Wednesday, December 18, 2019

18 December - Blogs I'm Following - 5 of 5

10 pmn MST

Midnight Meme Of The Day!

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 21 hours ago
*by Noah* *DownWithTyranny* is proud to publish this exclusive photo of the Congressional Republican Choir as they performed at the 2019 Republican National Committee Christmas Party held on the south lawn of the White House this past weekend. They were joined by President Donald Trump (4th from left, front). Stephen Miller conducted. Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity (also pictured in the front row) MC'd the festivities. The event was catered by Chick-fil-A and featured a stirring and congratulatory address from Vladimir Putin, delivered via satellite.

The Green New Deal as an Anti-Neoliberal Program

Yves Smith at naked capitalism - 21 hours ago
On the positive effects of a Green New Deal.

Obama Gave Contract to Common Core Publisher, and Later Got a $65-Million Book Deal. Critics Claim Obama Accepted a Bribe.

American Thinker at Need To Know - 21 hours ago
Obama gave Pearson Publishing $350-million to create Common Core book text. In return, Pearson, through its subsidiary, gave Obama a $65-million dollar book deal in 2017. Also, Obama's stance on net neutrality greatly benefited Netflix. Later, Obama was given a lucrative deal with Netfix.

The FBI Is Warning That Smart-TVs Can Be Hacked and Used to Spy on and Record People in Their Homes

Tech Crunch at Need To Know - 21 hours ago
Smart TVs can be used to record owners through built-in cameras and microphones, some of the devices can be hacked, and they are being used for massive data collection.

Hong Kong Unrest And Root Cause

Zamir AWAN at OrientalReview.org - 21 hours ago
I used to travel to Hong Kong in the 1980s when I was a student in China and still recall those memorable days. Hong Kong was one of the most prosperous places in this part of the world. Being a free port, Hong Kong was the hub of commercial activities, […]

Man charged with double murder after Sydney stabbings

Just In - 21 hours ago
A man is charged with two counts of murder after allegedly stabbing a man and a woman during a neighbourhood dispute yesterday in Sydney's south-west.

Byron ranked the boozing capital of Australia

Bruce MacKenzie at Just In - 21 hours ago
A new study ranks Byron Bay as the country's capital of risky drinking, as new guidelines advise Australians to cut back.

Goat dairy targeted by notorious activist group suggests covert vision doctored

Sarah Jane Bell at Just In - 21 hours ago
The owner of a Victorian dairy says hidden-camera vision released by animal activists of young goats' horns being removed may have been edited to look worse.

Miners without work a week before Christmas as Cook Colliery shut down by receivers

Megan Hendry at Just In - 21 hours ago
As central Queensland firm Bounty Mining enters voluntary administration, the miners union says hundreds of workers will be affected by the resulting shutdown of Cook Colliery in the Bowen Basin.

Man found knocked out on road after crash with $83k in cash, loaded gun and drugs, police say

Tara Cassidy at Just In - 21 hours ago
A 25-year-old man found unconscious on the side of a road on the Sunshine Coast following a motorcycle crash is charged after police discover a loaded gun and more than $80,000 cash.

Trump has been impeached. Is he still President?

Peter Marsh at Just In - 21 hours ago
The US House of Representatives votes to impeach President Donald Trump. Here are the answers to five quick questions you probably have.

China builds its own 'tool of coercion' and launches it in the South China Sea

Michael Walsh at Just In - 21 hours ago
China boosts its military presence in the contested waters of the South China Sea, launching its first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Shandong.

Firefighters save beloved Christmas tree threatened by bushfire

Kallee Buchanan at Just In - 21 hours ago
A roadside pine tree decorated for Christmas has survived the Queensland bushfire emergency and connected the tree-trimmers with the firefighters who saved it.

WA surplus booms, but resignation scandal deepens as police called in

Benjamin Gubana at Just In - 21 hours ago
Western Australia's finances have been given a $1 billion boost, as the impact of soaring iron ore prices continued to bolster the state's coffers, but the news is overshadowed by a scandal hitting Ben Wyatt's office this week.

RSPCA issues warning after dog dies in heat, as flying foxes feel the brunt of the weather

Brittany Evins at Just In - 21 hours ago
The RSPCA is considering legal action against the owner of a dog which died after being left outside with no water and shade in SA, while flying foxes in Adelaide and Melbourne are suffering in record heat.

