(2020-06-02). Deploying Federal Troops in a War at Home Would Make a Bad Situation Worse. counterpunch.org 
Although the National Guard has often been used against civil rebellion, deploying federal military forces within the U.S. is a drastic and historically rare move. I've studied the history and geography of U.S. military interventions from the "Indian Wars" to the Middle East, and have documented only a handful of times that Army, Marines, or federalized National Guard forces have been used against U.S. citizens over the past century. For Trump to take such a profound leap would be an admission, as Gov. Walz stated, that a conflict at home is being equated to an "overseas war." Sending in soldiers trained for comb…
(2020-06-02). Lee Camp: 19 Facts About American Policing That Will Blow Your Mind. mintpressnews.com 
Just a few facts will change everything you think you know about American police, writes Lee Camp, with pictures by Eleanor Goldfield from the streets of downtown Washington.
(2020-06-02). The Forgotten Coup Against 'The Most Loyal Ally'. mintpressnews.com 
On November 11, 1975, Gough Whitlam, then Prime Minister of Australia, was to inform Parliament about the secret CIA presence in his country, by day's end, he was out of a job.
(2020-06-02). Malcolm X on Being American. counterpunch.org 
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(2020-06-02). Global Warming is Nuclear War. counterpunch.org 
Thermodynamically, we have greenhouse gas-bombed out of existence the pristine biosphere and its habitable climate that first cradled and nurtured the infancy of our species 2000 centuries ago, and then fed and protected the development and growth of that fragile chimera we call "civilization," which our potentates have been proudly boasting about for at least 8,000 years. And we're still bombing, now at an ever increasing rate.
(2020-06-02). Is It Time to Boycott the USA? counterpunch.org 
In his infinite ignorance, Donald Trump has invited world leaders to the White House for a face-to-face meeting at the end of June. Unlike the other countries in the G7, the United States has yet to get the coronavirus pandemic under control. One of the hotspots that the White House itself has identified is none
(2020-06-02). An Unavoidable Recognition of Failure: Trump's Withdrawal From Afghanistan. counterpunch.org 
In October 2001 I was standing on a hilltop 40 miles north of Kabul watching US aircraft bomb the Taliban front line. The night sky was lit up with the flash of explosions and the sparkle of ineffectual anti-aircraft fire. It was fairly obvious who was going to come out the winner. A few weeks
(2020-06-02). Beating Swords to Plowshares. counterpunch.org 
Inscribed on a wall across from the United Nations in New York City are ancient words of incalculable yearning: "They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." — Isaiah 2: 4 I've stood with activists in
(2020-06-02). The BLM's License to Destroy Sagebrush Ecosystems. counterpunch.org 
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is now taking comments on a massive vegetation project for the Great Basin and adjacent areas of the Colorado Plateau. The PEIS for Fuels Reduction and Rangeland Restoration in the Great Basin (the Fuels Reduction and Rangeland Restoration PEIS) analyzes several options for carrying out fuel reduction and rangeland
(2020-06-02). Who's Trashing Downtown Every Night and Why? dissidentvoice.org 
The corporate media and corporate politicians are paralyzed with indecision. Which fake myth do we adhere to? "Black people burning down their own neighborhoods" or "outside agitators"? What if it's both, and more…? Media coverage of the past few days and nights of the multiracial uprising that is currently taking place in various forms in …
(2020-06-02). 'The U.S. vs China: Asia's New Cold War?' by Jude Woodward reviewed by Sean Ledwith. mronline.org 
The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has slammed into the global system with almost the same impact we might expect from an asteroid strike. All aspects of economic, cultural and political activity on the planet have been devastated and disrupted in ways that seemed unimaginable just a few months ago.
