Monday, December 31, 2018

31 December - Blogs I'm Following - 1 of 3

10:00 pm MST

Some Of The Developers Behind Russia's Hypersonic Weapons Program Have Been Accused Of Being Spies

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 minute ago
MiG-31K with hypersonic missile "Kinzhal" / Kremlin.ru Anna Nemtsova & David Axe, Daily Beast: *Putin Claimed His Hypersonic Missiles Were Invincible. Then He Jailed the Developers.* *Back in the ‘re-set’ era, Russian scientists collaborated with the West to develop hypersonic re-entry vehicles. Now the FSB claims some of those scientists were spies.* MOSCOW—Russian President Vladimir Putin frequently boasts about this country’s new hypersonic nuclear weapons, intercontinental missiles capable of flying 20 times faster than the speed of sound. The Russian leader reminds the world ...more »

U.S. Strategic Command Apologizes For Tweet About Dropping Nuclear Bombs

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 20 minutes ago
An official Twitter account run by the United States military posted and then deleted a video on Monday bragging about dropping massive bombs *Daily Mail:* *'We are ready to drop something much bigger': U.S. military sparks outrage after posting New Year's Eve video bragging about thermonuclear bombs in bizarre joke about the Times Square ball drop* * United States Strategic Command operates nuclear-armed stealth bombers * USSTRATCOM posted video on Twitter on New Year's Eve * Video showed B-2 Spirit stealth fighter unleashing heavy bombs * The clip was meant for New Year's Eve and ma...more »

Human waste, rubbish overwhelm some US national parks in shutdown

Just In - 23 minutes ago
Officials are shutting some campgrounds and facilities but with large numbers of visitors arriving at parks across the country, locals are pitching in to clean toilets and empty bins.

Man accused of blowing 0.168 while driving with three children

Just In - 23 minutes ago
A 48-year-old man is accused of high-range drink driving with three children in his car, after police stopped him on Sydney's northern beaches in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Arctic Sea Ice Volume 30-Dec-2018

Hifast at Climate Collections - 45 minutes ago
Originally posted on sunshine hours: ? From DMI

Bill Gates Backs Advanced Nuclear Power to Solve the Climate Crisis

Hifast at Climate Collections - 45 minutes ago
Reblogged from Watts Up With That: Guest essay by Eric Worrall Bill Gates has joined the growing list of Greens who think renewables alone cannot replace fossil fuels. What I learned at work this year By Bill Gates December 29, 2018 … Global emissions of greenhouse gases went up in 2018. For me, that […]

Apple Believes It Is Not OK To Kill The Taliban In A Video Game

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 50 minutes ago
Apple Removes Video Game That Portrays Taliban As the Enemy *Michael Peck, Task & Purpose/The National Interest:* *Apple Removes Video Game That Portrays Taliban As the Enemy * The U.S. government says it's okay to kill Taliban insurgents battling American troops in Afghanistan. Apple says it's not okay to kill the Taliban in a video game. The technology giant pulled a wargame simulating the current war in Afghanistan from its App Store last month. “Afghanistan '11 is a simulation of the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan (an expansion pack features Britain's Royal Marines). It's a det...more »

John Howard reflects on his achievements and mistakes

Sabra Lane at Just In - 59 minutes ago
As thousands of previously classified cabinet papers are released, former prime minister John Howard admits the first two years of his government were tough.

Crappy TV and a cuppa tea — how you won New Year's Eve by staying home

Lucia Stein at Just In - 59 minutes ago
New Year's is meant to be a happy time of year but for some, the celebrations never really live up to the hype. The ABC Messenger audience shares some tips on what you can do instead.

Rodrigo Duterte says he sexually assaulted a sleeping maid

Just In - 59 minutes ago
The Philippines President tells a crowd of 3,000 the assault of the woman was a true story he had confessed to a priest but his offices calls it an anecdote he made up.

'The cable was on fire': Toy pulled from Kmart shelves over safety fears

Jordan Hayne at Just In - 59 minutes ago
A popular Christmas gift is pulled from sale by Kmart over concerns some components can overheat, melt, or even catch fire — but a recall has not been issued.

Mayweather blitzes Nasukawa in 140 seconds for $US9 million in boxing exhibition

Just In - 59 minutes ago
Floyd Mayweather had a very lucrative end to 2018, coming out of retirement for a one-sided boxing exhibition bout — that lasted just 140 seconds — against a Japanese kickboxer.

Venice to charge tourists for historic city's upkeep

Just In - 59 minutes ago
Tourists will be charged to access Venice's historic city centre as a way to help curtail the considerable costs of maintaining the popular tourist destination built on water.

Judge dismisses Spacey's request to skip court appearance

Just In - 59 minutes ago
A judge denies House of Cards star Kevin Spacey's request to not appear in court on accusations he groped a man in 2016, after the actor argued his presence would "amplify the negative publicity already generated in connection" with the case.

Happy New Year…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 59 minutes ago
2018 has been a year of historic accomplishments! pic.twitter.com/6Iq5CFVdwY — The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 1, 2019

Rough Times Ahead, But Liberty Can Still Win

Ron Paul at rss - 1 hour ago
[image: rough-times-ahead-but-liberty-can-still-win] While Congress and the president fight over funding a border wall, they continue to ignore the coming economic tsunami caused by the approximately 22 trillion dollars (and rapidly increasing) federal debt.

What’s the fuss over a border wall necessary for national security? Congress needs to fund the wall so the country can move on.

drinkingwateradvisor at The Drinking Water Advisor - 1 hour ago
“The federal government is in the midst of a partial government shutdown as Congressional Republicans and Democrats have failed to produce a funding bill that would include monies for building a southern border wall and border security. The partial shutdown … Continue reading →

President Trump issues an Executive Order to improve conditions and reduce wild fire risk

drinkingwateradvisor at The Drinking Water Advisor - 1 hour ago
Wildfires have burned more than 8.5 million acres this year. President Trump issued an executive order (here) allowing agencies to do more to prevent massive wildfires. The order came one day after Trump signed GOP-backed wildfire legislation.

