2019-03-18: News Headlines

Chris Hedges (2019-03-18). Manning and the New Inquisition. truthdig.com The U.S. government, determined to extradite and try Julian Assange for espionage, must find a way to separate what Assange and WikiLeaks did in publishing classified material leaked to them by Chelsea Manning from what The New York Times and The Washington Post did in publishing the same material. There is no federal law that prohibits the…

Thomas Knapp (2019-03-18). Social Media Companies "Struggle" to Help Censors Keep us in the Dark. counterpunch.org According to CNN Business, "Facebook, YouTube and Twitter struggle to deal with New Zealand shooting video." "Deal with" is code for "censor on demand by governments and activist organizations who oppose public access to information that hasn't first been thoroughly vetted for conformity to their preferred narrative." Do you really need to see first-person video More

James Bovard (2019-03-18). John McCain's Disastrous Militaristic Legacy. globalresearch.ca When Sen. John McCain passed away in August, he was lauded far and wide for his long career of public service. Rep. John Lewis, the famous civil-rights activist, hailed McCain as a "warrior for peace." In reality, McCain embodied …

Stephen Lendman (2019-03-18). Upping the Stakes in Yemen. Endless US-led War. globalresearch.ca US forever war in Yemen rages, the Saudis, UAE, NATO, and Israel part of its so-called coalition — against peace in the country and elsewhere. | Over 17 years of war began by the Bush/Cheney regime. There's virtually no prospect for …

S. Brian Willson (2019-03-18). Paying the Price for Peace: The Story of S. Brian Willson and Voices from the Peace Movement. globalresearch.ca Vietnam veteran S. Brian Willson paid the price for peace as he was run over and nearly killed by a military train during a non-violent protest at The Concord Naval Weapons Station in California on September 1st, 1987. The train …

Kevin Zeese (2019-03-18). Venezuela: US Imperialism Is Based on Lies and Threats. globalresearch.ca We are completing what became more than a week-long peace delegation to Venezuela organized by the US Peace Council and the Committee for International Solidarity in Venezuela (COSI). The trip was complicated by American Airlines cancelling all flights in and …

Ilhan Omar (2019-03-18). We Must Apply Our Universal Values to All Nations. Only Then Will We Achieve Peace. commondreams.org Palestinians carry a wounded protester east of Gaza City on 5 October 2018. (Photo: AFP) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/000_19t0ex_0.jpg

teleSUR (2019-03-18). 'Bolsonaro is a Murderer' Signs Greet Brazilian President in US. telesurenglish.net The Brazilian far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was greeted with protests against him in the United States Sunday. He is visiting the country to meet the U.S. President Donald Trump Tuesday. | RELATED: | Brazil: Bolsonaro Lawmaker Requests 'Deleftification Ministry' | For the protestors, the meeting between the two leaders "will mean only bad things to the oppressed people in their countries," as "the sexism, racism, and homophobia that come from Trump is the same thing that come…

unitedEditor (2019-03-18). Venezuela: The Next Syria? uwidata.com Doomsday In Venezuela We're being led to believe it's all doom and gloom in Venezuela. The mainstream media is rapid-firing reports of a deepening humanitarian crisis. An evil dictator, Nicolas Maduro, is holding his country hostage from democracy, they say, while his people starve. Venezuelans are reportedly fleeing by the thousands while the government …

Democracy Now! (2019-03-18). State-Sponsored Islamophobia & Trump's Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Embolden Right-Wing Terrorists. democracynow.org Fifty people are dead, and millions around the globe are mourning, following the massacre at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday. The terrorist attack unfolded during Friday prayer, when a lone gunman and avid white supremacist opened fire on worshipers while live-streaming the attack on Facebook. It was the deadliest shooting in the country's modern history. The youngest of the dead is 3-year-old Mucad Ibrahim. Police have arrested and charged a 28-year-old Australian white supremacist named Brenton Tarrant with the killings. Tarrant published a manifesto praising President Donald Trump as "a sym…

Democracy Now! (2019-03-18). After Deadly 1996 Massacre, Australia Overhauled Its Gun Laws. New Zealand Now Plans to Do the Same. democracynow.org New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has vowed to change the country's gun laws following the deadly Christchurch massacre Friday that left 50 people dead and millions around the globe mourning following the massacre. The terrorist attack unfolded at two mosques during Friday prayer, when a lone gunman and avid white supremacist opened fire on worshipers while live-streaming the attack on Facebook. It was the deadliest shooting in the country's modern history. The shooter reportedly used five guns to carry out the attack, including two semiautomatic assault weapons. We speak with Rebecca Peters, an internati…

