Monday, January 27, 2020

27 January - Blogs I'm Following - 3 of 5

10:09 pm MST

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 27, 2020

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 11 hours ago
*Breaking Defense:* *Pentagon Chief Readies Congress For Messy Budget Battles* The DoD wants to invest in new technologies, but no real budget growth means it's going to have to cut, and cut big to free up cash. WASHINGTON: Defense Secretary Mark Esper began prepping Congress for what will likely be a series of heated battles over military modernization and scrapping legacy systems on Friday, warning that budgets “aren’t going to get any better. They are where they are.” Esper’s comments reflect the reality of the two-year budget deal reached between Congress and the White House ... more »

Obstacles remain to a free trade deal with the EU

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 Bold talk of an FTA between New Zealand and the European Union by the end of 2019 proved misplaced - and wrapping up talks in 2020 may also be a stretch unless major hurdles are overcome.

Letter of 17 EU ministers on data flows

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 A group of 17 EU countries sent a letter to the European Commission, asking for more emphasis on data in future trade deals.

CETA : le Canada, grand perdant de cet accord de libre-échange ?

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 Au Canada, les éleveurs bovins accusent le coup, s'inquiètant des normes européennes drastiques.

Is Canada on losing end of CETA free trade agreement with EU?

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 In Canada, farmers criticise the non-tariff barriers imposed by the EU and say the win-win deal that was promised is taking too long to materialise.

Oil major settles huge capital gains tax bill to Vietnam after Finance Uncovered investigation

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 When Vietnam signalled it would claim the tax due, oil giant ConocoPhillips issued a pre-emptive legal strike using an arbitration process under the UK-Vietnam bilateral investment treaty.

The EU's toothless trade policy

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 The EU Commission fails to enforce trade agreements' social and environmental norms. Just look at the case of South Korea.

UK will set out EU trade objectives next month: Brexit secretary

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 Britain will set out more details about its objectives for a free trade deal with the European Union next month after the country leaves the bloc on Jan. 31.

Trade wars among EAC members cast doubts on summit

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 Resolving these issues is crucial for EAC's approach to opportunities from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement as a bloc.

Zelensky calls on Israel to ratify FTA agreement with Ukraine

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 President of Ukraine stressed the importance of the ratification by Israel of an agreement on free trade area (FTA) with Ukraine, which the latter had ratified in August 2019.

Trump's 'massive' US-UK trade deal faces big hurdles

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 Britain is the United States' closest ally but their long friendship may be sorely tested as the two countries try to forge a new trade agreement.

Swiss Economics Minister wants to move US trade deal forward

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 Talks with US President Donald Trump were useful, says Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin, who is cautiously optimistic about moving trade negotiations forward.

Erdogan : « Les démarches seront vite entreprises pour un accord de libre-échange Turquie-Algérie »

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 Le président turque a fait savoir que les démarches seront vite entreprises pour un accord de libre-échange entre la Turquie et l'Algérie.

The US drops ISDS

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 The US government used to be the chief proponent of strong investor protection clauses in international trade deals. No longer. What happened?

Entrega de más de medio millón de firmas contra los tribunales de arbitraje y una ley que proteja los derechos humanos

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 Coincidiendo con la celebración del Foro Económico Mundial en Davos 2020, la campaña ‘No a los Tratados de Comercio e Inversión ha entregado hoy en el Congreso de los Diputados, las más de 685.000 firmas recogidas durante 2019 por la iniciativa europea ‘Derechos para las personas, obligaciones para las multinacionales. Stop ISDS'.

Deutsche ignora el plan Ribera contra los laudos verdes y demanda a España en EEUU

bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 El Gobierno ha recibido una reclamación en EEUU después de aprobar un decreto ley para frenar el alud de arbitrajes por los recortes a las renovables.

Iran News Links 26-27 January 2020

barovsky at The New Dark Age - 11 hours ago
27 January 2020 — The New Dark Age There may be some duplication due to cross-posting and may be updated throughout the day, so please check back Russia, Iran agree to look at format of parliamentary dialogue of Caspian nations https://tass.com/world/1113385 Today’s Links 27 January 2020 http://mikewhitneysgraspingatstraws.blogspot.com/2020/01/todays-links_27.html The Unbearable Hypocrisy of US Sanctions on Iran The … Continue reading Iran News Links 26-27 January 2020

The value in GDP

barovsky at The New Dark Age - 11 hours ago
At the recent ASSA 2020 conference there was a session on whether Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the ubiquitous measure of national output, was adequate as a gauge of “well-being or social welfare”. Various proposals have been put forward for attempting to measure social welfare, including “dashboards” of economic and social indicators as well as approaches that are more explicitly tied to economic theory. The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) initiated a discussion at ASSA to consider the pros and cons of alternative approaches.

Julian Assange and the Inhumanity of the British State: ‘Unofficial’ Solitary Confinement as Torture

barovsky at The New Dark Age - 11 hours ago
26 January 2020 — 21st Century Wire By Nina Cross Up until this week, Assange has been held in solitary confinement in Belmarsh prison. Incredibly, it was the other prisoners along with Assange’s legal team, who have pressured the government officials to respect the law and allow Assange to be removed from solitary confinement, resulting … Continue reading Julian Assange and the Inhumanity of the British State: ‘Unofficial’ Solitary Confinement as Torture

Russia stood by Iran in showdown with US

barovsky at The New Dark Age - 11 hours ago
The US President Donald Trump first said there were ‘no casualties’ in the Iranian missile attack on the Ain al-Asad military airbase in Iraq on January 8. “We suffered no casualties, all of our soldiers are safe, and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases,” Trump had said.

The Musical Matilda on Stage in Amherst Inspires Joyous Rebellion By Edward Curtin

barovsky at The New Dark Age - 11 hours ago
“Our problem is civil obedience,” said the people’s historian Howard Zinn. This may sound like an odd way to begin a review of a play, but I think you will agree that it is apropos, since the musical Matilda, based on the book by the impish writer Roald Dahl and produced by Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater, has just opened and will run, most appropriately, through the Sunday of Martin Luther King weekend and continue the following Thursday through Sunday at Bowker Auditorium at the University of Massachusetts. I like to think MLK would approve.

Bolivia News Links 23-26 January 2020

barovsky at The New Dark Age - 11 hours ago
26 January 2020 — The New Dark Age There may be some duplication due to cross-posting and may be updated throughout the day, so please check back Bolivians Celebrate Fourteen Years of the Plurinational State https://libya360.wordpress.com/2020/01/24/bolivians-celebrate-fourteen-years-of-the-plurinational-state/ Former Brazilian President Lula da Silva: Obama, Hillary Ordered Me Not to Negotiate with Iran https://www.mintpressnews.com/brazil-president-lula-da-silva-obama-hillary-ordered-not-negotiate-iran/264315/ Three Years into Trump’s … Continue reading Bolivia News Links 23-26 Ja... more »

Global warming shuts down the Magic Kingdom!

Robert at Ice Age Now - 11 hours ago
Freezing weather conditions shut two theme parks! 21 Jan 2020 – A blast of arctic air that swept South all the way to the U.S State of Florida resulted in the closure of a couple of much loved theme parks. Because temperatures were expected to drop below freezing overnight, Disney World’s Blizzard Beach Water Park ... Read more Global warming shuts down the Magic Kingdom! The post Global warming shuts down the Magic Kingdom! appeared first on Ice Age Now.

