As Assange's trial begins, his lawyers highlight risk of extradition with CIA spying operation's 'extreme measures'
Kevin Gosztola | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-25
Assange's lawyers pointed to CIA surveillance by a Sheldon Adelson-backed private contractor and the Trump administration's public contempt for the…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/24/assanges-trial-risk-extradition-cia-spying/
Hundreds protest outside Woolwich Crown Court to demand Assange's freedom
wsws.org | 2020-02-25
Protesters were not allowed anywhere near the building, kept behind barricades and an imposing steel fence by security and police.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/25/prot-f25.html
The show trial of Julian Assange begins
wsws.org | 2020-02-25
The first day of the British court hearing yesterday to determine if WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange will be extradited to the United States left no doubt that what is taking place is a legal travesty that threatens both Assange's life and fundamental democratic rights.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/25/pers-f25.html
Assange extradition trial opens in London
wsws.org | 2020-02-25
Amid growing popular outrage over the railroading of Assange to a US prison, lawyers for the Department of Justice sought to reframe the charges against him.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/25/assa-f26.html
Rally and march in Melbourne, Australia demands freedom for Julian Assange
wsws.org | 2020-02-25
Many people in the city centre expressed support for the march as it passed, with some joining the demonstration.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/25/melb-f25.html
Julian Assange and the Imperium's Face: Day One of the Extradition Hearings
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-25
If we are to believe it, Julian Assange of WikiLeaks, the man behind showing the ugliness of power, is the one responsible for having abused it. It is a running theme in the US case against this Australian publisher, who has been given the coating of common criminality hiding the obvious point: that the mission …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/julian-assange-and-the-imperiums-face-day-one-of-the-extradition-hearings/
SF Demands Free Julian Assange & Goes Into UK Consulate Building Lobby
BACFJA | indybay.org | 2020-02-25
As part of world day of action to Free Julian Assange activists rallied in San Francisco and then briefly occupied the UK building lobby.
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/24/18831024.php
Julian Assange and the Imperium's Face: Day One of the Extradition Hearings
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-25
If we are to believe it, Julian Assange of WikiLeaks, the man behind showing the ugliness of power, is the one responsible for having abused it. It is a running theme in the US case against this Australian publisher, who …
globalresearch.ca/julian-assange-imperium-face-day-one-extradition-hearings/5704667
No Russian 2020 Election Meddling Says US Intelligence Community Official
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-25
In January 2017, days before Trump's inauguration, the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) concluded with "high confidence (that) Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election (sic)." | Weeks before the US 2016 …
globalresearch.ca/no-russian-2020-election-meddling-says-us-intelligence-community-official/5704617
Assange Hearing: Trump Was "Aware" and "Approved" of Pardon Offer, Defence Team Says
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-25
In 2017 Republican congressman Dana Rohrabacher reached out to Julian Assange to offer a pardon to the WikiLeaks publisher, if he could prove Russia wasn't involved in the DNC Leaks. Rohrabacher and US President Donald Trump have both since stated that the offer wasn't on Trump's behalf.
sputniknews.com/uk/202002251078395679-assange-hearing-trump-was-aware-and-approved-of-pardon-offer/
Sides in US Politics Resort to 'Russian Factor' Every Time They Lack Arguments – Russian Deputy FM
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-25
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump stated during his visit to India that American intelligence agencies have not briefed him on any information regarding alleged meddling attempts by Russia in the 2020 presidential election.
sputniknews.com/world/202002251078401770-sides-in-us-politics-resort-to-russian-factor-every-time-they-lack-arguments—russian-deputy-fm/
Trump: Intelligence Never Told Me About 'Russian Interference' in 2020 Elections
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-25
Earlier, US media reported that the country's intelligence community had informed some American lawmakers about alleged attempts by Russia to meddle in the 2020 presidential election, despite Moscow on numerous occasions denying such interference in US domestic affairs.
sputniknews.com/us/202002251078400805-trump-intelligence-never-told-me-about-russian-interference-in-2020-elections/
Julian Assange supporters protest outside court ahead of extradition hearing
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-02-24
Supporters of Julian Assange have gathered outside court as the WikiLeaks founder begins his fight against extradition to the US, where he is accused of helping to leak hundreds of thousands of classified documents.Demonstrators, including Assange's father John Shipton, arrived at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, with some holding placards calling for his immediate release.Some said they had arrived as early as 6am, with signs reading: "Don't shoot the messenger, free Assange" and "Free Julian Assange, Nobel Peace Prize nominee". Tents were erected on nearby grass.John Shipton, the father of Julian Assange, speaks…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2020/02/24/julian-assange-supporters-protest-outside-court-ahead-of-extradition-hearing/
Assange's Trial for U.S. Extradition Begins in London
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-24
The first day of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's legal battle to prevent his extradition to the United States began on Monday amid strong social protests in support of the Australian journalist. | RELATED: | Jailed Wikileaks Founder Assange's Health Improving: Spokesman | The case for Assange's extradition to the U.S. was opened at Woolwich Crown Court in southeast London as the sound of protest was heard in the distance. The slogans "Free Julian Assange", "Journalism is not…
telesurenglish.net/news/assanges-trial-for-us-extradition-begins-in-london-20200224-0002.html
Assange Extradition Hearing Opens with Scathing Condemnation by Mainstream Media
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-02-24
The extradition trial of Julian Assange began with the prosecution reading out a damning statement from five leading mainstream media organizations that once partnered with Wikileaks.
