Friday, January 03, 2020

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

10:06 pm MST

Thoughts On The Latest Census Data

Francis Menton at Manhattan Contrarian - 2 minutes ago
* On December 30, the Census Bureau issued its latest population numbers, going up through July 2019. Here is a link to the press release; and here is a link to various charts and graphs of statistics. * The long-time official spin on U.S. population changes has been that people are leaving the cold North and East in favor of the warmer South and West. Hey, people like warmer weather! * But while there may be something to that, a closer look supports a strong inference that what people really like is lower taxes, even if accompanied by a lower level of government spending and servic... more »

Census Report Predicts Losses And Gains For States-- But NOT For Political Parties

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 5 minutes ago
On Monday, the *Wall Street Journal*’s Janet Adamy and Paul Overberg reported that “new state population totals released Monday offer fresh signs that political power is poised to continue its shift from the North and Midwest to the South and Southwest in ways that could help states that have voted Republican in recent years.” The Census Bureau released estimates that indicate that California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia are set to lose one seat each and that Texas will pick up two seats, while Arizona, Colorado, Florida, M... more »

These Seven Defense Contractors Would Benefit From A War Against Iran

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 21 minutes ago
US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Julian Elliott-Drouin *Markets Insider:* *These 7 aerospace and defense stocks are getting a huge boost from Trump's strike on Iran* Aerospace and defense firms are among the few groups of stocks soaring in Friday trading, with new fears of conflict between the US and Iran boosting war-driven industries. A US airstrike approved by President Trump killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on Thursday, ratcheting up tensions between the two nations and tanking prices for many risk assets. Save-haven investments like gold surged, and the price of oil surg... more »

Why Did Former Presidents Bush And Obama Decide Not To Kill Iranian Commander Qassem Soleimani

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 31 minutes ago
Former Presidents Obama and Bush *Grace Panetta, Business Insider:* *Here's why neither George W. Bush nor Barack Obama killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, who the US just took out in an airstrike* * On Thursday, the Pentagon confirmed that US forces killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike near Baghdad's airport at the direction of President Donald Trump. * As the leader of the elite and secretive Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Soleimani abetted terrorism and violence throughout the region, including against US troops. * Neither George W. Bush no... more »

“We Do Not Seek War,” Says President Who Just Started A War

Caitlin Johnstone at Caitlin Johnstone - 39 minutes ago
President Trump has been steadfastly assuring the world that the United States government does not wish to start the war it has already started by assassinating Iran’s top general. “We are a peace-loving nation and my administration remains firmly committed to establishing peace and harmony […]

It has been hotter, fires have burnt larger areas

jennifer at Jennifer Marohasy - 56 minutes ago
The word unprecedented is applied to almost every bad thing that happens at the moment, as though particular events could not have been predicted, and have never happened before at such a scale or intensity. This is creating so much anxiety, because it follows logically that we are living in uncertain time: that there really [...] The post It has been hotter, fires have burnt larger areas appeared first on Jennifer Marohasy.

Update: US airstrike targeted Hashd Al-Shaabi convoy north of Baghdad – Iraq TV

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 1 hour ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:00 A.M.) – Minutes ago, Iraqi state TV and Al-Sumaria TV reported that the U.S. Coalition targeted a convoy belonging to Hashd Al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) north of Baghdad. According to report, the U.S. Coalition destroyed two vehicles belonging to Hashd Al-Shaabi inside the city of Taiji, killing several members of the paramilitary […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Developing: Alleged US airstrikes target convoy north of Baghdad

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 1 hour ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:00 A.M.) – Shortly after 12:30 A.M. (local time), new reports surfaced about alleged U.S. airstrikes north of the Iraqi capital. According to the reports, the alleged U.S. airstrikes targeted the city of Taiji, which is located in the Salaheddine Governorate of Iraq. The alleged airstrikes were said to have targeted a convoy […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

