2020-09-27: News Headlines

Binoy Kampmark (2020-09-27). Assange's Fourteenth Day at the Old Bailey: Elections, Cracking Passwords and Failures of Proof. dissidentvoice.org September 25. Central Criminal Court, London. On this Friday, the Assange trial moved into the rarefied realm of computer hacking and the less than rarefied world of when final arguments will be made. The WikiLeaks publisher is confronting the prospect of extradition to the United States for 17 charges under the US Espionage Act and …

Tom Coburg (2020-09-27). Assange extradition court hears explosive testimonies that undermine US indictment and provide grounds for dismissal. thecanary.co Week three of the hearings at the Old Bailey for Other testimonies may form the basis by which the US extradition request could be dismissed. | No Assange-Manning conspiracy: | Compute…

sputniknews (2020-09-27). Democrats Rip Into Judge Barrett's Supreme Court Nomination. sputniknews.com The intention by US President Donald Trump to fill in the vacancy in the Supreme Court opened after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last week drew harsh condemnation from Democrats, who insist that the vacancy should not be filled until after the US presidential election.

sputniknews (2020-09-27). Senate Judiciary Committee Reveals Amy Barrett Confirmation Hearing Details. sputniknews.com Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump announced Amy Barrett as his Supreme Court nomination pick, in a move to fill the vacancy opened by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

sputniknews (2020-09-27). NYC 'Under Assault Like Never Before': CIA Insider Claims China Has Over 100 Spies Operating in City. sputniknews.com In the wake of last Monday's arrest of a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer charged with spying for Beijing, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a New York Post interview on Wednesday accused the Chinese consulate in NYC of "crossing the line from normal diplomacy", describing the embassy as an espionage hot spot on US soil.

Alan MacLeod (2020-09-26). Julian Assange: Press Shows Little Interest in Media 'Trial of Century'. commondreams.org Protestors wear "#FREEASSANGE" face masks outside Belmarsh prison prior to Julian Assange's extradition hearing on February 24, 2020 in London. (Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/trial-of-century-ignored-media.jpg

_____ (2020-09-26). Assange Hearing: Judge Grants Defense Four Weeks To Prepare Final Argument. popularresistance.org 5: 49 am EDT: Judge Vanessa Baraitser has granted the defense four weeks to prepare it closing argument, saying that her decision would come after the Nov. 4 U.S. election one way or the other. She had been previously reluctant to give more than a week to the defense. | Baraitser set the date of final arguments for Nov. 16. Fitzgerald had told the judge that: | "It seems unlikely for you to make a judgement before Nov. 3 and you would have to bear in mind that the future is uncertain. Much of what we say about Trump is because this proceeding was initiated by Trump,….and some elements of the case would be worse…

WSWS (2020-09-26). Decision on Assange's extradition set for next year. wsws.org Accepting the defence's argument that any dramatic change in the facts surrounding the case before November 13 would have to be taken into account, Baraitser asked, "What impact on your case, say you, will the American elections have?"

Progressive International (2020-09-26). "We demand the immediate release of Julian Assange" zcomm.org PI Council Members support the freedom of Julian Assange against the unlawful and dangerous extradition trial against him currently taking place in London.

John Pilger (2020-09-26). The Extradition Trial of Julian Assange. zcomm.org The whole principle of the right to be free journalists is at stake…

_____ (2020-09-26). Leaked Docs Expose Massive Syria Propaganda Operation Waged by Western Govt Contractors and Media. strategic-culture.org Western government-funded intelligence cutouts trained Syrian opposition leaders, planted stories in media outlets from BBC to Al Jazeera, and ran a cadre of journalists. A trove of leaked documents exposes the propaganda network. | Ben NORTON | Leaked documents show how UK government contractors developed an advanced infrastructure of propaganda to stimulate support in the West for Syria's political and armed opposition. | Virtually every aspect of the Syrian opposition was cultivated and marketed by Western government-backed public relations firms, from their political narratives to their branding, from what th…

RT (2020-09-26). 'I'm deleting Twitter': Morning Joe shares 'deceptively edited' video clip of Amy Coney Barrett, runs with tail between his legs. rt.com 'Morning Joe' host Joe Scarborough has vowed to "delete Twitter" from his phone after being accused of "lying" for sharing a debunked clip of potential Supreme Court Justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett. | In a now-deleted tweet, Scarborough shared a clip of Barrett appearing to suggest that she opposed nominating Supreme Court judges in a presidential election year for fear they may "flip the balance of the court." Barrett made the comments in question after Barack Obama had nominated Merrick Garland to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. | "Amy Coney Barrett opposed Merrick Garland…

Staff (2020-09-26). Reports: Trump to name Judge Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court. therealnews.com Barrett, a hardline conservative, could be instrumental in deciding who wins the 2020 election, and could vote to end Roe v. Wade, the Affordable Care Act, protections for the LGBTQ community, unions, and legislation required to fight climate change.

