2019-04-07: News Headlines

Kevin Martin and Gabe Murphy (2019-04-07). President Moon's Unenviable Task. commondreams.org When President Moon Jae-in of South Korea meets with President Trump at the White House this week, he may find himself fighting the urge to pour cold water all over Trump, because that's what Trump did to the Korea peace process when he met with Kim Jong Un in Hanoi.

STAFF (2019-04-07). Will Trump's Trade Wars Raise Wages? therealnews.com Are the trade negotiations with china and the rewriting of NAFTA aimed at raising wages or profits? Gerald Epstein joins Paul Jay…

unitedEditor (2019-04-07). Why is the US preparing for war against Venezuela's electric grid? uwidata.com Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro recently announced that the US is conducting an "electric war" against the country. According to him, this represents a broader attack of "US imperialism against our people". The electric war announced and led by the US imperialism against our people will be defeated. Neither anyone nor anything may overcome the people …

STAFF (2019-04-07). What is a "Guaidó"? A Cowboy in Caracas (Pt 1/2). therealnews.com Former Catholic Priest and Wyoming native Charlie Hardy talks about his recent experiences in Venezuela and looks back on 25 years living among the poorest of Venezuela's poor…

STAFF (2019-04-07). What is a "Guaidó"? A Cowboy in Caracas (Pt 2/2). therealnews.com Former Catholic Priest and Wyoming native Charlie Hardy talks about his recent experiences in Venezuela and looks back on 25 years living among the poorest of Venezuela's poor…

United Nations (2019-04-07). 25 years on from Rwandan genocide, UN Chief warns of 'dangerous trends of rising xenophobia, racism and intolerance'. un.org In a message to commemorate the 25-year anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, UN chief António Guterres has warned of dangerous trends of rising xenophobia, racism and intolerance in many parts of the world.

Todd Smith (2019-04-07). Why I am a Socialist. dissidentvoice.org For starters, it sounds quite contrarian, antiquarian even, in this day and age, to assert one's "socialism" in the obvious face of History, which changes its make-up several times a decade, anymore: a dab of recession here, a little more war-paint there. Well, lipstick traces of all possible revolutions notwithstanding, it seems that most advanced …

Michael Welch (2019-04-07). NATO at 70: Global Enforcers of Western Imperialism. globalresearch.ca "Today, our Alliance is the strongest in history, guaranteeing the freedom of our almost one billion citizens, the security of our territory, and the protection of our values, including democracy, individual liberty, human rights, and the rule of law." — …

Revolution Books (2019-04-07). Discussion: The Mueller Report, Trump's Response, and the Interests of the People. indybay.org Revolution Books, 2444 Durant Ave. Berkeley CA 94704…

Jason Ditz (2019-04-07). Liz Cheney Proposes Bill to Keep at Least 10,000 US Troops in Afghanistan. theantimedia.com (ANTIWAR.COM) — 18 years into the US occupation of Afghanistan, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) is looking to ensure that the war can continue to be a sinkhole for US troops and money for years to come, introducing the Ensuring a Security Afghanistan Act. The bill, which Cheney is cosponsoring with Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Mike Waltz …

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2019-04-07). 'A Model of Hope for the World': 25 Years After Rwandan Genocide, New Film Shows Journey Toward Justice and Healing. commondreams.org As the world marks the 25th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide on Sunday, a forthcoming documentary sheds light on the survivors and perpetrators' long journey toward justice and healing. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/camera_kids_still.jpg

Leon Kunstenaar (2019-04-07). San Rafael Activists Demand Release of Entire Mueller Report. indybay.org Hundreds of Protesters excoriate Attorney General Barr for hiding Mueller's report on Trump's alleged crimes and violations of his oath of office. Steve Disenhof and Leon Kunstenaar, Pro Bono Photo…

Register Peace & Freedom or Green (2019-04-07). Millionaire Pelosi Repeats Insurance Co Lies on Medicare for All. indybay.org The outrage of robot voting in San Francisco for the Democratic incumbent when it is not possible for a Republican to win is brought home with the re-election of 79 year old millionaire Democrat Rep Nancy Pelosi, who again repeats the insurance company lies about Medicare for All, HR 1384.