An unforgiveable scam – Beware the weasel words of a politician chasing your vote

Robert at Ice Age Now - 11 hours ago
“Without CO2 in the atmosphere there would be no life as we know it on our planet.” – David John Haskell ____________ An unforgiveable scam – Beware the weasel words of a politician chasing your vote Without CO2 in the atmosphere there would be no life as we know it on our planet David John ... Read more An unforgiveable scam – Beware the weasel words of a politician chasing your vote The post An unforgiveable scam – Beware the weasel words of a politician chasing your vote appeared first on Ice Age Now.

Biofortified Crops Improve Farmers’ Livelihoods in Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Jan 27 (IPS) - HarvestPlus* Steven Seremwe, who is 57 years old, was retrenched from his job as an administrator at Lake Shore Missions in 2012. He decided to focus on farming, and he started growing various crops—white maize, sugar beans, and sweet potatoes, among others—for consumption and sale. Read the full story, “Biofortified Crops Improve Farmers’ Livelihoods in Zimbabwe”, on globalissues.org →

US-Iran Confrontation & Implications for India

NEW DELHI, Jan 27 (IPS) - Simi Mehta holds a PhD in American Studies from School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She was a Fulbright Fellow at the Ohio State UniversityThe unease in the relations between the US and Iran have been in the international news for around a month now. Both sides have not shied away from using outright methods of warfare like the use of ballistic missiles and assassinations, along with attempts at economic and diplomatic sanctions. Read the full story, “US-Iran Confrontation & Implications for India”, on globalissues.org →

Dwarf Novae: Mining Kepler Data for New Discoveries

Paul Gilster at Centauri Dreams - 11 hours ago
Cataclysmic variable stars (CVs) are binary phenomena, usually consisting of a white dwarf that is accreting material out of a nearby companion star. As you would imagine, a wide range of CVs in various stages of accretion and subsequent outburst can be detected. When the accretion disk around the white dwarf becomes unstable, we get […]

Live: Shock revelation raises possibility of more impeachment witnesses in Trump's Senate trial

Peter Marsh And Emily Olson at Just In - 11 hours ago
Donald Trump's lawyers continue the US President's impeachment defence, but a report from the New York Times about a former ally has Washington talking. Follow live.

Coronavirus claims first life in China's capital, as global spread continues

Just In - 11 hours ago
Beijing reports its first death caused by the new coronavirus as more cases of infection are reported around the world despite unprecedent efforts to stop its spread.

Kate Middleton captures 'deeply personal' photographs of Holocaust survivors

Neelima Choahan at Just In - 11 hours ago
Kensington Palace releases two photos taken by Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, as part of a project marking 75 years since the end of the Holocaust.

AirBnB and its stakeholders

Alberto Mingardi at Econlib - 11 hours ago
As most libertarians, I’m not a fan of the word “stakeholder”. To my eyes, it seems to be a shortcut for a corporatist economy. By contrasting shareholders and stakeholders, some authors seem to point in the direction of a muddled kind of capitalism, one in which businesses – rather than caring for the interests of […] The post AirBnB and its stakeholders appeared first on Econlib.

Cop Demoted After Dumping His Retired K-9 Partner at a Shelter to Be Killed

Matt Agorist at The Free Thought Project - 11 hours ago
[image: k-9]Instead of adhering to the policy of letting his K-9 retire in his home, a cop in Mississippi dumped his partner of 9 years off at a shelter to be euthanized.

Psychedelic Mushroom Compound Found Nontoxic in Large Study

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 11 hours ago
Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola Story at-a-glance – In the largest controlled study of psilocybin to date, conducted at Kings College London, the “magic mushroom” substance was found safe for human consumption A “psychedelic renaissance” is occurring in which the medicinal properties of psilocybin, marijuana and ketamine are being explored Following the large psilocybin safety […] The post Psychedelic Mushroom Compound Found Nontoxic in Large Study appeared first on Health Nut News.

Close, But So Far: Russia's Su-57 Stealth Fighter Isn't Ready for War Yet

David Axe at The National Interest - 11 hours ago
*David Axe* *Technology, Europe* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2019%3Anewsml_RC117DF3C6B0&share=true] A lot of work to be done. *Key point:* Moscow's Su-57 is a real stealth fighter with great potential. However, Russia needs to give the Su-57 a lot more upgrades and hasn't set up mass production yet. Russian president Vladimir Putin made a big show on May 14, 2019 of visiting the 929th Chkalov State Flight-Test Center in Russia's Astrakhan region. Six Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighters -- fully half of the Su-57s that Sukhoi has built since the ... more »

Wild: Japan Wants to Cross an F-22 and an F-35 Into a New Stealth Plane

David Axe at The National Interest - 11 hours ago
*David Axe* *Technology, Asia* [image: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6016588/f-35-demo-team-practices-over-hill-afb] Would the deadly combo work? *Key point:* Tokyo wants a new, domestically-made stealth fighter. Japan has licensed U.S. weapons technology before and it looks like Washington might be game. The Japanese government wants to develop a new, radar-evading warplane by combining elements of the U.S. F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters. And now U.S. authorities are signalling they’ll release to Japan the secret technology that would make the hybrid fighter possible. Japan ... more »

Dispersal Practice and Rapid Raptors: Inside America's War Plans with China

David Axe at The National Interest - 11 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, Asia* [image: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/5976853/f-22-formation-flight] A conflict that hopefully never happens. *Key point:* Washington knows that a surprise attack could take out many of its bases and planes. Therefore, the Pentagon is practicing dispersing its planes and also havings smaller groups of fighters travel more quickly to where they are needed on the battlefield. Actually, preparing for bad weather was the main official justification. But the “dispersal exercise” also is part of an evolving Pentagon plan for waging high-tech war against C... more »

Retired U.S. Army Officer: America Needs to Leave Iraq (Now)

Daniel L. Davis at The National Interest - 11 hours ago
*Daniel L. Davis* *Security, Middle East* The reasons should be obvious to all. While much of Washington celebrates the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, there is a growing movement by various anti-American groups in the Middle East to threaten revenge attacks against our troops. Because we have a solemn duty to safeguard American lives—and to avoid unnecessary war—we must withdraw from Iraq and Syria before one more service member is needlessly killed. The general consensus in the United States has been that Soleimani “deserved to die” for the many atrocities he has c... more »

What Sort of Revolution Does Bernie Sanders Want?

Amitai Etzioni at The National Interest - 11 hours ago
*Amitai Etzioni* *Politics, * The good news is that Sanders—despite his revolutionary rhetoric-- actually does not mean to overthrow the government, but, rather, to work within the democratic system. The sad news is that he is confusing millions with his revolutionary rhetoric and leading them up a garden patch with an agenda that is at best utopian. Bernie Sanders is currently leading the pack of Democratic presidential hopefuls in fundraising; he is rising in the polls while his main left compatriot Elizabeth Warren’s support is sliding. Some pundits recently stated that one s... more »

This Secret Weapon is How Napoleon Nearly Conquered Europe

T.S. Allen at The National Interest - 11 hours ago
*T.S. Allen* *History, Europe* The Emperor's elite cuirassiers and carabiniers dominated the battlefield with shock tactics. Most historians agree that Napoleon was not a great military innovator. Instead, he won his battles by brilliantly combining the innovations of others, such as Marshal de Broglie’s system of military divisions, Jean de Gribeauval’s standardized artillery, and the effective French infantry drill regulations of 1791. In this respect, Napoleon’s military ideas were in line with the general direction of European military thought in the early nineteenth century... more »

Livestream: Senate Impeachment Trial Day 6

hbaker at Lawfare - 11 hours ago
On Jan. 27 at 1:00 p.m., the Senate will reconvene for the sixth day of the impeachment trial of President Trump. The Senate will hear from Trump’s defense team, including White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and Jay Sekulow. Livestream coverage of the trial from the Washington Post is available here and below. Topics: - Documents, - Impeachment Tags: - Documents, - livestream Hadley Baker is a third-year student at the University of St. Andrews, studying English literature and Spanish. She is an intern at Lawfare. More Articles Featured Term: Impeachment Di... more »

Backdoor Attack on Second Amendment Through Credit Card Transactions

Bob Adelmann at rss - 11 hours ago
[image: backdoor-attack-on-second-amendment-through-credit-card-transactions] Wexton's backdoor attack on law-abiding gun owners flows from her willingness to breach her oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution.