China's Railgun Goes Out To Sea

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 hour ago
*Popular Mechanics:* *China’s Railgun Has Reportedly Gone to Sea* *China has beat America in placing railguns on ships, but how far ahead it actually is, that’s a good question.* According to a new report, China may have beaten the U.S. to mounting a railgun on a ship. A naval vessel called the Haiyangshan, carrying what appears to be a railgun on the bow, allegedly left the confines of the Yangtze River and is being tested on the Pacific Ocean. First spotted in January of 2018, the railgun appears to be the first put on a warship by any country—the United States included. Whethe... more »

Protest Gets Cell Tower Near Playground Removed in New York

Activist Post at Activist Post - 1 hour ago
By B.N. Frank Congratulations to Tarrytown, New York residents, state and local officials for teaming up to demand the removal of a cell tower installed... more »

Chinese Has Set Up A Massive Communications Grid To Keep Long-Range Communications Open With Its Submarines

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 hour ago
A US Navy chart showing various submarine communications options and their relative risk. The "bell" icon for VLF/ELF "stealth" transmissions reflects that these are one-way only "bell ringers" typically used to alert a submarine that it needs to find a safe place to get closer to the surface to receive additional information. USN *Warzone/The Drive*: *China's NYC-Sized 'Earthquake Warning System' Array Sounds More Like A Way To Talk To Submarines* *With the largest submarine force on Earth, the Chinese increasingly need long-range communications options that don't require the boat... more »

Human Waste, Trash Overwhelm Some National Parks in Shutdown

Associated Press at Snopes.com - 1 hour ago
Human feces, overflowing garbage, illegal off-roading and other damaging behavior in fragile areas were beginning to overwhelm some of the West's iconic national parks as a partial government shutdown left the areas open to visitors but with little staff on duty.

Loretta Lynn Death Hoax

David Mikkelson at Snopes.com - 1 hour ago
Country singer Loretta Lynn did not die after checking into hospice care.

Louis C.K. Mocks Parkland Students in Audio of Stand-Up Set

Associated Press at Snopes.com - 1 hour ago
The sound-only recording was posted in a since-removed YouTube video that said it was from a Dec. 16 stand-up set at a Levittown, New York, comedy club.

Elizabeth Warren Takes Big Step Toward 2020 Presidential Bid

Associated Press at Snopes.com - 1 hour ago
Warren burst onto the national scene a decade ago during the financial crisis with calls for greater consumer protections.

Net Neutrality Is Gone, but the Internet Is Fine

Jeff Jacoby ~ Here’s a piece of news you may have missed: The internet is getting faster. The technology news website Recode reported this month that “US internet speeds rose nearly 40 percent this year,” with broadband download velocity now averaging as much as 159 megabits per second in some cities. The United States … Continue reading "Net Neutrality Is Gone, but the Internet Is Fine"

A Few Lucky Soldiers Are Now Armed with the Army's New Sniper Rifle. Here's What It Can Do.

Task and Purpose at Test Feed Using Fields - 1 hour ago
*Task and Purpose* *Security, * What we know so far. A handful of lucky Army units apparently picked up an early Christmas present this fall: A shiny new rifle for designated marksmen assigned to infantry, scout, and engineer squads. A Dec. 27 update from Army Futures Command revealed that the Army has fielded the 7.62x51mm G28E-110 squad designated marksman rifle — adopted as the M110A1 Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS) back in 2017 — as planned to selected units stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. Based on the Heckler & Koch HK417 platform, the 2019 National Defense A... more »

Dear Dell Computer

Engineer-Poet at The Ergosphere - 1 hour ago
Dear Dell Computer, We used to have a good relationship. I've purchased Dell laptops several times, as well as one well-loved monitor which met an ugly end in a moving accident. My main machine 2 computers ago was a Dell laptop on which I installed some flavor of Linux I've long since forgotten. It installed from an ISO I downloaded and ran like a dream for years until it experienced some

New Video : Fraud In The National Climate Assessment (Part 3)

tonyheller at The Deplorable Climate Science Blog - 1 hour ago
The Climate Industrial Complex

Happy New Year from Modern Tokyo Times: Ending of Heisei Era and demographic needs

Lee Jay at Modern Tokyo Times - 2 hours ago
Happy New Year from Modern Tokyo Times: Ending of Heisei Era and demographic needs The nation of Japan will witness the end of the Heisei Era in 2019 based on the abdication of Emperor Akihito on April 30. Hence, with Emperor Akihito serving the nation with grace and wisdom throughout the Heisei Era, a new […]

Will Griffin is so talented

Bruce K. Gagnon at Organizing Notes - 2 hours ago
Will Griffin (The Peace Report) liked my post below and made this short video. He is so amazing. We are lucky to have him on the board of the Global Network helping us expand our reach on social media. Will is an Iraq and Afghanistan war vet who is turning his outrage from those experiences into positive transformative action. Best to you Will always. Bruce

Video of Red Tide compared to Normal on Casey Key Beaches

redtide at Florida Red Tide Cover Up - 2 hours ago
A local drone operator took these videos of Red Tide.