Mark Weisbrot (2019-03-18). The Reality Behind Trump's Venezuela Regime Change Coalition. counterpunch.org In the early 1970s, a handful of Sandinistas were in the mountains of Nicaragua fighting to overthrow the 40-year U.S.-backed, brutal dictatorship of the Somoza family. When a powerful volcanic eruption struck Nicaragua in 1971, Sandinista Omar Cabezas later recounted, they told the peasants whom they encountered that God was punishing them for not getting rid More

Zero Hedge (2019-03-18). Kept Secret for 17 Years: Intel Memo Warned Bush's Iraq Invasion to Create "Perfect Storm" globalresearch.ca A newly declassified US intelligence memo has been unearthed this week and featured in a bombshell Wall Street Journal report. It proves that the year prior to the Bush administration's 2003 invasion of Iraq the White House was expressly warned …

Paul R. Pillar (2019-03-18). Good Iraqi-Iranian Relations Are Not a Reason to Worry. globalresearch.ca Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has been visiting Iraq this week—a friendly, extended visit that has yielded several bilateral agreements on trade and transportation. Such an event causes heartburn, of course, within the Trump administration and for others who believe that …

Paul Cochrane (2019-03-18). On the Ground in Venezuela vs. the Media Spectacle. counterpunch.org British photojournalist Alan Gignoux and Venezuelan journalist-filmmaker Carolina Graterol, both based in London, went to Venezuela for a month to shoot a documentary for a major global TV channel. They talked with journalist Paul Cochrane about the mainstream media's portrayal of Venezuela compared to their experiences on the ground. More

John Feffer (2019-03-18). The World's Most Dangerous Divide. counterpunch.org In the beautiful and terrifying novel The City of Devi, communal hatreds escalate in India and Pakistan until the two countries feel compelled to threaten each other with nuclear weapons. At least, it starts out as a threat. Pakistan vows to take out Mumbai, and India will level Karachi. But everyone involved knows that nuclear war doesn't really work that way. More

Binoy Kampmark (2019-03-18). Death in New Zealand: The Christchurch Shootings. counterpunch.org Five weapons were said to have been used, all inscribed with symbols, numbers and insignia. The individual charged with the shootings at two Christchurch mosques that left 49 dead was an Australian with, it is alleged, a simple purpose: inflict death, and on specific communities in worship. Even as the carnage became clear, Christchurch was More

Ipek S. Burnett (2019-03-18). Black Lives on Trial. counterpunch.org March 18, 2018. Sacramento, California. Two police officers, Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet, respond to a 9-1-1 call about an individual breaking car windows. They track the suspect down. They see the suspect is holding a gun. Or a tool bar. They fire twenty rounds. | Seven bullets enter Stephon Clark's body from the back. One hits his chest. | Clark, a 22 year-old black man in his grandmother's backyard, falls to his death. | Turns out what he was holding was not a gun or a tool bar, but a cell phone. | Almost a year goes by. On March 2, 2019, Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announce…

Dean Baker (2019-03-18). The Fed and the 3.8 Percent Unemployment Rate. counterpunch.org Last week's job report, in spite of the slow job growth for February, was actually pretty good news. As many of us pointed out, the most likely reason that the Labor Department reported only 20,000 new jobs in February, is that the economy reportedly added 311,000 jobs in January. There is always a substantial element More

Yves Engler (2019-03-18). Canada's Next Target After Venezuela: Cuba? globalresearch.ca "First we take Caracas then we take Havana." | That's the thinking driving the Donald Trump administration's policy towards Venezuela, according to a Wall Street Journal story titled " U.S. Push to Oust Venezuela's Maduro Marks First Shot in Plan to …

Olivia Alperstein (2019-03-18). Right Now, Trump Can Start a Nuclear War, "On a Whim" globalresearch.ca Right now, Donald Trump could start a nuclear war on a whim, and no one could stop him. | Under any circumstances, the prospect of nuclear war is terrifying, the deadly consequences irreversible. Yet with a single order, the president — …

Misión Verdad (2019-03-18). Map (and Objectives) of the Irregular War on Energy in Venezuela. globalresearch.ca The latest evidence gathered by the Venezuelan government and presented on Monday, March 11, to the Venezuelan population about the attack on the national electricity system, allows us to reconstruct the multidimensional nature of the attack that was unleashed in …