The Daily Brief 2020-01-02

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 1 hour ago
This is a summary of 11 AMN articles on the following subjects: Iraq, Syria, Iran, US, Aleppo, Ansarallah, Yemen, Idlib, Libya, Turkey, Tripoli, China, Russia, Israel. Categories covered in this brief: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Yemen, North-Africa, Turkey, Middleeast, World-News Let us know how you like this brief in the comments below. — The AMN Live […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Breaking: Libya’s Haftar declares general mobilization to resist foreign forces

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 1 hour ago
Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced earlier the beginning of a decisive battle in his campaign to capture Tripoli, which has been underway since last April and has resulted in fierce fighting on the outskirts of the Libyan capital. In the newly released statement, Haftar declared a general mobilization as […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

PM says 3,000 ADF reservists to be deployed to boost bushfire recovery efforts

Just In - 1 hour ago
Scott Morrison announces a raft of measures to boost the bushfire response including the deployment of 3,000 ADF reservists, the use of defence force bases for emergency accommodation and the leasing of a further four firefighting aircraft.

'Too late to leave': Highways closed, properties threatened as blazes take hold

Sarah Thomas at Just In - 1 hour ago
Emergency warnings are issued for several out-of-control bushfires, and the Princes Highway is closed in both directions on the South Coast as residents in numerous areas are told it's now "too late to leave".

SA Liberal MP apologises over inappropriate behaviour at Christmas party

Just In - 1 hour ago
Sam Duluk says he is "deeply sorry" and has apologised to a female crossbench MP following a sexual harassment complaint about a Christmas party incident.

After a holiday from hell and 20 hours at sea, Mallacoota evacuees reach safety

Just In - 1 hour ago
After enduring a terrifying ordeal huddling on the shore as fire menaced Mallacoota, teenagers Emily, Tahnee and Darcy are thrilled to be out of the danger zone. They're among 58 people who took the long sea journey aboard MV Sycamore to Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

China yet to identify cause of outbreak as cases rise to 44

Just In - 1 hour ago
Chinese health authorities are trying to identify what is causing an outbreak of pneumonia in the central city of Wuhan, officials say, as the tally of cases rises.

'We are sincerely sorry': Wrong anthem played for Moldova at ATP Cup

Just In - 1 hour ago
Organisers apologise to Moldovan officials after the anthem for eastern European neighbour Romania echoed out over Ken Rosewall Arena before the country's ATP Cup clash with Belgium in Sydney.

Former Nissan boss 'illegally used private jets' to escape Japan

Just In - 1 hour ago
A Turkish private jet operator says Carlos Ghosn used two of its planes illegally in his escape from Japan, with an employee falsifying lease records to exclude his name from the documents.

Live: NSW and Victoria bushfires fuelled by soaring temperatures

Liam Butterworth at Just In - 1 hour ago
Residents in parts of New South Wales and Victoria face dangerous bushfire conditions that are threatening homes and communities. Follow live.

Musical interlude

Unknown at Accidental Deliberations - 1 hour ago
CHVRCHES - Tether

Report: We Know What Brought Down A Japanese F-35 During A Training Exercise

Charlie Gao at The National Interest - 1 hour ago
*Charlie Gao* *Security, * The crash occurred during an air combat training exercise, following a controlled left descending turn. *Key point: *The report recommends additional training and simulator time for JASDF F-35A pilots. The fatal crash of a Japanese Air Self Defense Forces (JASDF) F-35A in April 2019 lead to much discussion about the future of the program. Tons of speculation as to whether the crash was due to aircraft error, pilot error, or other factors occurred. Now, fewer than two months later, the JASDF has released an official report as to the cause of the crash. ... more »

Forget New Guns, The Army Is Going All In On An Ammo Revolution

Charlie Gao at The National Interest - 2 hours ago
*Charlie Gao* *Technology, Americas* Here's the plan. *Key point: *CTA in small arms is a promising technology that could significantly reduce the weight that a soldier carries into battle, while also providing other minor benefits. Recently, much attention has been focused on the state of the U.S. military’s arsenal of small arms. After the announcement and subsequent cancellation of the U.S. Army’s 7.62 Interim Combat Service Rifle project, many were left wondering what the U.S. Army’s actual plan was for a future service rifle. One possible answer was demonstrated at the AUSA... more »