Staff (2020-09-26). Trump to nominate Judge Amy Coney Barrett so Supreme Court will hand him the election. therealnews.com Barrett, a hardline conservative, could be instrumental in deciding who wins the 2020 election, and could vote to end Roe v. Wade, the Affordable Care Act, protections for the LGBTQ community, unions, and legislation required to fight climate change.

sputniknews (2020-09-26). Trump Announces Amy Barrett as His Supreme Court Nomination Pick. sputniknews.com A vacancy in the US Supreme Court opened following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last week at the age of 87. US President Donald Trump has been eager to fill the vacancy before the presidential election, a desire met with criticism by Democrats.

sputniknews (2020-09-26). 'She's a F***ing Nut': Bill Maher Rips Trump's Likely SCOTUS Pick Barrett. sputniknews.com Earlier, reports emerged suggesting that US President Donald Trump would be nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett, of the US Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, to fill the seat of late Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

commondreams (2020-09-26). Muslim Advocates: Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court Nomination Threatens Democracy. commondreams.org ______________________________…

commondreams (2020-09-26). Popular Democracy PAC Denounces Trump's Supreme Court Nomination. commondreams.org ______________________________…

commondreams (2020-09-26). NEA: Americans Deserve a Voice in Selection of Next Supreme Court Justice. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Penny M. Venetis (2020-09-26). Ginsburg's Legal Victories for Women Led to Landmark Anti-Discrimination Rulings for the LGBTQ Community, Too. commondreams.org An RBG flag is flown in front of the U.S. Supreme Court for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg September 21, 2020 in Washington, D.C. Justice Ginsburg died Sept. 18 from complications of pancreatic cancer at the age of 87. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/rbg-women-lgbtq.jpg

commondreams (2020-09-26). National Abortion Federation (NAF) on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. commondreams.org ______________________________…

Abdul Rahman (2020-09-26). Diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks helped CIA torture victim get justice. peoplesdispatch.org Wikileaks strengthened the case of Khalid El-Masri in the European Human Rights Court which handed first ever punishment to CIA operatives involved in rendition in 2012.

yenisafak (2020-09-26). Erdogan says Turkey's Teknofest will foster innovations. yenisafak.com Groundbreaking innovations, from artificial intelligence (AI) to blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT), will take root and grow at Teknofest, Turkey's biggest aerospace and technology event, the nation's president said on Saturday.Teknofest is a place for young people who want to show their abilities in technological fields such as rockets, robotic, and aerospace, Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed at the event, held in the southeastern metropolis of Gaziantep.Technology's most important capital is productive brains, and Turkey needs successful young people to reach its goals, he added.He also said that while in…

Craig Murray (2020-09-25). Your Man in the Public Gallery: Assange Hearing Day 16. globalresearch.ca On Wednesday the trap sprang shut, as Judge Baraitser insisted the witnesses must finish next week, and that no time would be permitted for preparation of closing arguments, which must be heard the immediate following Monday. This brought the closest …

Peoples Dispatch (2020-09-25). US computer forensics expert tear apart hacking conspiracy charge against Assange. peoplesdispatch.org Patrick Eller, who worked as a digital forensics expert for the US government, has pointed out Chelsea Manning's prosecution failed to find any proof of Assange's involvement…

Derek Royden (2020-09-25). The (flawed) case against Julian Assange. nationofchange.org The many mainstream journalists cheering on his extradition may come to regret in the future when the American government comes for them or their sources.