Move on (2019-04-07). Nobody is Above the Law Rally Release Mueller Report. indybay.org at the Powell & Market cable car turnaround…

STAFF (2019-04-06). Oil Politics Drive Turmoil in Libya. therealnews.com With two of the largest oil producers, Iran and Russia, under U.S. sanctions, all profiteering eyes of the west turn to oil rich Libya, says Vijay Prashad, the author of the book, Arab Spring Libyan Winter…

Hans Stehling (2019-04-06). Why Israel Is Seen on Campus, in Both Europe and the US, as Treating the United Nations with Total Contempt. globalresearch.ca Because no other claimed democratic government: | 1. Kills unarmed protestors, including students, as an everyday alleged security operation and imprisons thousands of dissidents, including teenagers, without trial | 2. Imposes a inhumane blockade of essential goods upon 2 million civilians in …

Oscar Grenfell (2019-04-06). US Extradition of Assange Would be Violation of International Law: UN Special Rapporteur. globalresearch.ca Following WikiLeaks' warning yesterday that Julian Assange faced imminent eviction from Ecuador's London embassy, widespread opposition has emerged to the illegal plans to terminate his political asylum. | Nils Melzer, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, issued a statement calling …

Stephen Lendman (2019-04-06). Assange to be Handed over to the UK, then to the US? globalresearch.ca According to WikiLeaks on Thursday, Julian Assange's freedom is gravely threatened, tweeting: | "BREAKING: A high level source within the Ecuadorian state has told @WikiLeaks that Julian Assange will be expelled within 'hours to days' using the #INAPapers offshore (corruption …

C. Cora True-Frost (2019-04-06). What Have We Learned From the Rwandan Genocide? commondreams.org It is important that we remember the horror of the genocide and reflect on the mistakes made, in order to work toward a more peaceful future.

United Nations (2019-04-06). UN chief reaffirms commitment to untying 'Gordian knot' of Middle East conflict and instability. un.org Underlining the "enormous" opportunities for sustainable development and investment in the Middle East, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has reaffirmed the Organization's deep engagement in a "surge of diplomacy for peace," to "untie the Gordian knot of conflict and instability."

Maj. Danny Sjursen (2019-04-06). American History for Truthdiggers: JFK's Cold War Chains. truthdig.com Editor's note: The past is prologue. The stories we tell about ourselves and our forebears inform the sort of country we think we are and help determine public policy. As our current president promises to "make America great again," this moment is an appropriate time to reconsider our past, look back at various eras of United States history and re-evaluate America's origins. When, exactly, were we "great"? | Below is the 28th installment of the "American History for Truthdiggers" series, a pull-no-punches appraisal of our shared, if flawed, past. The author of the series, Danny Sjursen, who retired recently as a…

Sarah Brummet, Estevan Hernandez, RJ Hightower, and Mallory Luana (2019-04-06). Pensacola community reacts to Escambia County cops' illegal entry. liberationnews.org Police arrest and manhandle Black man without a warrant.

Ahmed Abdulkareem (2019-04-06). Healthcare Workers Fall Victim to Yemen's Latest Cholera Epidemic. mintpressnews.com The deliberate attacks on water wells and water treatment facilities in Yemen are causing some in the country to wonder if the U.S.-backed Saudi coalition is attempting to intentionally trigger another cholera epidemic.

Stephen Lendman (2019-04-06). Trump Regime Considering Aggression against Venezuela? globalresearch.ca International law is clear and unequivocal. It's automatically US constitutional law under the Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2) — pertaining to treaties, conventions, and other international agreements to which the US is a signatory. | According to the UN Charter …

Damon Moglen (2019-04-06). Nuclear Power Is Not a Viable Solution for Green New Deal. commondreams.org The Green New Deal resolution is a bold and necessary path forward to tackle the climate crisis. To be successful, it must leave nuclear power behind.

STAFF (2019-04-06). Logging Is the Leading Driver of Carbon Emissions From US Forests. truthout.org Climate change is having a growing impact on Americans and, as the crisis escalates, communities face growing challenges. The latest report from the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change underscores that we have eleven short years to make "rapid transformation across all industrial sectors. | Protecting forest ecosystems is critical in the fight to limit global warming — when forests are disturbed they release carbon, but when left to grow they actively pull carbon out of the air and store it. When left standing, forests also provide optimal natural protec…

RT News (2019-04-06). Video: The Dissolution of NATO. globalresearch.ca German lawmaker Alexander Neu lambasted NATO for conducting aggressive wars and raking up defense spending, suggesting Germany should quit its military command, and the bloc be dissolved altogether. | NATO's 70th birthday is "not a reason to celebrate, but rather an …

Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (2019-04-06). Veteran Intelligence Professionals (VIPS) Urge Trump to Avoid War Russia Over Venezuela. globalresearch.ca VIPS warn that Trump's policies regarding Venezuela appear to be on a slippery slope that could take us toward war in Venezuela and military confrontation with Russia. | *** | MEMORANDUM FOR: The President | FROM: Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) | SUBJECT: …

STAFF (2019-04-06). Trump Administration Revokes ICC Prosecutor's Visa Over War Crimes Probe. truthout.org In a move human rights defenders decried as "shameful," the Trump administration revoked the visa of the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor this week for trying to investigate alleged war crimes committed by American forces in Afghanistan. | "What we can confirm is that the U.S. authorities have revoked the prosecutor's visa for entry into the U.S.," Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's office said in a statement. The decision, per her office, shouldn't interfere with her travel to the United Nations headquarters in New York City. | "Wa…

Joaquin Flores (2019-04-06). U.S. Admits It Cannot Attack Venezuela — Confirmed S-300 Anti-Air Systems. globalresearch.ca The U.S State Department special operator for Venezuela, Elliot Abrams, has revealed that Venezuela is already in possession numerous highly effective S-300 (Antey 2500 version) systems . This makes a military campaign against Venezuela highly unlikely, given the high-importance …

STAFF (2019-04-06). Libya Crisis: Rival Forces Say They Control Tripoli Airport. truthdig.com BENGHAZI, Libya—Forces loyal to rival Libyan army commander Khalifa Hifter said Saturday they seized control of the main airport in Libya's capital Tripoli, two days after Hifter ordered his forces to seize the seat of Libya's U.N.-backed government. | Hifter's media office said in a post online that they took full control of the Tripoli international airport and were working to secure the facility. They posted photos of troops apparently inside the airport, saying "we are standing at the heart of the Tripoli international airport." | Hifter's offensive on Tripoli could plunge the oil-rich country into anot…

STAFF (2019-04-06). The IRS Tried to Take on the Ultrawealthy. It Didn't Go Well. truthout.org The magnate, Georg Schaeffler, was the billionaire scion of a family-owned German manufacturer and was quietly working as a corporate lawyer in Dallas. Schaeffler had extra reason to fear the IRS, it seemed. He wasn't in the sights of just any division of the agency but the equivalent of its SEAL Team 6. | In 2009, the IRS had formed a crack team of specialists to unravel the tax dodges of the ultrawealthy. In an age of widening inequality, with a concentration of wealth not seen since the Gilded Age, the rich were evading taxes through ever more sophisticated maneuvers. The IRS commissioner aimed to stanch th…

Peter Koenig (2019-04-06). NATO — 70th Anniversary of the Most Murderous — and Legal — Organization on our Planet. globalresearch.ca On 4th of April 2019 NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) "celebrated" the 70th Anniversary of its murderous existence. This horror organization was born sort of as a "Rosemary's Baby", signed into life in Washington DC, as the North Atlantic …

H. Patricia Hynes (2019-04-06). The Madness Driving Climate Catastrophe. truthdig.com "Burning Up: A Global History of Fossil Fuel Consumption" | A book by Simon Pirani | The Great Acceleration: This is the designation given to the last 70 years during which industrial countries and a handful of newly rich developing countries extracted and consumed fossil fuels at a reckless rate. While accurate, the metaphor might suggest progress rather than the ominous atmospheric, terrestrial and oceanic climate trends ensuing. | The 20 hottest years on record have occurred since 1995, almost in tandem with the impotent U.N. climate negotiations begun in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and followed by the Kyoto Protoc…

Consortiumnews (2019-04-06). Consortium News' Record on Russia-gate—How CN Covered the 'Scandal': No. 5—'Spooks Spooking Themselves'. consortiumnews.com On Thursday Daniel Lazare wrote a review of a book about how intelligence agents set up aspects of the "collusion" story. But in May 2018 Lazare had already begun figuring out the story for himself. By Daniel Lazare Special to… Read more →

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2019-04-06). 'Shameful': Trump Admin Revokes ICC Prosecutor's Visa Over Probe of Potential US War Crimes in Afghanistan. commondreams.org In a move human rights defenders decried as "shameful," the Trump administration revoked the visa of the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor this week for trying to investigate alleged war crimes committed by American forces in Afghanistan. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/fatou_bensouda1.jpg

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2019-04-06). Amid Blackouts and Food Shortages, Pence Unveils New Sanctions Targeting Venzuelan Oil Exports to Cuba. commondreams.org Despite Venezuela's worsening humanitarian crisis fueled by political unrest and economic sanctions, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced new sanctions targeting the government and companies that transport oil to Cuba as part of the Trump administration's ongoing effort to oust Venezuelan President Nicol√°s Maduro. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-1129626137-2.jpg

WSWS (2019-04-06). Netanyahu embraces Brazil's Bolsonaro during Israel visit. wsws.org Under Netanyahu, Israel has become a pole of attraction for right-wing ideologues, ultra-nationalists and neo-fascists the world over.

