Wednesday, January 01, 2020

1 January - Blogs I'm Following -2 of 5

11:20 pm MST

Which mammal can poop 200 litres of poo in one bowel movement?

Suzannah Lyons at Just In - 6 hours ago
If you're interested in finding out more about the animal world, identifying scats can tell you a lot about a creature, including what they eat, where they go and even how they live. So can you tell your possum poo from your fox faeces? Take our quiz to find out.

Nervous wait as naval ship prepares for mass evacuation of Mallacoota

Just In - 6 hours ago
Sick and vulnerable people, including children, could be evacuated from the bushfire-ravaged town of Mallacoota by air later today if smoky conditions allow. But most residents and tourists will have to wait until tomorrow morning to evacuate on board a naval ship that is docked off shore.

NBA legend Michael Jordan pays tribute to man who 'allowed me to succeed'

Just In - 6 hours ago
David Stern, the basketball-loving lawyer and administrator who helped turn the US basketball league into one of the biggest sporting brands in the world through the boom years of the 1980s, '90s and noughties, dies aged 77 from a brain haemorrhage.

The NSW Premier says you have to leave the South Coast — here's what you need to know

Just In - 6 hours ago
As authorities race to prepare for horror bushfire conditions along the NSW South Coast on Saturday, evacuation efforts are slowed by the closure of the northern route out of Batemans Bay.

House prices finish 2019 on a high, as Sydney and Melbourne lead gains nationally

Nassim Khadem at Just In - 6 hours ago
House prices in most Australian cities finish 2019 on a high, with national average dwelling prices lifting 1.1 per cent during December and by 2.3 per cent over the year, according to CoreLogic.

Marine safety authorities investigate New Year's Day boat crash

Jemima Burt at Just In - 6 hours ago
It took four hours to recover 10 patients from a boat crash on a central Queensland river, but the process was aided by quick-thinking locals willing to lend their watercraft to help.

Sky lanterns likely cause of German zoo fire that killed 30 animals

Just In - 6 hours ago
A fire races through a zoo in western Germany in the first few minutes of the new year, killing more than 30 animals, including apes, orangutans, monkeys, bats and birds.

Paid leave for new pet owners: Will 'pawternity leave' stem high turnover of hospitality staff?

Brittney Kleyn at Just In - 6 hours ago
Government benefits ensure new parents are offered paid leave when welcoming a new family member, and a UK company is now offering its Australian employees a similar scheme when they bring home a new pet.

Live: 'We don't take these decisions lightly': NSW South Coast residents to be forced to leave

Peter Marsh And Liam Butterworth at Just In - 6 hours ago
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she will declare a state of emergency for a week from 9:00am tomorrow, meaning people in bushfire zones will be subject to forced evacuations, road closures and "anything else we need to do as a state to keep our residents safe". Follow live.

Less than nine years after his AFL dream came true, Jake Edwards tried to take his own life

Tom Wildie at Just In - 6 hours ago
Jake Edwards appeared set for something great when his name was called out by the Carlton Football Club on AFL draft night in 2005. Less than nine years later, he tried to take his life.

National forecast update: Yet more dangerous fire conditions on the way

Kate Doyle at Just In - 6 hours ago
More extreme heat is on the way for fire grounds in Australia's south-east, with temperatures in some of the worst-ravaged regions set to soar on the weekend.

A Frozen Wonderland

Terry at 'Nox & Friends - 6 hours ago
To usher in The New Year I wanted to post something nice for you. Yeah, I know. Q: Whatever are these people doing ? A. Getting ready for this…. This world’s largest ice festival usually runs for about 2 months- this year from December 25, 2019 to February 25, 2020 . A new one is built every year ! You can read more about it HERE Alright, I hope you enjoyed that, but I gotta run. At the stroke of midnight my chariot reverts to a pumpkin, and I to a rat. Dang it ! I’ve lost one of my … Continue reading →

Secretary Pompeo Cancels Travel Plans to Remain Focused on Iraq Crisis…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 6 hours ago
At the time of a Tuesday evening Fox News interview Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was affirming his trip to Ukraine was still planned. However, by the time Pompeo woke up on Wednesday morning those plans were cancelled…. Perhaps someone … Continue reading →

End of 2019 map of Syrian War

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 6 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:30 P.M.) – The Syrian conflict is nearing its ninth year as the Levantine nation continues to experience violent battles in several parts of the country . While the first half of 2019 witnessed little territorial changes, the Syrian War would see a major shift towards the last three months of the year. […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Haftar-led Libyan Army scores big advance inside Tripoli