Red Tide Cover Up Goes Live

redtide at Florida Red Tide Cover Up - 2 hours ago
There is a plot – a conspiracy involving billions of dollars and paid-off politicians, scientists, developers and others – to keep members of the public from learning about the ongoing destruction of the Florida environment. This plot is quite similar to many others you may have heard about, such as Exxon hiring Scientists and PR […]

A Middle Finger Symphony New Years Eve

Diogenes Sarcastica™ at Diogenes' Middle Finger - 2 hours ago
*Here's To A Happy And Prosperous 2019 From DMF/MFST*

Another Migrant Caravan With 15,000 People to Leave Honduras Soon

Warren Mass at rss - 3 hours ago
[image: another-migrant-caravan-with-15-000-people-to-leave-honduras-soon] Migrant rights advocates and the Spanish-language media have reported that another migrant caravan of about 15,000 people is preparing to leave Honduras on January 15.

"Meet the Press" Drops Any Pretense at Objectivity on Climate Change Issue

Steve Byas at rss - 3 hours ago
[image: meet-the-press-drops-any-pretense-at-objectivity-on-climate-change-issue] Governor Brown thinks we must treat the "enemy" on the climate change debate as we did Nazi Germany, and "newsman" Chuck Todd believes no other views should even be heard.

WA Police applaud behaviour of New Year's revellers

Sarah Collard at Just In - 3 hours ago
West Australians are praised by police for their good behaviour during New Year's Eve celebrations, with "no significant incidents" and only 106 arrests across the state, police say.

Victorian Government employees' details stolen in data breach

Just In - 3 hours ago
The work details of 30,000 Victorian public servants are stolen in a data breach, after part of the Victorian Government directory is downloaded by an unknown party.

Louis CK mocks Parkland school shooting survivors in stand-up set

Just In - 3 hours ago
School shooting survivors and parents of victims admonish comedian Louis CK after audio emerges of him apparently mocking the students-turned-activists from the Parkland, Florida, massacre.

Goals and Mariners' hearts broken in Gosford

Just In - 3 hours ago
Perth Glory ends 2018 three points clear at the A-League summit after beating the Mariners 4-1 following a 40-minute mid-match delay over snapped goalposts.

Inside the hidden wartime bunkers built to protect Australians from attack

Matthew Smith at Just In - 3 hours ago
As World War II crept closer, Australian cities built bunkers to shelter from possible attacks. Now, there's a battle to keep those that remain safe from decaying into obscurity.

Police officer injured in Adelaide breath test hit-and-run

Eugene Boisvert at Just In - 3 hours ago
Police are looking for a driver following a hit-and-run at a roadside breath test at Mile End, in Adelaide's west, early on New Year's Day where an officer sustained minor leg injuries.

Our New Year’s Eve MAGA Reminder – A 2018 Year in Pictures…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 3 hours ago
Before getting to the POTUS and FLOTUS pictures from 2018, it is worthwhile remembering the scale of the opposition we have successfully overcome. On October 13th. 2016, presidential candidate Donald Trump delivered a speech in West Palm Beach, FL, that … Continue reading →

Death Toll from Cold Doubles

Robert at Ice Age Now - 3 hours ago
As the fake academics keep pushing the Global Warming scenarios because that justifies more taxes and they are rewarded with endless grants, I (Martin Armstrong) have warned that it is Global Cooling we should be concerned about. Particularly the elderly should really try to relocate to warmer territory. The death rate caused by the extreme ... Read moreDeath Toll from Cold Doubles The post Death Toll from Cold Doubles appeared first on Ice Age Now.

Heavy snow and freezing for nearly all of Arizona and New Mexico

Robert at Ice Age Now - 3 hours ago
Happy New Year AZ and NM !!! More than 2 feet (60 cm) of snow in places. Right now as I post this (4:30 pm) it’s minus 3C (27F) in Albuquerque. Freezing temps and snow expected all the way to the southern border of NM and freezing temps into Yuma, AZ. Wind chills as low as ... Read moreHeavy snow and freezing for nearly all of Arizona and New Mexico The post Heavy snow and freezing for nearly all of Arizona and New Mexico appeared first on Ice Age Now.

As the public in Central Asia become more vocal

Bob Dinn at balance10 - 3 hours ago
12-4-2018 -Kyrgyz yurts in Xinjiang Flickr / davidstanleytravel Children of ethnic Kazakhs held at re-education camps in China’s Xinjiang pleaded for their families’ release. “I ask the whole world, please, help us get our mom back,” one little girl says between sobs in a video posted by RFE/RL , “We miss her very much.” The heartbreaking footage underscores the role the people of Central Asia have had in putting a human face on the incarceration of an estimated million Muslims in Xinjiang by Chinese authorities. While the great majority of those detained in what Beijing ca... more »

Another Year In Review-- Trump's Residence In Hell Is Just Beginning

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 3 hours ago
The White House announced that Señor Trumpanzee isn't going to his Mar-A-Lago $1,000/guest New Years Eve party tonight. The *Palm Beach Post*'s gossip columnist wrote that "It’s unclear whether Mar-a-Lago will let people wiggle out of their tickets at this late date. But evidently, some club members and guests have no interest in paying extra-high ticket prices if the president will not be in attendance. People were willing to pay for the cachet if partying with the president, a source said. But with President Donald Trump staying in Washington, 'people are bailing,' the source sa... more »

US Stock Markets

E.M.Smith at Musings from the Chiefio - 4 hours ago
The 2018 stock market, a retrospective of charts. Continue reading →

Climate Scientist Chuck Todd Speaks Out

tonyheller at The Deplorable Climate Science Blog - 4 hours ago
The Earth is getting hotter, and human activity is a major cause. Period. We are not going to give time to climate deniers. If alarmists had any confidence in their position, they would be eager to debate, prove us wrong, … Continue reading →

In 2015, Did a Russian-Made Submarine 'Sink' a U.S. Nuclear Attack Sub?