Cargill recalls mislabeled dark chocolate malted balls sold in Pennsylvania

News Desk at Food Safety News - 2 hours ago
Cargill has recalled 39 one-pound bags of packaged Wilbur Dark Chocolate-covered Cashews over an undeclared wheat allergen. The recall was posted Friday on the Food and Drug Administration website as a public service. The recalled product was sold locally through the Wilbur Chocolate Store in Lititz, PA. Wheat allergic individuals and/ or those with celiac... Continue Reading

CNN: Vegans deserve same legal protection as religious people, UK judge rules

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 2 hours ago
A judge in the U.K. has ruled that “ethical veganism” is a philosophical belief that deserves the same legal protections as religious groups. (Wow!) Ethical vegans not only follow a vegan diet, but also oppose the use of animals for any purpose, such as animal testing. CNN reports: At an employment tribunal on Friday, judge […] The post CNN: Vegans deserve same legal protection as religious people, UK judge rules appeared first on Health Nut News.

Join RFK, Jr. in Trenton, NJ as He Stands with Activists for Religious Freedom!

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 2 hours ago
NJ activists needs your help. Join them for Occupy Trenton, Jan. 6th – Jan. 14th. NJ legislators have until January 13th, the end of the legislative session, to bring legislation to a vote that will remove religious exemptions in NJ. If another state falls, even more states will be targeted for the Spring. We must […] The post Join RFK, Jr. in Trenton, NJ as He Stands with Activists for Religious Freedom! appeared first on Health Nut News.

Despite Deceptive Video, Biden Spoke About Violence Against Women, Not White Nationalism

Dan MacGuill at Snopes.com - 3 hours ago
A 19-second clip was shared widely in the first week of 2020. Its promoters said it unmasked Joe Biden as a white nationalist, but the reality was very different.

Speaker Pelosi Threatens Possibility of Armed Conflict Against U.S. Department of Justice…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 3 hours ago
Think about all of the media panel discussions on gun ownership you have watched; segments where second amendment advocates were ridiculed by media pundits for daring to bring up the possibility of the U.S. government using arms against U.S. citizens … Continue reading →

"Coda"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 3 hours ago
*"Coda"* by David Stockman "You only grow by coming to the end of something and by beginning something else." – John Irving, "The World According to Garp" (1978) "Once they are debt-entombed, economies are inexorably capable of ever-more modest rates of growth. That truth is written all over the subway walls, as Simon & Garfunkel once put it. Between 2001 and 2007, for example, global debt rose from $86 trillion to $140 trillion. At the same time, global nominal gross domestic product (GDP) increased from $33 trillion to $58 trillion. That is, $54 trillion of new debt bought $25 t... more »

Israel is systematically poisoning one million Palestinian children

contact@ifamericansknew.org at If Americans Knew Blog - 3 hours ago
Gaza has become "uninhabitable," not because of ecological disaster or Palestinian poor stewardship of the land, but because Israel chooses to destroy it by every means – poisoning, starvation, disease, poverty, medical neglect, and invasion – while the world stands silent. The post Israel is systematically poisoning one million Palestinian children appeared first on If Americans Knew Blog.