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 6 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:00 P.M.) – The Libyan National Army, led by their commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, scored a big advance in Tripoli on Wednesday, giving their forces control of several sites in and around the city. According to reports, the Libyan National Army was able to capture Military Engineering School, Plateau Project, Habda Project, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Turkish and Syrian armies trade attacks in Idlib as situation worsens

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 6 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:45 P.M.) – The Turkish and Syrian armies have traded attacks in the eastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate today, with both sides firing heavy artillery at one another. According to a field report from northwest Syria, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) heavily shelled the eastern countryside of Idlib Governorate, as some of […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Iranian Supreme Leader blasts US over Iraq attacks: video

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 6 hours ago
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the US airstrike on the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia in Iraq while giving a speech in Tehran on Wednesday. “It’s not only me, the government and the people strongly condemn this US crime as well,” Khamenei said. In response to remarks made by US President Donald Trump accusing […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Turkey will not send troops to Libya if Haftar stops offensive: VP

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 6 hours ago
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said that Ankara would not send its troops to Libya if the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, stopped its attack on Tripoli. “We hope that there is no need for such an invitation, it will have a deterrent role and the parties [LNA, GNA] will […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian Army seizes jihadist armored vehicle in Idlib: video

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 6 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:00 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) seized a jihadist armored vehicle in southeastern Idlib this week after repelling an attack near the town of Jarjanaz. According to reports, the Ali Taha Regiment of the 25th Special Mission Forces Division (formerly Tiger Forces) captured the armored vehicle after the jihadists withdrew from […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Russiagate Investigation Now Endangers Obama

Eric Zuesse at The Duran - 6 hours ago
Eric Zuesse, originally posted at strategic-culture.org Former U.S. President Barack Obama is now in severe legal jeopardy, because the Russiagate investigation has turned 180 degrees; and he, instead of the current President, Donald Trump, is in its cross-hairs. The biggest crime that a U.S. President can commit is to try to defeat American democracy (the […] More The post Russiagate Investigation Now Endangers Obama appeared first on The Duran.

Joe Biden's man shows the world why US policy towards Russia has completely failed

Bryan MacDonald at 6 hours ago
[image: undefined] It's entirely possible that Joe Biden could be the next US President. If so, buckle your seatbelts because the advice he's getting on Russia is, almost certainly, dangerously wrong. Regular readers will know of my deep scorn for “Russia Watchers” - Westerners who, as a rule, purport to have an understanding of the country beyond their actual competence. Sadly, they are an unavoidable hazard on this beat, much as snow is to Siberia, or blazing summer sun to Krasnodar. For the most part they are more of an amusement than a menace, self-important but not remotely in... more »

Shutter the US Embassy in Iraq

Adam Dick at 6 hours ago
[image: undefined] This week, amid protests by people upset with United States intervention in Iraq, individuals forced their way into and damaged the US embassy compound in Baghdad. In response, US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper declared on Tuesday that 750 additional US troops would be deployed immediately to the Middle East, and it was reported that anonymous US officials said thousands more could be sent there soon. Here is another option to consider: End US intervention and sanctions, along with the threat of both, that stir up resentment toward the US in Iraq and elsewhere. ... more »

The Biggest Event of the Last Decade??

Diogenes Sarcastica™ at Diogenes' Middle Finger - 6 hours ago
Someone at dinner last night ask us all what the biggest event in the past decade was. I could only narrow it down to two - 2016 - Leonardo DiCaprio finally wins an academy award. (for sleeping in a Bear Carcass) and 2019 - The most diverse divisive class of lawmakers in history was sworn into Congress. What Say You?

The US Army Has Chosen Its Top 10 Science And Technology Advances For This Year

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 7 hours ago
Soldiers moving in an augmented-reality space. US Army *Business Insider:* *The US Army has chosen its top 10 science and technology advances for this year — here are the potential game changers that made the list* * US Army and service-funded researchers are making strides in numerous areas, including the material sciences, robotics, and artificial intelligence. * Alexander Kott, the chief scientist at Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory, recently picked the Army's top 10 science and technology advancements of 2019. * The list of potential game chang... more »

President Trump Hints That He May Use His China Trip to Get More Trade Concessions From China