South Front (2019-03-18). Organizational and Staff Structure of US and Russian Armies: Military Comparison. globalresearch.ca Introduction | Armed forces organization depends on several factors, from current and future threats and challenges (the nature of the projected theater of operations, or TO), to the country's economic and technological capabilities. The doctrines of the two world superpowers of …

Dr. Andrew Glikson (2019-03-18). The Advent of Extreme Weather Events and Climate Tipping Points. globalresearch.ca According to Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, chief climate advisor to the European Union, "We're simply talking about the very life support system of this planet". As fascism and the horror of murderous hate crimes are on the rise, governments are …

Dr. Binoy Kampmark (2019-03-18). Saving the Planet One Child at a Time: Children, School Strikes and Global Climate Action. globalresearch.ca Children's crusades do not necessarily end well. During the years of armed missions to the Holy Land, when Jerusalem meant something to the sacredly inclined in Europe, children were encouraged to take to the rough and dangerous road as it …

Sara Burrows (2019-03-18). The USDA Admits to Killing Over a Million Wild Animals Per Year to Protect Livestock. globalresearch.ca According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's own reports, it has killed over 34 million animals in the last decade alone. | Most of those animals were native, wild animals. The rest were accidental killings of domesticated animals. | In 2017 …

teleSUR (2019-03-18). 3 People Killed In Netherlands Shooting, Suspect Identified. telesurenglish.net Several people were shot, and three killed Monday in a tram, as reported by the mayor of the central Dutch city of Utrecht, in an incident police said may have had a "terrorist motive." A suspect has been identified and images of him have been circulated to aid in his capture. | RELATED | NZ Mosque Shooter Mailed Manifesto to PM Minutes Before Attack | Police said the suspected gunman, a 37-year-old man named Gokman Tanis, whose nationality is unclear but who has been identifie…

Bay Area Poor People's Campaign (2019-03-18). Poor People's Hearing Bay Area. Against Racism, Poverty, War Economy, Climate Change. indybay.org Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church, 1188 12th St. West Oakland…

Bay Nature (2019-03-18). Bay Nature Local Hero Awards Gala. indybay.org Berkeley City Club | 2315 Durant Avenue | Berkeley, CA 94704…

plenglish (2019-03-18). Cuban FM Stresses Importance of Ties with Latin America. plenglish.com Havana, Mar 15 (Prensa Latina) Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez highlighted the importance for Havana of its relations with Latin American and Caribbean nations, with which it shares the common goal of defending peace and geographical coexistence.

plenglish (2019-03-18). Brazilian Judge Releases Executives Involved in Mining Tragedy. plenglish.com Brasilia, Mar 15 (Prensa Latina) A Brazilian judge revoked a court ruling and released 11 executives from the company Vale and two employees from the German firm Tàºv Sàºd, who are under investigation due to the tragedy in a mine, where 203 people were killed and 105 are missing.

plenglish (2019-03-18). Over 500 Arrests due to Looting in Zulia, Venezuela, after Sabotage. plenglish.com Caracas, Mar 15 (Prensa Latina) Authorities in the Venezuelan state of Zulia have arrested more than 500 people, including Colombian paramilitaries, who were accused of looting after the sabotage on the power system.

Vijay Prashad (2019-03-18). UN Judgment for the Decolonisation of Mauritius. zcomm.org The UK now says that the US's military base 'helps to protect people here in Britain and around the world from terrorist threats, organised crime and piracy'

Whitney Webb (2019-03-18). The Christchurch Shooting and the Normalization of Anti-Muslim Terrorism. theantimedia.com (MPN) — What is without question the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's history took place on Friday when shooters, 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant among them, opened fire at two Christchurch mosques. Four, including Tarrant, have been arrested for the heinous act, which claimed at least 49 innocent lives. Tarrant was responsible for killing more than …

WSWS (2019-03-18). Protesters speak out at UN Anti-Racist Day rally in London. wsws.org The United Nations Anti-Racism Day march was held just hours after fascist terrorists murdered 50 people at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.

plenglish (2019-03-18). CARICOM Condemns Attack on Two Mosques in New Zealand. plenglish.com Georgetown, March 15 (Prensa Latina) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) condemned this Friday in the strongest terms terrorist attacks against two mosques in New Zealand, with a preliminary death toll of 49 and 48 wounded.

