Fmr prosecutor: Trump may be ‘culpable’ in Capitol riot – National & International News – MON 22Mar2021

Fmr prosecutor: Trump may be ‘culpable’ in Capitol riot. Ex-intel chief talks UFOs. EU, UK sanction China over Uighurs. Rich countries “block” vaccine production in 3rd world.

NATIONAL NEWS

Fmr prosecutor: Trump may be ‘culpable’ in Capitol riot

Former acting DC US attorney Michael Sherwin says former President Trump may be ‘culpable’ for the events of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Sherwin headed the investigation into the riots before stepping down from his post on Friday.

In a 60 Minutes interview yesterday, Sherwin said: “What I could tell you is this: Based upon what we see in the public record and what we see in public statements in court, we have plenty of people.-we have soccer moms from Ohio that were arrested saying, ‘Well, I did this because my president said I had to take back our house.’ That moves the needle towards that direction,” referring to Trump’s culpability in the riots.

Sherwin also said that sedition charges may be possible for some of the 400 people, so far, being investigated in connection with the riot. Charges of sedition, or opposing the authority of the US government through force, are rarely invoked. But in the case of the armed infiltrators, Sherwin said, “I believe the facts do support those charges”.

Sherwin also confirmed that two rioters who bear-sprayed Officer Brian Sicknick, who later died, could face murder charges if the chemical attack is linked to his death. Sicknick’s cause of death has not been released.

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Ex-intel chief: “a lot more” UFO sightings than the public know about

Donald Trump’s former intelligence director John Ratcliffe told Fox News on Sunday that there have been “a lot more” UFO sightings by military personnel and satellites than have been made public. One of the many unlikely provisions tucked into December’s COVID package requires the various US intelligence services to make a full report to Congress on UFO phenomena by June.

Ratcliffe claims the upcoming report will include previously unknown sightings from “all over the world”. He clarifies that report includes objects observed by military pilots or satellites “that frankly engage in actions that are difficult to explain”. This includes, “movements that are hard to replicate, that we don’t have the technology for. Or traveling at speeds that exceed the sound barrier without a sonic boom”.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

EU, UK impose sanctions over China’s Uighur genocide

With more evidence coming to light about China’s treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang, the EU and UK have at last joined the US in imposing sanctions. The sanctions target the same local officials in Xinjiang province that the US previously sanctioned. This marks the first time the UK or EU have imposed sanctions on China for human rights violations. Neither institution has taken a similar action for suppression of pro-democracy protesters and politicians in Hong Kong.

The sanctions are a pleasant surprise for human rights campaigners who feared the EU and UK would bow to economic pressure. The EU has already negotiated a trade deal with China, but has not yet ratified it. Meanwhile, UK officials have been holding closed-door talks hoping to set up a similar treaty.

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WHO: rich nations “block” vaccine production in developing world

According to a leaked document from the World Health Organization, wealthy nations are blocking proposals that would help poor nations boost their vaccine manufacturing capabilities.

Experts are concerned that vaccine production is only at about a third of what is necessary to achieve global immunity. Meanwhile, the virus continues to circulate and evolve unchecked in poor countries.

Vaccine production normally requires the rights to use patented formulas as well as access the knowledge about the necessary technology. While the WHO can’t sidestep patents, the agency has been negotiating with vaccine-producing countries to find a workaround for poorer countries. The negotiating brief indicates that the EU, UK and US are resisting the plan.

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