(2020-06-02). Serial TV and indignities of class: 'Snowpiercer,' 'Normal People,' 'Little Fires Everywhere'. peoplesworld.org 
One of the effects of the coronavirus crisis is the accentuation of already exacerbated class differences. Yes, "middle-class" digital workers cheered what amounts to working-class first responders from their windows, but that did not result in increased pay for these workers performing the most dangerous tasks involving medical treatment and food supplies. Jeering from the …
(2020-06-02). Two knees: One a call for change, the other a murder weapon. peoplesworld.org 
A tale of two knees. One, belonging to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, pressed into soft green grass for a minute and 56 seconds. The other, that of Minneapolis police office Derek Chauvin, violently digging into the soft tissue of an African-American man's neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, senselessly robbing the man …
(2020-06-02). Turning point: Trump threatens military rule, turns country toward fascism. peoplesworld.org 
Was he declaring martial law, or was he not? The vagueness of Trump's "law and order" speech Monday night was calculated to give the appearance of getting tough against those protesting the murder of George Floyd and the systemic racism ingrained in U.S. policing, but he left out precise details as to exactly what he …
(2020-06-02). Peaceful protests in Indiana met with police violence. peoplesworld.org 
INDIANAPOLIS — On Saturday and Sunday, Black Lives Matter held peaceful protests in downtown Indianapolis in response to the extrajudicial murders of George Floyd, 46, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as Dreasjon Reed, 21, in Indianapolis. Some 1,000 demonstrated at the Indiana War Memorial, about two blocks north of Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis on …
(2020-06-02). Know Your Rights While Protesting Police Brutality. aclu.org 
The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy and enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, people across the country have taken to the streets to demand racial justice and an end to police brutality and systematic racism against Black people. , , Especially in the time of COVID-19, it's important to know your rights and stay safe while protesting. In this video taken over the weekend at a protest in Brooklyn, New York, Emerson Sykes, staff attorney for the ACLU's Speech, Privacy, & Technology Project, sh…
(2020-06-02). Nobel Peace Prize Campaign for Cuban Physicians grows across the globe. peoplesdispatch.org 
Cuban doctors' solidarity, once again, has gained international attention. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 1,800 Cuban healthcare professionals have been sent to dozens of countries. In response to the initiative, a Nobel Peace prize campaign to honor the physicians have been gaining more support each day. | Launched by the French organization "
(2020-06-02). Thousands In Baltimore March For Justice For George Floyd. therealnews.com 
Protesters blocked streets and highways to demand politicians end police brutality and economic violence amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2020-06-02). The Black Man Lab In Atlanta Is Providing A Reprieve For Men. therealnews.com 
Atlanta's Black Man Lab is a forum where Black men can speak frankly and honestly address their concerns, even in the middle of a pandemic.
(2020-06-02). Police Repression Backfires As Protests Multiply. therealnews.com 
Professor Lester Spence argues America is facing two pandemics: COVID-19 and political policing.
(2020-06-02). Behind the Walls: Prisoner resistance roundup. workers.org 
Prisoners are acting to protect themselves and each other in the middle of the global pandemic as they protest inhuman cages across the country and across the world. In the brutal facilities of incarceration in the U.S. alone, there have been hundreds of recorded actions related to COVID-19 since late . . . |
(2020-06-02). Social Justice Is The Way To End Riots. therealnews.com 
Eddie Conway talks with Jacqueline Luqman about the myths surrounding peaceful protests, uprisings, economic oppression and capitalism, valuing property over people, and the country's founding on violence.
(2020-06-02). Illinois Gov. Pritzker, others warn of Trump's dangerous turn. peoplesworld.org 
CHICAGO — Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D-Ill., the progressive legal group Human Rights First and the pro-worker VoteVets veterans organization are all sounding alarms about GOP President Donald Trump's turn towards fascism, starting with his threats of a military takeover of U.S. cities. Pritzker was irate, saying afterwards that Trump "is strictly trying to make himself …
(2020-06-02). Independent Autopsy Concludes George Floyd's Death Was A Homicide. therealnews.com 
An independent autopsy released by Floyd's family raises serious questions about the previous findings, which implied underlying health issues were responsible for his death. Forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht says police should never place downward pressure on a person in a prone position…
(2020-06-02). Pride 2020 is About Resilience, and we are Resilient Together. aclu.org 
Pride has never been just about the parties. To the LGBTQ community, Pride is about staking our place in the world and speaking truth to power. It's about making clear that we're here, we belong, and we are resilient — resilient together., , As our Trans Justice Campaign Manager LaLa Zannell has said: "For many Black and Brown queer and trans people, gathering in person has always come with a health and safety risk — including from law enforcement, and others who feel they have the right to harm us for simply being who we are … For many of us, this is not the first pandemic that shows the injust…
(2020-06-02). Speaking the 'language of the unheard' is our only option. greenleft.org.au 
Dr. Martin Luther King | "Yeah, you're right — we should protect our Second Amendment rights,
| Because in a second a dirty cop could kick our door in at night.<...