Quarantine and Wuhan: Government Power in Times of Epidemic

Charles Scaliger at rss - 11 hours ago
[image: quarantine-and-wuhan] The story of the Wuhan coronavirus, so far, is a cautionary tale of the dangers of government power in times of epidemic.

Europe’s Electric Vehicle Charging Prices to Increase Substantially

IER at IER - 11 hours ago
IONITY, Europe’s network for high-power-charging of electric vehicles, announced it will raise its charging prices by over 500 percent effective… The post Europe’s Electric Vehicle Charging Prices to Increase Substantially appeared first on IER.

"How It Really Is"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 11 hours ago

Boris’ Brexit is almost here. Scotland, Wales & Ireland brace for big changes (Video)

Alex Christoforou at The Duran - 12 hours ago
The Duran Quick Take: Episode 446. More The post Boris’ Brexit is almost here. Scotland, Wales & Ireland brace for big changes (Video) appeared first on The Duran.

China struggles to contain coronavirus as virus spreads outside its borders (Video)

Alex Christoforou at The Duran - 12 hours ago
The Duran Quick Take: Episode 445. More The post China struggles to contain coronavirus as virus spreads outside its borders (Video) appeared first on The Duran.

NATO’s Upcoming Exercise Is Targeted Against Kaliningrad

InfoBrics at The Duran - 12 hours ago
Will Europe Be Willing to Go to War Against Russia? More The post NATO’s Upcoming Exercise Is Targeted Against Kaliningrad appeared first on The Duran.

Unearthing the city’s buried history

Suzanne Rent at Halifax Examiner - 12 hours ago
News 1. New street checks almost the same as the old Stephen Kimber writes how even after a ban on street checks and an apology from the police chief, the practice still goes on. As former police officer Maurice Carvery says, “they haven’t stopped; they only changed.” This article is for subscribers. Please subscribe. 2. […]

BATTLE MAP: Military Update from Syria

21wire at 21st Century Wire - 12 hours ago
*21WIRE + South Front* | A visual overview of recent battlefield developments in Syria, including updates from Idlib, Hasaka, Deir Ezzor.

Tom Perez Stacks 2020 Convention Committees With "From the Swamp" Nominations

Gaius Publius at DownWithTyranny! - 12 hours ago
*by Thomas Neuburger* *"Where would you stick the knife in?" * — 2020 Democratic Convention Rules Committee nominee John Podesta, referring to candidate Bernie Sanders in 2016 DNC chair Tom Perez recently presented his nominations for the 2020 Democratic Convention standing committees. The full list is at the top. If you think the Democratic Party as currently run is determined that no progressive will receive the nomination, the DNC and the superdelegates, who get to vote in all but the first round of voting, are the last bulwarks against such an outcome. We'll have more to say ... more »

RED ALERT! WHO UPGRADES CORONAVIRUS RISK TO HIGH, CLOSE TO DECLARING A PHEIC

Jane Burgermeister at BIRDFLU666 WORDPRESS BLOG CONTINUES HERE - 12 hours ago
*WHO today upgraded the threat of the coronavirus to high, looks poised to declare another public health emergency of international concern or PHEIC.* *That will make two PHEICs, one for Ebola and one for the new Coronavirus with two sets of experimental vaccines.* *Maybe they should consider what that means for them? The Greek pandemic plan for the swine flu is still in force, which said each citizen had to register for their vaccines. * http://www.ekathimerini.com/64556/article/ekathimerini/news/swine-flu-vaccines-for-everyone *From media* *Geneva: The World Health Organization... more »

THE RATIONAL ANIMAL'S LONGINGS: Reinventing Professor Bhaer...

bob somerby at the daily howler - 12 hours ago
*MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2020...while fixing Little Women:* Does Jo March marry Professor Bhaer at the end of Little Women? If we're speaking about Louisa May Alcott's famous novel, then yes, she plainly does. You can confirm this fact in the Project Gutenberg text, which appears online, free of charge. Because it was published so long ago, Little Women is now in the public domain. Anyone can publish the book, or borrow its name, or change its events all around. That said, in the actual book which Alcott published, Jo March *does* marry Bhaer. It happens in the book's final chapter—a... more »

"Nothing Personal"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 12 hours ago
*"Nothing Personal"* "If a society permits one portion of its citizenry to be menaced or destroyed, then, very soon, no one in that society is safe. The forces thus released in the people can never be held in check, but run their devouring course, destroying the very foundations which it was imagined they would save. But we are unbelievably ignorant concerning what goes on in our country - to say nothing of what goes on in the rest of the world - and appear to have become too timid to question what we are told. Our failure to trust one another deeply enough to be able to talk to on... more »

"Canary Trap"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 12 hours ago
*"Canary Trap"* by Jim Kunstler "What is the canary’s purpose in life? Why, to sing, of course - at least from the human’s point-of-view. What is the canary trap? Why, to catch humans who are singing like canaries. The latest occult dish served up by Democratic Party spirit cookers in the impeachment ritual is the release of “bombshell” news leaked to The New York Times late Sunday from a new book by Mr. Trump’s erstwhile National Security Advisor, John Bolton, purporting verbal evidence of a quid pro quo in the Ukraine aid-for-investigations allegation. Better hold the premature ... more »

Gun show adventures

Peter at Bayou Renaissance Man - 12 hours ago
As regular readers will know, I had a (second) heart attack last November, for which (thanks be to God) I received successful treatment. Now the bills are falling due, and since Miss D. and I are trying to avoid taking on new debt, we decided it would be best to liquidate other assets to pay them off. An obvious candidate was my firearms collection. I had several relatively valuable guns that I seldom shoot any more, because of physical limitation and lack of opportunity (writing is time-consuming, and hard work!). I've kept my defensive guns, of course, but many of the recreat... more »

Day Six – Senate Impeachment Trial, Defense Continues – 1:00pm ET Livestream…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 12 hours ago
There will be 24 hours of presentation by House Impeachment Managers (over 3 days); 24 hours of presentation by Defense team (over 3 days); 16 hours of Senate questioning; 4 hours of closing arguments, equally divided; and then a Senate … Continue reading →

Billie Eilish, a Voice of the Youth, Tops the Grammy Awards

AP News at Snopes.com - 12 hours ago
Singer Billie Eilish, who gave voice to young people struggling with depression on a do-it-yourself album she made at home with her older brother, is atop the music world.

Mongolia Closes Border, China Extends Holiday to Fight Virus

AP News at Snopes.com - 12 hours ago
China expanded its sweeping efforts to contain a deadly virus, extending the Lunar New Year holiday to keep the public at home and avoid spreading infection as the death toll rose to 81.

Alabama Fire Chief Confirms Deaths as Fire Destroys 35 Boats

AP News at Snopes.com - 12 hours ago
Boaters leaped into the water to escape an explosive fire that consumed at least 35 vessels docked along the Tennessee River.