Homes evacuated as large bushfire approaches three Sunshine Coast communities

Johanna Marie And Andree Withey at Just In - 21 hours ago
A large and volatile bushfire is burning behind homes near Lake Weyba on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, prompting authorities to evacuate dozens of homes as the emergency worsens.

Why America's B-50 Bomber Was Much More Than An Evolved B-29 Superfortress

Sebastien Roblin at The National Interest - 21 hours ago
*Sebastien Roblin* *History, Americas* The first aircraft to fly around the world. *Key point: *While the B-29 was responsible for the three deadliest bombing raids in history—the firebombing of Tokyo and the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki—its successor the B-50 never dropped a bomb in anger. Quiz time! Which secret American military project during World War II proved even more expensive than the $2 billion Manhattan Project which developed U.S. atomic bombs? That would be the $3 billion B-29 Superfortress—the huge four-engine bomber designed to fly across huge dista... more »

This Is The Reason China's J-20 Can't Beat the F-22 or F-35

Zachary Keck at The National Interest - 21 hours ago
*Zachary Keck* *Security, * [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/AIRSHOW-CHINA--S1BEUKGWXZAA.html] One word: engines. *Key Point:* Engine problems with the J-20 will be a hiccup the Chinese will have to overcome before they can compete in military technology. China’s first fifth-generation aircraft is having a major issue. As Dave Majumdar previously covered, China recently declared that its J-20 fighter jet had attained initial operational capability. “China's latest J-20 stealth fighter has been commissioned into the air force's combat service,” China’s Defense Minist... more »

Russia and China Could Destroy America's New Aircraft Carriers. Are They Obsolete Already?

Robert Farley at The National Interest - 21 hours ago
*Robert Farley* *Security, * [image: MV-22 Ospreys assigned to the U.S. Presidential Helicopter Squadron land on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)during the ship's commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.] The answer may surprise you... *Key Point:* Aircraft carriers' main job is not to penetrate A2/AD systems, and "obsolete" ships are still useful for decades. The United States has decided to spend many billions of dollars on the CVN-78 (“Ford”) class of aircraft carriers to replace the venerable Nimitz class. The latter has served ... more »

December 18th – 2019 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day #1063

sundance at The Last Refuge - 22 hours ago
In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and … Continue reading →

Wednesday December 18th – Open Thread

sundance at The Last Refuge - 22 hours ago
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those … Continue reading →

Tweets For Today

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 22 hours ago
In dueling speeches on the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would not allow a ‘fishing expedition’ while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said a trial without witnesses would be a ‘sham’ https://t.co/Xq8wD6DDGy pic.twitter.com/ngRWpYModh — Reuters (@Reuters) December 18, 2019 Reporter: "Do you take any responsibility for the fact that you are about to be impeached?" President Trump: "No. I don't take any. Zero, to put it mildly." pic.twitter.com/ZtfkVmOB05 — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 17, 2019 Boris Johnson returns to Britain's Parlia... more »

Assyrian Troops At the Contact-lines in Northern Syria

The Assyrian-led Syriac Military Council was recently filmed by RT Arabic at the contact lines in the northern countryside of Al-Hasakah. In the short video, the Assyrian troops can be seen moving back-and-forth from the contact lines with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), while also maintaining their military positions in northern Al-Hasakah.

Islamic State Used Mosul Museum As Tax Department

Mosul (Reuters) -- After they seized Mosul two years ago and destroyed the priceless Mesopotamian artifacts in its museum, Islamic State militants found a practical use for the building -- they turned it into a tax office.

"The BBC will have the backing of the people only if the people are sure their voices are being heard"

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 22 hours ago
Also, as per David... Former Head of News at the BBC Roger Mosey, now master of Selwyn College, Cambridge, has been sharply critical of the BBC's election coverage. "I do believe it has a mostly liberal and metropolitan world view revolving around the chattering classes and the districts of London they inhabit", he writes. "If you add to that the Westminster bubble made up of the politicians and journalists who cover politics, there is a major gulf with life as it is lived in Burnley or Redcar." Now, the BBC and its fellow broadcasters face questions about the way they covered the... more »

Who Is Winning The Climate Wars? (2)

