10:14 pm MST
Lizzy Warren - Jedi Princess??
Def-Con - She’s trying so hard to be relatable. Wealthy out-of-touch Elizabeth Warren has tried to convince people she’s “regular folk” by drinking beer, dancing like a goober, and using a fake hillbilly accent when she talks to the peasants. Now she’s hoping to grab support from Star Wars fans by acting all Jedi and shit. She doesn’t have a great track record for claiming ancestry, so chances are if she does, she is only 1/1024th Jedi. I just cringed so hard I dislocated my everything. — Concerned Bystander (@Irrational_Fury) December 21, 2019 You can hear her story now: Her gra... more »
Gotham City Digest
(Where orange is the new black and white.) ------------------------------ Like father like son. There's one for every occasion. ------------------------------ And yet *ANOTHER* right wing scumbag bites the dust. This time it's Mark Meadows. And just the day after Trumpie the Klown got impeached, too. I don't suppose it has anything to do with Meadows' connection to Giuliani, would it, now? ------------------------------ Republican scum want to sweep this impeachment under the rug ASAP and are having a shit fit that Pelosi won't let them. ------------------------------ ... more »
NCGT Journal V7 N3
The latest issue of the NCGT Journal is now available here.
Breaking: Israeli Airstrikes and Intercepts Underway/Reported in Syria
*Fox News Clip:* Israeli airstrike under way in Syria Dec. 22, 2019 - 2:55 - Trey Yingst reports from Jerusalem. Syrian air defense intercepts missiles from Israel - state media The Syrian army’s air defense system intercepted missiles coming from the direction of Israel that were aimed at targets on the outskirts of the Syrian capital, state media said on Sunday.* Four cruise missiles were believed to have been launched across the coast through Lebanese airspace towards Syria* Later the army said it had brought down one of the missiles in an area near the capital. It gave no furt... more »
Is Trump Enough of a Hawk on China?
*James Pethokoukis* *Politics, Asia* [image: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the] The trade war won't win itself. “Early days” is the most obvious response to China hawks left unimpressed by Washington’s “phase one” trade deal with Beijing. After all, the first significant tariffs were levied just a half year ago. Fans of the trade deal also note that these actions come only after years of Beijing, in the words of President Trump, “ripping off” America. So be patient. To use a favorite sports phase, “Trust the process.” But what result is that process — assuming one ca... more »
A Strong Economy, Not Big Government, Raised Wages for the Lowest Earners
*James Pethokoukis* *Politics, Americas* [image: Striking McDonalds workers demanding a $15 minimum wage demonstrate in Las Vegas, Nevada U.S., June 14, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Segar] Not bad given low inflation and, unfortunately, low productivity growth. The US employment rate has twice hit 3.5 percent this year, a level last seen in 1969. That fact alone suggests something good has been happening in the job market. But wait there’s more. The prime-age employment rate — we’re talking about workers 25 to 54 — is now back above where it was at the start of the Great Recession. Wages a... more »
Fact: The Mortar Is Still Fighting Strong (And Is Hundreds of Years Old)
*Warfare History Network* *Security, * And it's unlikely to be replaced. *Key point: *The old rock-throwing mortar has come a long way, indeed, since its first appearance in the 13th century. The mortar is perhaps the oldest surviving ordnance piece developed during the Middle Ages. The earliest known forerunner to the mortar, introduced by Spanish Muslims about ad 1250, was essentially an iron-reinforced bucket that hurled stones with gunpowder. These weapons were distinctly short-barreled and featured high-trajectory firing to hurl a load of small stones over enemy walls. Earl... more »
Not Enough Babies: Australia's Population Bomb Is Coming
*Anthony Fensom* *Demographics, Asia* [image: Reuters] How can this be reversed? *Key point:* No country can keep growing and paying for its social services without a positive population pyramid. Population growth driven by immigration has helped power Australia to a record-breaking 28 straight years of economic expansion. Yet government warnings of an aging ‘time bomb’ have sparked alarm that the good times cannot last forever, even in the ‘Lucky Country.’ Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg raised the alarm in mid-November, when he suggested the nation’s increasing aged popul... more »
The Navy Had A Plan To Build 'Super' Battleships, But Pearl Harbor Put That Dream To Bed
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * 1941 made it painfully clear that aircraft—including aircraft carriers—had eclipsed battleships as the primary weapon at sea. *Key Point:* The U.S. Navy never built more battleships after the *Iowa* class, let alone larger ones. The U.S. Navy’s most powerful battleships were never actually built. The five *Montana*-class battleships, leviathans designed to dwarf even the giant *Iowa*-class battleships, were authorized for construction but never built, victims of the ascendance of naval aviation. Nearly as large as a modern supercarrier the *Montana*... more »
SUNDAY SCREENING: ‘Homelessness, Hunger and Shame’ (2019)
*SUNDAY SCREENING* | Is this the new normal in America?