Trump’s ‘Deal of the Century’ Was Written in a Way So the Palestinians Would Reject It. Maybe That Was the Plan

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 12 hours ago
Trump’s ‘Deal of the Century’ Was Written in a Way So the Palestinians Would Reject It. Maybe That Was the Plan by Amir Tibon and Noa Landau, https://www.haaretz.com/ Israeli sources who have been briefed on Jared Kushner’s peace plan, set to be published early this week, say it will basically maintain the current situation, and …

Did Bill Gates & World Economic Forum Predict Coronavirus Outbreak? An Inside Look May Shock You! 65 Million Dead

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 12 hours ago
Smells like a bio-weapon has been released. Did Bill Gates & World Economic Forum Predict Coronavirus Outbreak? An Inside Look May Shock You! by Spiro Skouras, https://www.activistpost.com/ In this report we take an inside look at Event 201, which took place in NYC on October 18 2019. Event 201 is a high-level pandemic exercise hosted …

US Health Experts Hosted Coronavirus Pandemic ‘Tabletop Exercise’ Simulation to See How Authorities Would React — 3 Months BEFORE the Outbreak in China — 65 Million Dead in a Year

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 12 hours ago
I don’t believe in coincidences of this magnitude. Smells like a bio-weapon has been released. – US Health Experts Hosted Coronavirus Pandemic ‘Tabletop Exercise’ Simulation to See How Authorities Would React — 3 Months BEFORE the Outbreak in China — 65 Million Dead in a Year by CONNOR BOYD HEALTH REPORTER FOR MAILONLINE, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ * …

Coronovirus Pharmaceuticus Con-job-icus…

Karma Singh at BolenReport - 12 hours ago
Gosh! What a Surprise! Another Pandemic That Big Pharma/China Wants Two Hundred Trillion Dollars From The US to Develop A Vaccine For (Sarcasm intended)… From Europe – Opinion By Karma Singh As we “celebrate” the 102nd birthday of the “Spanish ‘Flu” which wasn’t ‘flu but something very different, we are told yet another fairy tale … Continue reading Coronovirus Pharmaceuticus Con-job-icus…

"Some Problems..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 12 hours ago
"Some problems are so complex that you have to be highly intelligent and well-informed just to be undecided about them." - Laurence J. Peter

Woke Wonk Elizabeth Warren’s Foreign Policy Team is Stacked with Pro-War Swamp Creatures

Alex Rubinstein and Max Blumenthal at 12 hours ago
[image: undefined] Elizabeth Warren has promised “big, structural change” on a range of issues related to the economy. Warren has a plan for foreign policy, too, but it appears to be scarcely different from that of the last Democrat to occupy the White House. A close examination of Warren’s newly assembled team of international advisors presents little hope of change from the military interventionism, regime change strong-arming and drone warfare that characterized the administration of President Barack Obama. Earlier this month, Warren foreign policy aide Sasha Baker revealed a l... more »

A Million Iraqis Asked Us to Leave. We Should Listen.

Ron Paul at 12 hours ago
[image: undefined] You wouldn’t know it from US mainstream media reporting, but on Friday an estimated million Iraqis took to the streets to protest the continued US military presence in their country. What little mainstream media coverage the protest received all reported the number of protesters as far less than actually turned out. The Beltway elites are determined that Americans not know or understand just how much our presence in Iraq is not wanted. The protesters were largely supporters of nationalist Shi’ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who opposes both US and Iranian presence in ... more »

KISS – Keep it Simple Stupid

Keith at musingsofanoldfart - 12 hours ago
We should remember this acronym, KISS. It stands for Keep it Simple Stupid. Donald Trump certainly does. There is a reason why he speaks in a bumper sticker fashion. He does not know or care to know details. He just … Continue reading →

Iraq Continues To Rank In Bottom Of International Corruption Index

Joel Wing at MUSINGS ON IRAQ - 12 hours ago
(Small Business CEO) Transparency International released its annual “Corruption Perceptions Index” and Iraq continued to be towards the bottom of the countries ranked. Iraq had a score of 20 out of 100 with 0 being the worst and 100 being the best. That put it tied for 17th most corrupt country out of 180 that were ranked. In the Middle East only Libya with a score of 18, Yemen with 15 and Syria with 13 did worse. That was little better than the previous year when Iraq ranked 18th. In the decade following the U.S. invasion Iraq was regularly in the bottom five. It’s not apparent tha... more »

This Day In Iraqi History - Jan 27

Joel Wing at MUSINGS ON IRAQ - 12 hours ago
1925 League of Nations Commission on Mosul arrived in province to protests Was to determine who would get Mosul Iraq or Turkey Commission interviewed hundreds of locals and mapped economy land trade routes ethnicities (Musings On Iraq article on how Mosul province became part of Iraq) 1948 Communists called for more protests against Anglo-Iraq Treaty to topple govt (Musings On Iraq book review *Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam*) (Musings On Iraq Interviewwith Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party) 1948 Mass demonstration against Anglo-Ira... more »

Israel’s Auschwitz Commemoration: A Kidnapping of Jewish history

Miko Peled at MintPress News - 12 hours ago
Miko Peled reflects on the Israeli government's politicization of Jewish suffering during the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The post Israel’s Auschwitz Commemoration: A Kidnapping of Jewish history appeared first on MintPress News.

The China pig plot shows the new tricks, which might be used to persuade people to take a risky coronavirus vaccine

Jane Burgermeister at BIRDFLU666 WORDPRESS BLOG CONTINUES HERE - 12 hours ago
*Microtargetting on social media, fakes videos, drones dropping infected material, dead corpses planted on road sides. * *All of this may sound like something out of a science fiction movie.* *But these tricks were used in China just last year to persuade farmers to give their pigs illegal vaccines, vaccines which killed and sickened tens of millions of pigs, according to media. * *And we have to be prepared for new tricks to be used to drive people around the world to take risky vaccines. The NWO Globalists know most people don't believe the maintrea media or the government. They ... more »

Despite Austin Voting to Stop Arresting People for Weed, Police Chief Vows to Continue Arrests

Matt Agorist at The Free Thought Project - 13 hours ago
[image: austin]Despite Austin voting to stop arresting people for marijuana, the police department publicly stated that the arrests and citations will continue.

Congress Now Funding ‘Controversial’ Geoengineering ‘Plan B’ to Spray Particles in the Sky to Cool Earth

Matt Agorist at The Free Thought Project - 13 hours ago
[image: geoengineering]The federal government is now ready to fund and examine the science behind "geoengineering"—or what is being called a "Plan B" for climate change.

Does Impeachment Require a Crime? Absolutely Not. (Trump Should Worry)

Stefanie Lindquist at The National Interest - 13 hours ago
*Stefanie Lindquist* *Politics, Americas* [image: Reuters] What does history tells us? Donald Trump’s legal and political defenders are all singing the same refrain: The president can’t be impeached; he hasn’t committed a crime. Alan Dershowitz, the constitutional lawyer now representing Trump, said it during an appearance on CNN. Sen. Ted Cruz echoed it on Twitter, noting there was “not even a speeding ticket.” And, of course, Trump himself has used the phrase “no crime” repeatedly as he seeks to delegitimize the impeachment hearings. But does the impeachment and conviction of ... more »

"Harvard Epidemiologist Says Coronavirus Is 'Thermonuclear Pandemic Level Bad'"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 13 hours ago
*"Harvard Epidemiologist Says Coronavirus Is* * 'Thermonuclear Pandemic Level Bad'"* by Adam Ford "Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, a Harvard-trained epidemiologist who taught at the school for 15 years, published his alarming analysis of the coronavirus outbreak on Twitter Saturday, calling the virus "thermonuclear pandemic level bad" and declaring "I really hate to be the epidemiologist who has to admit this, but we are potentially faced with an unchecked pandemic that the world has not seen since the 1918 Spanish Influenza." His full Twitter thread is reproduced at the website. Below is the... more »