Super Shooters: Meet the Five Best .38 Handguns in History

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 3 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * [image: Ultra-high speed photo of bullet fired out of a S&W revolver photographed with an air-gap flash] Bam! *Key Point:* The .38 Special pops up again and again. The .38 Special is one of the most durable cartridges in history. Introduced in 1898 as the .38 Smith & Wesson Special, it was meant to upgrade the U.S. Army’s firepower. The Army’s .38 Long Colt cartridge proved mediocre at stopping Philippine insurgents in close-quarters combat—the .38 Special was one proposed remedy. Although the Army eventually chose a different caliber (the .45 ACP), ... more »

India is Retiring Its MiG-27 “Valiant” Jets Blooded in Battle Flying High in the Himalayan Mountains

Sebastien Roblin at The National Interest - 3 hours ago
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, * Some high-flying history. On December 27, 2019 the Indian Air Force bade farewell to the last of the beefy MiG-27 attack jets it had dubbed the *Bahadur* (“Valiant”) in a ceremony held by No. 29 squadron at Jodhpur air station. A companion article describes the unique characteristics of the Mikoyan i Gurevich MiG-27, a ground attack variant of the MiG-23 supersonic swing-wing fighter armed with a six-barrel 30-millimeter Gatling cannon so powerful that its firing vibrations routinely cracked fuel tanks and blew away landing lights. This piece foc... more »

Computer-Guided Gun? This AR-15 Uses Tank Tech to Hit Difficult Targets

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 3 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Americas* Marksmanship is going obsolete. *Key Point:* Computer guidance might make marksmanship irrelevant. During the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, firearms-manufacturer TrackingPoint announced an AR-15 version of its computer-controlled precision rifles. The company claims that the new weapon can hit moving targets “out to five football fields away.” And anyone can use it. Described by the company as a “precision-guided firearm,” the 500-Series rifle could revolutionize how armies all over the world prepare for war. The technology promises a world... more »

348 miles of China’s Yellow River frozen solid

Robert at Ice Age Now - 3 hours ago
Major part (one-sixth of the river’s total) of river frozen solid. 3 Jan 2020 – Driven by cold temperatures, the frozen section of China’s Yellow River in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has reached 559.9 km (348 miles) as of Jan. 3, according to local authorities, who have taken precautions against ice-jam flooding and ... Read more348 miles of China’s Yellow River frozen solid The post 348 miles of China’s Yellow River frozen solid appeared first on Ice Age Now.

Early winter brings heavy snow to Athens, Greece

Robert at Ice Age Now - 3 hours ago
Thousands of people stuck in their cars. 30 Dec 2019 – The Athens-Lamia Highway shut down completely for approximately five hours on Monday afternoon due to heavy snowfall. Thousands of people were stuck in their cars, waiting for updates on the situation until late at night. At the same time, all buses from Central and ... Read moreEarly winter brings heavy snow to Athens, Greece The post Early winter brings heavy snow to Athens, Greece appeared first on Ice Age Now.

Helicopter Money Is Here: How The Fed Monetized Billions In Debt Sold Just Days Earlier

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 3 hours ago
Helicopter Money Is Here: How The Fed Monetized Billions In Debt Sold Just Days Earlier by Tyler Durden, https://www.zerohedge.com/ The Fed’s charter prohibits it from directly purchasing bonds or bills issued by the US Treasury: that process is also known as monetization and various Fed chairs have repeatedly testified under oath to Congress that the …

Trump Stumbling Into Neocon Trap In Iraq

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 3 hours ago
RonPaulLibertyReport President Trump is swallowing the neocon line on the Iraqi protests at the US embassy in Baghdad, blaming the whole incident on Iran. Suddenly everyone who doesn’t want the US military to continue to occupy Iraq – nearly 17 years after an invasion based on lies – is an “Iranian proxy.” Will Trump continue …

Dangerous Turkish Military Escalation in Libya

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 3 hours ago
The Duran The Duran Quick Take: Episode 420. The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss Turkish President Erdogan’s announcement to provide military backing for Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA), saying in a speech in Ankara that he will present the Turkish parliament with the motion so that it can vote on the …

Trump Kills Iran’s Top General: Chaos, Terror & War Likely Imminent

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 3 hours ago
SilverDoctors Trump just ordered a strike that killed Iran’s top general, and then Trump Tweeted nothing more than the image of an American flag. This is way beyond a simple escalation of force. This will mark the start of the War with Iran, and maybe even World War III. Any time to prepare is ending. …

The First Casualty of War is Truth

greencrow at Greencrow As The Crow Flies - 4 hours ago
I just tried to post a report from PressTV about the *latest mass assassination in Iraq* where at least 6 *MORE *Iraqi soldiers were killed just tonight [Friday, Jan 3/20]. I typed in the words "killing spree" and the entire post just vanished.