Dave Majumdar at Test Feed Using Fields - 4 hours ago
*Dave Majumdar* *Security, Asia* It would not be a total shock. *Fact: It’s not a huge surprise that a Russian-built Kilo would be able to defeat a Los Angeles-class attack boat.* Is it possible that one of New Delhi’s Russian-built *Kilo*-class diesel-electric attack submarines managed to “sink” a nuclear-powered U.S. Navy* Los Angeles*-class attack submarine during exercises in October 2015? The Indian submarine INS *Sindhudhvaj* (S56) allegedly “killed” USS *City of Corpus Christi* (SSN 705) during an exercise called Malabar that is held annually between India, Japan and th... more »

U.S.-Sino Relations at 40: How to Deal with China While Avoiding War

Doug Bandow at Test Feed Using Fields - 4 hours ago
*Doug Bandow* *Security, Asia* [image: Deng Xiaoping, the initiator of China's reform and opening-up policy, is seen at the Great Hall of the People during a meeting in Beijing in this 1985 file photo. As China battles an economic slowdown that could test Communist Party control, its leaders a] January 1st marks the 40th anniversary of U.S.-China ties. What happens next? Richard Nixon famously “went to China” in 1971, ending the hostile silence between the two governments. But Jimmy Carter completed the bilateral relationship, formally recognizing the People’s Republic of China ... more »

Will a Failing China Attack America?

Gordon G. Chang at Test Feed Using Fields - 4 hours ago
*Gordon G. Chang* *Security, Asia* [image: Anti-tank missiles are displayed during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2015. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj] "That’s an especially disturbing possibility now that belligerent Chinese officers are convincing themselves they can launch surprise attacks on the U.S. Navy and kill thousands of Americans." “The United States is most afraid of death,” said Rear Admiral Luo Yuan on December 20, 2018, to an audience in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. “We now have Dong Fe... more »

About that Cuban Life Expectancy

David Henderson at Econlib - 4 hours ago
Cuban health statistics appear to be a paradox. Wealth and health are correlated because greater wealth can buy better health care. Yet, Cuba remains desperately poor and appears to be healthy. Cuban life expectancies of 79.5 years and infant mortality rates of 4.3 per 1000 live births (2015) compare well with rich nations like […] The post About that Cuban Life Expectancy appeared first on Econlib.

Two Clear Pieces of Medical-Grade Silicone Could Be the Answer To Back Pain, Foot Problems and More

Nick Meyer at AltHealthWorks.com - 4 hours ago
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that something is drastically wrong with our human physiology in today’s landscape of cubicles, laptops, and smart phones. Beyond those hinderances we also have seen the physiology of the human foot change dramatically, as we spend so much of our time cramming them into shoes that it has the ability to completely alter the way they look. I personally can vividly remind one evening at the local Lifetime fitness, a king-sized fitness complex, where I decided to walk out to the indoor pool after a long workout. As I walked across the tiled floor ... more »

Mother Of Detained Journalist Julian Assange And WikiLeaks Call On Journalists And Supporters To Protest In Times Square On New Year’s Eve

Aaron at Activist Post - 4 hours ago
By Aaron Kesel Recently, WikiLeaks highlighted that its founder and former editor Julian Assange has been arbitrarily detained 8+ years without charge by the UK Govt... more »

'Like a scene from the Wizard of Oz': Skies darken as wall of dust descends on Dubbo

Just In - 4 hours ago
Dry soil in central west NSW is whipped into a dust storm, which sweeps through properties in the drought-stricken regional centre of Dubbo to end 2018 on a note that is equal parts sombre and spectacular.

that this flame of Almighty God may burn in your hearts forever

Bob Dinn at balance10 - 4 hours ago
* Through* the ritual of attunement with the Holy Spirit the hopes of the many are made known to each one. The desire to express comfort to those parts of life requiring it is very great, for there are in the world today a large number of devotees of humanity such as those of you who have assembled here in our retreat who yearn to magnetize the glow of the comfort-flame on behalf of their brethren. These also desire to mobilize an effective means of contact whereby the individual soul can come to know the needs of others and, by the mystical touch of the Holy Spirit, reach out to... more »

Are you not Entertained?

LL at Virtual Mirage - 4 hours ago
I am not a re-enactor. Who would be comfortable handing me a machine gun to replay times when I used live ammunition...exactly. That doesn't mean that I don't appreciate people who do it. I think that it's a fun and harmless way to entertain yourself. There are also historical angles that I find interesting. Here are some photographs of the 21st Legion First Cohort marches into camp. Roman legions units incorporated torture teams. This is a photo of crucifixion unit on the way to a village to deal with some people who have been uncooperative. Modern man reared his ugly head by leavin... more »

Happy New Year 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 4 hours ago
Happy New Year folks!

Happy New year 2019 postcard from Egypt

egyptianchronicler@gmail.com (Zeinobia) at Egyptian Chronicles - 4 hours ago
Happy New year 2019 from Egyptian Chronicles to the whole world. [image: Happy New year postcard] May it be better year for the whole universe not only the world.

Palestinian court’s life sentence for American wrongly called “hate”

Seraphim Hanisch at The Duran - 4 hours ago
US Media spins it as Palestinian "hate" without giving the complicated history of this region its full perspective. The post Palestinian court’s life sentence for American wrongly called “hate” appeared first on The Duran.

2018 leaves like a bolt of lightning – literally – for this F-18 pilot [Video]

Seraphim Hanisch at The Duran - 4 hours ago
Pilot of F/A-18 fighter jet stunned as lightning strikes his plane, leaving him visibly shaken and tired, and with damage to the plane. The post 2018 leaves like a bolt of lightning – literally – for this F-18 pilot [Video] appeared first on The Duran.