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 7 hours ago
I will be signing our very large and comprehensive Phase One Trade Deal with China on January 15. The ceremony will take place at the White House. High level representatives of China will be present. At a later date I will be going to Beijing where talks will begin on Phase Two! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019 *SCMP: **Donald Trump ‘may use China trip to push for more concessions in further trade war deal’* * Observers say Trump could make additional demands when he travels to Beijing after a phase-one trade deal is signed * They could include buying more go... more »

The AK-47 Might Be the Most Legendary Assault Rifle Ever

Blake Franko at The National Interest - 7 hours ago
*Blake Franko* *Security, * [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/FRANCE-SHOOTING-GUNRUNNERS-GF20000077903.html] That's why there's 75 million of them. *Key Point:* The AK-47 is a product of its environment. Last year, fighters from the Free Syrian Army *ran* American special-operations forces out of a town near the Turkish border, hurling insults like “infidels,” “crusaders,” “dogs” and “pigs.” These fighters, who are actively benefiting from U.S. support, brandished the most recognizable gun of all time, the Kalashnikov. The power of this image cannot be understated. ... more »

How Tehran Rolled Donald Trump In Iraq

Dov S. Zakheim at The National Interest - 7 hours ago
*Dov S. Zakheim* *Security, Middle East* It is Iran, not America, that calls the shots in Baghdad. On December 29, 2019, in retaliation for a rocket attack two days earlier by the Tehran-backed Kataib Hezbollah (KH) militia on the K-1 military base near Kirkuk that killed an American contractor, Air Force F-15E fighters struck three of the militia’s bases in Iraq and two more in Syria. The attacks left about twenty-five militiamen dead and more than fifty wounded. The targets were KH storage facilities and command posts; Washington asserted that the command posts had masterminded... more »

This Is What A F-35 Factory Looks Like From The Inside

Kris Osborn at The National Interest - 7 hours ago
*Kris Osborn* *Security, * Remarkable. *Key point:* Lockheed has delivered more than 360 airframes to 16 bases worldwide and plans a production rev up to meet growing international and US military demand (Ft. Worth, Texas) -- Filled with stacks of fuselage panels, engine components and a wide assortment of pipes, electronics and avionics, the spralling F-35 construction facility in Ft. Worth, Texas, resembles a small city filled with engineers, mechanics, electricians and airplanes at various stages of construction. While some stations include vertically-hanging airplane wings,... more »

North Korea's Warning to America: End Your 'Hostile Policy' Or Get Nothing

Tim Shorrock at The National Interest - 7 hours ago
*Tim Shorrock* *Security, Asia* If President Trump, his advisers and the many North Korea “experts” in Washington and New York really want to head off the “new way” Kim just warned about, they should start applying their considerable analytical skills to exploring those aspects of U.S. policy that have driven North Korea into a corner where all Kim sees is US “maneuvers to completely strangle and stifle the DPRK.” In the most anticipated speech of his career today, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un told hundreds of cadre from the Workers’ Party of Korea to prepare for a long-term stando... more »

Was There A Security Failure At The U.S. Embassy In Iraq?

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 7 hours ago
*(Click on Image to Enlarge) * Thousands of Kataeb Hezbollah supporters left funerals held for 25 fighters killed by US strikes on Sunday night. They then marched towards the US embassy, pouring through the heavily fortified 'Green Zone' before reaching the gates of the compound. As the mood deteriorated security personnel headed into the building and carnage ensued outside, with rioters eventually tearing through the main gate and inside the main forecourt of the embassy *(Click on Image to Enlarge) * This map shows the Embassy compound located along the Tigris River in Baghdad, ... more »

The Unteachabilty of Brown v. Board of Education: Reflections on Chief Justice Roberts's New Year homily

Sandy Levinson at Balkinization - 7 hours ago
Chief Justice Roberts has delivered his annual end-of-year message, this time bewailing (altogether correctly) the fact that most Americans know very little about how the American political system actually works. He has therefore mounted the "civic education" bandwagon, though, like almost all judges, he is apparently incapable of suggesting that one aspect of such education might be a more critical perspective of the Constitution itself, which continues to exhibit its ominous impact on the American polity literally every day. Instead, he commits the fallacy of believing that civi... more »

The Monsey Attack: What's the basis for the federal charges against Grafton Thomas?

Marty Lederman at Balkinization - 7 hours ago
[Cross-posted at *Just Security*] Grafton Thomas is accused of committing the horrific, anti-Semitic attacks in Monsey, New York last Saturday. The State of New York presumably could have brought charges against him (e.g., attempted murder). On Monday, however, the federal government filed a criminal Complaint against him instead. One might have expected (I did) that the United States would have charged Thomas with violations of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, 18 U.S.C. 249(a), given that Thomas allegedly used a dangerous weapon (a machete) to cause bodily injury ... more »

Former NBA Commissioner David Stern Dies at 77

AP News at Snopes.com - 7 hours ago
Stern suffered a brain hemorrhage in recent weeks and had to undergo emergency surgery.

