Monday, December 23, 2019

23 December - Blogs I'm Following - 4 of 5

10:12 pm MST

Grossman on 'Space Force' getting traction

Bruce K. Gagnon at Organizing Notes - 16 hours ago
Journalist Karl Grossman has had much success in the last week or so getting his articles published about the Global Network's opposition to Congress passing Trump's Space Force proposal. There have been more than a handful of articles in leading alternative media outlets. In addition Karl and I have been interviewed on several progressive radio and podcasts from coast to coast. In the old days (late 1980's to late 1990's) mainstream media would routinely cover most of our 'No nukes or weapons in space' efforts. But not anymore. I'll never forget riding in my car in Orlando d... more »

All Comes In Time To The Seeker - A Quotation by M.N. Hopkins

Stranger in a Strange Land at Stranger in a Strange Land - 16 hours ago
*To read more of my quotations, please click on the link below:* *Quotations by M.N. Hopkins* *or visit:* *Pinterest*

"The True Meaning of the Holiday Spirit"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 16 hours ago
*"The True Meaning of the Holiday Spirit"* by Mark Manson "*1. Why the holidays are holidays* - When I was young, I was your typical obnoxious adolescent who thought the holidays were lame. Presents were lame. Dinner with the family was lame. Candy and decorations were lame. If you need me, Mom, I'll be the mopey kid with eyeliner and one too many black lights in his room. I was never a traditionalist. In fact, I've always been anti-traditionalist. I thought traditions were pointlessly limiting and stupid. And holidays always struck me as completely arbitrary traditions. Then I gr... more »

The Ceasar Act: Another Blow to Those That Believe Syria’s Been Won.

Penny at Penny for your thoughts - 16 hours ago
*Link* *This is an oped from an “opposition” point of view so you will notice a specific spin on the facts. Ignore the spin. Focus on the facts. In an upcoming post we'll be talking more spin on Turkey.* *"On Friday, (December 20/19) US President Donald Trump signed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, in a new blow to the regime’s President Bashar al-Assad.Following approval by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and with President Trump’s signature, any company, institution, or government that carries out commercial dealings with the Bashar al-Assad regime,... more »

Lawyers To Stop Climate Change

tonyheller at Real Climate Science - 16 hours ago
Lawyers are going to court to stop climate change. And it might just work – The Correspondent

Effects Of Climate Change In Australia

tonyheller at Real Climate Science - 16 hours ago
BUSHFIRES: Queensland firebugs and arsonists blamed for destructive fires

Christmas is widely said to be coming...

bob somerby at the daily howler - 16 hours ago
*MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2019...and we on this campus believe it:* Under the circumstances, we're heading off for a family gathering. This will almost surely involve some good solid fun with our great pals of recent years, the inimitable Shopkins. We don't expect to post this week. We'd like to tell you what we've learned about Lamar Jackson's actual yards-per-attempt rushing average, but we guess such matters can wait. Happy holidays to you and yours. Hint: It's amazing how much seventeen instances of "taking a knee" can change a YPA rushing figure! *For our earlier post:* For ou... more »

Brazilian Agricultural Research Firm EMBRAPA Plans Investments to Replace GMOs

Dorah Feliciano at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - After six months as interim president of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), researcher Celso Luiz Moretti was confirmed last week as the holder of the position by the Minister of The post Brazilian Agricultural Research Firm EMBRAPA Plans Investments to Replace GMOs appeared first on The Rio Times.

Venezuela Accuses Brazil of Being Behind Attack on Military Base

Juan Martinez at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Venezuelan Communication Minister Jorge Rodríguez accused Brazil of being behind an attack on a military base in the south of the country, which left one dead and one injured. On Twitter, Rodríguez said the "criminals were trained in fully identified paramilitary camps in Colombia, and received the cunning collaboration of […] The post Venezuela Accuses Brazil of Being Behind Attack on Military Base appeared first on The Rio Times.