mintpressnews.com/assange-extradition-trail-condemnation-media/265167/
The U.S. Is the World Leader of Bio-Weapons Research, Production, and Use Against Mankind
Gary D. Barnett | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-24
Those that prevent disease and expose virus creation are heroic, but those that create and purposely spread disease and virus are inhuman. Given the history of the United States government and its military industrial complex concerning biological and germ warfare, …
globalresearch.ca/u-s-world-leader-bio-weapons-research-production-use-against-mankind/5704548
At least they'll have an off switch: Pentagon adopts 'AI Ethical Principles' for its killer robots
rt.com | 2020-02-24
As the United States looks to develop artificial intelligence weapons to keep up with Russia and China, the Pentagon has adopted a set of guidelines that it says will keep its killer androids under human control. | The Department of Defense adopted a set of "Ethical Principles for Artificial Intelligence" on Monday, following the recommendations by the Defense Innovation Board last October. | "AI technology will change much about the battlefield of the future, but nothing will change America's steadfast commitment to responsible and lawful behavior," Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in a statement. | Also on…
rt.com/usa/481586-pentagon-ai-robots-ethics/
Bolivia: Anatomy of a CIA Coup
Hugo Turner | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-24
Last November a horrifying coup took place overthrowing the socialist government of Bolivia and the nation's first indigenous president Evo Morales. It was a textbook example of a CIA coup recalling the dark days of Operation Condor when the | …
globalresearch.ca/bolivia-anatomy-cia-coup/5704575
From Being Tortured in Sri Lanka to the U.S. Supreme Court
Ashoka Mukpo | aclu.org | 2020-02-24
On a frigid day in early February, Vijayakumar Thuraissigiam | stands under an awning on a street corner in lower Manhattan along with one of | his attorneys, Celso Perez of the ACLU. Both are bundled in heavy winter | jackets. Perez is holding his phone up and squinting as he concentrates on the | tinny voice of a translator emanating from its speaker. | "I want them to be aware that you're traveling," Perez says | into the phone. | The voice on the other line translates what Perez said into | Tamil, the native language of Sri Lanka's largest ethnic minority. Thuraissigiam, | heavyset in his late 40s with a…
aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/from-being-tortured-in-sri-lanka-to-the-u-s-supreme-court
As Hearing Begins, Rights Groups Warn Extraditing Assange to US Would Deal 'Body Blow to Press Freedom'
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-02-24
Press freedom advocates slammed the U.S. over its pending espionage charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange Monday, as the first phase of Assange's extradition trial began in London. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-12083616281.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2020/02/24/hearing-begins-rights-groups-warn-extraditing-assange-us-would-deal-body-blow-press?cd-origin=rss
Julian Assange "Stop Extradition Protest" in London
acTVism Munich | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-23
This video documents the protest that took place in London on the 22nd of February 2020 to stop the extradition of Julian Assange. This protest was organised by the "Don't Extradite Assange Campaign." | CORRECTION IN VIDEO AT 00: 14: " … and 1 count of conspiracy 'to commit computer intrusion.'"
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/julian-assange-stop-extradition-protest-in-london/
Trudeau's Demand: "the barricades must come down"
Kim Petersen | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-23
Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau has called the imbroglio between the Wet'suwet'en nation and Canada a matter to be decided by the rule of law.1 However, the Wet'suwet'en have refused to back down and have defied the British Columbia Supreme Court injunction allowing pipeline work to continue. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were sent …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/trudeaus-demand-the-barricades-must-come-down/
Bid to free Manning launched as explosive new evidence threatens to end Assange extradition
Tom Coburg | thecanary.co | 2020-02-22
Lawyers acting on behalf of imprisoned whistleblower Chelsea Manning have lodged a motion, arguing for her release. This comes as WikiLeaks tweeted that Julian Assange's lawyers intend to produce 'bombshell' evidence at next week's extradition hearing. | Meanwhile, more evidence has emerged to further the argument that the extradition hearings should end on th…
thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2020/02/22/bid-to-free-manning-launched-as-explosive-new-evidence-threatens-to-end-assange-extradition/
How Bernie Sanders Will Destroy the Deep State if He Becomes President
Eric Zuesse | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-22
Joe Lauria at Consortium News headlined on February 21st, "Apparent US Intel Meddling in US Election With 'Report' Russia is Aiding Sanders", and he noted that, If the story is true and if intelligence agencies are truly committed to protecting U.S. citizens, the Sanders campaign would have been quietly informed and shown evidence to back …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/how-bernie-sanders-will-destroy-the-deep-state-if-he-becomes-president/
'Totally sane': Dems can't make up their minds about who is a supposed 'Russian agent'. Trump? Bernie? Or… both?
rt.com | 2020-02-22
Former presidential candidate Eric Swalwell performed mental gymnastics on CNN to defend Bernie Sanders over alleged help from Russia, claiming Moscow does it in order to help its 'agent' Donald Trump. | The Democrats' overuse of Russian collusion conspiracy theories appears to be collapsing in on itself. First Trump supposedly worked with the country to meddle in the 2016 presidential election
New push on cyber 'security' laws
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-21
civil liberties 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 Australia's dra…
greenleft.org.au/content/new-push-cyber-security-laws
"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.'
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
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
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/
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
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.