Trump's Suburban Problem Will Continue To Be Catastrophic For The GOP

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 4 hours ago
*Gangsta President goes over badly in the suburbs* On Wednesday, reporting from Richmond for the *Washington Post*, Laura Vozzella wrote that since Señor Trumpanzee “took office, voter turnout has surged in Virginia, the state that holds elections every year, leading analysts to conclude that even local races have turned into referendums on the president.” And that’s exactly what the lesser of two evils party is counting on this year, not just in Virginia but everyone outside of the deepest red states. The Democratic establishment is willing to gamble on candidates who will not expa... more »

Air strike hits two cars carrying Iran-backed militia, Iraqi official says

Just In - 4 hours ago
Five members of an Iran-backed militia have been killed in an air strike north of Baghdad, one day after top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was killed by the US, an Iraqi official says.

'Climate action now or…?': The only things to survive the blaze were Jack's car and protest sign

Dannielle Maguire at Just In - 4 hours ago
Jack Egan says he did not expect the sign to "make the point so strikingly as it does now" after it survived the bushfire where his coastal New South Wales home once stood.

Live: Marnus Labuschagne hits maiden Test double century at SCG

Luke Pentony And Simon Smale at Just In - 4 hours ago
Marnus Labuschagne reaches his highest first-class score with a double ton, as Australia compiles a massive first-innings total against New Zealand at the SCG. Follow all the action in our live blog.

Facelift to change outback adventure road forever

Matt Bamford at Just In - 4 hours ago
The rugged bush track that attracts thousands of thrillseekers every year looks set for a radical change, and local communities cannot wait.

Killing of Iranian general should have happened 'years ago', Donald Trump says

Just In - 4 hours ago
In his first comments since the surprise assassination of one of Iran's top military generals, US President Donald Trump says Iranian leaders are "not nearly as saddened as they will let the outside world believe" over Qassem Soleimani's death.

Qassem Soleimani and Beyond

mohanlonguest at Lawfare - 4 hours ago
IRGC Ground Forces (Source: Wikimedia/Tasnim News Agency/CC by 4.0) *Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on *Order from Chaos*.* I find it hard to oppose the Trump administration’s decision to target and kill Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Quds Force within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps organization. In effect, as my colleagues Dan Byman, Suzanne Maloney, and Bruce Riedel among others have explained, he was the most important military leader in Iran and perhaps the country’s second most powerful leader overall. Soleimani’s machinations had led to the deat... more »

The Soleimani Strike: One Person Decides

jgoldsmith at Lawfare - 4 hours ago
President Trump stands at a podium in front of an American flag, Dec. 21, 2019. (White House/Shealah Craighead) The U.S. drone strike in Iraq against the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, raises once again the question of legal constraints—under domestic and international law—on the president’s power to use force unilaterally. I have written a legal opinion in government and many, many pieces out of government on this issue, and over the years I have grown very cynical about the supposed legal constraints on those war powers. The general thoughts that follow, which... more »

Did Pat Robertson Say ‘Nobody Is Shooting Up Churches’?

David Mikkelson at Snopes.com - 4 hours ago
A meme claims the televangelist once remarked that Jews could avoid slaughter if they became Christians.

