Daily Archives: February 17, 2020

2020-02-17: News Headlines

RT (2020-02-17). WikiLeaks demands answers as Twitter account LOCKED ahead of Assange extradition hearing. rt.com WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson is seeking answers after the publisher's official account was mysteriously locked, ahead of an extradition hearing for founder Julian Assange, who faces life in a US jail (or worse). | Hrafnsson claimed the @wikileaks Twitter account had been locked "shortly before Assange extradition hearing" and for no apparent reason, in a post from his personal account on Monday. Lamenting he had been unable to "reach a human at Twitter" for answers, Hrafnsson tagged both the platform's tech support and CEO Jack Dorsey. | WikiLeaks twitter account has been locked, shortly before…

RT (2020-02-17). 'Conscience-free journalism is great career choice': Guardian mocked over failure to mention Assange in 'press freedom' article. rt.com The Guardian newspaper has been mercilessly ridiculed on social media after it failed to highlight the plight of journalist Julian Assange in a piece on Amal Clooney's plans to "combat media repression globally." | The outlet's diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour published an Clooney, who represented the WikiLeaks co-fou…

RT (2020-02-17). China says US is an 'EMPIRE OF HACKERS,' mocks cyber-accusations in wake of Crypto AG scandal. rt.com Washington accusing other states of leading cyberwarfare against the US is like "a thief crying 'stop, thief!'" Beijing said, reacting to revelations the CIA used Swiss cryptography firm Crypto AG to spy on hundreds of countries. | The US government has "conducted large-scale, organized and indiscriminate cyber theft, tapping and surveillance on foreign governments, businesses and individuals, a fact already well-known to all," China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a daily briefing in Beijing. | These spying activities, which violate international law and undermine trust between…

WSWS (2020-02-17). Australian media maintains an unconscionable blackout on the case of Julian Assange. wsws.org Meetings should be convened by the staff of every media organisation and resolutions adopted opposing Assange's extradition and insisting that his case is accurately and honestly reported.

Staff (2020-02-17). Extradition of Assange Would Set a Dangerous Precedent. truthout.org 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 grant Trump's request. The treaty between the U.S. and the U.K. prohibits extradition for a "political offense." Assange was indicted for exposing U.S. war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. That is a classic political offense. Moreover, Assange's extradition would violate the legal pr…

Andrew Korybko (2020-02-17). Munich Security Conference 2020: Wang Yi vs. Mike Pompeo. globalresearch.ca The Chinese Foreign Minister and American Secretary of State shared contrasting visions of International Relations during their keynotes speeches at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend. | Mike Pompeo preached that " …

Dr. Binoy Kampmark (2020-02-17). Intelligence Spats: Australia, Britain and Huawei. globalresearch.ca A note of fraternal tension has been registered between the United Kingdom and Australia. It began with Britain's decision to permit China's technology giant Huawei a role in the construction of the country's 5G network. While the decision is qualified …

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

sputniknews (2020-02-17). 'Empire of Hackers': China Calls US World's Biggest Cyberspy Amid Technology Theft Battle. sputniknews.com Last week, media revealed that US and West German intelligence secretly owned the world's leading private manufacturer of encryption devices during the Cold War, with the CIA and NSA having direct access to the secrets of over 120 countries. Meanwhile, Washington has launched a fresh battle against Chinese companies accused of industrial espionage.

Nozomi Hayase (2020-02-16). Assange's Extradition Case: Critical Moment for the Anti-War Movement. commondreams.org Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange protest outside the UK Home Office building on 05 November, 2019 in London, England. (Photo/Wiktor Szymanowicz/Barcroft Media via Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/free-julian_assange-955px.jpg

The Canary (2020-02-15). Johnson under pressure from key allies over Huawei access to UK 5G network. thecanary.co Boris Johnson is coming under renewed pressure from key British allies over his controversial decision to give Chinese tech giant Huawei a role in building the UK's 5G network.A delegation of senior US officials — including Donald Trump's acting chief of staff — are set to fly to London to raise their concerns directly with the Prime Minister, according to the Daily Telegraph.Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that MPs on Australia's intelligence and security committee have pulled out of a visit to the UK next month following a diplomatic row with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.Mick Mulvaney,…

teleSUR (2020-02-15). 'The West Is Winning' Pompeo Says at the Munich Conference. telesurenglish.net During the Munich Security Conference (MSC), the RELATED: | "The West is winning, we are collectively winning, we are doing it together," Pompeo said and added that th…

WSWS (2020-02-15). Trump administration's national counterintelligence strategy focuses on "hacktivists, leaktivists and public disclosure organizations" wsws.org A major assault on First Amendment rights of free speech and freedom of the press is being prepared.