Armed Drone Proliferation Update, January 2020

barovsky at The New Dark Age - 13 hours ago
27 January 2020 — Drone Wars Joanna Frew The third of our twice-yearly updates details new operators and other significant developments around the proliferation of armed drones. For our complete list of states operating, or close to operating, armed drones see Who Has Armed Drones? France undertakes first drone strikes As was long been expected, … Continue reading Armed Drone Proliferation Update, January 2020

A Great Power Summit in 2020 Is the Opportunity for a New Paradigm Agenda

adam at LaRouchePAC Feed - 13 hours ago
[image: Russian President Putin addresses the Russian Federal Assembly. January 15, 2020 (en.kremlin.ru)] The January 15 proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin for a 2020 summit of the heads of state and government of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (U.S., Russia, China, France, the U.K.)—to confer on securing global peace, reflects the Jan. 3 summit proposal by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, now circulating internationally through the Schiller Institute and other networks. She calls for an emergency meeting among Presidents Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Pu... more »

China, Russia, France Echo Zepp-LaRouche Call for Major Summit, Meanwhile Dems are in Another World

Alicia at LaRouchePAC Feed - 13 hours ago
China, Russia, France Echo Zepp-LaRouche Call for Major Summit, Meanwhile Dems are in Another World Video of China, Russia, France Echo Zepp-LaRouche Call for Major Summit, Meanwhile Dems are in Another World More leaders endorse the idea of a major-powers summit to create a comprehensive peace plan for the planet, echoing Helga Zepp-LaRouche's call. Trump shows support for Xi's handling of the coronavirus outbreak. Dems tie themselves in knots to maintain their worldview. Every weekday morning Harley will brief you on what you need to know to start your day. On Tuesdays, we broa... more »

Head of US Naval Forces Europe: Russia's Defense Strategy Is The Way To Bolster Your Security Without Breaking The Bank

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 13 hours ago
A Russian S-400 air-defense system on display, with tulips in the foreground, at the Black Sea port of Sevastopol in Crimea, April 12, 2019. REUTERS/Alexey Pavlishak *Business Insider:* *US allies worried about pricey weapons should look at what Russia's doing, the Navy's top officer in Europe says* * US and NATO officials have expressed concern about the growing size and sophistication of the Russian military arsenal. * But the way Russia is deploying those weapons has some lessons for countries that want to bolster their defenses without breaking the bank, according to the head o... more »

Should the Navy Have More Frigates and Fewer Destroyers?

David Axe at The National Interest - 13 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, Americas* [image: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6041163/uss-russell-ddg-59] Worth it? *Key point:* Fewer large ships would save the Navy money, but are smaller vessels just as good? The Pentagon will have to sort out how to balance its funding and its need for firepower. The U.S. Navy might tweak its force-structure goals in order to boost the number of frigates. That's what Vice Adm. Bill Merz, the deputy chief of naval operations, told a House of Representatives subcommittee on March 27, 2019. "We’re expecting a pretty hard look at the mix of ships this... more »

The Future of Combat Is Now: Robot Tanks Protected the Marines in a War Game

David Axe at The National Interest - 13 hours ago
*David Axe* *Technology, Americas* [image: Image: British Military.] Very impressive. *Key point: *Drones are an emerging force multiplier for militaries all over the world and America is no exception. Working together with the British, both militaries practiced using robots in combat. Robots in the air, on the ocean surface and on the ground guarded British Royal Marines as they stormed a beach during an important April 2019 war game. The ground robot, in particular, is a new capability for the Royal Marines. The gun- and rocket-armed, tank-like unmanned ground vehicle could bo... more »

A Dangerous Game: Russia and America Keep Flying Their Planes Near Each Other's Borders

David Axe at The National Interest - 13 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, Europe* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2016%3Anewsml_RC11AF3C51C0&share=true] Nuclear chicken anyone? *Key point:* During the Cold War, Moscow and Washington also tested each other's nerves and resolve by flying close by. The problem is that what happens if there's an accident and someone starts shooting? Six Russian Tu-95 heavy bombers and several Russian Su-35 fighters probed U.S. air-defenses on May 20 and May 21, 2019, prolonging a period of aerial tension between the Moscow and Washington. U.S. Air Force F-22 stealt... more »

How the Navy's Battleships Could Leave Their Museums—and Return to Active Duty

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 13 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Technology, Americas* [image: By U.S. Navy - Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-13195 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2635105] A good idea or a fool's errand? *Key Point:* Battleship modernization would be very expensive, but it might help the U.S. navy solve some important issues. However, any attempt to bring back these capital ships would be subject to intense debate. Battleships captivate the imagination. Before they were displaced by aircraft carriers, battleships were symbol... more »

How the Air Force's F-22 Will Disperse (And Fight) During a War With China

David Axe at The National Interest - 13 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, Asia* [image: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/5976772/f-22-formation-flight] Could they make it? *Key point:* Because American bases would be under missile attack, the F-22s would have to flee before they could return to the fight. But the F-22 is also stealthy which would help its chances of surviving and winning. The U.S. Air Force is rewriting its war plan for the Pacific, the flying branch's new commander for the region told reporters at the Pentagon in late November. *(This first appeared lin 2018.)* Gen. Charles Brown, commander of Pacific Air Forces... more »

Amazing: How Explorers Have Braved to Cold to Investigate Antarctica for 200 Years

Dan Morgan at The National Interest - 13 hours ago
*Dan Morgan* *History, Antarctica* [image: By Louis Le Breton et Mayer, scan Jeffdelonge - Copy from the heritage library of Gray, Haute-Saône, France., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7929659] A beautiful and deadly continent. Antarctica is the remotest part of the world, but it is a hub of scientific discovery, international diplomacy and environmental change. It was officially discovered 200 years ago, on Jan. 27, 1820, when members of a Russian expedition sighted land in what is now known as the Fimbul Ice Shelf on the continent’s east side. E... more »

Forget the iPhone 11 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S20: I Can’t Dump My iPhone 8 Plus Just Yet.

Harry J. Kazianis at The National Interest - 13 hours ago
*Harry J. Kazianis* *Technology, * This old phone just works for me--and here's why. Sure, it seems like every moment there is another crazy rumor of a new smartphone that will change the world, change how you interact with the internet and take pictures, fold or do something that is otherwise revolutionary. But do we ever stop to ask if we ever really need that new smartphone? Apple, Samsung and the rest of the smartphone manufacturers certainly want you to believe so. As in the case of Apple, while they might be a profit powerhouse, if you don’t buy that new iPhone from them,... more »

This Picture Could Start World War III: If North Korea Blasts Seoul with the 'Big Guns'

Prakash Menon at The National Interest - 13 hours ago
*Prakash Menon* *Security, Asia* Or a massive artillery attack. *Key Point:* Or is the threat just hype? The year 2017 marked a highpoint in U.S.-North Korean tensions with the United States continuing to maintain that the military option was still on the table. Though nuclear threats have also been exchanged, one of the oft-quoted retaliatory capability of North Korea has been its ability to devastate Seoul within a day by applying its conventional artillery fire power. This has been a powerful argument that supposedly adds to deterring the United States from military action.... more »

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Worse Than Ever in 2019

Pep Canadell, Corinne Le Quéré, Glen Peters, Pierre Friedlingstein, Robbie Andrew, Rob Jackson, Vanessa Haverd at The National Interest - 13 hours ago
*Pep Canadell, Corinne Le Quéré, Glen Peters, Pierre Friedlingstein, Robbie Andrew, Rob Jackson, Vanessa Haverd* *Science, World* [image: FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from a fire in an area of the Amazon rainforest near Porto Velho, Rondonia State, Brazil, September 10, 2019. REUTERS/Bruno Kelly/File Photo] Is there time to fix it? Global emissions for 2019 are predicted to hit 36.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂), setting yet another all-time record. This disturbing result means emissions have grown by 62% since international climate negotiations began in 1990 to address the... more »

Famous Brazilian TV Presenter Reveals she has Lung Cancer

Xiu Ying at The Rio Times - 13 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - TV Globo's Ana Maria Braga, 70, used the closing of her "Mais Você" TV show today, January 27th, to talk about her health condition. The presenter revealed that she is being treated for lung cancer. "I have a lot of faith, strength that . . . To read the full […] The post Famous Brazilian TV Presenter Reveals she has Lung Cancer appeared first on The Rio Times.