(2020-06-02). Autopsy Reports Showing George Floyd's Death Was a Homicide Underscore Corruption & Police Impunity. democracynow.org 
Two autopsies have agreed George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police was a homicide. "I don't think that most of us are surprised that the county medical examiner tried to find a reason related to why George Floyd died that distanced it from law enforcement's role," says Nekima Levy Armstrong, civil rights attorney, activist, founder of the Racial Justice Network and former president of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP. She also discusses the local history of police accountability: "What this does is illustrates the corruption that exists within Hennepin County, where you have law enforcement wor…
(2020-06-02). "A Declaration of War Against Americans": Trump Threatens to Deploy Military to Quell Protests. democracynow.org 
As a historic week-long uprising against police violence continues and curfews are in place across the United States, President Trump has declared himself "the president of law and order" and threatened to send thousands of heavily armed soldiers into the streets. "President Trump's speech almost amounted to a declaration of war against Americans," says Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. We also speak with William Arkin, longtime reporter on the military, who notes Trump is getting "no pushback" from Defense Department officials.
(2020-06-02). Black Lives Matter Co-Founder: Protests Are the Result of "Police Terror with No Accountability" democracynow.org 
As thousands in Los Angeles continue to protest against police brutality and face mass arrests, Mayor Eric Garcetti is facing criticism for increasing the budget for the Los Angeles Police Department. Organizers have called on the City Council to enact a People's Budget that slashes money for police and invests in services for the community instead. "We have created a system that overrelies on law enforcement and prioritizes their money, their budget, their needs over everything else," says Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, and Reform L.A. Jails. "Now is the time that we redirect resources back…
(2020-06-02). MPs endure Alton Towers-style queuing as they decide lockdown voting procedure. thecanary.co 
Chaotic scenes emerged in the House of Commons as MPs were forced to join an Alton Towers-style queue to decide their voting method during the Covid-19 pandemic.Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and his officials were left repeatedly shouting instructions at MPs as social distancing measures required them to join a queue, keep two metres apart, walk through the Commons chamber and announce their vote.The queue stretched for several hundred metres, snaking through Westminster Hall and running to Portcullis House, the newer part of the parliamentary estate.It came as the government dropped procedures which allowed MPs to vote…
(2020-06-02). Endangered species of seahorse returns to former stronghold due to lockdown. thecanary.co 
The endangered spiny seahorse has recolonised its former stronghold in Dorset due to the coronavirus lockdown, marine conservationists say.During one regular survey dive at Studland Bay, the Seahorse Trust found 16 seahorses including pregnant males and a juvenile that had been born this year.This is the largest number found in a single dive on the site since the charity began monitoring there in 2008.Prior to this, a seahorse had not been seen at the site for two years.Studland Bay in Dorset (Martin Keene/PA)Neil Garrick-Maidment, who founded the Seahorse Trust, puts the increase down to the reduction in people,…
(2020-06-02). Bishop 'outraged' after tear gas used on crowds before Trump church photo op. thecanary.co 
A bishop in the US has said she is "outraged" after tear gas was used to clear protesters ahead of president Donald Trump visiting a church to pose for photos while holding a bible.Thousands of protesters had gathered at Lafayette Park by the White House in Washington DC on Monday as part of demonstrations over the death of African American George Floyd in police custody.Shortly before Trump made an address to the nation, police officers dispersed the peaceful crowd, firing tear gas and using flash bangs.After the president had used his speech to threaten to deploy the military if US state governors did not stop…
(2020-06-02). Prostate cancer is now the UK's most commonly diagnosed cancer. thecanary.co 
Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, according to new figures. | Data analysed by the charity Prostate Cancer‚ÄØUK shows prostate cancer has overtaken breast cancer to be the most commonly diagnosed form of the disease, with 57,192 new cases in 2018 — the most recent data available. | This comes just ahead of 57,153 breast cancer cases, 48,054 cases of lung cancer and 42,879 of bowel cancer. | Prostate Cancer‚ÄØUK said the news comes a decade earlier than previously predicted, largely due to increased awareness which has led to more men get…
(2020-06-02). Wales's health minister defends George Floyd protesters in US. thecanary.co 
Wales's health minister has defended people protesting against the death of George Floyd in the United States, saying the loss of black lives was the "biggest harm" to the country. | Vaughan Gething said that the US was not alone in appearing to be "going backwards" on race relations, and that though all lives should matter "in some countries they don't". | African American Floyd died in police custody last week after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes. | Gething, who became the first black minister of any of the UK's devolved governments in 2013, was speaking after posting a…