BREAKING Reports – New U.S. Airstrikes North of Baghdad – Three Vehicle Convoy of Iran-backed Shia Militia Leaders…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 4 hours ago
Reports of new late-night U.S. airstrikes north of Baghdad are starting to be confirmed. According to developing reports a convoy of two or three vehicles carrying Iran-back Shia Militia leaders was targeted near Taji in Northern Baghdad. [Convoy pic below] … Continue reading →

Occupy Trenton! Jan. 6th – Jan. 14th

Laura Bono at Children's Health Defense - 4 hours ago
Join RFK, Jr. in Trenton, NJ as He Stands with Activists for Religious Freedom! NJ activists needs your help. Join them for Occupy Trenton, Jan. 6th – Jan. 14th. NJ legislators have until January 13th, the end of the legislative session, to bring legislation to a vote that will remove religious exemptions in NJ. If […] The post Occupy Trenton! Jan. 6th – Jan. 14th appeared first on Children's Health Defense.

Key background from LaRouche: “Storm Over Asia”

Alicia at LaRouchePAC Feed - 4 hours ago
London-Saudi Global Terror Stop WWIII -695NtUNSII Video of -695NtUNSII In 1999, Lyndon LaRouche warned in a national television broadcast “Storm Over Asia” that the western-backed jihadist mercenary forces unleashed in the 1970s, were created as part of a global strategy to undermine the major powers of China, India and Russia. These mercenary wars, if not stopped, LaRouche warned, would leave these major powers no other option but to defend themselves against these mercenaries and their sponsors, potentially leading to a World War III scenario. Over twenty years old, this keyston... more »

Helga Zepp-LaRouche Statement on the Assassination of Qasem Soleimani

Alicia at LaRouchePAC Feed - 4 hours ago
Helga Zepp LaRouche PDF: [image: PDF icon] 20190103-helga-statement-soleimani-final.pdf *by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder of the Schiller Institute* Immediate Emergency Summit Among Presidents of US, Russia and China to Save World Peace and Define Cooperation Among the Countries Who defeated Fascism 75 Years Ago! With the assassination on Jan. 3 of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Commander of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Brigade and a national hero in Iran, as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces of Iraq, through a drone attack... more »

Dems Are Grieving : “We’ve Lost A Friend”

Terry at 'Nox & Friends - 4 hours ago
WASHINGTON, D.C.—At a press conference held on Capitol Hill Friday, mourning Democrat leaders called for flags to be flown half-mast to honor the death of Qasem Soleimani. Flags were spotted flying at half-mast around the country, notably at The Washington Post, The New York Times, and in front of several celebrities’ homes. The celebrities went out and bought an American flag for the first time just to fly it at half-mast for this important time of grief. “The grieving process is painful but necessary,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar. “As a nation, we need to stop and grieve this great, aust... more »

Increased Plane Traffic At U.S. Italian And Spanish Bases Points To The U.S. Getting Ready For Military Confrontation

Penny at Penny for your thoughts - 4 hours ago
* Link* *"Dozens of American cargo planes have reached the U.S. bases in Rota and Morón, Spain and the one in Aviano, Italy. It is the largest military deployment at these bases since the 2003 Iraq War. * The almost 30,000 inhabitants of the small town of Rota, in southern Spain, have been surprised by the *intense increase in American military air traffic over the last few days. *The United States operates a naval base, which services several different types of American naval vessels, out of Rota, and it maintains an airbase one hundred kilometers away in Morón de la Frontera whic... more »

Meet the New Boss...

jurassicpork at Welcome Back to Gotham City - 5 hours ago
(By *American Zen*'s Mike Flannigan, on loan from Ari) We can't do nothing right when wrong is what we do 'Cause we die to live, we die to live We ain't got the time for a Christian lullaby When off goes the alarm and the house is going down We die to live, we die to live Let it burn, let it burn Oh, well, let it burn, let it burn. -Volbeat, "Die to Live" ...*S*ame as the old boss. If the late Stieg Larson (who'd warned us his entire life about fascist politicians and billionaires exactly like Trump) was still alive and wrote a book about Trump bombing the Baghdad airport and kil... more »

US designates Iraqi paramilitary force as ‘foreign terrorist organization’

