Republika Srpska Government building, Photo EPA/Mikko Pihavaara The government of Bosnia’s mainly Serbian entity, Republika Srpska, has signed a contract with Texas-based law firm McGinnis Lochridge to represent the RS and “provide general advice and representation regarding international legal and policy matters as requested by the Government from time to time”. The law firm anticipates that those matters will include, among others, “RS and BiH rights and obligations vis-a-vis the Office of the High Representative, the Peace Implementation Council, the UN Security Council, the OSCE, the EU, the Council of Europe, and others”. The RS will pay the firm a monthly retainer of $80,000 until the end of December. In total, the RS will pay the pay $640,000. The contract was signed on April 25 by the RS Economic Relations and Regional Cooperation Minister Zlatan Klokic and came into effect on 1 May. The investigative journalist Casey Michael from US news website … [Read more...] about Bosnian Serb Entity Hires New US Lobbying Firm
Us news
Fox News abruptly cuts to ad when guest links San Diego shooting to Donald Trump
Right-wing US news network Fox News abruptly cut to commercial when a guest linked anti-Semitic attacks to Donald Trump's election. The channel was interviewing Joel Rubin, a former deputy assistant Secretary of State about last night's deadly shooting in a San Diego synagogue. A 19-year-old man named as John Earnest has been arrested for the attack, which left one dead and three more wounded. President Trump has branded the attack a "hate crime". But in the interview, Mr Rubin suggested President Trump shared responsibility for the uptick in anti-Jewish violence, and was abruptly cut off. Asked what he thought had caused the increase, Mr Rubin said: "We've seen the spike, quite frankly, since the rise of President Trump. And we've seen that largely because there has been a freedom to say what wants in public. "'Jews will not replace us' was the chant in Charlottesville in August of 2017 and just the other day the President essentially said that they were fair. "Those are the kinds of … [Read more...] about Fox News abruptly cuts to ad when guest links San Diego shooting to Donald Trump
Russia suddenly incapable of ‘meddling’ in North Korea, according to US mainstream media
While the mainstream media seems to see Russia as omnipotent in propping up ‘dictators’ and subverting foreign elections, Putin’s efforts at getting North Korea to quit its nukes are apparently in vain and not of much note. While presumably efforts to thwart potential nuclear annihilation would be something of a news item, US news networks seemed to feel the meeting was more about posturing than peace. Coverage of the Putin-Kim gave off the distinct impression that Joe Biden’s long-expected presidential run announcement was of far greater consequence. US media moguls apparently figured that people are unlikely to tune in without President Donald Trump to inspire their hatred, which is likely why the talks in Vladivostok got a lot less hype than the February summit in Hanoi. Over on CBS, foreign correspondent Charlie D'Agata claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had “wedged himself” in between Trump and Kim to prove himself as a player in … [Read more...] about Russia suddenly incapable of ‘meddling’ in North Korea, according to US mainstream media
Assange Prosecution Could Destroy Century-Old US Espionage Act
Already, the US government’s initiative of bringing charges of conspiracy to try and jail a whistleblower should be mind-boggling to the rest of the journalistic world, especially those in the United States, the analysts also cautioned. Assange was arrested in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London on Thursday and was later charged with jumping bail in Westminster Magistrate's Court. The charge is expected to be used as the basis for extraditing him back to the United States where far more serious charges can be thrown at him. READ MORE: Sudden Assange Arrest Made to Avoid Mystery ‘Panic Button’ Use — Ecuadorian FM If the US government does go after Assange using the full power of the 1917 Espionage Act, their efforts could backfire on them, undermining the legislation that is the main legal tool against spying in their arsenal, veteran Defense Department … [Read more...] about Assange Prosecution Could Destroy Century-Old US Espionage Act
US Military Bases Axe TV News Programs ‘Due to Their Divisive Political Nature’
Common areas in nearly 2,700 US military facilities will no longer show news programs on their televisions, opting instead for the military's own information service, called EXTV, or sports programming, according to a memo sent out by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service on Monday. © Photo : PixabayMore Than Six in 10 Americans See Partisan Bias in US News Media "Providing store guidance regarding operations is an ordinary course of action for the Exchange," Chris Ward, senior public affairs manager for AAFES, told Stars and Stripes Wednesday, adding that the agency's guidelines include "the flexibility to make adjustments based on the news of the day and local needs." However, another, Staff Sgt. Manuel Cardona, said that news programs offered him a rare chance to catch world headlines during his busy work day, opining to Stars and Stripes that "we're getting too… sensitive about these … [Read more...] about US Military Bases Axe TV News Programs ‘Due to Their Divisive Political Nature’