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PBC News & Comment: Murky Endgame for Mueller Probe

In WashPost, former federal prosecutor Nelson Cunningham explains the legal landscape: Robert Mueller’s final report may never be made public…–read Cunningham’s analysis here

–GOP legal beagle Trey “Benghazi” Gowdy puts a little daylight between Intel report and his view

–Britain expels 23 Russian diplomats over unproven claims that Russia poisoned its retired double agent, Sergei Skripal

–at Buzzfeed, Jason Leopold and Anthony Cormier add new details to the story of Felix Sater, saying he spent 11 years as agent for CIA, FBI

–listener and subscriber Dick Atlee in Maine tips us to absurd Mother Jones report suggesting that Russian discord sowers use GMO controversy to divide Americans

–parents of Seth Rich, who scolded media for exploiting their son’s death, sue Fox News in effort to exploit their son’s death

–Alex Jones is sued by Brennan Gilmore, who says he was falsely accused of involvement in death of Heather Heyer in Charlottesville last year

–Trump’s border wall photo op included many lies, exaggerations and sheer idiocy

–the fate of Dreamers has lost political currency, so Trump tries new extortion pitch: trade DACA for funding for the wall

–Trump’s pick of “Bloody Gina” Haspel produces corporate media spin about her direct role in torture

–at Shadowproof, Kevin Gosztola nails it: Haspel is being promoted, not punished, because Obama blocked all accountability for torturers

–UC Santa Barbara Prof. Lisa Hajjar, in timely article, reviews “the afterlives” of torture

–one month after Parkland shooting, students stage nationwide events honoring the dead, demanding action

–in Pittsburgh special election, conservaDem Conor Lamb holds 641-vote lead

–Pentagon boss Mattis sneaks into Kabul, makes noises about non-military “victory” in Afghanistan

–from the Greed File: Trump names Larry Kudlow top economic advisor; Ben Carson’s wife helped pick the pricey furniture; Scott Pruitt’s special phone booth cost more than reported; Equifax exec charged with insider trading after the breach that’s not being investigated

–physicist Stephen Hawking, who inspired millions and lived with ALS for over 50 years, dies at age 76