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:20 P.M.) – The U.S. designated on Friday the Iraqi paramilitary force, Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq, and its leaders, Qays and Laith Al-Khazali, as foreign terrorists. “Today, the Secretary of State announced his intent to designate Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq – also known as AAH – as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under section 219 […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

‘We caught him in the act and terminated him’: Trump on Soleimani

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:10 P.M.) – U.S. President Donald Trump held his first press conference since the assassination of the Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. During his press conference, Trump described the attack that killed Major-General Soleimani as a “flawless precision strike” that killed the Iranian commander. “We caught him in the act and terminated him,” […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Hezbollah leader vows to complete Qassem Soleimani’s path

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:35 P.M.) – The Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that the retribution against the killers of the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Qassem Soleimani, “will be the secretariat” of all the resistance fighters around the world. Sayyed Nasrallah said in a statement on Friday, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

US sending 4,000 more troops to Middle East amid increased tensions with Iran

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:00 P.M.) – The U.S. military is sending more troops to the Middle East this week, following the assassination of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Quds Force commander, Major-General Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad. According to Tara Copp of McClatchy DC, an entire brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division will be sent to […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

US ‘jubilation’ for Soleimani assassination will become ‘mourning’ – IRGC spox.

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
A spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the US and Israeli “jubilation” for the killing of Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani would soon turn into “mourning,” while speaking to Iranian State TV in Tehran on Friday. “This temporary jubilation of Americans and Zionists will not take long to turn into mourning,” said […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

What is known about Iran’s successor to Qassem Soleimani

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
Esmail Ghaani, a deputy to recently assassinated Qassem Soleimani, was named the new head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ foreign operations branch, the Quds Force, just hours after the incident at Baghdad International Airport, according to Iran’s Press TV news agency. Here is what we know so far about the new leader of one […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian Army reinforcements pour into Aleppo as large-scale offensive approaches

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:00 P.M.) – The first military reinforcements of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) started gradually arriving in the city of Aleppo last week. However, since then, more reinforcements have arrived for what is expected to be a large-scale operation in the western sector of the city and southern countryside of the Governorate. According […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

A F-22 Raptor Snuck Right Underneath an Iranian Fighter Jet

Robert Beckhusen at The National Interest - 5 hours ago
*Robert Beckhusen* *Security, * [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/MIDEAST-IRAN-TANKER-USA-RC13F6FF4F60.html] In a war, Iran won't know what hit them. *Key point:* Stealth is one of the most important elements of combat. Back in 2013, Pentagon press secretary George Little said that an Iranian air force F-4 Phantom combat plane attempted to intercept a U.S. MQ-1 Predator drone flying through international airspace near Iran. As we reported back then, one of the two F-4 Phantom jets — in service in Iran since the Shah — came to about 16 miles from the Predator, but brok... more »

If Israel Goes to War with Iran, Will It Go Nuclear?

Robert Farley at The National Interest - 5 hours ago
*Robert Farley* *Security, * [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/ISRAEL-AIRFORCE-EXERCISE-RC2R9D9COX1L.html] The Middle East would be forever scarred. *Key point:* Israel isn't afraid to conduct preemptive attacks. Israel’s nuclear arsenal is the worst-kept secret in international relations. Since the 1970s, Israel has maintained a nuclear deterrent in order to maintain a favorable balance of power with its neighbors. Apart from some worrying moments during the Yom Kippur War, the Israeli government has never seriously considered using those weapons. The most obvious ... more »

Medical marijuana proponent Roe says he’s retiring from US House

Kevin Huhn at Marijuana Business Daily - 5 hours ago
A staunch proponent of researching medicinal marijuana for the treatment of military veterans plans to retire from the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee, a Republican who serves as the ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, said Friday he will retire at the end of the year, according to CNN. He introduced […] Medical marijuana proponent Roe says he’s retiring from US House is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Aussies’ Choice: Burn Cool or Burn Hot