Binoy Kampmark (2020-09-25). Assange on Trial: Mental Health, Managed Risk and Publication Chronologies. counterpunch.org The lion's share of today's Old Bailey proceedings in Julian Assange's extradition trial was spent on battles over mental health and dire risk. The prosecution continued its attempt to minimise the dangers facing Assange were he to be extradited to the United States for 17 charges under the US Espionage Act and one under the

Binoy Kampmark (2020-09-25). Assange's Thirteenth Day at the Old Bailey: Mental Health, Managed Risk and Publication Chronologies. dissidentvoice.org September 24. Central Criminal Court, London. The lion's share of today's Old Bailey proceedings in Julian Assange's extradition trial was spent on battles over mental health and dire risk. The prosecution continued its attempt to minimise the dangers facing Assange were he to be extradited to the United States for 17 charges under the US …

_____ (2020-09-25). Report, Thursday, September 24: Julian Assange. popularresistance.org During the hearing of medical evidence the last three days, the British government has been caught twice directly telling important lies about events in Belmarsh prison, each lie proven by documentary evidence. The common factor has been the medical records kept by Dr Daly, head of the jail's medical services. There has also been, to put it at its very lightest, one apparent misrepresentation by Dr Daly. Personally, I am wary of the kind of person who impresses Ross Kemp. This is Mr Kemp's description of the medical wing at Belmarsh: "Security is on another level here with six times more staff per inmate than the…

_____ (2020-09-25). Pompeo Calls For Overthrow Of Venezuelan Government. popularresistance.org Guyana – United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promised millions of dollars to Venezuelan exiles in neighbouring Guyana as he made it clear that Friday's visit was linked to Washington's bid to overthrow the Bolivarian government. | Stopping off on a speedy Latin American tour, he gave $5 million ( £3.87m) to "assist" Venezuelans who have fled the country in a donation believed to be a cash boost to opponents of the democratically elected President Nicolas Maduro.

W. T. Whitney, Jr. (2020-09-25). Colombia/U.S. Axis: Hitting at Venezuela. mronline.org Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Colombian President Ivan Duque, meeting in Bogota on September 20, talked about "managing the COVID-19 response … narcotraffickers … and [President] Maduro's illegitimate regime," according to the State Department.

W. T. Whitney (2020-09-25). Hitting at Venezuela: the Colombia/US Axis. counterpunch.org Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Colombian President Ivan Duque, meeting in Bogota on September 20, talked about "managing the COVID-19 response … narcotraffickers … and [President] Maduro's illegitimate regime," according to the State Department. A Cuban observer insists they explored "when to begin military actions and sabotage in Venezuela." Elliott Abrams, the White House

W. T. Whitney Jr. (2020-09-25). Colombia-U.S. Axis: Hitting at Venezuela. peoplesworld.org Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Colombian President Ivan Duque, meeting in Bogota on Sept. 20, talked about "managing the COVID-19 response … narcotraffickers … and [President] Maduro's illegitimate regime," according to the State Department. A Cuban observer insists they explored "when to begin military actions and sabotage in Venezuela." Elliott Abrams, the White House …

Mark Gruenberg (2020-09-25). Trump wants the Supreme Court, not the people, to decide the election. peoplesworld.org WASHINGTON —When the U.S. Supreme Court opens its new term on the first Monday in October, the symbol of its most important looming development will not be an individual case but an empty chair draped in black. The chair belonged to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the longtime crusader for women's rights, workers' rights, …

Staff (2020-09-25). Representative for whistleblower in ICE detention centers sterilization case talks. therealnews.com Transcript: | Dawn Wooten: I became a whistleblower. Now I'm a target. But I'll take a target any day to do what's right and just, than sit and be a part of what's inhumane. | Eddie Conway: Nurse Dawn Wooten has emerged as a whistleblower in the state of Georgia after she reported in the ICE detention centers, some of them are privately owned. They had been sterilizing women for any reason whatsoever. | Speaker 3: You talk about, in the complaint, hearing from women who are detained there talking about a specific doctor performing hysterectomies, referring to him as a "uterus collector." Tell us about how y…

MEE correspondent (2020-09-25). Egypt sees 'day of rage' as thousands protest against Sisi across the country. middleeasteye.net Egypt sees 'day of rage' as thousands protest against Sisi across the country | Protests called by whistleblower Mohamed Ali have mostly taken place in villages due to the government's relentless crackdown on dissent | Fri, 09/25/2020 – 14: 30 | "Don't be afraid to say it: Sisi must go" is a chant used by the protesters who rose against the country's president since Sunday (Twitter) | P…

Staff (2020-09-25). Progressives have to take back the Supreme Court. therealnews.com Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby discusses Justice Ginsburg's legacy and the battle for the future of the Supreme Court under the Trump presidency.