Climate or Planetary Dynamics

Louis Hissink at Louis Hissink's Crazy World - 4 hours ago
A recent paper published in Nature Geoscience noted that the Earth’s tropical belt in the northern hemisphere moved northwards during the LIA. From 1568 to 1634, the tropics expanded to the north, the team found. That time period coincides with … Continue reading →

Epic Retort – President Trump Discusses Senator Warren…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 4 hours ago
President Trump was asked about Senator Elizabeth Warren as a 2020 presidential challenger. The response was, well, epic. WATCH:

Truck driver might not know they hit pedestrian, Tasmanian police say

Just In - 4 hours ago
Police say the driver of a vehicle, believed to be a truck, that struck and killed a pedestrian overnight in the Hobart suburb of Brighton might not know they struck the man.

Lightning strikes blamed for long queues, heavy delays after New Year's party

Just In - 4 hours ago
The new year party soured quickly for revellers in Sydney who faced long queues getting home after lightning strikes scored direct hits on signal boxes, sparking delays which continued into the morning.

Cabinet papers show how premier Mike Ahern struggled to move on from Sir Joh

Allyson Horn at Just In - 4 hours ago
Newly released cabinet documents from 1988 reveal Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen's successor, Mike Ahern, tried to restore public trust in politics but faced internal opposition.

Australia still has no US ambassador and that may be the case for some time

James Glenday And Emily Olson at Just In - 4 hours ago
Arthur Culvahouse Jr was approved to be appointed as the US's ambassador to Australia but delays in the Senate means he is unlikely to head Down Under anytime soon.

Giant typo confuses crowd in Sydney New Year's Eve countdown

Just In - 4 hours ago
An estimated 1 million revellers who rang in the new year around Sydney's famous harbour could have been forgiven for winding their clocks back, after a giant projection told them it was still 2018.

Category one Tropical Cyclone Penny to cross Queensland coast this afternoon

Laura Gartry And Melinda Howells at Just In - 4 hours ago
Tropical Cyclone Penny is heading east towards the Cape York Peninsula, and is expected to cross the Queensland coast near Weipa around 4:00pm today.

Khashoggi's remains transported in suitcases: report

Just In - 4 hours ago
A Turkish pro-government television channel broadcasts video showing men carrying suitcases purportedly containing the remains of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi into the residence of his country's consul-general in Istanbul.

Houthi forces accused of manipulating food aid in Yemen by the World Food Programme

Lee Jay at Modern Tokyo Times - 5 hours ago
Houthi forces accused of manipulating food aid in Yemen by the World Food Programme Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yemen is blighted by a sectarian war, regional differences, and the intrigues of major Sunni Muslim nations under the Saudi Arabia-led alliance. Of course, powerful Western nations including America, France, and the […]

Massachusetts Sheriff: Calif. Killing of Policeman Proves Need For Border Wall

R. Cort Kirkwood at rss - 5 hours ago
[image: massachusetts-sheriff-california-killing-of-policeman-proves-need-for-border-wall] The murder of police Corporal Ronil Singh in Newman, California, has inspired at least one fellow law enforcement officer — this one across the country — to tell the unpleasant truth: Thomas Hodgson, the sheriff in Bristol County, Massachusetts, avers that Singh might still be alive but for the inaction of Congress on border security.

Can Elizabeth Warren Get Past Her Bogus Indian Claim in White House Run?

R. Cort Kirkwood at rss - 5 hours ago
[image: can-elizabeth-warren-get-past-her-bogus-indian-claim-in-white-house-run] Senator Elizabeth Warren, the Democrat from Massachusetts who falsely claims she is part Cherokee, is running for president in 2020.

'Russiagate' Election Interference Fable Exposed Again

Alicia at LaRouchePAC Feed - 5 hours ago
A Dec. 28 article in *The Nation* by Aaron Maté exposed again, in great detail, the absurd lack of substance of the claim of Russian intelligence interference and even "influence" on the 2016 U.S. election, the tattered rag now being held up as a flag by the Senate Intelligence Committee. It is truer than ever that the foreign intelligence agency actually interfering then, and still now, is the British Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6. Maté picks to pieces the "big new report" released last week by the Committee's leaders, Democrat Mark Warner and Republican Richard ... more »

Happy 48th Anniversary Jeanne and Bob

Norma at Collecting My Thoughts - 5 hours ago
[image: Image may contain: 2 people, including Jeanne Poisal, people smiling, people standing and indoor] I’ve never seen them looking better. This fall they began home sharing and are now in a household with 4 generations, their daughter and husband, their grandson, and his twin girls—plus Diva the dog. There is lots of activity, which has been wonderful for Bob who has been ill.

If New York OKs recreational marijuana, unions may become big business issue

Jeff Smith at Marijuana Business Daily - 5 hours ago
A union official told the New York Post that labor hopes to unionize “many thousands of workers” if the state legalizes recreational cannabis – a move that could affect firms trying to break into the market. “I think there are mixed feelings over unionized labor similar to any other industry,” cannabis attorney Rob DiPisa of Cole […] If New York OKs recreational marijuana, unions may become big business issue is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

DONALD TRUMP IS THE PUKE FUNNEL

Steve M. at No More Mister Nice Blog - 5 hours ago
The president of the United States tweeted this yesterday: President and Mrs. Obama built/has a ten foot Wall around their D.C. mansion/compound. I agree, totally necessary for their safety and security. The U.S. needs the same thing, slightly larger version! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2018 As *The Washington Post* informs us, he's wrong: Trump’s assertion came as a surprise to two of the Obamas' neighbors Monday, who told The Washington Post that there is no such wall. The 8,200-square-foot structure, despite several security features, is completely visible... more »

