger-julian-assange-saved-betrayed/

Journalist: Harvey Weinstein's Defense Team Is Waging a War Against the #MeToo Movement
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-18
A jury of seven men and five women meet today in New York Supreme Court to begin deliberations on whether to find disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein guilty of sexual assault. The case has drawn international attention amid the #MeToo movement. If the jurors find Weinstein guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 100 women but in this case faces five charges based on evidence relating to two main accusers. One woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, alleges she was raped by Weinstein in a New York hotel, for which he has been charged wit…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/18/irin_carmon_harvey_weinstein_trial_nyc

Protest Julian Assange's extradition
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-18
civil liberties Kerry SmithIssue 1254 Australia whistleblowerFebruary 18, 2020Australian citizen Julian Assange's extradition hearing is set to start at Belmarsh Prison, London, on February 24. | The United States government wants to extradite the journalist and whis…
greenleft.org.au/content/protest-julian-assanges-extradition

John Pilger: Julian Assange must be freed, not betrayed
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-18
civil liberties John PilgerIssue 1254 Britain Julian Assange extraditionFebruary 18, 2020On February 22, there will be a march from Australia House in London to Parliament Square, the centre of British democracy. | People will carry pictures of the Australi…
greenleft.org.au/content/john-pilger-julian-assange-must-be-freed-not-betrayed

DOJ Investigating Former CIA Director's Role in Russiagate
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2020-02-17
The Justice Department is investigating the role of John Brennan in the assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.

DOJ Investigating Former CIA Director’s Role in Russiagate

NYC Taxpayers Spending Millions on Cyber Center with Controversial Ties to Israeli Intelligence
Whitney Webb | mintpressnews.com | 2020-02-14
New York City taxpayers are on the hook for a multi-million dollar cyber center in the heart of Manhattan with deep ties to Israel's high-tech intelligence apparatus.
mintpressnews.com/cybernyc-taxpayers-millions-cyber-center-israel-ties-intelligence/264984/

Deadline Looming, Strongest Surveillance Reform Bill Yet Emerges
Neema Singh Guliani | aclu.org | 2020-02-12
Congress has just five weeks to decide the fate of key foreign | intelligence surveillance powers

Exclusive: New leaks shatter OPCW's attacks on Douma whistleblowers
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-11
Facing accusations that it issued a doctored report alleging a chemical attack in Syria, the OPCW has released an inquiry…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/11/new-leaks-shatter-opcws-attacks-douma-whistleblowers/