Most of Andrew Yang’s Father’s Patents were made for Taiwanese Corporations-Entities After He Gained US Expertise at a US National Lab, GE & IBM

miningawareness at Mining Awareness + - 7 hours ago
Contrary to Andrew Yang’s claim, the majority of his father’s patents – and all in recent years – are for … Continue reading →

Pro-Gun Lawmakers Introduce Anti-Red Flag Laws to Defend Rights

Luis Miguel at rss - 8 hours ago
[image: pro-gun-lawmakers-introduce-anti-red-flag-laws-to-defend-rights] Republicans in Kansas and Oklahoma have proposed measures that would nullify federal and state red flag laws and prevent localities from enforcing them.

Top NYC Educrat Arrested on Attempted Molestation Charge

R. Cort Kirkwood at rss - 8 hours ago
[image: top-nyc-educrat-arrested-on-attempted-molestation-charge] Police arrested David A. Hay, a top education bureaucrat in New York City, and charged him for trying to meet and molest a boy, media reports say. Yet the accusation is hardly a surprise or all that unusual.

Labour and Progressive Coalitions

Phil at All That Is Solid ... - 8 hours ago
Two penneth worth concerning Jem Gilbert's piece on Labourism. Jem takes aim at what you might otherwise call Labour's sectarianism: the idea Labour is the sole means of achieving progressive social change in this country, with the trade unions and affiliated societies as adjuncts, and other movements kept at arm's length. He argues that Corbynism was a step away from traditional Labourism with its re-emphasis on community building, supporting campaigning and struggle and, yes, standing with workers on picket lines. *But it was only a step*. The supremacy of the Labour Party as the... more »

Let It Snow…

E.M.Smith at Musings from the Chiefio - 8 hours ago
USA Snow and frost maps. Continue reading →

ABC News Fears American People Might Interfere in 2020 U.S. Election…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 8 hours ago
Despite the initial reaction a stable-minded person would likely take away from the headline, it is a good thing that ABC News and other MSM have dropped their pretense and shallow-efforts to retain their open secrets. In this example while … Continue reading →

Police, Protesters Clash in New Year’s Rally in Hong Kong

AP News at Snopes.com - 8 hours ago
Hundreds of thousands of people packed Hong Kong streets as the monthslong pro-democracy movement extended into 2020

Trump Suggests Some Flavored Vapes May Be Pulled From Market

AP News at Snopes.com - 8 hours ago
The president was vague about what the plan would entail but suggested “certain flavors” in cartridge-based e-cigarettes would be taken off the market “for a period of time."

Did Ivanka Trump Say ‘Perception Is More Important Than Reality’?

David Mikkelson at Snopes.com - 8 hours ago
The expanded version: "If someone perceives something to be true, it is more important than if it is in fact true."

Dr. Stevie Watson Focuses on Recruitment, Retention and Graduation at SUNY Morrisville

cmaadmin at Diverse - 8 hours ago
Dr. Stevie Watson is the first dean of the School of Agriculture, Business & Technology at the State University of New York (SUNY) Morrisville, one of two new schools the university formed after it reorganized programs previously spread across four schools. Watson arrives at a time when the SUNY system, which is made up of 64 campuses, has seen several years of declining enrollment — down 9.9% between 2010 and 2018.

Rescuers battle to reach cut-off Victorian communities before weekend weather hits

Just In - 9 hours ago
Firefighters, police and the army make extraordinary efforts to bring relief to thousands of Victorians cut off by bushfires, as they brace for extreme weekend weather which could see huge bushfires merge in the state's east and north-east.

Documents reveal 'extreme and ill-advised' secret plan to take land along the Ghan line

Matt Garrick at Just In - 9 hours ago
Federal cabinet documents kept secret for 20 years reveal a radical legislative proposal to acquire Aboriginal land to ensure the construction of the 1,400 kilometre rail line from the Red Centre to Darwin.

Alleged drink-driver had eight passengers, including five unrestrained children, in car

Just In - 9 hours ago
SA police say officers pulled over a small hatchback carrying nine people — including five unrestrained children — and a dog on New Year's Day, and that the driver was nearly three times over the legal blood-alcohol limit.