Francis Menton at Manhattan Contrarian - 22 hours ago
* A few weeks ago (November 22), in a post titled “Who Is Winning The Climate Wars?”, I undertook to begin documenting the ever-growing chasm between the unhinged rhetoric of climate campaigners and the reality out there in the world. * You probably know that the UN held its annual big climate conference this year in Madrid during the first two weeks of December. That event provided the occasion for many campaigners to ramp up the volume of their claims, trying once again to stampede government representatives into agreeing to impoverish their people. * Let’s collect a few data poin... more »

Picture Of The Day

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 23 hours ago
The commemoration ceremony for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge at the Mardasson World War II memorial monument in Bastogne, Belgium. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir *WNU Editor: *The above picture came from this photo-gallery .... *Editor's Choice Pictures* (Reuters).

Nature's shocking "top ten" scientists

Luboš Motl at The Reference Frame - 23 hours ago
Fer137 has told us about an incredible list published at Nature Nature's 10. which is supposed to enumerate the most influential people in science of the year. As Alex correctly said, Nature basically became a new brand of toilet paper. How will they compare to Presto!? Well, there have been numerous indications of this "evolution of purpose" of that journal but now they have jumped the shark, indeed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As Nature openly admits, Ricardo Galvão was chosen for his being a Latin American "Amazon" activist and for his frictions with Brazil... more »

Australian Daily Wind Power Generation Data – Tuesday 17th December 2019

TonyfromOz at PA Pundits – International - 23 hours ago
By Anton Lang ~ This Post details the daily wind power generation data for the AEMO coverage area in Australia. For the background information, refer to the Introductory Post at this link. Each image is shown here at a smaller size to fit on the page alongside the data for that day. If you click […]

Britain’s Boris Johnson Boycotts BBC Show Program Over Election Bias

PA Pundits - International at PA Pundits – International - 23 hours ago
By Randy Hall ~ Liberal media bias doesn’t just exist in the United States. Newly reelected British Prime Minister Boris Johnson isn’t going to sit by and just endure the far-left spin of the BBC. Johnson has criticized the BBC’s flagship Today program for unfair reporting as he withdrew several government officials from the radio […]

The Warming Wind Turbines Of Climate Change

PA Pundits - International at PA Pundits – International - 23 hours ago
By Duggan Flanakin ~ Wind turbines continue to be the most controversial so-called “renewable” energy source worldwide. Yet, you say, wind is surely renewable. Really? Sure, the wind blows intermittently, but what if wind power actually contributes to global warming? While the wind itself may be “renewable,” the turbines surely are not. Arcadia Power reports that […]

On Eve Of Impeachment Vote, Trump Punches Back Against Pelosi

PA Pundits - International at PA Pundits – International - 23 hours ago
By Fred Lucas ~ One day before the Democrat-led House is set to vote on impeachment, President Donald Trump sent a scathing six-page letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., asserting the House majority was “declaring open war on American Democracy.” “You dare to invoke the Founding Fathers in pursuit of this election-nullification scheme — […]

Beware!

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 23 hours ago
Over at *The Conservative Woman, *David Keighley sounds a note of caution: It seems that reform of the BBC is firmly on the new government’s agenda. But to what end? The reality is that every attempt at BBC reform – stretching back to the Thatcher era, as I wrote here before the 2015 general election – has failed, and each new Charter has made the Corporation more arrogant and entrenched.

Could A Major Fire Happen At A U.S. Navy Shipyard?

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 23 hours ago
The fire aboard the Project 11435 aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov has killed at least two. Lev Fedoseyev/TASS *Forbes:* *Fire That Scorched Russian Carrier Could Happen At U.S. Navy Shipyards, Too* A fatal shipyard fire has ravaged Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, an obsolete ship whose many troubles are regularly mocked by naval observers. Taking pleasure in a rival’s pain is a natural thing, but this latest Russian safety debacle should be a wake-up call for America’s busy naval shipyards. It is far easier for American observers to dismiss the Admiral K... more »

Smaller but still superior is the motto of U.S. veal farmers

Dan Flynn at Food Safety News - 23 hours ago
Editor’s note: For additional coverage of the Dutch veal industry, please see: “A close look at Dutch veal — dubbed safest in the world.” If veal is on your shopping list, Dale Bakke says you need not go looking for an imported brand shipped from “halfway around the world.” Bakke acknowledges the Dutch are the... Continue Reading