plenglish (2019-03-18). Civic-Military Union, Targets of Aggression against Venezuela. plenglish.com By Wiliam Urquijo Pascual | Caracas, Mar 11 (Prensa Latina) All the letters included in the punch of the aggressions against Venezuela, instigated by the United States in complicity with the opposition, have among their goals to undermine military unity and loyalty.

plenglish (2019-03-18). Venezuelan Foreign Minister to Visit Serbia. plenglish.com Belgrade, Mar 15 ( Prensa Latina) Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza will arrive in Belgrade Friday for a two-day visit to Serbia. According to official sources, the Foreign Minister will complete a broad agenda of talks, interviews and meetings starting Saturday with Serbia"s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic.

WSWS (2019-03-18). The New Zealand terrorist attack and the international danger of fascism. wsws.org The gunman prepared and carried out the terrorist atrocity on behalf of an international network of fascists and white supremacists.

plenglish (2019-03-18). National Mobilization in Colombia in Defense of Peace. plenglish.com 18 de marzo de 2019, 09: 12Bogota, Mar 18 (Prensa Latina) Sectors defending the Colombian Peace Agreement are mobilized on Monday in the country"s main cities in disagreement with the presidential objection to the statute law of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP).

Janine Jackson (2019-03-18). Exposure of Pro-War Lie Doesn't Make Media More Skeptical. zcomm.org The Venezuelan government has and does allow aid into their country—from countries that are not actively and vituperatively threatening to overthrow the elected president with an external coup…

plenglish (2019-03-18). Russia Decries US Obstacles to Humanitarian Aid in Syria. plenglish.com Moscow, Mar 17 ( Prensa Latina ) Russia has condemned on Sunday obstacles imposed by the United States to bring humanitarian aid to nearly 40,000 people in the refugee camp of El Rukban, in southeastern Syria, in an illegally occupied area.

Scott Poynting (2019-03-18). Terrorism Has No Religion. counterpunch.org The only way to begin is by joining in sorrow with those bereaved in Christchurch on 15 March and remembering and respecting the fellow humanity of those who, so painfully recently, were also living. Of course, we must find a way to comfort those made fearful by this terror: especially since such fear-making was its major purpose. More

Ellen Schwartz (2019-03-18). Toward Racial Justice and a Third Reconstruction. indybay.org Sierra 2 Center, Room 10, 2791 24th Street, Sacramento, CA 95818…

Shared by Jocelyn Dombroski (2019-03-18). Iranian Human Rights Lawyer Sentenced to 38 Years and 148 Lashes. therealnews.com Nasrin Sotoudeh defended political prisoners and worked to abolish Iran's death penalty. Human rights groups are worried her sentence could signal increased repression of peace activism in Iran under a judiciary with a history of human rights violations…

plenglish (2019-03-18). Bolivia's Governing Party Pushes Electoral Campaign Ahead. plenglish.com La Paz, Mar 17 (Prensa Latinao) Bolivia"s governing party, Movement toward Socialism, MAS in Spanish, is pushing a strong election campaign on the basis of attained social and economic achievements during the administration of President Evo Morales.

WSWS (2019-03-18). This week in history: March 18-24. wsws.org Daniel Yock, aboriginal, workers inquiry, Socialist Labor League, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Britain, Hungary, World War II, Budapest, Hitler, Horthy, USSR, Bela Kun, Austro-Hungarian empire, Hungarian Soviet Republic…

plenglish (2019-03-18). Venezuela's President Calls for Overhauling the Gov't. plenglish.com 18 de marzo de 2019, 00: 15Caracas, Mar 18 (Prensa Latina) Venezuela"s President Nicolas Maduro called on all Cabinet members to place their posts at the disposal of the Executive for a profound overhaul of methods and functioning of the government.

plenglish (2019-03-18). Ideological Attacks on Chinese-Salvadorian Relations Are Criticized. plenglish.com San Salvador, March 16 (Prensa Latina) El Salvador Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Proesa) warned this Friday about the consequences of ideological attacks on relations with China.

plenglish (2019-03-18). Three Venezuelan Prosecutors Appointed to Probe Electrical Sabotage. plenglish.com Caracas, Mar 15 (Prensa Latina) The Venezuelan Public Ministry has appointed three national prosecutors to investigate the sabotage perpetrated to the country"s electric power system in which 18 states were left without electricity on March 7, local media reported on Tuesday.