Watch Fighter Jets Zoom Through “Star Wars Canyon” In Death Valley, California

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 5 hours ago
*Popular Mechanics*:* Watch Fighter Jets Zoom Through “Star Wars Canyon”* Located in Death Valley, California, Star Wars Canyon is one of the best places in the world to see fighter planes flying at low level. No, this isn't the desert world of Tatooine. It just looks like it. The now-famous "Star Wars Canyon" in Death Valley, Calif., is so named for its resemblance to Luke Skywalker's home. Among aviation enthusiasts, though, the place is best known as the best place in the Western U.S., if not the whole of the North America, to watch fighter jets and even transport aircraft prac... more »

Perfect Year-End Metaphor: Journalists To Drop Ball During New Year Celebration….

sundance at The Last Refuge - 5 hours ago
To cap off the most stunning year of journalistic ineptitude, the officials in charge of the New York City Time’s Square celebration have selected journalists to drop the ball. Leading journalists will ring in the New Year Monday in New … Continue reading →

Chang: 2018 is the Year Beijing Realized President Trump Was Outwitting Them….

sundance at The Last Refuge - 5 hours ago
A good discussion between Charles Payne and Gordon Chang on Fox Business over the U.S. -vs- China trade confrontation. Mr. Chang makes a good point about 2018 being the year where Beijing realized they underestimated the cunning of President Trump. … Continue reading →

Monday Afternoon Links

Greg Fingas at Accidental Deliberations - 6 hours ago
Assorted content for your year-end reading. - Kenan Malik comments on the many forms of classism. And Roderick Benns examines how Ontario's basic income recipients were able to make use of their increased income security - including by spending more time with friends, with family and volunteering in their communities. - Susan writes about the distinction between an Alberta NDP government which treats people with dignity and respect, and Jason Kenney's UCP which goes out of its way to try to strip anything of the sort from minority group members. - David Leonhardt discusses the fun... more »

Fake Markets and Return of the “Plunge Protection Team”

Activist Post at Activist Post - 6 hours ago
By Clint Siegner It’s amazing what passes as a market these days. Stocks rallied during the Christmas week, and the mainstream financial press would like... more »

America’s New Year’s Resolution: Remove Trump

Robert Reich - 6 hours ago
After his first bizarre year, his apologists told us he was growing into the job and that in his... more »

Missouri farmer pleads guilty to $140 million organic grain fraud scheme

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 6 hours ago
Randy Constant, who owns farms near Chillicothe, Missouri, recently plead guilty to federal fraud charges for up-charging customers- by more than $140 million– for conventionally produced grain that was sold as certified organic. “…owned and operated a business called Organic Land Management, as well as a grain marketing firm in Iowa called Jericho Solutions. In […] The post Missouri farmer pleads guilty to $140 million organic grain fraud scheme appeared first on Health Nut News.

Protests Against The Rule Of Sudanse President Omar al-Bashir's Continue

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 6 hours ago
*Al Jazeera:* *Sudan police fire teargas, live ammunition at Khartoum protesters* Omar al-Bashir marks independence day in televised speech, as protesters continue to call for his resignation. Sudanese security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition at hundreds of demonstrators in central Khartoum on Monday as demonstrators attempted to march to President Omar al-Bashir's palace calling on him to step down. Crowds of men and women chanting "freedom, peace and justice" and "revolution is the people's choice" gathered in the capital's downtown area where they were quickly confro... more »

The ‘Unauthorized Disclosure’ Podcast’s Year-End Show For 2018

Kevin Gosztola at Shadowproof - 6 hours ago
Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola wrap up this year’s season of “Unauthorized Disclosure” with MintPress News founder and editor-in-chief Mnar Muhawesh. During the show, they reflect on some of the more pernicious social and political developments in the past year. Mnar talks about censorship by Facebook, Twitter, and other social The post The ‘Unauthorized Disclosure’ Podcast’s Year-End Show For 2018 appeared first on Shadowproof.

Iranian Security Forces Clash With Students At Tehran’s Azad University

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 6 hours ago
*Reuters:* *Iranian security forces clash with students at bus crash protest* LONDON (Reuters) - Security forces clashed with students in Iran on Monday in the third day of protests over a deadly bus crash, online videos showed, adding to officials’ fears that rising public unrest could threaten national security. President Hassan Rouhani has ordered an investigation into the accident at Tehran’s Azad University that killed 10 students last week. Students have protested over the aging transport fleet and lack of accountability from the authorities. A video on Twitter showed stud... more »

Propping installed at Opal Tower as 'precautionary measure' after more cracks discovered

Just In - 7 hours ago
The engineering firm investigating the source of a large crack that developed in Sydney's Opal Tower just before Christmas discovers more damage on a different level of the apartment building.

It's January 1, so what's on the agenda for Tasmania in the new year?

Just In - 7 hours ago
There are plenty of changes coming for Tasmanians in 2019, with several high-profile building projects set to be unveiled — and some controversial social issues to watch out for.

Fierce critic Trump mocked as 'Pocahontas' puts hand up for 2020 presidential race

Just In - 7 hours ago
Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren, a liberal firebrand who has taken on Wall Street and has been mockingly called 'Pocahontas' by Donald Trump, announces she is seeking to challenge the Republican President in 2020.

Bangladesh's ruling alliance wins almost every seat amid claims of intimidation

Just In - 7 hours ago
The opposition coalition disputes the outcome, in which the ruling alliance won 96 per cent of seats, after an election that was mired in allegations of intimidation and violence in the lead-up to the vote.

Dogs with noise phobia do it ruff not just with fireworks

Amanda Hoh at Just In - 7 hours ago
Don't fret if your pet had a panic attack when the New Year's fireworks went off and wanted to escape from the house — help for them is at hand (paw).