Enzi-Tester bill would make FDA-USDA agreement on cell-culture technology the law of the land

News Desk at Food Safety News - 23 hours ago
A bipartisan pair of influential Western senators wants to “cement into law how government agencies regulate food produced using animal cell-culture technology.” Sens. Mike Enzi, R-WY, and Jon Tester, D-MT, have introduced legislation to ensure that an agreement reached earlier this year between the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will... Continue Reading

Families of two people with Salmonella who died speak ahead of inquest

News Desk at Food Safety News - 23 hours ago
The families of two people who died after being infected with Salmonella have spoken out ahead of an inquest into the deaths. Sandra Blake and Stewart Graham died about the time Public Health England linked a 2018 Salmonella outbreak to items including pork bought at Chapman and Sons in Blackhall Colliery, County Durham. Sandra’s husband,... Continue Reading

Food safety complaints expected to rise this month; anti-waste efforts continue

News Desk at Food Safety News - 23 hours ago
Complaints of food poisoning, allergic reactions and foreign bodies in food could increase by more than half during the holidays this December, according to Food Alert. The company, which provides food safety and health and safety services, software and training to businesses, found the number of food complaints received during December last year was up... Continue Reading

Publisher’s Platform: Needed – Passionate Advocate

Bill Marler at Food Safety News - 23 hours ago
For those of you who read these fine pages of Food Safety News produced by Dan, Coral, Joe, Jonan, Cookson, and our many contributors on a daily basis for the last ten years, I try not – well, at least – not too often, to interject my legal side with my publisher side. Here is... Continue Reading

Quote of the Day

vonMesser at 'Nox & Friends - 23 hours ago
Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks. ~Doug Larson~

BBC Media Action is still receiving direct EU funding

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 23 hours ago
It's not news to us, of course, that BBC Media Action has received money directly from the EU in the past, but, nonetheless, it's still surprising to learn that it's still going on: *Revealed: How BBC charity was paid MILLIONS by EU Commission* THE BBC continues to face criticism over alleged bias in its election coverage, Express.co.uk can reveal that the broadcaster’s charitable arm BBC Media Action received more than £3million directly from Brussels in the financial year 2017-18. By MARTINA BET A spokesman for BBC Media action told Express.co.uk: “In the financial year 2017... more »

Paying tribute

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 23 hours ago
🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷🕷 Lewis Goodall, soon to become *Newsnight*'s policy editor, pays tribute to Lady Hale: *UK Supreme Court*: The President of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, will officially retire on 10 January 2020. Her valedictory will take place tomorrow at 9.30am in the Supreme Court. Whilst the ceremony is not a public event, it can be watched live via our website at: https://supremecourt.uk/live/court-01.html *Lewis Goodall*: A brilliant and remarkable woman in our public life. All the poorer for her going. *Peter ‘BBC behind him all the way’ Martin*: Maybe the Sky or BBC could pr... more »

The News Churn Memory Hole: How The MSM Lies Even When Telling The Truth

Caitlin Johnstone at Caitlin Johnstone - 23 hours ago
“This goofy ass Trump letter is gonna get more outraged coverage than the bombshell report on the entire Afghanistan war being a lie and frankly I don’t know if I can handle that right now,” popular Youtube commentator Kyle Kulinski tweeted today. The post was […]

'Detachment Hotel': Inside JFK's Top-Secret Tropical Nuclear Bunker

Darien Cavanaugh at The National Interest - 23 hours ago
*Darien Cavanaugh* *History, Americas* [image: Arrival in Mexico City. President and Mrs. Kennedy debark Air Force One. Mexico City, Mexico, International Airport.] Hiding in plain sight. *Key point:* During the Cold War, leaders had to be ready for anything—even while on vacation. In December 1960, the SeaBees – the U.S. Navy’s construction force — supposedly began the mundane task of building a munitions depot behind the Coast Guard station on Peanut Island, Florida. Known as “Operation Hotel,” the SeaBees actually built a secret nuclear fallout shelter for president-elect John... more »