WSJ Reports: State AGs to Cooperate with Feds to Take on Google?

Jerri-Lynn Scofield at naked capitalism - 13 hours ago
State AGs to meet with DoJ to discuss cooperating in their respective probes into alleged anti-competitive behavior by Google. Will enforcement actions follow? Time will tell.

Democrats view of the law: investigate the cop who shot a man who was hitting him with a bottle

trinko at Conversations about the obvious - 13 hours ago
The new San Francisco DA, Chesa Boudin, ran on a platform that essentially said the only criminals in SF are the police. He's following through with that, he was of course elected by the rich left wing loons who run SF, by not charging a man who attacked the police striking one officer with a vodka bottle. The reason; Chesa is investigating the cops for shooting at the attacker so the cops couldn't be expected to testify against their assailant why they're being investigated. This is a great example of what Democrats think. Cops are probably in the wrong for shooting at someone wh... more »

China Develops Its Own Special Forces

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 13 hours ago
Reuters *Michael Peck, National Interest*: *China Has Been Watching America, And Now Has Special Forces Of Its Own* *America heavily relies on its elite special forces.* *Key point:* Special forces are only as good as their transportation, and China is developing the capability to convey special forces to where they are needed. Some special force units get all the attention. America’s Delta Force, Russia's Spetnatz and Britain's SAS have glamorous reputations. When was the last time you heard about China's commandos? But Chinese special forces exist, and they have been growing in... more »

Impeachment? What Impeachment? Voters Are Tuning Out

Bob Adelmann at rss - 13 hours ago
[image: impeachment-what-impeachment-voters-are-tuning-out] Americans are tuning out the impeachment trial while giving Trump the highest ratings of his administration.

Get real

sue at Is the BBC biased? - 13 hours ago
Think of all those misguided causes that once seemed as cool as they now seem wrong. In retrospect we ask ourselves - how could we ever have gone along with that? Anyway, we did go along with, for example, smoking. We bought into it. We were fooled by the combined efforts of the tobacco industry’s advertising campaigns and our own wishful thinking. Not only did we think smoking was cool, but we allowed ourselves to believe it was harmless. Now we know better. The one consolation is that the more we know about smoking - it causes cancer, folks - the less cool it looks. A regular ... more »

FOLLOW UPDATES ON CORONAVIRUS VACCINE ON TWITTER Jane Burgermeister @JaneBurgermeis2

Jane Burgermeister at BIRDFLU666 WORDPRESS BLOG CONTINUES HERE - 13 hours ago
*Another experimental vaccine in the pipeline to join the Ebola shot from **Johnson & Johnson.* *Follow on Twitter.* *From media* *Johnson & Johnson’s chief scientific officer, Dr. Paul Stoffels, told CNBC on Monday that he believes the drugmaker can create a vaccine in the coming months to fight against the fast-spreading coronavirus.* *But he said it could take up to a year to bring it to market.* *“We have dozens of scientists working on this so we’re pretty confident we can get something made that will work and stay active for the longer term,” said Stoffels, also vice chairma... more »

Rashida Tlaib pushes fake story that Jewish settlers murdered 7 year old Palestinian boy

trinko at Conversations about the obvious - 14 hours ago
Three layers of what for now appears to be a blood libel. From a faceless activist to a Palestinian government official to a US Congresswoman to a global audience of 898,000 followers. pic.twitter.com/spGwJAp5RT — Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) January 25, 2020 The only true part of this story is that the boy died. He wasn't killed by a herd, note the comparison of Jews to animals, of violent Jews. Hanan Ashrawi, a Palestinian politician, has deleted her tweet and Tlaib has deleted hers. But Tlaib didn't correct the record or apologize. What's clear is that Tlaib will believe any lie... more »

Nick Kyrgios out of Australian Open following tight loss to Rafael Nadal

Jon Healy And Luke Pentony at Just In - 14 hours ago
The Australian shows plenty of fight, but the world number one prevails in four gripping sets to once again advance to the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park.

John Bolton from Satan to Savior: Ukraine aid edition

trinko at Conversations about the obvious - 14 hours ago
The left viewed John Bolton as the devil incarnate since he continuously pushed for more foreign involvement, more forever wars. But now they're labelling him a saint because he claims that Trump explicitly linked aid to Ukraine with Ukraine investigating American corruption. Actually that's not clear. The NYT article which is based on second hand sources, like so many other eventually discredited NYT stories, seems to imply that the investigation that Trump wanted wasn't into Biden but into Russian interference in the 2016 election. However the Democrats and the #FakeNews media are... more »

Breaking: Syrian Army captures new ground in Idlib, advances towards Turkish post

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 14 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:30 P.M.) – Minutes ago, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) announced the capture of new territory in eastern Idlib after overrunning the jihadist defenses near the city of Ma’arat Al-Nu’man. READ ALSO: Syrian Army uncovers large tunnel stretching from rural Idlib to Ma’arat Al-Nu’man According to a field report from the front-lines in […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Breaking: Ariana Afghan Airlines aircraft crashes in eastern Afghanistan

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 14 hours ago
An Ariana Afghan Airlines plane has crashed in Ghazni Province in the east of Afghanistan, the 1TV broadcaster reported citing local authorities. There were 83 people on board the plane, according to Ariana News. According to a representative of the local governor, the plane crashed in the district of Deh Yak in the eastern part […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian Army’s first look at Ma’arat Al-Nu’man after large-scale Idlib advance: video

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 14 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:40 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has captured a large amount of territory in eastern Idlib over the last 48 hours, putting their forces within striking distance of Ma’arat Al-Nu’man for the first time since 2014. Led by the 25th Special Mission Forces Division (formerly Tiger Forces), the Syrian Army has […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Turkey is transporting Nusra Front jihadists to Libya: LNA spox.

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 14 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:20 A.M.) – The Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed Al-Mesmari said on Sunday that Turkey is transferring elements of the Al-Nusra Front from Syria to Libya at a high rate. READ ALSO: Syrian mercenaries filmed heading to Libya Al-Mesmari said in a press conference that “the number of militants that Turkey seeks […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian Army within 13km of strategic city near Aleppo border

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 14 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:00 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) recent advance in eastern Idlib has put their forces within striking distance of the strategic city of Saraqib for the first time in years. READ ALSO: Syrian Army attempts to advance at several fronts in Aleppo as offensive intensifies According to a field source in […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Evidence of Harm 2020 – Dental Mercury Amalgam Fillings

OYE NEWS at OYE Alternative News - 14 hours ago
Evidence of Harm follows the lives of three health advocates as they struggle to inform the federal government and public that large amounts of toxic mercury vapours are released from “silver” amalgam dental fillings during routine dental procedures. The film presents a haunting portrait of a dental industry all too willing to turn a blind … The post Evidence of Harm 2020 – Dental Mercury Amalgam Fillings appeared first on OYE Alternative News.