Conservatives Have Always Opposed Education For The Working Class-- Bernie Has Other Plans

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 16 hours ago
Last week, NPR reported that "A strong economy and soaring college costs have made it even more difficult for colleges to persuade students to enroll. And yet, employers still need skilled workers, whether it's a profession that requires a four-year degree, other jobs that require an associate degree, or skills or trades that need certificates or credentials. If fewer people are getting those credentials, those jobs often sit empty. Community colleges play a large role in 'skilling up,' offering associate degrees in technical and high-demand fields. But enrollment at community col... more »

KENYA MEDICAL UNION WARNS 3 OUT OF TEN DIAGNOSES ARE WRONG, EQUIPMENT APROVED ABROAD FAULTY

Jane Burgermeister at BIRDFLU666 WORDPRESS BLOG CONTINUES HERE - 16 hours ago
*Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers has warned that three out of 10 patients in the country get the wrong diagnosis or treatment with a tendency to overdiagnose diseases like HIV and that the same overdiagnosis might occur in the event of an Ebola outbreak.* *False positives due to faulty diagnostic tests could give the impression of an Ebola outbreak whe there is none.* *Also, patients on TB drugs are being diagnosed as having ulcers and put on drugs they do not need.* *The tests used in Kenya have been validated and verified outside the country, suggesting regula... more »

Big Brother - vehicle edition

Peter at Bayou Renaissance Man - 16 hours ago
Earlier this month, I pointed out that "If you allow "smart" devices to listen to you non-stop, you're crazy". That article examined the security risks of allowing smart devices into your home, because you had no idea what they were listening to and/or recording. Now comes news that your car is almost certainly spying on you just as hard, if not harder. Please watch the short video below; or, if you prefer, read the report about the investigation. Both are mind-blowing in their implications for our security. It turns out that almost every modern vehicle is recording just ab... more »

“The Beggar”

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 16 hours ago
*“The Beggar”* by Eckhart Tolle “A beggar had been sitting by the side of the road for thirty years. One day a stranger walked by. "Spare some change?" mumbled the beggar. "I have nothing to give you," said the stranger. Then he asked: "What's that you're sitting on?" "Nothing " replied the beggar. "Just an old box. I've been sitting on it for as long as I can remember." "Ever look inside?," asked the stranger. "No," said the beggar. "What's the point, there's nothing in there." "Have a look inside," insisted the stranger. The beggar, reluctantly, managed to pry open the lid. With ... more »

"It Really Makes You Realize..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 16 hours ago
"I'll never understand why some people can't just let others live their lives, you know," Daniel said. "You don't have to understand. You don't have to agree. Just leave people alone. When I look at the moon and planets and stars, all that narrow-mindedness and hate seem so petty. The universe is such a big place. One hundred thousand light years just from one end of the Milky Way to the other. One hundred. Thousand. Light years. In the time it's taken for light to travel from one end of our galaxy to the other, thousands of generations have passed. It really makes you realize how s... more »

“The Sun Is Always Shining: Remember the Sun”

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 16 hours ago
*“The Sun Is Always Shining: Remember the Sun”* by Madisyn Taylor, The DailyOM “If darkness has fallen, we know that the sun is still shining at this very moment somewhere not too far away. There are times when gloom or darkness causes us to momentarily lose sight of the light. Although it is at these times when the thought of the sun can help us. Its warm, glowing rays brighten even our thoughts, and it’s good to remember that despite appearances the sun is shining right now. We may not be able to see it at this very moment, but if clouds block our view, they are only filtering the... more »

Australia record heat — January 1939

drinkingwateradvisor at The Drinking Water Advisor - 16 hours ago
“On January 10, 1939 – Melbourne was 113 degrees, nine degrees warmer than this month’s hottest temperature.” click here

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jonjayray at EDUCATION WATCH INTERNATIONAL - 16 hours ago
*After Temple student’s TikTok controversy, the university clashes with reality* Campus busybodies notched a win last week as Temple University came down hard on a student for posting an off-color joke about its surrounding neighborhood. Administrators were tipped off to a short video by one male student labeling Temple’s environs a “ghetto” by a tattletale tweet accusing the student of spreading “hate” and “bigotry.” Instead of telling the tattler to deal with the problem herself — you know, as future adults must ostensibly do — the administration jumped in, announced that the ... more »

Electronic Health Records Creating A ‘New Era’ Of Health Care Fraud

Lambert Strether at naked capitalism - 17 hours ago
Dozens of suits have been filed by whistleblowers, doctors and hospitals alleging that electronic health records (EHR) software used in hospitals and medical offices has hidden flaws that may pose a danger to patients — and that a substantial chunk of the $38 billion in federal subsidies went to companies that deceived the government about the quality of their products.