A U.S. Navy Attack Submarine Mysteriously Exploded in 1968

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 23 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * [image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Scorpion_(SSN-589)#/media/File:Uss_scorpion_SSN589.jpg] Over 50 years later, we still don't know why. *Key Point:* Theories of the submarine's fate include a self-caused explosion and an attack by the Soviets. In May 1968, a U.S. nuclear-powered attack submarine was sent on a secret mission to spy on the Soviet navy. Seven days later, with the families of the crew waiting dockside for the USS *Scorpion* to return from a three-month patrol, the U.S. Navy realized that the submarine was missing. *Scorpion* had... more »

On The Cusp of Impeachment…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 23 hours ago
The media narrative engineers and stenographers are fully engaged, gleeful with impeachment blood-lust amid their broadcast brethren. The raw political corruption is now extreme. Do not look away. As we bear witness, anyone trying to convince us this entire assembly … Continue reading →

Last Minute Gift Ideas To Give That Republican Who Lessens Your Quality Of Life

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 1 day ago
*by Noah* A couple of weeks ago, I already posted 2 lists of possible gifts you can use to send a message to any Republicans you have the misfortune to know this year but, in the interest of wait there’s more… well, there’s more, and, certainly the times require a message to be sent! So, here we go, list number 3! 1. What could be better than a Voltage Tester? It’s only $19.95. It doesn’t come with instructions but the how to use part is pretty damn obvious even for some idiot that goes around in a MAGA hat. Just tell your Republican relative or acquaintance to be sure to stand ... more »

Defying the drought: First chickpeas of season ready to go

Melanie Groves at Just In - 1 day ago
Despite the significant effects of drought on Australia's chickpea production, Queensland's first harvest of the season has been loaded onto a ship, ready for export.

New Zealand freezes imports from Queensland after exotic disease found in watermelons

Jodie Gunders at Just In - 1 day ago
Queensland melon exports to New Zealand have been put on ice after the detection of a cucurbit virus in a shipment of melons.

'Everybody deserves a holiday': PM under fire for heading overseas as bushfires rage

Just In - 1 day ago
The Acting Prime Minister defends the Prime Minister after he takes his family overseas for a holiday as fires continue to burn across Australia.

Paedophile back behind bars after alleged supervision order breaches says he has been assaulted in jail

Meagan Dillon at Just In - 1 day ago
SA child sex offender Gary John Tipping — who was recently released from prison — has been placed on an interim detention order after allegedly breaching multiple supervision conditions after just six weeks back in the community.

Australia's heatwave registers new hottest day on record, BOM says

Kate Doyle at Just In - 1 day ago
The average maximum temperature across the country on Tuesday was 40.9 degrees Celsius, breaking the mark of 40.3C set in January 2013.

'Horrific' crash incinerates car, kills two Cairns teenagers

Jesse Thompson at Just In - 1 day ago
Police say they can't rule out speed as a factor in the crash, which claimed the lives of two teenagers — an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl.

Star Wars director was 'mostly terrified' to screen The Rise of Skywalker

Just In - 1 day ago
With the end of the long-running Skywalker saga looming for Australian audiences, the world premiere of the latest instalment in London gives a hint of how its cast, crew and fans are feeling.

No chance of DRS in this BBL season, but time-outs here to stay

Just In - 1 day ago
Despite a contentious start to the new season, and the divisive new tactical time-out system, Cricket Australia says there is no chance of introducing DRS for this Big Bash season.

Australian cyber soldiers hacked and crippled Islamic State — here's what we know

Stephanie Borys at Just In - 1 day ago
At an undisclosed location, in a windowless room, Australian cyber spies snooped on Islamic State, plotting an online attack that would ultimately cripple the terror group's propaganda unit.

'This was about me clearing my name': Nightclub manager gets $90k defamation payout from police

Karen Percy And Emilia Terzon at Just In - 1 day ago
Victoria Police is ordered to pay $90,000 to Inflation nightclub manager Martha Tsamis, who won a defamation case over allegations that she was running a "honeypot" for drug dealers.

Wine regions cut off from Uber service amid State Government Christmas crackdown

Ben Nielsen And Eugene Boisvert at Just In - 1 day ago
Uber and other ride-sharing services have stopped accepting fares in the Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills in response to "compliance activity" from the South Australian Government.

Four teens charged with murder over stabbing death of boy on the Gold Coast

Tom Forbes at Just In - 1 day ago
Four teenagers are due to face court today over the murder of 17-year-old Jack Beasley who was injured in a fight between two groups of youths at Surfers Paradise. Jack's father said he was a "much loved son".