(2020-06-02). Patterns found in spiral galaxies indicate universe could be far more orderly than previously believed. rt.com 
An astronomer surveying data from roughly 200,000 galaxies claims to have found a veritable needle in the universal haystack — a pattern underlying the movement of the universe which could upend current models and theories. | In a yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper, computational astronomer Lior Shamir of Kansas State University claims to have detected a pattern in the distribution of spin among the galaxies in the universe. | If he is proven correct, this would disprove assumptions that the complex and mind-bogglingly vast structures of the universe are random in nature, and would suggest that the early univ…
(2020-06-02). Taliban and Al-Qaeda retain ties despite US' Afghanistan deal, UN monitors warn. rt.com 
Ties between the Taliban, especially its Haqqani Network branch, and Al-Qaeda remain close, despite a US-Taliban pact that Washington hoped would sever them, the independent UN sanctions monitors said. | "The Taliban regularly consulted with Al-Qaeda during negotiations with the US and offered guarantees that it would honor their historical ties," the monitors said in a report to the UN Security Council, which was made public on Monday. | Under the February 29 US-Taliban deal that could pave the way toward a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan, the Taliban promised to prevent Al-Qaeda from usi…
(2020-06-02). Suicide blast in mosque near Afghanistan's Green Zone leaves 1 dead, 3 injured. rt.com 
A suicide bomber has struck a mosque at the entrance to the international zone in the Afghan capital Kabul during evening prayers, killing one person and injuring at least three others. | Interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian confirmed that the attacker blew himself up inside a washroom at the Wazir Akbar Khan mosque in the central district, next to the Green Zone — home to international offices, journalists and diplomats — at around 7: 25pm local time on Tuesday. The mosque's imam Mohammad Ayaz Niazi was killed in the blast. | No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. | Kabul has recorded…
(2020-06-02). Joe Rogan jokes humanity is 'two catastrophes away from an alien invasion' as Yellowstone hit by SWARM of earthquakes. rt.com 
Seismic activity near Yellowstone National Park spiked over the weekend, with the US Geological Survey reporting a swarm of eleven earthquakes on Friday alone, the strongest of which measured a magnitude of 3.1. | The latest swarm follows an additional 34 quakes in the past month, all ranging in magnitude from between 1.6 to 3.1 and all roughly three miles deep. | While earthquake swarms are common enough across the continental US, each one that takes place near Yellowstone ratchets up tensions that the 'Big One' (a catastrophic earthquake that would likely destroy the western seaboard of the US and disrupt li…
(2020-06-02). Czech Republic to classify states 'based on coronavirus risk' as it opens foreign travel from June 15. rt.com 
The Czech Republic will open up foreign travel from June 15. It also plans to introduce a system to classify other countries according to their coronavirus risk. | Prague will place 19 European states in the least-risky category under its new color-coded system. Travel to and from Britain and Sweden will be put in the riskiest category, Reuters said. | Czechs have undone most restrictions, with restaurants and hotels fully reopened on May 25. Tourism suffered as lockdown measures hit the economy. Only short-term business travelers from the EU, people in transit or students were allowed into the country. | Czec…
(2020-06-02). 'A visual thank you': London designer CREATES striking ornamental masks to honor key workers during Covid-19 crisis. rt.com 
A London-based fashion designer has used everyday items to create a striking set of decorative face masks to honor various groups of Covid-19 essential workers and the results are certainly eye-catching, if a little creepy. | In Facebook posts displaying the creations, designer Freyja Sewell said she had been looking for a way to turn her free time in lockdown into something good, and came up with the masks as a "visual thank you" to key workers. | Sewell created eight completely different colorful designs to honor the eight main groups of essential workers outlined by the UK government, including healthcare,…
(2020-06-02). Dubai announces full reopening of malls & private businesses from Wednesday. rt.com 
The United Arab Emirates' business hub, Dubai, will allow the full reopening of malls and private businesses starting on Wednesday, Reuters reported, citing the media office. | The authorities began easing restrictions in May, and some retail and wholesale businesses reopened, subject to social distancing, along with cinemas and gyms. | Dubai's economy, which heavily relies on retail, tourism, and hospitality, has suffered from the lockdown and travel restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus outbreak spread. | The Dubai-based Emirates airline, which flew to 157 destinations in 83 countries before the pa…
(2020-06-02). French govt launches virus tracing app as it allows people to go to restaurants & cafes. rt.com 
France is rolling out an official coronavirus contact-tracing app aimed at containing fresh outbreaks, as lockdown restrictions gradually ease. The French are able to download the StopCovid app on their Google Android devices and Apple iPhones starting Tuesday — the same day they are once again allowed to go to restaurants and cafes. | The country has become the first major European state to deploy the smartphone technology, amid a debate over privacy fears. The UK, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland are developing their own apps. They are using different technical protocols, raising questions about compatib…