Battle of the Bulge: 5 Best Films About This Important World War II Battle

James Jay Carafano at The National Interest - 17 hours ago
*James Jay Carafano* *Security, * Do you agree? Have you seen any of them? An official U.S. delegation was in Europe on December 16 to mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of one of the dramatic and climatic battles of World War II: the Battle of the Bulge—an offensive that lasted more than a month. The Germans tried to stem the Allied invasion with a surprise mid-winter attack along a quiet sector on the front. The strike caught the Americans off-guard. What followed was some of the bloodiest and most savage fighting of the war. It’s hard to make Great War films about big battle... more »

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JR at GREENIE WATCH - 17 hours ago
*Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all who come by here* May this Holy time bring you all its blessings I will be posting over the Christmas New Year period but not as much as usual *These activists really are crackers! Now the Greenies want to ban your Christmas bonbon – and the reason why is all too familiar* Environmental activists are calling for the traditional Christmas cracker to be banned as they contribute to plastic waste. Environmentalist and founder of eco-friendly online store Biome, Tracey Bailey, says the Christmas tradition is responsible for a large co... more »

Links 12/23/19

Lambert Strether at naked capitalism - 17 hours ago

Letters concerning the Pisa and the Naep!

bob somerby at the daily howler - 17 hours ago
*MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2019The empire crashes and burns:* Over the past two weeks, we've been writing about two bungled reports in the New York Times concerning the nation's schools. On December 3, this gloomy front-page report discussed newly-released scores from last year's Pisa, a major international testing program. On December 6, this upbeat opinion column attempted to explain surprisingly good reading scores achieved by Mississippi's fourth graders on this years Naep reading tests. The front-page report was driven by gloom. The opinion column was built around a sense of poss... more »

Syrian Army scores another big advance in southeast Idlib, 3 towns captured

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 17 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:20 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) scored another big advance in southeastern Idlib this week after their troops resumed their assault southeast of Ma’arat Al-Nu’man. Led by the 25th Special Mission Forces Division (formerly Tiger Forces), the Syrian Arab Army began their assault this morning by storming the last few towns […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Russian military receives new S-350 air defense system

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 17 hours ago
Russia’s Almaz-Antey arms producer has delivered to the Defence Ministry the first set of the newest S-350 Vityaz long-range air defence missile weapon system, the company said on Monday. “During the transmission, the equipment was taken to a training ground, where test flights were conducted, involving real aerial targets escort. Acceptance tests have been passed […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian Army begins amassing troops in west Aleppo for possible offensive

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 17 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:45 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is amassing their forces in the western districts of Aleppo as they prepare to launch a new offensive to clear the last militant groups from the provincial capital. According to reports from Aleppo, the Syrian Arab Army has sent reinforcements to the Al-Zahra’a Association Quarter […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Libyan Army gives Turkish-backed forces until Wednesday to withdraw from Tripoli

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 17 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:40 A.M.) – The Libyan National Army (LNA) announced that they would extend the deadline given to the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) to force the militias from Misrata to withdraw from Tripoli. “This deadline came in response to contacts from some of the national figures from the free people of Misrata […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Breaking: Iran and Houthis sign first military cooperation agreement

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 17 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:10 A.M.) – The Ansarallah Movement (var. Houthis) and Iran have signed their first ever military cooperation agreement, Yemen’s Al-Masirah TV reported. According to Al-Masirah TV, the Ansarallah-aligned Yemeni Ambassador to Iran, Ibrahim Al-Daylami, held a meeting with the Iranian Minister of Defense, Brigadier General Amir Hatami, about enhancing their military cooperation in […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian Army reaches gates of strategic town in southeast Idlib: map

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 17 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:45 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has captured a large amount of territory in southeastern Idlib over the last 72 hours, putting their forces within striking distance of the main target, Ma’arat Al-Nu’man. However, before reaching Ma’arat Al-Nu’man, the Syrian Arab Army will need to capture the key town of Jarjanaz, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Erdogan vows to increase Turkish military support to Libya’s GNA