$1b 'wiped off farm incomes from 20 years of climate change'

Kath Sullivan at Just In - 1 day ago
Farmers' pockets have been hit hard by a warmer, drier climate over the past two decades, with broadacre profits slashed by more than 20 per cent.

Trump has a political firewall — and he may just thrive from impeachment

Just In - 1 day ago
Far from posing any significant threat to his presidency, the impeachment of Donald Trump may actually work in his favour, writes Simon Jackman.

This Former Kremlin Insider Explains Why Putin Was Chosen By Yeltsin To Be President

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
Boris Yeltsin (L) shakes hands with Vladimir Putin (R) ©Sputnik / Sergey Zhukov *Steve Rosenberg, BBC: **The man who helped make ex-KGB officer Vladimir Putin a president* *Through the ages, Russian rulers have gained power in different ways.* For tsars it was by birth; Vladimir Lenin through revolution; general secretaries of the Soviet Communist Party by climbing up the party ladder to the politburo and awaiting their turn for the top job. But 20 years ago, Vladimir Putin was handed power on a Kremlin plate. The former officer of the KGB - the Soviet security service - was hand... more »

War Between India and China: Would It Go Nuclear?

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 1 day ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Asia* [image: Nova Délhi (Índia) - Desfile do Dia da República indiana, na Rajpath.(foto:Antônio Milena)] 2.6 billion people at war... *Key Point:* The war at sea would be more devastating than the war on land. A hypothetical war between India and China would be one of the largest and most destructive conflicts in Asia. A war between the two powers would rock the Indo-Pacific region, cause thousands of casualties on both sides and take a significant toll on the global economy. Geography and demographics would play a unique role, limiting the war’s scope... more »

Report: Forty-Nine Journalists Were Killed In 2019

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
*CNN:* *49 journalists were murdered in 2019, the lowest death toll in 16 years* Forty-nine journalists were killed this year, 57 are being held hostage and 389 are currently in prison, nonprofit group Reporters Without Borders said Tuesday. In its annual review, the Paris-based group found that the number of journalists killed in 2019 was the lowest since 2003, representing a "historically low" figure compared with an average of 80 journalists killed per year over the past two decades. The fall in the number of journalists killed is due to a reduction in the number of journalist... more »

Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Sentenced To Death For Treason

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
*BBC:* *Pervez Musharraf: Pakistan ex-leader sentenced to death for treason* A Pakistani court has sentenced former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to death in absentia for treason over his 2007 imposition of emergency rule. Such a verdict is a first in a country with a history of army rule. The military reacted angrily, saying legal process "seems to have been ignored". The general seized power in a 1999 coup and was president from 2001 to 2008. The penalty is unlikely to be carried out. Gen Musharraf was allowed to leave Pakistan in 2016 and is in Dubai. The high treason charge ... more »

GMO Agriculture Causes Devastating Consequences on Amphibians – New Study

Sustainable Pulse at Sustainable Pulse - 1 day ago
According the a new study, soybean production in South America now covers over 57 million hectares, more than on any other continent. The consequences for amphibians have been devastating, as is clear from the study highlights and abstract Source: GM Watch The authors conclude in their study: “Our work has triggered alarm about the detrimental […] The post GMO Agriculture Causes Devastating Consequences on Amphibians – New Study appeared first on Sustainable Pulse.

Nuclear – Devin Nunes Questions FISC Judge Lack of Candor – Again Calls For Dismantling of FISA Court…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 1 day ago
During a stunning interview last Sunday Devin Nunes called for the FISA court to be deconstructed. In my opinion it was that statement, not the IG report, that spurred FISC Presiding Judge Rosemary Collyer to make a public order today. … Continue reading →

The World War II Battle The B-32s Had To Fight Even After It Was Over

Sebastien Roblin at The National Interest - 1 day ago
*Sebastien Roblin* *History, Asia* [image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_B-32_Dominator#/media/File:XB-32.jpg] This is considered the last air fight of World War II, even if it took place after the fact. *Key Point:* This would be the last battle the B-32s would fight. The Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber achieved fame—and infamy—for its role in the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Developing the huge bombers, which could lug heavy bomb loads over long distances at high altitudes and speeds, amounted to the most expensive weap... more »