US Embassy in Iraq Hit by Multiple Rocket Attack

OYE NEWS at OYE Alternative News - 14 hours ago
The US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq is being reported to have been hit in a ‘rare’ direct hit in the fortified green zone. Three rockets hit the embassy wounding at least one person. The attack on Sunday evening follows a dangerous escalation of a series of rocket attacks in recent months that have targetted the … The post US Embassy in Iraq Hit by Multiple Rocket Attack appeared first on OYE Alternative News.

Don't be fooled – most independents are partisans too

Christopher Devine, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Dayton at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 14 hours ago
The true number of people who do not favor either of the two major political parties in the US has actually remained stable in recent years.

Top 20 World's Arms Sellers

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 14 hours ago
AFP graphic on the top 20 world's arms sellers, based on an analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute pic.twitter.com/T05tnxKgpn — AFP news agency (@AFP) January 27, 2020 *WNU Editor:* If trends are any prediction, it will only be a matter of time before a Chinese arms company breaks into the top five .... *China is now world's 2nd-biggest weapons producer — SIPRI report* (DW).

Should The U.S. Sell The F-35 To Saudi Arabia?

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 14 hours ago
Image: U.S. Air Force (Photo by 1st Lt. Erik D. Anthony) *Shimon Arad, War On The Rocks: **The United States Shouldn’t Sell the F-35 to Saudi Arabia* Saudi Arabia wants to purchase Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighter jet. The aircraft is the most advanced fighter in the world, and it would give Riyadh a major military advantage in the Gulf. In addition, acquiring the F-35 would deepen its ties with Washington at a crucial moment. Its military campaign in Yemen and the shocking murder of Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 has dealt major reputational damage to Saudi Arabia in the ... more »

The Communist Party Of Yugoslavia And The Soviet Union In WWII (I)

Vladislav B. SOTIROVIĆ at OrientalReview.org - 14 hours ago
The aim of this article is to shed new light on the question of how the configuration of post-war Central and South-East Europe was shaped during WWII by the USSR through its relations with the Communist Party of Yugoslavia (the CPY). Relationships between the CPY and the Soviet Union in […]

Monday Morning Links

Unknown at Accidental Deliberations - 14 hours ago
Miscellaneous material to start your week. - Asher Schecter interviews Emmanuel Saez about the realities of growing inequality - and the denialists looking to exacerbate it. And Chris Hayes talks to Gabriel Zucman about the benefits of a wealth tax. - Laurie Monsebraaten reports on a new study showing how Canada could eradicate poverty with a basic income. And Alison McIntosh and Rebecca Graff McRae examine what a basic income could mean for Alberta. - Meanwhile, Steven Greenhouse and Sharon Block each discuss a new study calling for a boost to the bargaining power of American wor... more »

Survivors Return to Auschwitz 75 Years After Liberation

AP News at Snopes.com - 14 hours ago
Survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp gathered for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of its liberation, returning to the place where they lost entire families and warning about the ominous growth of anti-Semitism and hatred in the world.

Nighttime Rocket Attack on US Embassy in Baghdad Injured 1

AP News at Snopes.com - 14 hours ago
A nighttime rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad injured one personnel member and caused some material damage.

Bryant’s Helicopter Flew in Fog that Grounded Other Choppers

AP News at Snopes.com - 14 hours ago
The helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant and eight others that crashed into a rugged hillside outside Los Angeles was flying in foggy conditions considered dangerous enough that local police agencies grounded their choppers.

How Long Can He Get Away With It?

Owen Gray at Northern Reflections - 14 hours ago
John Bolton's book is now floating around in manuscript form. Peter Baker writes in *The New York Times*: In another time, in another Washington, this might be the moment that changed the trajectory of the presidency. A former national security adviser confirms that the president, despite his denials, conditioned security aid to a war-torn ally on its cooperation against his domestic rivals, the issue at the heart of his ongoing impeachment trial. At first glance, at least, John R. Bolton’s account of President Trump’s private remarks sounds like an echo of the so-called smoking g... more »

The U.S. Marines Get Their 1st F-35 Fighter Jet that Can Operate On An Aircraft Carrier

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 14 hours ago
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Cedar L. Hinton, commanding officer of Marine Wing Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing lands VMFA-314’s first F-35C Lightning II on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., January 21, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Charles Plouffe) *Military.com: **Marines Get 1st F-35 Fighter Jet that Can Operate on an Aircraft Carrier* A California-based Marine Corps squadron has received its first F-35C Joint Strike Fighter jet, which can fly off aircraft carriers and make longer-range flights. Lt. Col. Cedar Hinton... more »

Was Twitter Instrumental In Deescalating U.S. - Iran Tensions?

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 14 hours ago
Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched. We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 8, 2020 All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomo... more »

Sheep Always Seem to Lose Their Wool

Geopolitics101 at Covert Geopolitics - 14 hours ago
“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (September 11th is around the corner and our nation flounders in an economic and psychological depression.) Are you aware that our defense budget, the one we know about (not the extra Black Budget), grew from $ 316 billion … Continue reading Sheep Always Seem to Lose Their Wool →

Vote for Democrats? Don't waste my time......

Bruce K. Gagnon at Organizing Notes - 15 hours ago
An open letter by Noam Chomsky, Bill Fletcher, Barbara Ehrenreich, Kathy Kelly, Ron Daniels, Leslie Cagan, Norman Solomon, Cynthia Peters, and Michael Albert is being circulated calling on the Green Party not to run a candidate for president this year. An excellent response was written, which I agree with, which you can find *here*. I ain't voting for no corrupt, corporate Democrat if they get the nomination - Biden, Bloomberg, Butta-jig, Klobuchar, Warren, etc... TWO new polls released today show Tulsi Gabbard's growing strength in New Hampshire, both counting as qualifying pol... more »

Iran's Military Knew It Accidentally Shot Down A Passenger Plane Moments After It Happened

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 15 hours ago
Debris of the Ukraine International Airlines plane that crashed after taking off from the airport near Tehran on Wednesday. Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS *Business Insider:* *Iran's military knew it accidentally shot down a passenger plane moments after it happened, and a stunning new report details how it was covered up — even from Iran's president* * On January 8, a passenger plane carrying 176 people crashed outside of Tehran, in Iran. Everyone on board was killed in the crash. * The plane was shot down by two antiaircraft missiles fired, by mistake,... more »

Does Impeachment Work?

JB at Balkinization - 15 hours ago
Is the American Constitution's system for presidential impeachment good or bad constitutional design? Do the Constitution's provisions actually serve their intended purposes? The Trump impeachment trial adds one more data point to a very small number of cases. If the purpose of impeachment is to remove a president who has abused his power, acted corruptly, or engaged in high crimes and misdemeanors, the Constitution's system for impeachment is a failure. The reason is the emergence of a political party system that the Framers did not expect or intend. *The effects of party contro... more »

SC: A Bill of Rights For Teachers, Sort Of

Peter Greene at CURMUDGUCATION - 15 hours ago
Like many other states, South Carolina is failing to hold attract and retain teachers. They're doing an especially lousy job holding onto beginning teachers; after the 2017-2018 school year, 34% of the first year teachers did not return to their classroom. Veterans are also bailing, because of "low pay, a burdensome testing system and a sense they aren’t valued." Wallet Hub ranks South Carolina as the 44th best/worst state to be a teacher, and the state has some fundamental issues with holding onto or attracting teachers. It's a right to work state with a union stripped of the powe... more »

Libre-échange: référendum lancé contre l'accord avec l'Indonésie

bilaterals.org - 15 hours ago
27-Jan-2020 Uniterre et plusieurs autres organisations lancent un référendum contre l'accord de libre-échange de l'Association européenne de libre-échange avec l'Indonésie.