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 17 hours ago
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara will increase its military support to Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) if necessary, during a speech in the Turkish town of Golcuk on Sunday. “If necessary, we will increase the military size of this support and take advantage of all kinds of opportunities on land, sea […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Watch: ‘I don’t want to die!’ Climate Exploitation of Children

Paul Homewood at NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT - 17 hours ago
By Paul Homewood Friends of Science have a chilling tale of child exploitation in Canada, backed up by big bucks:

Exploiting Greta and the teens for climate propaganda

Peter Murphy at CFACT - 17 hours ago
Ms. Thunberg continues to be exploited, with Time magazine being the latest, most sensational example. The post Exploiting Greta and the teens for climate propaganda appeared first on CFACT.

Siddle treated for smoke inhalation, but Cricket Australia says it has a plan for SCG haze

Just In - 17 hours ago
Australian Test bowler Peter Siddle was treated for smoke inhalation following the abandoned Big Bash match in Canberra, as Cricket Australia anticipates treating smoke-enforced interruptions like rain delays at the SCG Test.

Masterminds behind Khashoggi killing walked free, UN investigator says

Just In - 17 hours ago
UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard says those who ordered the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi have escaped justice while the hit men have been sentenced to death.

Peaceful Gathering at NJ Governor’s Residence to Humanize Vaccine Choice

Age of Autism at AGE OF AUTISM - 17 hours ago
This is the season of miracles. On Saturday, an event took place outside the New Jersey governor Phil Murphy's home to help him understand that the "evil anti-vaxxers" fighting to retain the Religious Exemption in the Garden State are.... neighbors.... more »

The Navy Has 21 Of These Warships. The Problem: What Do You Do With Them?

David Axe at The National Interest - 18 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, * The U.S. Navy is close to receiving its 21st Littoral Combat Ship. Now the sailing branch needs to figure out exactly what to do with the long-delayed, much-maligned warships. The U.S. Navy is close to receiving its 21st Littoral Combat Ship. Now the sailing branch needs to figure out exactly what to do with the long-delayed, much-maligned warships. The Navy has ordered 35 LCSs of both variants. Lockheed Martin builds the monohull *Freedom *variant. Austal makes the trimaran *Independence * variant. The roughly 3,000-ton vessels were supposed to help the... more »

Endocrinology researcher in South Korea scores four retractions in a year

Ivan Oransky at Retraction Watch - 18 hours ago
Hueng-Sik Choi, a researcher at Chonnam National University in Gwangju in South Korea, is up to four retractions for image manipulation. The latest retraction for Choi, for a 2006 paper titled “Orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 induces zinc finger protein GIOT-1 gene expression, and GIOT-1 acts as a novel corepressor of orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 via … Continue reading Endocrinology researcher in South Korea scores four retractions in a year

Boris Johnson Bungles Brexit

Desmond Lachman at The National Interest - 18 hours ago
*Desmond Lachman* *Politics, Europe* [image: Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures during a news conference at the European Union leaders summit dominated by Brexit, in Brussels, Belgium October 17, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville] He has a golden opportunity. Why is he wasting it? One has to wonder whether Boris Johnson is not already squandering the golden opportunity his recent large election victory gave him to put the UK on a sounder economic footing. One also has to wonder what he might have learnt from the UK’s painful 3 ½ year negotiation of a Brexit Withdrawal Dea... more »

Did the F-16 Just Go Stealth?

David Axe at The National Interest - 18 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, * A Texas Air National Guard fighter squadron flying F-16s is one of the first units to paint its planes in a new, radar-absorbing paint scheme. The paint signals the Air Force’s reluctant decision to keep old F-16s flying through the 2020s, at least. A Texas Air National Guard fighter squadron flying F-16s is one of the first units to paint its planes in a new, radar-absorbing paint scheme. The paint signals the Air Force’s reluctant decision to keep old F-16s flying through the 2020s, at least. The Air National Guard’s paint facility in Sioux City, Iowa ... more »