New treatment for 'silent' heart attack survivors could make hearts stronger and repair scar tissue

Josh Robertson at Just In - 9 hours ago
People who suffer "silent" heart attacks could make dramatic recoveries under a new treatment that could also revolutionise the repair of scar tissue throughout the body, researchers say.

Thousands of Australian expats face tax slug

Nassim Khadem at Just In - 9 hours ago
Australian property owners living overseas have until the end of June to sell their homes if they want to avoid big capital gains tax bills.

'We are basically living naked': The complicated truth about China's Social Credit System

Christina Zhou And Bang Xiao at Just In - 9 hours ago
Beijing is amassing a colossal amount of individual and company data as part of its ambitious plans to build a national Social Credit System pegged to be fully operational by 2020. So what can we expect this year?

Iraqi protesters withdraw from Baghdad US embassy after violent protests

Just In - 9 hours ago
Supporters of Iran-backed Iraqi paramilitary groups who stormed the US embassy's perimeter in two days of protests withdraw after the US threatens reprisals against Iran.

Australia's only underground hospital was built out of necessity — but never used

Kelly Butterworth at Just In - 9 hours ago
Mount Isa decided to go subterranean at a time when its mine was seen as a prized strategic resource to Japanese forces during World War II.

More than 14 species of microbats found living in the Mallee bush

Esther MacIntyre at Just In - 9 hours ago
Which native Australian animal looks like a bat, sounds like a bat, but has a tiny body the size of a mouse?

'I shouldn't have left them': Father's regret as bushfire separates young family

Jonathan Hair at Just In - 9 hours ago
Fishermans Paradise on the NSW South Coast is standing, but telecommunications are down and the town has little to no water. Those keen to reach loved ones wait in limbo.

Why is swearing still illegal when most of us do it?

Just In - 9 hours ago
Swearing can be quite acceptable (and cathartic) when it's used to drive home a particular point or deal with pain. But what does the law say about letting fly with a few well-chosen expletives?

If you want to beat the crowds, take Tasmania's paths less travelled

Georgie Burgess at Just In - 9 hours ago
Tasmania's popularity means some iconic spots are getting a little crowded during peak times. Here are some trips to veer off the tourist trail.

NSW Premier declares state of emergency ahead of 'horrible' fire conditions

Kevin Nguyen And Emma Elsworthy at Just In - 9 hours ago
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian declares a week-long state of emergency as thousands of people are told to get out of a 12,235-square-kilometre area between Batemans Bay and the edge of Victoria's northern border.

The Apocalypse Arrives

tonyheller at Real Climate Science - 9 hours ago

No Hope for The Corn Pop Slayer?…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 9 hours ago
Most CTH readers are aware the RNC and DNC are literally private clubs with the ability to do anything they want regarding rules & by-laws inside their respective organizations. As such both republicans and democrats can do whatever they want … Continue reading →

Rushin’ To Destruction, 2019 In Review, Part 14-- "Highlights" From New York Magazine’s Interview With Rudy Giuliani

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 9 hours ago
*-by Noah* Interview with a demented vampire is more like it. Rudy Giuliani does look more and more like Nosferatu every day. Eventually, he will look like the gollum in the *Lord Of The Rings* movie. He’s already traipsing ‘round the world in search of that precious ring that will give him power. In so many stories like *Lord Of The Rings*, the embrace of absolute corruption leads to dementia and physical grotesqueness. This is what has happened to Rudy. Rudy wasn’t much to begin with. He has always represented and symbolized the diseased parts of America. In that sense, when a g... more »

Taiwan Rejects China's Offer To Unify Using The Hong Kong Model

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 9 hours ago
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen talks during a graduation ceremony for the Investigation Bureau agents in New Taipei City, Taiwan, December 26 , 2019. REUTERS/Ann Wang *Reuters*: *Taiwan leader rejects China's offer to unify under Hong Kong model* TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday the island would not accept a “one country, two systems” political formula Beijing has suggested could be used to unify the democratic island, saying such an arrangement had failed in Hong Kong. China claims Taiwan as its territory, to be brought under Beijing’s control b... more »

"'Our Entire Society Is Mentally Ill' - Notes From The Edge Of The Narrative Matrix"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 9 hours ago
*"'Our Entire Society Is Mentally Ill' - * *Notes From The Edge Of The Narrative Matrix"* by Caitlin Johnstone "Start over in the new year. Also, start over at any other time during the rest of the year, whenever you want, as often as you like. Time is an illusion anyway. I cannot assure you that things will get better in the ’20s. I can’t assure you that they’ll get worse, either. What I can absolutely guarantee is that things are going to keep getting weirder and weirder. At this point in time the only reliable pattern is the disintegration of patterns. The mainstream worldview i... more »

Kim Jong-un Hedges His Bets. How Will Trump Respond?