WSWS (2019-04-06). Trump visits border to step up attack on immigrants. wsws.org Trump's visit took place two days after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 280 immigrant workers in a raid on an electronics plant in Texas.

Middle East Eye (2019-04-06). US to Declare Iran's Revolutionary Guards as Terrorist Group. theantimedia.com (MEE) — The United States will designate Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation, an unprecedented move that will ramp up pressure on the elite force, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The newspaper, citing unidentified officials, said President Donald Trump's administration will announce the decision as soon as Monday and that concerned defence officials were …

RT (2019-04-06). 'Conclusion — no collusion': Trump says he hasn't read Mueller Report, calls it 'waste of time'. rt.com US President Donald Trump says he hasn't actually read Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report yet, adding that he knows the investigator's conclusions, chiefly "the big one, no collusion."

WSWS (2019-04-06). America the Barbaric. wsws.org If the conditions that exist in US prisons were exposed in Russia or China, there would be a hue and cry in the press and the halls of Congress for economic sanctions and "humanitarian" military intervention.

WSWS (2019-04-06). Supporters oppose eviction of Julian Assange outside London's Ecuadorian embassy. wsws.org Defenders of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gathered outside the Ecuadorian embassy in central London yesterday, after a warning that he faces eviction from the building where he sought political asylum in 2012 "within hours to days."

Randi Nord (2019-04-06). Secret Document Reveals Plans for Civil War in Lebanon, Israeli False Flags, and Invasion. theantimedia.com (GPA) — During his visit with US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, Lebanese President Michael Aoun reportedly received a US-Israeli document detailing plans for creating a civil war in Lebanon with covert false flag operations and possible Israeli invasion. Although the source of the document is Israeli and created in partnership with Washington, no one knows who presented it …

Jessica Corbett (2019-04-06). Amid Blackouts and Food Shortages, Pence Unveils New Sanctions Targeting Venzuelan Oil Exports to Cuba. theantimedia.com (CD) — Despite Venezuela's worsening humanitarian crisis fueled by political unrest and economic sanctions, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced new sanctions targeting the government and companies that transport oil to Cuba as part of the Trump administration's ongoing effort to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Recognizing that "oil is the lifeblood" of the Venezuelan government, Pence said in …

Prof Michel Chossudovsky (2019-04-05). The Globalization of War. America's "Long War" against Humanity. globalresearch.ca America's hegemonic project in…

Alexander Rubinstein (2019-04-05). The Syrian American Council's Pressure Campaign to Censor One of Its Major Critics. mintpressnews.com The Syrian American Council and a collection of pro-war lobbyists have led an intimidation campaign aimed at bullying a major Washington-based bookstore, Politics and Prose, into canceling award-winning journalist and author Max Blumenthal's launch event for his new book The Management of Savagery. | And it appears to have worked. Politics and Prose announced that it would "postpone" the event, citing "concerns" over the event's "format, substance, … [and] security" in a tweet. In a testament to the ferocity of the harassment campaign ag…

Ramzy Baroud (2019-04-05). 'The Essence of Being Palestinian': What the Great March of Return is Really About. counterpunch.org The aims of the Great March of Return protests, which began in Gaza on March 30, 2018 are to put an end to the suffocating Israeli siege and implementing the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees who were expelled from their homes and towns in historic Palestine 70 years earlier. But there is much more More

Binoy Kampmark (2019-04-05). Terms of Asylum and Distraction: Moreno's Assange Problem. counterpunch.org Political asylum is an accepted if often ignored right. It is also at the mercy of those interests that grant it. Ecuador's repeated insistence on conditioning Julian Assange's stay in its London abode is tantamount to corroding the idea of asylum to vacuity. You are granted asylum as a political dissident, but political dissident you More

Kim Petersen (2019-04-05). Protecting Julian Assange: A Must for People of Conscience. globalresearch.ca A high level source within the Ecuadorian state has told Wikileaks that Julian Assange will be expelled within 'hours to days.' — WikiLeaks on Twitter. | The Mueller investigation of an alleged collusion between Donald Trump and Russia to influence the …