WSWS (2020-02-15). Alleged WikiLeaks whistleblower Joshua Schulte on trial in New York. wsws.org The court hearings, over the Vault 7 leaks exposing mass CIA spying and hacking operations, have been subjected to a near total media blackout.

teleSUR (2020-02-15). Canada: The Wetsuweten Keep Resisting Amid Police Violence. telesurenglish.net Canadian Police's snipers and armored vehicles entered the territory of the Wetsuweten to suppress their protests against the construction of a pipeline harmful to the environment. | RELATED: | The Indigenous authorities did not give their consent for a project that will have a significant impact on the environment and the way of life of their people. | Nevertheless, the Canadian Supreme Court decided that the TransCanada company pipeline must be bu…

Whitney Webb (2020-02-14). NYC Taxpayers Spending Millions on Cyber Center with Controversial Ties to Israeli Intelligence. mintpressnews.com 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.

RT (2020-02-14). Barr assigns outside prosecutor to review Russiagate's Michael Flynn's case — report. rt.com General Michael Flynn seems to be getting a lifeline from the attorney general following his claim that prosecutors in the Mueller investigation "concocted the alleged false statements" he was accused of making. | Attorney General William Barr has assigned an outside prosecutor to examine the criminal case against US President Donald Trump's former national security advisor, according to a report from the New York Times. | St. Louis prosecutor Jeff Jenson is heading the team reexamining the Justice Department's case against Flynn. The second look at Flynn's case is part of a larger probe by Barr to go over pol…

Media Lens (2020-02-14). UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Demolishes Fake Claims Targeting Julian Assange. dissidentvoice.org On the face of it, the task seems almost hopeless. As Tolstoy wrote: 'The power of the government is maintained by public opinion, and with this power the government, by means of its organs — its officials, law courts, schools, churches, even the press — can always maintain the public opinion which they need.' (Leo …

Neema Singh Guliani (2020-02-12). Deadline Looming, Strongest Surveillance Reform Bill Yet Emerges. aclu.org Congress has just five weeks to decide the fate of key foreign | intelligence surveillance powers — forcing a showdown between surveillance | reformers and defenders. And now, a group of Republicans and Democrats have | unveiled the strongest comprehensive reform proposal that we have seen | yet. | The Safeguarding Americans' Private Records Act of 2020, introduced by a

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

Alexander Rubinstein (2020-02-08). Media darling Pete Buttigieg was in unit that worked with the CIA in Afghanistan. thegrayzone.com While Buttigieg's campaign denies allegations he was a CIA asset, military records reveal Mayor Pete was in a unit that…

Ashley Gorski (2020-02-05). The Government is Using its Foreign Intelligence Spying Powers for Routine Domestic Investigations. aclu.org More than forty years ago, Congress | gave the executive branch a set of exceptional surveillance powers to pursue | foreign spies on U.S. soil. Now, the government is increasingly relying on those | powers to advance ordinary domestic criminal investigations. | In United States v. | Osseily, a fraud prosecution in California, the government appears to have used | this surveillance — which is conducted under the Foreign Intelligence | Surveillance Act (FISA) — to a longtime perm…

CounterSpin (2020-01-17). Chip Gibbons on FBI vs. 1st Amendment. fair.org Media…

2020-02-17: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

Extradition of Assange Would Set a Dangerous Precedent
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-02-17
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 grant Trump's request. The treaty between the U.S. and the U.K. prohibits extradition for a "political offense." Assange was indicted for exposing U.S. war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. That is a classic political offense. Moreover, Assange's extradition would violate the legal pr…
truthout.org/articles/extradition-of-assange-would-set-a-dangerous-precedent/

Australian media maintains an unconscionable blackout on the case of Julian Assange
wsws.org | 2020-02-17
Meetings should be convened by the staff of every media organisation and resolutions adopted opposing Assange's extradition and insisting that his case is accurately and honestly reported.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/17/auas-f17.html