(2020-06-02). All remaining virus restrictions in New Zealand may be removed next week — PM. rt.com 
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern said on Tuesday that all remaining restrictions to limit the spread of coronavirus may be lifted next week, after the country all but eliminated the virus domestically. | Ardern said New Zealand could move to alert level 1 next week, which means all social distancing measures and curbs on mass gatherings would be lifted. Borders will remain closed, she said. | "Our strategy of go hard, go early has paid off… and in some cases, beyond expectations," Ardern told reporters. The cabinet will decide on June 8, earlier than the planned date of June 22. | New Zealand recorded no new ca…
(2020-06-02). The handheld high-intensity UV lamp that could KILL coronavirus once and for all. rt.com 
We may have a powerful new weapon in the war against Covid-19, as a scientific breakthrough has paved the way for personal, handheld devices that emit high-intensity ultraviolet (UV) light capable of killing the coronavirus. | Chemical or UV exposure are the most common methods of sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces from bacteria and viruses. In the latter case, there need to be sufficiently high levels of UV radiation — 200 to 300 nanometers — to kill the unwanted bugs. | Such devices do exist at present, but are prohibitively expensive, use discharge lamps that contain mercury, are bulky and short…
(2020-06-02). Be our guest! Russia invites Pentagon chief to take part in Victory Day parade. rt.com 
Russia's Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu invited US Defense Secretary Mark Esper to visit the upcoming Victory Day parade in Moscow. The 75th-anniversary event has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. | The rare invitation was made on Tuesday, when the two officials held phone talks, Russia's Defense Ministry revealed in a statement. | While the Red Square parade marking the victory over Nazi Germany is traditionally held on May 9, it has been postponed this year, owing to the coronavirus situation. Instead, the parade will be held on June 24 — the date on which the original Victory Day parade w…
(2020-06-02). 300 asymptomatic Covid-19 cases found in Wuhan, after it screens entire population. rt.com 
The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus originated, has tested almost 10 million people for Covid-19. No active cases of the disease were recorded, but 300 people were identified as asymptomatic infection carriers. | Since the launch of centralized nucleic acid testing on May 14, over 90 percent of Wuhan's population has been tested. According to the city authorities, 300 symptomless carriers were discovered and ordered to self-quarantine. | Read more | | While asympt…
(2020-06-02). Ming the pantless! Politician caught on VIDEO stream attending European parliament in underwear. rt.com 
Irish politician Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has taken video conferencing calamities to extraordinary new heights by being caught on camera attending a European Parliament committee in his underpants. | MEPs have been participating in European Parliament debates via video link due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development was plodding along at a pedestrian pace on Tuesday when all-of-a-sudden Flanagan was beamed onto the screens of everyone watching, sitting on a bed in a state of undress. | When putting his questions to the chairman the politician was seemingly unaware that t…
(2020-06-02). Five asteroids inbound THIS WEEK as 2020's relentless onslaught continues. rt.com 
NASA is reporting that at least five asteroids are headed towards Earth this week, adding yet another ominous threat people should watch out for. | According to NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), four of the near-Earth objects are due to fly past the planet on Tuesday, June 2. | Kicking things off will be the 108-foot wide 2020 KK7, cruising along at 34,000mph. It is due to skim past the Earth at 4: 43am EDT, at a merciful distance of roughly 319,000 miles, or just beyond the Moon. Close one. | Next up will be 2020 KD4, measuring 115 feet wide, with a velocity of almost 12,000 miles per hour,…
(2020-06-02). Turkish authorities issue detention warrants for 118 military, security personnel over suspected Gulen links. rt.com 
Turkey issued detention warrants for 118 people, mostly members of the military and security forces, who are suspected of links to the network that Ankara says was behind a 2016 coup attempt. | The Istanbul prosecutor's office said Tuesday that detention warrants had been issued for 42 military and gendarmerie personnel as a result of statements by previously detained people and analyses of payphone calls. Among them, 24 officers were on active duty. | It had requested the detention of 76 military, gendarmarie personnel and civilians in a separate operation, after determining they'd used payphones to contact m…
(2020-06-02). Australian PM Morrison accepts Trump's G7 invitation. rt.com 
Australia will accept an invitation to attend a Group of Seven (G7) nations meeting, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. | Last week, Trump said he will be postponing the G7 summit he had hoped to hold next month until September or later. He also wants to expand the list of invitees to include Australia, Russia, South Korea and India. Trump called Morrison on Tuesday to extend the invitation and it was accepted, Reuters reported, citing a spokesman for the Australian prime minister. | Morrison has teamed up with the US in its tougher stance against China, Austral…