Ted Galen Carpenter at The National Interest - 9 hours ago
*Ted Galen Carpenter* *Security, * Kim’s address was hardly an example of cordial diplomacy, but neither was it a fire-breathing, threat-filled diatribe. It epitomized a cautious, hedging strategy, and that’s the best we’re likely to get in the foreseeable future. Washington’s response should consist of steps to revitalize a process of bilateral détente based on more realistic objectives. A great deal of apprehension existed throughout the world in anticipation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s annual New Year’s Day address. In mid-December, Kim had promised an ominous “Chri... more »

These 5 Nations Have The World's Most Powerful Armies, Navies, And Air Forces

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 9 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * They are unstoppable. *Key point:* Trillions of dollars got them to where they are today. *(This, a collection of three separate posts from 2014, has been compiled as one for your reading pleasure. An updated version will appear in the very near future).* ***** *5 Most Powerful Navies* It’s a universal truth handed down since antiquity: a country with a coastline has a navy. Big or small, navies worldwide have the same basic mission—to project military might into neighboring waters and beyond. s has been more or less the same for thousands of years... more »

An Exceptional Year? Hardly, Mr McCarthy

Hifast at Climate Collections - 9 hours ago
Originally posted on NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT: By Paul Homewood ? ? According to the Met Office’s latest absurd report, we have just had a year of extremes: ? 2019 has been a year of extremes: record-breaking heat and rain, along with notable spells of cold and windy weather have all been…

Happy New Year!

Joel Wing at MUSINGS ON IRAQ - 9 hours ago

Dec. 31 Arctic Ice Hits Average

Ron Clutz at Science Matters - 10 hours ago
The image above shows recovery of Arctic sea ice extent over the month of December 2019. As supported by the table later, the pace of refreezing allowed 2019 to match and exceed for a few days the 12 year average (2007 to 2018 inclusive). The month began with seas on the Eurasian side (left) already […]

"This Is Not 1979, And Donald Trump Is Not Jimmy Carter"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
*"This Is Not 1979, And Donald Trump Is Not Jimmy Carter"* by Michael Snyder "Iran has just made a tragic mistake. When Iranian proxies directly attacked the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, it sent shockwaves across the entire planet. Of course it immediately reminded many of us of the Iranian hostage crisis, and that episode turned out great for the Iranians. In November 1979, a group of Iranian militants stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran, and they took 52 American citizens hostage. For the next 444 days, the United States was absolutely humiliated by the Iranians. President ... more »

"We Learn Nothing..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
"We learn from history that we learn nothing from history." - George Bernard Shaw

This Day In Iraqi History - Jan 1

Joel Wing at MUSINGS ON IRAQ - 10 hours ago
1960 Gen Qasim issued new law of association promising parties would be legalized and more political freedom Banned any student organizing and activism on campuses to control student protests (Musings On Iraq interviewwith Western Kentucky’s Prof Romero on the Qasim govt) 1982 Peshmerga bombed Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline 1984 Report US told Persian Gulf allies that it supported Iraq in Iran-Iraq War (Musings On Iraq book review *The Saddam Tapes*) 1988 Iran Launched Bait al-Moqaddas 2 in Mawet Kurdistan (Musings On Iraq interview with author Anthony Tucker-Jones on Iran-Iraq War) (... more »

“End of Decade” Stories Illustrate How Media Perpetuates False Narratives

Steve Byas at rss - 10 hours ago
[image: end-of-decade-stories-illustrate-how-media-perpetuates-false-narratives] Two plus two equals four, regardless of how many people think it is five.

Terrorism: The Dirty Bomb Threat That Could Make Your City Uninhabitable — Tomorrow

Selwyn Duke at rss - 10 hours ago
[image: terrorism-the-dirty-bomb-threat-that-could-make-your-city-uninhabitable-tomorrow] One supposed difficulty terrorists have effecting dirty-bomb mayhem is obtaining the radioactive material — but it turns out that this may not be so difficult after all. For that material is as close as your local hospital.