Learn About the 100-Megaton Nuclear Torpedos Russia Has Up Its Sleeve

Lyle J. Goldstein at The National Interest - 1 day ago
*Lyle J. Goldstein* *Security, Europe* These doomsday weapons are the latest iterations of the new arms race. *Key Point:* The development of new weapons systems may benefit the military-industrial complex, but they don't benefit the safety of Russians or Americans. The “collateral damage” of the Russia investigation becomes ever more apparent. From the breakdown of American institutional norms between the executive and the legislature, to increasing distrust regarding the law enforcement and intelligence apparatus to regional crises, for example in Syria, that seem to spin incr... more »

Top U.S. Air Force General In The Pacific Predicts North Korea Will Conduct A Long-Range Ballistic Missile Test Soon

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
*Air Force Times: **Here’s what PACAF’s commander thinks N. Korea’s ‘Christmas gift’ to US will be* Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Charles Brown predicts North Korea will conduct a long-range ballistic missile test in the coming weeks — comments that come after North Korea has warned it would send a “Christmas gift” to the U.S. “What I would expect is some kind of long-range ballistic missile would be the gift,” Brown told reporters Tuesday during a Defense Writers Group breakfast in Washington, D.C. “It’s just a matter of does it come on Christmas Eve, does it come on Christ... more »

Democrats have no standards for their candidates: Alcee Hasting's edition

trinko at Conversations about the obvious - 1 day ago
Democrat Representative Alcee Hasting is on the House rules committee setting the rules for the coup...er impeachment. What's interesting is that Hasting was impeached as a Federal Judge by a Democrat controlled House and convicted by the Senate for taking bribes. A few years later he was elected by Democrats to the Congress. He's clearly failed to reform because we the people paid out $220,000 to settle a case of sexual harassment against him by a government worker. Back in the previous century two Representatives were accused of having sex with pages. Both were found guilty by th... more »

Russia's 4th-Generation Su-27 Flanker Is No Relic (But A Threat To NATO)

Robert Farley at The National Interest - 1 day ago
*Robert Farley* *Security, Europe* The basic Su-27 frame has proven remarkably flexible. *Key point: *The Su-27’s capabilities are formidable. To the West, most of the legendary Soviet aircraft of the Cold War came from the design bureau Mikoyan Gurevitch, which spawned such aircraft as the MiG-15 “Fagot,” MiG-21 “Fishbed,” MiG-25 “Foxbat” and MiG-29 “Fulcrum.” The single best Soviet fighter of the Cold War, however, was Sukhoi’s Su-27 “Flanker.” Intended both to defeat U.S. fighters over central Europe in a NATO-Warsaw Pact conflict and to patrol the airspace of the Soviet Union... more »

The Korean War Shows Why It Is a Bad Idea to Fight China

Robert Farley at The National Interest - 1 day ago
*Robert Farley* *Security, Asia* [image: Reuters] A world war would be disastrous and stupid. *Key point:* Millions would die, and for what? In November 1950, China and the United States went to war. Thirty-six thousand Americans died, along with upwards of a quarter million Chinese, and half a million or more Koreans. If the United States was deeply surprised to find itself at war with the People’s Republic of China, a country that hadn’t even existed the year before, it was even more surprised to find itself losing that war. The opening Chinese offensive, launched from deep wi... more »

Uh-Oh, France Proved That America's F-22 Stealth Fighter Can Be Shot Down

David Axe at The National Interest - 1 day ago
*David Axe* *Security, * What does this mean for America's top dogfighter? *Key Point: *And the 2009 war game would not be the last to result in “dead” Raptors. Past evidence seems to confirm that a French fighter pilot once “killed” an American F-22 Raptor stealth fighter in mock combat. Although not unprecedented, the simulated shoot-down is still a big deal for a couple reasons. For one, the Lockheed Martin-made F-22 is supposed to be the most fearsome warplane in history, a quarter-billion-dollar-per-plane technological marvel that flies higher and faster than its opponents... more »

7 Reasons to Learn Another Language

Kathleen Stein-Smith at The National Interest - 1 day ago
*Kathleen Stein-Smith* *Education, Americas* [image: Reuters] America lags when it comes to being able to speak more than one language. Half of the world population is bilingual, but only 25% of Americans can hold a conversation in another language. Changing that is one of the goals of language advocacy efforts, such as the Lead with Languages campaign. As the author of a book on what I refer to as America’s language deficit, here are what I see as seven of the best reasons for America’s young to speak a language besides English. *1. Makes you smarter* Research has shown that k... more »