James Carrion, The Roswell Deception and the Press Release

KRandle at A Different Perspective - 7 hours ago
This is a different post than I had planned. After reading James Carrion’s *The Roswell Deception*, I was planning to do a short article about one tiny aspect of it. It was something that seemed to undermine his premise, but as I was searching for additional information, the tone changed and I made a discovery or two that I thought important. James Carrion. Photo copyright by Kevin Randle To bring everyone up to speed on this, let me say, “This isn’t a review of *The Roswell Deception*. It is an analysis of a single statement that seems to be at odds with the facts, but it is an imp... more »

Advil, Grilled Food, And Disinfectants: 3 Scare Stories From 2018 You Can Leave In The Past

Hank Campbell at Science 2.0 blogs - 7 hours ago
The year 2018 began much like every year does, full of promise and hope. And it ended like almost every year does, jaded and weakened by compromise. Though a budget shutdown is in the news, hyperbolic claims about science being left behind are just political spin by mainstream science media; the real science and health crimes were committed by many of those same journalists. Since you clearly prefer science to hype, here are three manufactured health scares you can leave in 2018. *1. Cleaning your kitchen will make your kid fat*. read more

Burkina Faso Declares Partial State Of Emergency Following Islamist Attacks

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 7 hours ago
*DW*:* Burkina Faso: Islamist attacks prompt state of emergency* A deadly ambush in a northern province on the border to Mali has prompted Burkina Faso's president to declare a state of emergency. Burkina Faso is battling increased attacks by Islamist militants in the Sahel region. Officials in Burkina Faso announced Monday that President Roch Marc Christian Kabore is declaring a state of emergency in northern provinces following intensified attacks from Islamist groups in the area. "The president has decided to declare a state of emergency in certain provinces of Burkina Faso," Co... more »

Trustees of Pierce College Forced to End Its “Free Speech Zone” Directive

Bob Adelmann at rss - 7 hours ago
[image: trustees-of-pierce-college-forced-to-end-its-free-speech-zone-directive] Trustees of Pierce College, a community college serving Los Angeles, agreed last Friday to open its campus to freedom of speech, reversing its previous commands that such “free speech” would only be allowed in a tiny part of the school’s enormous campus.

Democrats are The Party of Death – But Weak Republicans Never Force Them to Own It….

sundance at The Last Refuge - 7 hours ago
No issue encapsulates the weakness of republicans and their simultaneous adherence to the UniParty position on illegal immigration more than the aftermath of illegal aliens killing U.S. citizens. No-one ever forces democrats to own the consequences to their position; it … Continue reading →

Extraordinary Musical Interlude: Renaissance, "Song of Scheherazade"

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
Renaissance, "Song of Scheherazade"Be kind to yourself, turn down the lights, close your eyes, relax and take the time to savor this extraordinary performance, highlighted by the incredible talent of Annie Haslam, whose 5 octave voice is on full display here. The high note she hits at the end is like nothing you have ever heard, or likely ever will, hear again. (Begin at 26:40) If angels exist, they sing like Annie Haslam. - CP

Is Meth in Louisiana Contaminated with the Zika Virus?

David Mikkelson at Snopes.com - 7 hours ago
Crime may not pay, but neither is it fooled so easily.

the unifying principle in all life

Bob Dinn at balance10 - 7 hours ago
* The* intense longing for God which, from time to time, fills the hearts of men often gives rise to feelings of frustration when it is interpreted in the lower vein of human self-seeking. The God-intent fostered by the ministrations of the Holy Spirit is ever to produce happiness and peace within the domain of the individual so that progress in the right direction, as well as the divine protection that is necessary for spiritual warfare, can manifest effectively and victoriously. It clearly follows that any frustration in thought and feeling involving the spiritual search should ... more »

"A Look to the Heavens"

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
"Staring across interstellar space, the alluring Cat's Eye nebula lies three thousand light-years from Earth. A classic planetary nebula, the Cat's Eye (NGC 6543) represents a final, brief yet glorious phase in the life of a sun-like star. This nebula's dying central star may have produced the simple, outer pattern of dusty concentric shells by shrugging off outer layers in a series of regular convulsions. But the formation of the beautiful, more complex inner structures is not well understood. * Click image for larger sizes.* Seen so clearly in this sharp Hubble Space Telescope imag... more »

"A Choctaw Prayer"

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
“Oh Great Spirit Father, who sits on high beyond the heavens, Creator of all life below, please hear my spiritual prayer. For I seek guidance in a world where few can lay claim to eternal peace. Grant me the vision to see beyond tomorrow's horizon, yet still accept my daily trials, that must and will be faced to survive. Give me the strength to rise each day and breathe the breath of life that you have provided for me. Touch my spiritual soul, so that I may use every moment to spread your sacred message of love and peace for all mankind. I ask only the privilege to speak my native tongue... more »

"The Purpose Of Life..."

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
“I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be "happy." I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all, to matter and to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all.” - Leo C. Rosten

10 tips for year-end estate and financial planning

Norma at Collecting My Thoughts - 7 hours ago
We may not be in a position to do #6 (gift up to $30,000 to an individual if married), but we all need to do #10, organize our records for 2019, and shred documents no longer needed for retention. Also, in 2018, you can contribute up to $18,500 in your employer-sponsored retirement plan (i.e., 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the Federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan). Employees aged 50 or older who participate in such plans can contribute an additional $6,000 in "catch-up" contributions. #3 https://www.natlawreview.com/article/year-end-estate-and-financial-planning-checklis... more »

"A Moment With the Sea: John Denver, 'Calypso'"

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago

Remember When Señor Trumpanzee Loved "His" Generals?