_____ (2020-09-25). Scheer Intelligence: Justice Ginsburg's Life And Legacy. popularresistance.org The documentary filmmakers discuss their film "RBG" on the life and career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. While Justice Ginsburg did not grant access to filmmakers Betsy West and Julie Cohen right away, eventually she allowed them an intimate look at her life and her career-long fight for equal rights. West and Cohen tell host Robert Scheer that Ginsburg has embraced her recent emergence as a pop culture icon because she believes it is an opportunity to reach a younger generation.

Chris Winters (2020-09-25). A new Supreme Court nominee before the election may spark a crisis of legitimacy. nationofchange.org If the institutions of government are deemed illegitimate, preserving democracy may well be left to the people demanding justice.

_____ (2020-09-25). Is Steven Bannon Still Advising Trump? U.S. President Leads the Country Into Dangerous Waters With Latest Iran Move. strategic-culture.org Trump looks at the reporter and an opaque gaze of confusion and vulnerability takes over his face as he mutters that he didn't know Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the U.S. Supreme Court's iconic feminist, had passed away. Many of us were left wondering if anyone is actually advising The Donald on anything. Shouldn't the U.S. president have smart people around him keeping him informed of current affairs? Or world affairs? | This is not the first time that Trump has been blind-sided by a seismic news event. But it gives us a reminder that if he had any advisers on policy when he took office, that we now have a president in t…

Vanita Gupta (2020-09-25). Trump and McConnell Refuse to Help Millions Amid Pandemic, But Stop at Nothing for Supreme Court Power Grab. commondreams.org The Senate's dereliction of duty to the people in this country is reprehensible. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/supremecourt.jpg

Brett Wilkins, staff writer (2020-09-25). 'Time to Standardize and Democratize the Supreme Court': Ro Khanna Introduces Bill for Justice Term-Limits of 18 Years. commondreams.org "We can't face a national crisis every time a vacancy occurs on the Supreme Court," says the California Democrat. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/khanna_dccc_0.jpg

Helen Christophi (2020-09-25). The State of Idaho Is Still Targeting People for Sodomy. progressive.org Seventeen years after the U.S. Supreme Court held that laws banning same-sex activity were unconstitutional, the ACLU is fighting Idaho's anti-LGBTQ+ sodomy law.

Robert L. Borosage (2020-09-25). It's Not Just the Supreme Court That's at Stake. thenation.com It's Not Just the Supreme Court That's at Stake…

_____ (2020-09-24). Report, Wednesday, September 23: Julian Assange. popularresistance.org On Wednesday the trap sprang shut, as Judge Baraitser insisted the witnesses must finish next week, and that no time would be permitted for preparation of closing arguments, which must be heard the immediate following Monday. This brought the closest the defence have come to a protest, with the defence pointing out they have still not addressed the new superseding indictment, and that the judge refused their request for an adjournment before witness hearings started, to give them time to do so.

Binoy Kampmark (2020-09-24). Assange's Twelfth Day at the Old Bailey: Autism, Suicide and Prisons. dissidentvoice.org September 23. Central Criminal Court, London. Following the script sheet of the previous day, the non sequitur, pop medical view of the prosecution was again in sharp evidence at the Old Bailey. In an effort to make the road for Julian Assange's extradition to the United States for 17 charges under the US Espionage Act …

Craig Murray (2020-09-24). Your Man in the Public Gallery: Assange Hearing Day 15. globalresearch.ca When Daniel Ellsberg released the Pentagon Papers, the US Government

Binoy Kampmark (2020-09-24). Assange on Trial: Suicide, Hallucinations and Psychological Torture. counterpunch.org Day 11. Central Criminal Court, London. The prosecutors in the Julian Assange case did their show trial predecessors from other legal traditions proud. The ghosts of such figures as Soviet state prosecutor Andrey Vyshinsky, would have approved of the line of questioning taken by James Lewis QC: suggest that Assange, accused of 17 counts of

Chris Hedges (2020-09-24). Chris Hedges: The Cost of Resistance. mintpressnews.com Princeton, New Jersey (

_____ (2020-09-24). The US Is Using The Guardian To Justify Jailing Assange For Life. popularresistance.org Julian Assange is not on trial simply for his liberty and his life. He is fighting for the right of every journalist to do hard-hitting investigative journalism without fear of arrest and extradition to the United States. Assange faces 175 years in a US super-max prison on the basis of claims by Donald Trump's administration that his exposure of US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan amounts to "espionage". | The charges against Assange rewrite the meaning of "espionage" in unmistakably dangerous ways. Publishing evidence of state crimes, as Assange's Wikileaks organisation has done, is covered by both free speech…