Trump’s lawyer declines invitation to appear before congressional “Russiagate” panel. “I declined the invitation to participate, as the request was poorly phrased, overly broad and not capable of being answered,” Cohen told CNN Tuesday, adding that he considered it a “total fishing expedition.” http://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/30/politics/michael-cohen-wont-cooperate-with-congress/
America’s longest and most expensive wars. “In addition to nearly 7,000 troops killed, the 16-year conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan will cost an estimated US$6 trillion due to its prolonged length, rapidly increasing veterans health care and disability costs and interest on war borrowing.” https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/05/26/iraq-and-afghanistan-6-trillion-bill-americas-longest-war-unpaid
Judge unhappy about deportation of Hawaiian businessman who has been in the U.S. for almost 30 years. “The government’s decision to remove Magana Ortiz shows that even the ‘good hombres’ are not safe.” http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-appeals-court-deport-20170530-story.html
U.S. delivers arms to Kurdish leftists. “The (weapons) include AK-47s and small-calibre machine guns, according to AFP news agency.” http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40100917
China Labor Watch says its investigator has been detained by authorities. “An advocacy group says a man investigating working conditions at a Chinese company that produces Ivanka Trump-brand shoes has been arrested and two other men are missing.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/men-probing-ivanka-trump-supplier-in-china-arrested-missing/2017/05/30/d6aab7c0-4582-11e7-8de1-cec59a9bf4b1_story.html
Supreme Court strikes down “provocation” ruling of lower court in warrantless search for fugitive that lead to shooting of uninvolved homeless couple. “Under that rule, police can be sued for violating a victim’s constitutional rights against unreasonable searches if they provoked a confrontation that resulted in violence.” http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-court-police-shoot-20170530-story.html
Guardian reporter donates his broken glasses to journalism museum. “(Republican House candidate) Gianforte allegedly “body slammed” Jacobs at the candidate’s campaign headquarters in Bozeman after receiving a question about the GOP’s ObamaCare replacement plan.” http://thehill.com/homenews/news/335687-reporter-to-give-glasses-to-museum-after-alleged-assault-report
Muslim group wins lawsuit against New Jersey town accused of blocking mosque. “The (group) filed for site approval in 2012, which initiated 39 public hearings that spanned more than three years (before having their application denied in 2015).” http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/30/530766018/n-j-town-must-pay-islamic-group-3-25-million-to-settle-discrimination-lawsuit
Athens, Georgia bars accused of making up dress codes and private party reservations to exclude black customers. “The dress code is meant to keep out gang members regardless of race, (one bar owner) said.” http://flagpole.com/news/in-the-loop/first-discrimination-complaint-filed-against-downtown-athens-bar
Man places peeing dog statue next to Wall Street’s “Fearless Girl”. “Gardega created a statue of a small dog, titled “Pissing Pug,” and his sloppily crafted pooch takes direct aim at “Fearless Girl” — or, at least, at her left leg.” https://nypost.com/2017/05/29/pissed-off-artist-adds-statue-of-urinating-dog-next-to-fearless-girl/ Classy!
Goldman Sachs buys up Venezuelan state oil company bonds, upsetting the country’s mostly pro-capitalist opposition. “Goldman Sachs paid $865 million for $2.8 billion in bonds issued by PDVSA, the country’s state-owned oil company, working out to 31 cents on the dollar.” http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/30/goldmans-venezuelan-bond-deal-a-cynically-opportunist-bet-fmr-goldman-managing-director.html
United Airlines fined by government over maintenance lapse. “United flew the aircraft on 23 domestic and international passenger flights before the inspection was ultimately performed, according to the FAA.” http://kfor.com/2017/05/30/united-allegedly-flew-an-unsafe-plane-23-times/
Parties in British Columbia, Canada vow to block oil pipeline. “The Greens and left-leaning New Democrats…. said they would use “every tool available” to stop the expansion of a pipeline designed to carry crude from Alberta’s oil sands to the west coast.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kindermorgan-canada-ipo-idUSKBN18Q1JT
Supreme Court puts limits on where lawsuits can be filed against corporations. “The Supreme Court ruling looks to limit the ability of plaintiffs to “shop” for courts in states that have friendlier employee laws.” https://www.thestreet.com/story/14154470/1/supreme-court-tightens-rules-on-where-injury-lawsuits-can-be-filed.html
Are the world’s democracies being turned into “security states” by a gang of young delinquents? “… with every new attack, some of our essential freedoms are being chipped away in the name of security, and that trend will almost certainly continue.” http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/after-manchester-the-u-k-weighs-security-and-freedoms
Aerospace tycoon says he is certain there is an alien presence on earth. “There has been and is an existing presence, an ET presence.” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bigelow-aerospace-founder-says-commercial-world-will-lead-in-space/
Portland stabbing suspect reportedly yells in court, “Death to the enemies of America. Leave this country if you hate our freedom. You call it terrorism, I call it patriotism.” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/portland-train-stabbing-suspect-has-courtroom-outburst/
Bernie Sanders tells graduates he never thought the U.S. would become an oligarchy. “Described to him as “small developing countries” in which the “economic and political life of the nation were controlled by a handful of very wealthy people,” Sanders admitted it “never occurred to me as a kid in Brooklyn that the United States of America, our great nation, could move in that direction”.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/05/30/come-together-and-fight-oligarchy-declares-sanders-stirring-commencement
Unknown attacker opens fire on Kentucky newspaper office, bomb threat hits printing company. “The spate of threats to news industries in Kentucky adds to a growing litany of attacks and physical assaults on journalists across the US.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/30/kentucky-newspapers-attack-anti-media
Death toll in Venezuelan protests reportedly hits 69. “Sixty-nine people have been killed in Venezuela since April 1 as result of numerous, violent protests held against the nation’s leader Nicolas Maduro, head of the Venezuelan non-governmental organization, Foro Penal (Penal Forum), Alfredo Romero, said Tuesday.” https://sputniknews.com/latam/201705311054140222-venezuela-protests-death-toll-seventy/
Progressive News Service 