'Conscience-free journalism is great career choice': Guardian mocked over failure to mention Assange in 'press freedom' article
rt.com | 2020-02-17
The Guardian newspaper has been mercilessly ridiculed on social media after it failed to highlight the plight of journalist Julian Assange in a piece on Amal Clooney's plans to "combat media repression globally." | The outlet's diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour published an article on Monday focused on the 'Report on the Use of Targeted Sanctions to Protect Journalists,' a document drafted by prominent human rights barrister, Amal Clooney. | Clooney, who represented the WikiLeaks co-fou…
rt.com/uk/481019-assange-guardian-press-freedom/

'Conscience-free journalism is great career choice': Guardian mocked over failure to mention Assange in 'press freedom' article
rt.com | 2020-02-17
The Guardian newspaper has been mercilessly ridiculed on social media after it failed to highlight the plight of journalist Julian Assange in a piece on Amal Clooney's plans to "combat media repression globally." | The outlet's diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour published an article on Monday focused on the 'Report on the Use of Targeted Sanctions to Protect Journalists,' a document drafted by prominent human rights barrister, Amal Clooney. | Clooney, who represented the WikiLeaks co-fou…
rt.com/uk/481019-assange-guardian-press-freedom/

WikiLeaks demands answers as Twitter account LOCKED ahead of Assange extradition hearing
rt.com | 2020-02-17
WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson is seeking answers after the publisher's official account was mysteriously locked, ahead of an extradition hearing for founder Julian Assange, who faces life in a US jail (or worse). | Hrafnsson claimed the @wikileaks Twitter account had been locked "shortly before Assange extradition hearing" and for no apparent reason, in a post from his personal account on Monday. Lamenting he had been unable to "reach a human at Twitter" for answers, Hrafnsson tagged both the platform's tech support and CEO Jack Dorsey. | WikiLeaks twitter account has been locked, shortly before…
rt.com/news/481049-wikileaks-locked-twitter-extradition-assange/

Munich Conference: EU needs to Have More "Appetite for Power"
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-17
The Munich Security Conference closed on Sunday with a call for the European Union to work more closely together and to have more power of decision and action in international conflict management, in a context marked by differences between the EU and the United States. | RELATED: | 'The West Is Winning' Pompeo Says at the Munich Conference | In this polarised world, Europe must "learn to speak the language of power," said the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrel…
telesurenglish.net/news/munich-conference-eu-needs-to-have-more-appetite-for-power-20200217-0005.html

Munich Security Conference 2020: Wang Yi vs. Mike Pompeo
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-17
The Chinese Foreign Minister and American Secretary of State shared contrasting visions of International Relations during their keynotes speeches at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend. | Mike Pompeo preached that " the West is winning", and by the | …
globalresearch.ca/munich-security-conference-2020-wang-yi-mike-pompeo/5703925

Intelligence Spats: Australia, Britain and Huawei
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-17
A note of fraternal tension has been registered between the United Kingdom and Australia. It began with Britain's decision to permit China's technology giant Huawei a role in the construction of the country's 5G network. While the decision is qualified …
globalresearch.ca/intelligence-spats-australia-britain-huawei/5703806

China says US is an 'EMPIRE OF HACKERS,' mocks cyber-accusations in wake of Crypto AG scandal
rt.com | 2020-02-17
Washington accusing other states of leading cyberwarfare against the US is like "a thief crying 'stop, thief!'" Beijing said, reacting to revelations the CIA used Swiss cryptography firm Crypto AG to spy on hundreds of countries. | The US government has "conducted large-scale, organized and indiscriminate cyber theft, tapping and surveillance on foreign governments, businesses and individuals, a fact already well-known to all," China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a daily briefing in Beijing. | These spying activities, which violate international law and undermine trust between…
rt.com/news/481055-china-us-hackers-cia/

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

'Empire of Hackers': China Calls US World's Biggest Cyberspy Amid Technology Theft Battle
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-17
Last week, media revealed that US and West German intelligence secretly owned the world's leading private manufacturer of encryption devices during the Cold War, with the CIA and NSA having direct access to the secrets of over 120 countries. Meanwhile, Washington has launched a fresh battle against Chinese companies accused of industrial espionage.
sputniknews.com/world/202002171078335179-empire-of-hackers-china-calls-us-worlds-biggest-cyberspy-amid-technology-theft-battle/