Democratic Presidential Hopefuls are Promising to Prop-Up Public Schools

David Knight at The National Interest - 18 hours ago
*David Knight* *Politics, Americas* [image: Reuters] Sen. Elizabeth Warren would make universal preschool a federal priority. Democratic presidential candidates are proposing bold new approaches to the federal government’s role in public education. Former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Cory Booker want to triple the US$15 billion spent annually on Title I, a program that sends federal dollars to high-poverty school districts. Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants to go further and quadruple funding for that same program. She also wants to make quality child care an... more »

Brazil’s Vivara Aims to Open 50 Stores in 2020 after Recent Capital Share Offer

Richard Mann at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Vivara jewelry chain (VIVA3) has been in the spotlight since going public in early October. The operation injected R$500 million (US$125 million) into the company's cash flow, allowing it to speed up - and greatly so - its pace of store opening. It opened four stores last week alone, […] The post Brazil’s Vivara Aims to Open 50 Stores in 2020 after Recent Capital Share Offer appeared first on The Rio Times.

Church Wants Netflix to Compensate Each Person Offended by “Porta dos Fundos” Movie

Iolanda Fonseca at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The movie sparked controversy on social media by portraying Jesus Christ as a homosexual, upsetting religious who soon petitioned for the movie to be removed from the platform, otherwise, they would stop subscribing to the streaming service. Netflix ignored religious criticism and not only maintained the movie on its platform […] The post Church Wants Netflix to Compensate Each Person Offended by “Porta dos Fundos” Movie appeared first on The Rio Times.

Firefighters Begin “Operation Summer” on Rio’s State Beaches

Xiu Ying at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Rio de Janeiro State Fire Brigade started Operation Summer on Sunday, December 22nd, which reinforces the rescue structure on the state's beaches. The patrolling effort will be maintained until March and will include 1,300 lifeguards, a 50 percent increase in the number of personnel compared to what is employed […] The post Firefighters Begin “Operation Summer” on Rio’s State Beaches appeared first on The Rio Times.

Women Five Times More Likely to Suffer from Depression Due to Sexism

Adele Cardin at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Research says the effects of sex discrimination can be felt for up to four years and can be devastating for young women's mental health. Young women subject to sexism are five times more likely to suffer depression, says a new study conducted jointly by the British organization Young Women Trust […] The post Women Five Times More Likely to Suffer from Depression Due to Sexism appeared first on The Rio Times.

São Paulo Court Acquits Haddad of Unjust Enrichment Charges

Arkady Petrov at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Judge Thiago Baldani Gomes De Filippo, of the 8th Circuit Court of the Public Finance, dismissed a lawsuit brought by the São Paulo Prosecutor's Office accusing former Mayor Fernando Haddad of unjust enrichment. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff was aware of slush fund payments by construction company UTC, of […] The post São Paulo Court Acquits Haddad of Unjust Enrichment Charges appeared first on The Rio Times.

Bolivia Announces Joining Lima Group of Countries Seeking Venezuela Solution

Juan Martinez at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Bolivian interim government announced on Sunday, December 22nd, its admission to the Lima Group. The bloc is made up of more than a dozen American countries that, since mid-2017, have been trying to help find a solution to the institutional and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela The post Bolivia Announces Joining Lima Group of Countries Seeking Venezuela Solution appeared first on The Rio Times.

Nine Delightful Rooftop Bars for Birds-eye Views of São Paulo

Oliver Mason at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL - If we can absorb all the beauty of São Paulo in a simple walk through its streets, then imagine watching the big city from the top of a building - and the best: savoring some drinks and enjoying the night? Because that's what some rooftop bars offer in the biggest city […] The post Nine Delightful Rooftop Bars for Birds-eye Views of São Paulo appeared first on The Rio Times.

Thought for Today

Hardnox at 'Nox & Friends - 18 hours ago

A Practical Guide to EMF Mitigation

OYE NEWS at OYE Alternative News - 19 hours ago
Lloyd Burrell, founder of ElectricSense.com, has been an advocate for electromagnetic field (EMF) safety and consumer education for the past 15 yearsFirst, educate yourself on EMFs to understand the potential dangers. Next, buy a meter and identify hotspots. Lastly, take remedial action to lower your exposureWhen remediating, first turn off or unplug devices emitting high … The post A Practical Guide to EMF Mitigation appeared first on OYE Alternative News.