Indiana AG Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Weigh in on Parental-Notice Law

Raven Clabough at rss - 10 hours ago
[image: indiana-ag-asks-u-s-supreme-court-to-weigh-in-on-parental-notice-law] Indiana has asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on its 2017 law regarding parental notification for underage girls seeking abortions.

An Exceptional Year? Hardly, Mr McCarthy

Paul Homewood at NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT - 10 hours ago
By Paul Homewood According to the Met Office’s latest absurd report, we have just had a year of extremes: 2019 has been a year of extremes: record-breaking heat and rain, along with notable spells of cold and windy weather have all been prominent. As we approach year-end, we’ve highlighted the most notable […]

Protestors Withdrew from US Embassy Compound in Iraq

miningawareness at Mining Awareness + - 10 hours ago
Iraq is majority Shi’a like Iran, and minority Sunni. So, they don’t have to be Iranian “backed” to see Iran … Continue reading →

Developing Story – “Hot Potatoes” – Judge recuses himself, who is next to fall

Uriel at 'Nox & Friends - 10 hours ago
Who didn’t see something like this coming? Was it getting too hot to handle that not only the two attorneys for Hunter Biden but now the county judge felt the need to distance themselves? –##– Judge abruptly exits Biden paternity case Texarkana Gazette Bill Bowden/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette January 1 2020 The judge in Hunter Biden’s Arkansas paternity case recused without explanation Tuesday, after men in Florida and Israel tried to intervene in the case in apparent attempts to get financial information on the former vice president’s son. Independence County Circuit Judge Don McSpadd... more »

Walid Phares on Fox News – why Iran military action in Baghdad

Uriel at 'Nox & Friends - 10 hours ago
Walid Phares on true goal of attack on US Embassy in Baghdad . . Fox News national security and foreign affairs analyst Walid Phares explains the motivation behind the aggressive embassy attack in Iraq. –00– This makes more sense than any of the garbled Democrat or MSM messages out there. –Uriel–

Laughable – Strzok claims protection under 1st Amend … didn’t care about same for Trump

Uriel at 'Nox & Friends - 10 hours ago
This post comes via Whitetop who sent the article to us and we thank him for all his comments and suggestions. Without such support, we wouldn’t be nearly so effective. –##– Strzok claims anti-Trump texts protected by First Amendment, administration violated his rights Fox News Gregg Re December 31, 2019 … Strzok accuses government of violating his rights, claims anti-Trump texts are protected by First Amendment Former FBI agent Peter Strzok argues in a court filing that his anti-Trump messages are protected by the First Amendment; Fox News contributor Andy McCarthy reacts. Former F... more »

Coincidence – Pelosi takes a trip, Obama WH visitor leads Baghdad rabble?

Uriel at 'Nox & Friends - 10 hours ago
Iranian Militia Leader Leading Iraq U.S. Embassy Raid Listed as Obama White House Guest Breitbart News Lucas Nolan December 31, 2019 Iranian militia leader Hadi al-Amiri, one of several identified as leading an attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, reportedly visited the White House in 2011 during the presidency of Barack Obama. President Donald Trump has since accused Iran of having “orchestrated” the embassy attack and stated that the government would be “held fully responsible.” Breitbart News reporter John Hayward described the attack on the embassy, writing: The mob ... more »

Musical Interlude: The Traveling Wilburys, “End Of The Line”

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
- The Traveling Wilburys, “End Of The Line”

"A Look to the Heavens"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
“Point your telescope toward the high flying constellation Pegasus and you can find this expanse of Milky Way stars and distant galaxies. Centered on NGC 7814, the pretty field of view would almost be covered by a full moon. NGC 7814 is sometimes called the Little Sombrero for its resemblance to the brighter more famous M104, the Sombrero Galaxy. *Click image for larger size.* Both Sombrero and Little Sombrero are spiral galaxies seen edge-on, and both have extensive central bulges cut by a thinner disk with dust lanes in silhouette. In fact, NGC 7814 is some 40 million light-year... more »

Hong Kong Protests Continue In 2020

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 10 hours ago
*SCMP*: *Hong Kong begins 2020 just like 2019 ended – with protest chaos* * Police say at least 400 people arrested, mostly for illegal assembly and possession of offensive weapons * Violence escalates as night falls with at least five HSBC outlets smashed up or firebombed and Starbucks outlet vandalised Hong Kong started the first day of the year with a massive anti-government protest march that ended in chaos, as radicals blocked roads, smashed traffic lights, threw petrol bombs, vandalised bank branches, trashed shops and also targeted the High Court, while police fired tear gas... more »