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 7 hours ago
I think Trump finally figured out that none of the generals love him and that none would fit into his schemes. It appears that Michael Flynn testified against him and his crooked offspring. And he wound up firing James Mattis, John Kelly and H.R. McMaster after dragging each one of them through the mud and tarnishing their careers with their proximity to his stench. They're all gone now-- replaced by an ambitious Nazi with bad hair who wormed and flattered his way into Trump's good graces and now pretty much sets all U.S. policy emanating from the White House. No more "moderate" ... more »

Chet Raymo, “A Universal We?”

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
*“A Universal We?”* by Chet Raymo “I have a few words to say about Oxford anthropologist Harvey Whitehouse, and his thoughts on ritual as "the glue that holds social groups together." I was drawing on a story in the 24 January, 2013 issue of “Nature.” He is quoted further: "Emotionally intense rituals have bound us together and pitted us against our enemies throughout the history of our species. It was only when nomadic foragers began to settle down did we discover the possibilities for establishing much larger societies based on frequently repeated creeds and rituals." The big qu... more »

"One Summer Night..."

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
*Click image for larger size.* "One summer night, out on a flat headland, all but surrounded by the waters of the bay, the horizons were remote and distant rims on the edge of space. Millions of stars blazed in darkness, and on the far shore a few lights burned in cottages. Otherwise there was no reminder of human life. My companion and I were alone with the stars: the misty river of the Milky Way flowing across the sky, the patterns of the constellations standing out bright and clear, a blazing planet low on the horizon. It occurred to me that if this were a sight that could be se... more »

The Daily "Near You?"

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA. Thanks for stopping by!

You Can Never Again Say..."

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago

Sheila Jackson Lee Wants Yo Apology and Money So Tyrone Don't Shoot Nobody

Diogenes Sarcastica™ at Diogenes' Middle Finger - 8 hours ago
With the Democrats newly gained power in the House of Representatives, long time, entrenched members of the Caucus of Congressional Black Folks stand in line for important committee chairs and assignments. You can believe that we are going to witness a real show come next month and beyond. One such member is Texan Sheila Jackass-Lee, the black knucklehead named for a Confederate general, who thinks more trillions need to be stolen from the American taxpayer because, "slavery." This scam continues to gain steam as the non-white mob minorities and their self loathing sympathetic voic... more »

Is It A New Year?

Peter Greene at CURMUDGUCATION - 8 hours ago
I'm not a huge fan of New Year's Eve for some personal reasons (ranging all the way back to a semi-public dumping back in high school), but I also find it a curious practice. It's that thing we humans do-- we make an somewhat arbitrary mark on the surface of the universe and then wear ourselves out investing it with Deep Significance. Is there a strong objective cosmological reason to declare tonight at midnight that we have started a new year? None that I can think of, but we still like to make a big deal of it. On the one hand, that's fine. It's a thing we do, and it does us good ... more »

"The Lumpy Circle Of Life"

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
"If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire - then you got a problem. Everything else is inconvenience. Life is inconvenient. Life is lumpy. Learn to separate the inconveniences from the real problems. You will live longer." ~ Sigmund Wollman, quoted by Robert Fulghum, "Uh-Oh", 1991 "For thirty years now, in times of stress and strain, when something has me backed against the wall and I'm ready to do something really stupid with my anger, a sorrowful face appears in my mind and asks... "Problem or inconvenience?" I think of this as the Wollman Test o... more »

"We Learn..."

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
“We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success. We often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery.” - Samuel Smiles

"A Message from the Hopi Elders"

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
*"A Message from the Hopi Elders"* "You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour. Now you must go back and tell the people that this is The Hour. Here are the things that must be considered: Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? It is time to speak your Truth. Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader. This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift, that there are those who will be afraid. Th... more »

"Anyone Who Isn't Confused..."

noreply@blogger.com (Coyote Prime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
"Anyone who isn't confused really doesn't understand the situation." - Edward R. Murrow

Bill Gates – I appreciate everything he has done, but . . .

Robert at Ice Age Now - 8 hours ago
“CO2 IS warming the planet,” says Gates. We must drop our CO2 emissions to near zero. See video Honestly, I really do appreciate everything that Bill Gates has done for the world, from dragging us into the computer age to funding education to teaching good nutrition in Third World countries to fighting ebola and aids. ... Read moreBill Gates – I appreciate everything he has done, but . . . The post Bill Gates – I appreciate everything he has done, but . . . appeared first on Ice Age Now.

Some Illinois medical cannabis workers must be certified under new law

Jeff Smith at Marijuana Business Daily - 8 hours ago
A new law goes into effect Jan. 1 in Illinois requiring certifications for certain medical marijuana employees. The law, Senate Bill 1707, mandates: Workers in cultivation facilities be certified as medical cannabis cultivation center agents. Workers in dispensaries be certified as a medical cannabis dispensing organization agents. In addition, the Alternative Opioids Act, signed into law […] Some Illinois medical cannabis workers must be certified under new law is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Government regulation: Even worse than we thought

Scott Sumner at Econlib - 8 hours ago
I’ve done a number of posts discussing ill-advised government regulations that prohibit a free market in kidneys. In the past, I’ve cited estimates that these regulations kill 5000 Americans each year. A new article by Frank McCormick, Philip J. Held, and Glenn M. Chertow, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology suggests the […] The post Government regulation: Even worse than we thought appeared first on Econlib.

No Reservations – Elizabeth Warren Launches Presidential Exploratory Committee…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 8 hours ago
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth ‘Pocahontas’ Warren has previously sent smoke signals indicating her desire to run as a presidential candidate for 2020. Today Ms. Liawatha announced her launching of a presidential exploratory committee: WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Monday … Continue reading →

Happy New Year!

E.M.Smith at Musings from the Chiefio - 8 hours ago
Happy New Year everybody! Continue reading →

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