A Good Monday Morning

Diogenes Sarcastica™ at Diogenes' Middle Finger - 19 hours ago

ALERT! New Bank Bailouts REQUIRE Fed’s Financial Games!! (Bix Weir)

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 19 hours ago
RoadtoRoota The “Repo Bailouts” are just that…Bank Bailouts! In 2008 Hank Paulson had to get Congressional Approval for a $700B bailout…this time a deceptive Fed plan to get even more bailout $ is IN PROCESS! end

Syrian Air Defences Fire on Four Israeli Missiles, Shoot Down One

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 19 hours ago
Syrian Air Defences Fire on Four Israeli Missiles, Shoot Down One by MEE and agencies, https://www.middleeasteye.net/ There were three explosions in Damascus suburbs after missiles targeted ‘Syrian regime and Iranian positions’, according to UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – Syrian anti-aircraft defences on Sunday fired on Israeli missiles, shooting down one that fell outside …

China to Cut Import Tariffs on Some 850 Products Starting January After Trade Deal ‘Breakthrough’

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 19 hours ago
China to Cut Import Tariffs on Some 850 Products Starting January After Trade Deal ‘Breakthrough’ by https://www.rt.com/ China’s finance ministry has announced that it would lower or nix import tariffs on a range of products to “optimize” the country’s trade structure and spur economic development. The new rules start coming into effect next month. – …

Israel Airstrikes Target Iran-Linked Military Base in Syria, State Media Reports

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 19 hours ago
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com Israel Airstrikes Target Iran-Linked Military Base in Syria, State Media Reports by Frank Miles | Fox News Israel conducted an airstrike into Syria on Sunday night as air defenses in the country opened fire on missiles that had entered, state media reported. Residents in Damascus said explosions could be heard near …

The Poet: Philip Levine, “Another Song”

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 19 hours ago
*“Another Song”* “Words go on travelling from voice to voice while the phones are still and the wires hum in the cold. Now and then dark winter birds settle slowly on the crossbars, where huddled they caw out their loneliness. Except for them the March world is white and barely alive. The train to Providence moans somewhere near the end of town, and the churning of metal on metal from so many miles away is only a high thin note trilling the frozen air. Years ago I lived not far from here, grown to fat and austerity, a man who came closely shaven to breakfast and ate in silence and le... more »

Trump administration and Moscow shoot down bipartisan DASKA “sanctions bill from hell”

InfoBrics at The Duran - 19 hours ago
The Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act (DASKA) meant to push the Trump administration into taking a tougher stance on Russia and impose sanctions is destined for failure. More The post Trump administration and Moscow shoot down bipartisan DASKA “sanctions bill from hell” appeared first on The Duran.

Can China Dethrone the US Dollar as Global Reserve

Steve Brown at The Duran - 19 hours ago
As a result of this 'trade war' China has let the yuan slide versus the USD which is a warning to Trump, specifically Mnuchin. More The post Can China Dethrone the US Dollar as Global Reserve appeared first on The Duran.

Is Prince Charles suitable to be king?

George Callaghan at The Duran - 19 hours ago
The prince is notorious for his continuous interference in political affairs. More The post Is Prince Charles suitable to be king? appeared first on The Duran.

The retirement of Keith Vaz

George Callaghan at The Duran - 19 hours ago
The socialist parliamentarian was the high priest of political correctness. But he made racist remarks about one of his Irish staffers. More The post The retirement of Keith Vaz appeared first on The Duran.

Meet the 3 Rifles The U.S. Army Bought (But Never Used in Battle)

Charlie Gao at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Charlie Gao* *Security, * Why didn't they see a battlefield? *Key Point:* Endless counterfactuals exist about what would have happened had these guns been adopted. The history of the U.S. military’s small arms adoption process is filled with “what ifs.” Plenty of great firearms have been turned down, from the FN FAL to the Savage Model 1907. Here are some of the best rifles that were trialed by the U.S. military but never adopted. *1. The Pedersen Rifle:* The semi-automatic infantry rifle was a concept that garnered intense interest during the interwar period. While semi-aut... more »