Australian Fires Continue To Devastate Major Portions Of The Country

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 10 hours ago
*The Guardian:* *Australia fires: nine dead and hundreds of properties destroyed, with worse to come* Residents in Victoria and New South Wales count terrible cost during brief reprieve from disaster that has sent smoke as far as New Zealand Nine people are confirmed dead, with four still missing, and more than 200 properties have been lost since Christmas Day in Australia’s catastrophic bushfires. Smoke still hung thick over the south-east of the country on Wednesday evening, even as weather conditions offered a reprieve to take stock of the destruction. *Read more* .... *Mo... more »

Time’s Up for ‘Totes:’ New Batch of Banned Words Is Out

AP News at Snopes.com - 10 hours ago
Each year, Lake Superior State University invites the public to nominate words and phrases that seem tired or annoying through everyday speech, news coverage and more.

Watch: US deploy troops after protesters besiege embassy in Baghdad

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 10 hours ago
The first videos purportedly showing the redeployment of American forces from Kuwait to Iraq in order to defend the US Embassy, which has been besieged by protesters since 31 December, emerged online on 1 January. Their redeployment was announced earlier by the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, which noted that US Marines were transported […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Protesters begin withdrawing from US Embassy in Baghdad

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 10 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (5:15 P.M.) – Social media activists shared photos documenting the withdrawal of protesters from the vicinity of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad out of respect for the Iraqi government’s call. A member of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Iraq said today that a failure to take a clear […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Russian military foils jihadist attack on Hmeimim Airbase

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 10 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:45 P.M.) – The Russian Armed Forces have foiled the jihadist attack that targeted their largest base inside Syria. According to a source in the Latakia Governorate, the Russian air defenses at the Hmeimim Airbase were able to intercept all of the jihadist missiles that were fired from the Latakia-Idlib axis in northwestern […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian Army launches retaliatory attack against Turkish forces in northern Syria

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 10 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:30 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched a retaliatory attack against the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Syria this week after the latter struck their troops in the northern countryside of the Al-Raqqa Governorate. According to a military source in northern Syria, the Syrian Army fired several artillery shells and missiles […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Russian Air Force lets loose heavy attack over northwest Syria to start New Year

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 10 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:00 P.M.) – The Russian Air Force unleashed a large-scale assault over the Idlib Governorate last night, targeting several areas across this region. According to reports, the Russian Air Force launched over 30 airstrikes over the last 12 hours, hitting the Ma’arat Al-Nu’man District and several other sites across the Idlib Governorate. The […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Iraqi protesters throw stones at US embassy as American troops deploy tear gas: video

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 10 hours ago
Tear gas has been used to disperse angry crowds outside the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, a day after thousands of protesters attempted to storm the diplomatic compound, according to reports. Dozens of protesters who’d camped overnight outside the gates of the embassy were attacked with tear gas by security personnel, reportedly after the demonstrators […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Jihadist rebels used poor weather to move reinforcements to Idlib front-lines

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 10 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:40 P.M.) – The jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) have moved reinforcements to the Idlib front-lines this week after several towns and villages in early December. According to a report from the nearby Hama Governorate, Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and their allies from the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) moved reinforcements to the […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Iran-Backed Militiamen Withdraw From Siege Of US Embassy In Baghdad

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 10 hours ago
KH are leaving the area of the US embassy, with celebration chants and fireworks because they considered it as “victory” It’s FINALLY over, happy new year everyone. pic.twitter.com/YYaog9vRCd — Mustafa Salim (@Mustafa_salimb) January 1, 2020 *Al Jazeera:* *Protesters leave US embassy compound in Baghdad* After being fired at with tear gas, demonstrators who rallied against deadly US air raids heed calls to retreat. Protesters withdrew from the United States embassy perimeter in Baghdad after the Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) paramilitary force ordered them to leave... more »

World News Briefs -- January 1, 2020

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 10 hours ago
*DW*: *New Year's 2020 around the world: As it happened* People across the globe have not just rung in a new year, but a new decade. Germany has joined the world in welcoming 2020. DW tracked the New Year's festivities live. — Germany and the rest of Europe have welcomed 2020 — Sydney, Australia renowned fireworks show went ahead despite controversy over wildfires — NYE protests disrupted festivities in Hong Kong, India and Lebanon *Read more* .... *MIDDLE EAST* Protesters *leave US embassy compound in Baghdad.* US embassy attack: *Trump threatens Iran over violent protest in I... more »

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