Ron Clutz at Science Matters - 5 hours ago
Global Warming is Not to Blame for the Horrific Bush fires in Australia by Jon Gaunt, writing from England on the distorted media coverage, published at Sputnik There I have said the unsayable but don’t hold your breath, you will not hear that on the MSM biased broadcasters like Sky or BBC. Of course, this […]

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials On The Killing Of Qassem Soleimani

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 5 hours ago
*Parisa Hafezi, Reuters*:* From war to diplomacy, Iran weighs response to Soleimani's killing* DUBAI (Reuters) - Tensions between Iran and the United States are at their highest point since Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979. Iran's clerical and military rulers have threatened revenge for an American air strike here at Baghdad airport on Friday that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Quds Force and architect of its growing military influence in the Middle East. Here are some of Iran’s options: *Read more *.... *Co... more »

World Markets And The Price Of Oil Impacted By The Killing Of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 5 hours ago
*USA Today*:* This is why the Dow fell more than 200 points on Friday while oil prices surged* Stocks dropped and oil prices surged Friday after a U.S. airstrike killed a top Iranian general, reigniting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Stocks fell broadly but those losses shrank in afternoon trading. After tumbling more than 350 points following the opening bell, the Dow Jones industrial average ended down 233.92 points, or 0.8%, at 28,634.88. The Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 0.7% to end at 3,234.85. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite lost 0.8%, to finish at 9,020.77. F... more »

Dissenter Weekly With Guest John Kiriakou: UN Official Condemns ‘Coercive Confinement’ Of Chelsea Manning

Kevin Gosztola at Shadowproof - 5 hours ago
In our first “Dissenter Weekly Update” episode of the year, CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou joins the show. He is also a former senior investigator for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We highlight letters to the United Kingdom and United States government from United Nations Special Rapporteur Nils Melzer that condemn The post Dissenter Weekly With Guest John Kiriakou: UN Official Condemns ‘Coercive Confinement’ Of Chelsea Manning appeared first on Shadowproof.

What's Really Spooking Markets Early in the New Year?

Leo Kolivakis at Pension Pulse - 5 hours ago
Fred Imbert of CNBC reports the Dow drops the most in a month after US airstrike on Iran’s top military leader spooks investors: Stocks fell on Friday after the U.S. confirmed that an airstrike killed Iran’s top military commander, sending oil prices surging and ratcheting up geopolitical concerns. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 233.92 points lower, or 0.6% at 28,634.88 and posted its biggest one-day loss since early December. The S&P 500 also had its worst day in a month, sliding 0.7% to 3,234.85. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.8% to 9,020.77. The Dow briefly dropped more... more »

Does This Map Show Human Trafficking Hotspots in U.S.?

David Mikkelson at Snopes.com - 5 hours ago
The three most common types of sex trafficking are escort services, residential (locations), and outdoor solicitations.

NFL TV Ratings Up for Second Straight Year

AP News at Snopes.com - 5 hours ago
In January 2020, the NFL goes into the playoffs with its regular-season ratings having gone up for the second straight year, the first time the league has seen back-to-back increases since 2010.

Did Eric Trump Tweet About Iran Strike Before It Was Made Public?

Dan Evon at Snopes.com - 5 hours ago
The claim suggests the U.S. president's son was privy to information about the drone attack that killed an Iran general in January 2020.

Trump Declares an Iranian’s General’s ‘Reign of Terror’ Over

AP News at Snopes.com - 5 hours ago
The strike marked a major escalation in the conflict between Washington and Iran, as Iran vowed “harsh retaliation” for the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

A PERFECT STORM RAINING FIRE

Pam Vernon at Rangitikei Environmental Health Watch - 5 hours ago
Originally posted on BEN'S WORLD: A perfect man made storm caused by;1. Increased temperatures (for sure and forecast by CSIRO as early as 1987), 2.dumb fire break rules, 3.ignoring fire chief analyst they would need fire fighting aircraft. 4.Holding military exercise in peak risk areas using flammable chaf 5. Doppler radar microwaves, 6. rainmaking…

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