These Are the Biggest Military Last Stands in History

Warfare History Network at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Warfare History Network* *History, Europe* [image: By gillfoto - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67689226] Great lessons. *Key point:* These battles still inspire soldiers today. *The Siege of the Alamo – February 23 – March 6, 1836* This famous battle pitted rebellious Texans, some of whom were Americans, against a Mexican army sent to crush their nascent independence movement. Mexican leader General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna laid siege to the small mission, bombarding it for days and having several small skirmishes before a final assa... more »

No, McConnell — Biased Jurors and No Witnesses Do Not Make for a Fair Trial

Marjorie Cohn at Marjorie Cohn - 20 hours ago
In my decades as a criminal defense attorney, I have never seen a trial where the jurors admit they aren’t impartial, coordinate the trial process with the defendant and then, as promised, find the defendant not guilty. And yet, that is exactly what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell aims to do. Negating any semblance of... Read more »

Midnight Meme Of The Day!

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 20 hours ago
*by Noah* Remember that Elf On A Shelf looking over catatonic Pence's shoulder in the Oval Office last year? Well, the Whore On The Door 1-ups that! Who says a curmudgeonly guy like me can't be filled with Christmas spirit! Maybe Pence would like one, eh?

Qanon - Hot Communist Coup Underway? Mike Adams Conjecture

arclein at Terra Forming Terra - 20 hours ago
[image: Image] Please read Mike Adams interpretation of present events. DEM behavior through this so called impeachment farce has been outright illegal or more politely extralegal. This absurdity can only be justified by an underlying DEEP STATE criminal seizure of power. The intent is to also remove Pence and first install Pelosi who then appoints HRC. From that sudden seizure of power, it is immediately possible for HRC to conduct a full communist takeover by massive executions. It all has to be sudden and hours now matter. Except they can not change things in the Senate ... more »

A Quarter Of Kids Treated At Transgender Clinics May Just Be Autistic, New Study Finds

arclein at Terra Forming Terra - 20 hours ago
It only gets better of course. However, it is my opinion that all experts who diagnose the need for a sex change operation on any child should be treated to a frontal lobotomy. That was once legal as well. What is going on is absurd, but soon enough the science is catching up. It will end then of course while leaving behind ruined lives. This was put over on everybody without ever asking permission. Not too long ago, the queer boys risked prison. The majority of queer boys do ultimately make an acceptable accommodation. Except even they also have a minority taste that pres... more »

US Space Force Will Be the Sixth Military Branch

arclein at Terra Forming Terra - 20 hours ago
First off, do understand that this force already exists and has operated in complete secrecy. It is the natural source of the bulk of our UFO reports. The more difficult problem is getting it properly under the control of the presidency. This begins with the creation of this formal organization with final oversight of leadership. The dominance of the Air force does not warm my heart inasmuch as the bulk of the assets appear to be under the Navy. However, it is certain that others do know much more than i have discovered. . *US Space Force Will Be the Sixth Military Bran... more »

GUNTER: Scheer resignation a surprise, but necessary

arclein at Terra Forming Terra - 20 hours ago
This sets the stage for a Doug Ford run with Maxime Bernier coming back on board as a Quebec Lieutenant. This may well be wishful thinking, but the liberals have a minority government and even if they can keep the NDP on side along with the Bloc, they will face confidence votes that will damage their brand and allow the conservatives to draw support. Yes, Sheer had to go. Sadly he lacked name recognition from the very beginning and he never addressed that core problem. The voters still do not know who he really is. The Liberal governing weakness under Trudeau cost them their ... more »

Africa

cefrith@hotmail.com at Charles Frith - 20 hours ago
Crushing it. Although no trees were harmed during the creation of this post, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced

'This is a systemic issue': Single woman sues Chinese hospital for rejecting her bid to freeze eggs

Just In - 20 hours ago
A Chinese woman takes a hospital to court after it refuses to freeze her eggs because she is unmarried — a decision she says doesn't reflect the lived experience of many Chinese women today.

Retailers blame fires for worst Christmas shopping season since global financial crisis

Peter Ryan And Sue Lannin at Just In - 20 hours ago
The Australian Retailers Associations says it expects to see the weakest Christmas spending in 11 years, with the bushfire crisis coming on top of already weak consumer spending.

Seven men charged over Melbourne pub brawl in which teen was killed

Elise Kinsella at Just In - 20 hours ago
Victoria Police have charged seven men with affray, three years after their alleged involvement in a large Melbourne pub fight in which teenager Patrick Cronin was killed.