Assange's Extradition Case: Critical Moment for the Anti-War Movement
Nozomi Hayase | commondreams.org | 2020-02-16
Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange protest outside the UK Home Office building on 05 November, 2019 in London, England. (Photo/Wiktor Szymanowicz/Barcroft Media via Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/free-julian_assange-955px.jpg
commondreams.org/views/2020/02/16/assanges-extradition-case-critical-moment-anti-war-movement?cd-origin=rss

US Sanctions Policy On Iran Has Failed: President Rouhani
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-16
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed Sunday that the policy of "maximum pressure" exercised by the United States on Iran has failed and that all the economic indicators of the Islamic republic show that the Iranians have overcome the worst phase of that policy. | RELATED: | 'The West Is Winning' Pompeo Says at the Munich Conference | "The U.S. has concluded that the path they have chosen to deal with Iran has been based on the wrong strategy," Rouhani said, referring to several…
telesurenglish.net/news/president-rouhani-us-hard-sanctions-policy-on-iran-has-failed-20200216-0009.html

Chinese FM Dismisses US Accusations Against China as "Lies"
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-15
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi responded to two U.S. officials' allegations on Saturday, saying that all U.S. accusations against China are lies, and not based on facts. | RELATED: | 'The West Is Winning' Pompeo Says at the Munich Conference | In the Q&A session after his speech at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2020, Wang was asked by Chairman of the MSC Wolfgang Ischinger to comment on the current Sino-U.S. relationship and its prospect, right after U.S.
telesurenglish.net/news/Chinese-FM-dismisses-U.S.-accusations-against-China-as-lies-20200215-0007.html

'The West Is Winning' Pompeo Says at the Munich Conference
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-15
During the Munich Security Conference (MSC), the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Saturday said there is no crisis of the Western civilization given that the West is defeating its enemies. | RELATED: | World Leaders Meet in Munich to Discuss Global Security | "The West is winning, we are collectively winning, we are doing it together," Pompeo said and added that th…
telesurenglish.net/news/The-West-Is-Winning-Pompeo-Says-at-the-Munich-Conference-20200215-0001.html

Johnson under pressure from key allies over Huawei access to UK 5G network
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-02-15
Boris Johnson is coming under renewed pressure from key British allies over his controversial decision to give Chinese tech giant Huawei a role in building the UK's 5G network.A delegation of senior US officials

Trump administration's national counterintelligence strategy focuses on "hacktivists, leaktivists and public disclosure organizations"
wsws.org | 2020-02-15
A major assault on First Amendment rights of free speech and freedom of the press is being prepared.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/15/coun-f15.html

Alleged WikiLeaks whistleblower Joshua Schulte on trial in New York
wsws.org | 2020-02-15
The court hearings, over the Vault 7 leaks exposing mass CIA spying and hacking operations, have been subjected to a near total media blackout.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/15/schu-f15.html

Canada: The Wetsuweten Keep Resisting Amid Police Violence
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-15
Canadian Police's snipers and armored vehicles entered the territory of the Wetsuweten to suppress their protests against the construction of a pipeline harmful to the environment. | RELATED: | Canada's Via Rail Cancels Service Nationwide | The Indigenous authorities did not give their consent for a project that will have a significant impact on the environment and the way of life of their people. | Nevertheless, the Canadian Supreme Court decided that the TransCanada company pipeline must be bu…
telesurenglish.net/news/Canada-The-Wetsuweten-Keep-Resisting-Amid-Police-Violence-20200215-0002.html

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Demolishes Fake Claims Targeting Julian Assange
Media Lens | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-14
On the face of it, the task seems almost hopeless. As Tolstoy wrote: 'The power of the government is maintained by public opinion, and with this power the government, by means of its organs

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/

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/

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/

Media darling Pete Buttigieg was in unit that worked with the CIA in Afghanistan
Alexander Rubinstein | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-08
While Buttigieg's campaign denies allegations he was a CIA asset, military records reveal Mayor Pete was in a unit that…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/07/pete-buttigieg-cia-afghanistan/

The Government is Using its Foreign Intelligence Spying Powers for Routine Domestic Investigations
Ashley Gorski | aclu.org | 2020-02-05
More than forty years ago, Congress | gave the executive branch a set of exceptional surveillance powers to pursue | foreign spies on U.S. soil. Now, the government is increasingly relying on those | powers to advance ordinary domestic criminal investigations. | In United States v. | Osseily, a fraud prosecution in California, the government appears to have used | this surveillance