Conservative Modi’s India Extends Red Carpet to Bolsonaro, Seeks Trade Agreements

Richard Mann at The Rio Times - 15 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Jair Bolsonaro landed in India on Friday as the main guest for the Republic Day celebrations on Sunday 26th in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Brazil in November, welcoming the Brazilian far-right president to the Indian state's most significant celebration, is viewed as a gesture of […] The post Conservative Modi’s India Extends Red Carpet to Bolsonaro, Seeks Trade Agreements appeared first on The Rio Times.

This Weekend, Rio Recorded Lowest Temperature in Past Five Summers

Lachlan Williams at The Rio Times - 15 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The 'Alerta Rio' ("Rio Alert") system recorded 16.2ºC at 1:35 AM on Sunday in Alto da Boa Vista. This is the lowest temperature for a summer in five years, according to the service's measurements - linked to the city hall. Until then, the lowest record in the city occurred on […] The post This Weekend, Rio Recorded Lowest Temperature in Past Five Summers appeared first on The Rio Times.

Apple TV+ Production Banned in 11 Countries for Featuring Gay Refugee

Xiu Ying at The Rio Times - 15 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The series "Little America" of the Apple TV+ streaming service has been banned in 11 countries for featuring the character of a gay refugee, according to the production's scriptwriter Amrou Al-Kadhi. "This is the harsh reality of doing Queer Arabic work. Trump's ban forced us to film it outside the […] The post Apple TV+ Production Banned in 11 Countries for Featuring Gay Refugee appeared first on The Rio Times.

Brazil’s Vale Raises Emergency Watch Level for Gongo Soco Dam After Heavy Rain

Newsfeed at The Rio Times - 15 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - (Reuters) Brazilian miner Vale SA has raised the emergency level at the Sul Inferior dam at its Gongo Soco mine in Barão de Cocais, in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, after heavy rainfall eroded the structure’s reservoir. “As a result of unusually heavy rain, Vale reinforced the number of […] The post Brazil’s Vale Raises Emergency Watch Level for Gongo Soco Dam After Heavy Rain appeared first on The Rio Times.

Argentina: Beef Exports at Record High

Juan Martinez at The Rio Times - 15 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Argentinean meat market is facing an ambivalent situation: Chinese demand has doubled meat production in the past year - more than 830,000 tons were loaded into containers and exported - while concurrently more and more people in Argentina can no longer afford domestic meat due to rising prices. The […] The post Argentina: Beef Exports at Record High appeared first on The Rio Times.

Insults to Japanese Broaden Bolsonaro’s List of Prejudiced Statements

Lachlan Williams at The Rio Times - 15 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - "Nikkeis protest against the president's speech," reads the headline of a page in the latest edition of the Nippak newspaper, which reached the newsstands of the Liberdade neighborhood in São Paulo on Thursday, January 23rd. Under this headline, there were two articles by community members criticizing Jair Bolsonaro. Despite what […] The post Insults to Japanese Broaden Bolsonaro’s List of Prejudiced Statements appeared first on The Rio Times.

Brazil Declares State of Emergency for Dozens of Cities Because of Rains, Mudslides

Arkady Petrov at The Rio Times - 15 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The governor of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais declared today a state of emergency for 47 cities due to the rains that since Thursday have ravaged the southeast of Brazil and have already caused 38 deaths and 17 missing persons. The heavy rainfall has caused landslides which are the […] The post Brazil Declares State of Emergency for Dozens of Cities Because of Rains, Mudslides appeared first on The Rio Times.

Rio Nightlife Guide for Monday, January 27, 2020

Beatriz Miranda at The Rio Times - 15 hours ago
We have the top three picks for this Monday, and below is a list of bars and lounges that are always a good option. PARTY: The Glow Party (Copacabana) – It is time to get the party mood started all over again as "The Glow Party" returns to New Mariuzinn Copacabana tonight. DJ Guga Fernandes […] The post Rio Nightlife Guide for Monday, January 27, 2020 appeared first on The Rio Times.

São Paulo Nightlife Guide for Monday, January 27, 2020

Beatriz Miranda at The Rio Times - 15 hours ago
We have the top three picks for this Monday, and below is a list of bars and lounges that are always a good option. MÚSICA BRASILEIRA: Belo (Mooca) – Belo, one the greatest pagode artists in Brazil, will be performing tonight at the traditional Bar Templo. Belo's most famous songs, including the 1990s hits, will […] The post São Paulo Nightlife Guide for Monday, January 27, 2020 appeared first on The Rio Times.

Attenborough’s Arctic Betrayal

Paul Homewood at NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT - 15 hours ago
By Paul Homewood A new video by Dr Susan Crockford, documenting Sir David Attenborough’s inaccurate claims about climate change and Arctic wildlife blames his apocalyptic language and misleading narrative for the dramatic rise in eco anxiety among young people.

IMAGINE THERE'S NO WITNESS TESTIMONY. IT'S EASY IF YOU TRY.

Steve M. at No More Mister Nice Blog - 15 hours ago
We now know that John Bolton's book will be published on March 17. When major political books are embargoed -- which means the contents aren't released to reviewers in advance -- it's now standard practice for the books to be mysteriously acquired by *The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal,* and/or CNN so that full reviews and news stories can appear about a week before the publication date. But that would be March 10 -- long after the impeachment trial is likely to end if it stays on its current course. So the leak of a rough version of the book had to hap... more »

Temporary uptick in Washington state wholesale cannabis flower prices on shuttered businesses, unused canopy

Bart Schaneman at Marijuana Business Daily - 15 hours ago
Washington state's wholesale cannabis flower market is experiencing rising prices, but marijuana business owners don’t expect that upward trend to last. Temporary uptick in Washington state wholesale cannabis flower prices on shuttered businesses, unused canopy is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

GERMANY'S RED CROSS SAYS CORONAVIRUS POSES SMALL RISK AS MORTALITY RATE STILL JUST 3%, UPDATES ON MY NEW TWITTER

Jane Burgermeister at BIRDFLU666 WORDPRESS BLOG CONTINUES HERE - 15 hours ago
*Follow updates on my new Twitter account* *Jane Burgermeister* *@JaneBurgermeis2* *Germany's Red Cross says #2019nCoV poses small risk."We share the view of the Robert Koch Institute that risk for the German population...low," said GS Christian Reuter* *Corona-Virus: DRK sieht Deutschland gegen Virus-Ausbreitung gut gewappnet* *Deutschland ist nach Einschätzung des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes (DRK) gut gegen schnell ausbreitende Infektionskrankheiten wie dem Corona-Virus vorbereitet. „Es ist nicht auszuschließen, dass das Virus...* *drk.de* *Jane Burgermeister* *@JaneBurgermeis2* *·* *... more »

JOIN ME ON TWITTER, FOLLOW UPDATES ON CORONAVIRUS AND EBOLA GLOBAL MEDICAL MARTIAL LAW PLOT

Jane Burgermeister at BIRDFLU666 WORDPRESS BLOG CONTINUES HERE - 15 hours ago
H*ave joined Twitter for the first time, follow updates on the Coronavirus and Ebola scam* *Jane Burgermeister(at)JaneBurgermeis2* https://twitter.com/home?lang=de *Will update the profile, image etc*

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