Conservatism, Progressivism, Libertarianism

Unknown at The Verma Report - 1 day ago
Conservatism is a movement of traditionalistic institutions and people who fondly look back at the good old days—they aspire for a future that does not stray too far from the golden past. Progressivism (liberalism and leftism) is a movement of nihilistic intellectuals and demagogic community organizers who, being alienated from their society, look at the past with anger and contempt. Libertarianism is a movement of idealistic dreamers for whom the past and present are mere stepping stones on the road to a global utopia of free markets and liberty where humanity will live happily ever... more »

Mass Protests And Strikes Continue In France -- News Updates December 17, 2019

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
*Daily Mail:** French cops fire tear gas and charge protesters as tens of thousands take to the streets to fight President Macron's pension reforms* * Protesters lobbed projectiles and thundered towards police lines on the streets of central Paris earlier today * Demonstrations are a response to President Macron's pension reforms, which will raise retirement age to 64 * Away from riot scenes in the capital, activists cut electricity and Eiffel Tower staff walked away from their job * French pension system was once 'a guide for the rest of the world' but government says now that ... more »

New Medical Kidnapping Book Published on Child Abuse Pediatricians

Admin at Health Impact News - 1 day ago
Brian Shilhavy, editor of Health Impact News, has just published a new book: "The New Child Abuse Pediatrician: Doctors become Prosecutors" The book is a compilation of over 5 years of research and publishing on MedicalKidnap.com, part of the Health Impact News network, covering the topic of Child Abuse Pediatricians, and their role in medical kidnapping.

Funding and Investment in HBCUs, a Focus of Discussion on Capitol Hill

Sarah Wood at Diverse - 1 day ago
During the 2020 fiscal year, there will be a 15% increase devoted to strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities and minority-serving institutions (MSIs). Additionally, the maximum Pell grant award will increase by $150 from $6,195 to $6,345 for the 2020-21 academic year, according to the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Funeral Scheduled on Saturday for Former Gary Mayor Richard Gordon Hatcher

Sarah Wood at Diverse - 1 day ago
Richard Gordon Hatcher, the first Black mayor of Gary, Indiana, died Dec. 13 at the age of 86. There will be a public visitation at the Genesis Convention Center Friday and funeral services will take place Saturday, December 21, 2019, according to the Chicago Tribune. Hatcher served as mayor for 20 years, beginning in 1967, […]

Tuskegee University to Offer Master’s in General Psychology

Jessica Ruf at Diverse - 1 day ago
Tuskegee University’s Department of Psychology and Sociology will offer a new master’s degree in general psychology beginning in fall 2020. According to university officials, the degree “blends biological and social bases for applied behavior analysis with the fascinating process of human development, the history and impact psychology has had on today’s culture, and the role […]

These Will Be The Biggest Countries In The World In 2020

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
*Zero Hedge*:* By 2100, Five Of The Ten Biggest Countries In The World Will Be In Africa* In the 21st century so far, populous countries and strong population growth were most often associated with Asia – but, as Statista's Katharina Buchholz notes, this view of the world will have to change in the future, data by the United Nations and Pew Research Center shows. While in 2020, five out of the ten most populous countries in the world were located in Asia, the picture will look different in 2100, when five African countries – Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Egypt and the Democratic R... more »

A few Republican voices

Keith at musingsofanoldfart - 1 day ago
In a New York Times article today (see link below), co-authors George Conway, Steve Schmidt, John Weaver, and Rick Wilson penned “We are Republicans and we want Trump defeated.” Here are three paragraphs from the article: “Mr. Trump fails to … Continue reading →

U.S. FISA Judge Blasts FBI On Its Handling Of Wiretap Applications Of Ex-Trump Campaign Adviser

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
*Daily Mail:* *FISA court's chief judge issues unprecedented public rebuke to the FBI over serious 'misconduct' in warrants to wiretap Donald Trump ally Carter Page - to delight of president who calls case 'a SCAM!'* * FBI filed four requests with the secret court established by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act * The requests were for surveillance warrants to spy on Carter Page, a foreign policy adviser to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign * A report from the Justice Department's inspector general found 17 omissions or misleading statements in the FISA court ... more »

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