Take advantage of a reprieve to prepare for the next onslaught of dangerous summer weather

Nate Byrne at Just In - 20 hours ago
For many Australians, some cool temperatures have been a delightful pre-Christmas gift, but we're not out of the woods yet, and another scorcher is just around the corner.

Afghanistan veteran 'lost everything' in Adelaide Hills bushfire

Shuba Krishnan And Camron Slessor at Just In - 20 hours ago
An Afghanistan war veteran and his family lose their home, and sanctuary for other veterans, in the Cudlee Creek bushfire which is still burning uncontained in the Adelaide Hills.

Six ways Victoria changed under John Cain's leadership

Richard Willingham at Just In - 20 hours ago
Victoria's longest-serving Labor premier, John Cain, has died at the age of 88. Academics and political leaders say he leaves behind a long list of political achievements.

US baseball star quits Australian team as bushfire smoke wreaks havoc on sporting events

Markus Mannheim And Brett McKay at Just In - 20 hours ago
Heavy pollution across the south-east of the country is forcing sport administrators to rethink match schedules, and a star US baseballer has left Australia over concerns about the health effects of bushfire smoke.

Nord Stream 2: Washington to "Free" Europe From Freedom to Decide for Itself

Land Destroyer at Land Destroyer - 20 hours ago
*December 23, 2019* (Tony Cartalucci - NEO) - Nord Stream 2 is a pipeline project extending from Russia to Germany that - when completed - will provide a secure means of exporting Russian natural gas to Western Europe - circumventing a now volatile Ukraine all while tying Russia and Europe together further through mutually beneficial economic activity. Of course, for special interests residing across the Atlantic in Washington and on Wall Street, Russia and Europe building closer ties through constructive economic activity undermines a long-standing strategy of coercing Europe via... more »

The Soviet Union Dreamed Of Building These 5 Mega Weapons

Robert Farley at The National Interest - 20 hours ago
*Robert Farley* *Security, * Luckily they never happened. *Key point: *While decisions about weapon systems often reverberate across an entire defense-industrial base, they only rarely change the fates of nations. For nearly seven decades, the defense-industrial complex of the Soviet Union went toe-to-toe with the best firms that the West had to offer. In some cases, it surprised the West with cheap, innovative, effective systems. In others, it could barely manage to put together aircraft that could remain in the air, and ships that could stay at sea. No single weapon could h... more »

Should You Avoid Meat? How to Separate Facts from Fiction.

Dariush Mozaffarian at The National Interest - 20 hours ago
*Dariush Mozaffarian* *Health, Americas* [image: Reuters] Meat is a very popular food for most Americans. Its nutritional value is a topic of much debate. More than half of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions resolve to “eat healthier.” If you’re one, you might be confused about the role meat should play in your health. It’s no wonder you’re confused. One group of scientists says that reducing red and processed meat is a top priority for your health and the planet’s. Another says these foods pose no problems for health. Some of your friends may say it depends, and that gra... more »

Impeachment Doesn't 'Paralyze' the Government. Maybe It Should.

Gene Healy at The National Interest - 20 hours ago
*Gene Healy* *Politics, Americas* [image: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Republican members of Congress a day after the House of Representatives approved articles of impeachment against the Republican president, at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 19, 2019.] Maybe we could use the break. It’s a “solemn” and “sad” affair, impeachment: there are so many reasons to wear black. That’s what the pols and pundits tell us, anyway. Tonight’s House vote will unleash a host of plagues: stoking partisan furies, rattling the markets, and— worst of all from this town’s p... more »

Scientific Breakthrough? How to Spot Exoplanets Using Reflected Starlight

Supriya Chakrabarti at The National Interest - 20 hours ago
*Supriya Chakrabarti* *Environment, Americas* [image: Reuters] The challenge of imaging exoplanets has to do with taking a picture of a very faint object that is close to a much brighter one. Perhaps you remember the opening scene of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” that took place on Privet Drive. A bearded man pulled a mysterious device, called a deluminator, from his dark robe and one by one the lights from the street lamps flew into it. For the last decade or more, Muggles around the world – including me – have been busy designing and perfecting a similar device called... more »

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