Sunday Talks: Senator Ted Cruz Discusses Pelosi Withholding Impeachment Articles and “Spygate” Fraud…
Maria Bartiromo shares an earlier interview with Senator Ted Cruz after the House passed two impeachment articles. Senator Cruz is questioned about the impeachment fraud and the latest revelations in the 2016 election surveillance known as “spygate”. LOL… “Welcome to … Continue reading →
Epidemic of Vitamin D Deficiency Contributes to False Child Abuse Charges by Child Abuse Doctors
With the overwhelming prevalence of medical data supporting the positive effects of Vitamin D during pregnancy and decreasing the odds of adverse events associated with pregnancy and delivery, there is still no screening program for Vitamin D on pregnant women. Rickets is being misdiagnosed as abuse by Child Abuse Pediatricians due to their lack of knowledge and relying on x-rays only, and not laboratory tests, confirming a vitamin D deficiency. How many parents and children could be spared the devastation of a false child abuse accusation if the mother was screened for vitamin D d... more »
Frontline footage of Syrian Army troops advancing in southeast Idlib
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:20 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) forces were filmed near the town of Ma’arat al-Nu’man in southeastern Idlib on Saturday, as they continue their offensive. The frontline footage that was captured of the fierce battle on Sunday shows soldiers deploying tanks and artillery, as they advanced in the area. The Syrian […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Netanyahu applauds UAE Foreign Minister’s tweet supporting Gulf-Israel pact
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his contentment over United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s retweet of a journalist’s analysis about “an Arab-Israeli alliance…taking shape in the Middle East.” “I welcome the closer relations between Israel and many Arab states. The time has come for normalization and peace,” Netanyahu tweeted […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
New footage shows Syrian troops closing in on Turkish military post in Idlib
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:20 P.M.) – A new video posted by RusVesna on Sunday showed the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) troops closing in on the Turkish military’s observation post in the town of Sarman. In the video, which was captured by a drone, the Syrian Army troops can be seen moving towards the Turkish observation post, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Breaking: Syrian Army captures new town in southeast Idlib
BEIRUT, LEBANON (6:15 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) captured new ground in southeastern Idlib this evening after launching another big attack in the area. Led by the 25th Special Mission Forces Division (formerly Tiger Forces), the Syrian Arab Army attacked the town of Al-Tah, which was under the control of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Libyan Army seizes ship with Turkish crew in the Mediterranean
The Libyan National Army (LNA) forces seized a ship with a Turkish crew off the Libyan coast, the LNA’s press service said on Sunday. READ ALSO: LIBYAN ARMY VOWS TO REPEL ANY TURKISH MILITARY ATTACK, WILLING TO BATTLE IN MEDITERRANEAN “A vessel under the flag of Grenada, with a team of Turkish citizens on board, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Happy Chanuka
I would like to wish happy #Hanukkah to Jewish people celebrating in Britain and across the world.#Chanukah pic.twitter.com/UfwHrEMNYK — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) December 22, 2019 Britain would not be Britain without its Jewish community. And we will stand with you and celebrate with you - at Chanukah and all year round. pic.twitter.com/S5ClRprCuL — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 22, 2019
WI: Pre-K Cyberschool Shenanigans
A few Wisconsin legislators have a dumb idea for a law. They'd like to spend $1.5 million on cyberschool-- on line computerized instruction-- for pre-schoolers. This is just layers and layers of dumb. First, cyberschools in general have proven to be lousy. Spectacularly lousy-- and that's in a study run by an organization sympathetic to charters.. Students would be better off spending a year playing video games lousy. So bad that even other charter school promoters won't defend them lousy. In short, outside very specific sets of special needs, there is no evidence that cyberschooli... more »
Mum believes compulsory rehab may be only chance for meth-addicted son
A mother from a town once dubbed Western Australia's "meth capital", whose son became addicted at 16, fears he will die before he turns 18 unless specialised youth residential services are brought into regional areas.
Fire is bad news for wildlife, but the true disaster is yet to come
As a massive fire east of Canberra continues to burn, ecologists fear the extent of its devastation will not be felt for some time, worrying endangered species will struggle to survive in the area.
Six people stopped at gunpoint, cars stolen in Adelaide
Just In - 7 hours ago
Police arrest a man but are still searching for several other suspects after a series of incidents across suburban Adelaide, in which several cars were stolen and one person was punched in the face.
Christmas cheer hard to come by as farming income dries up
The Jenyns family is one of many Australian families 'slipping through the cracks', ineligible for drought assistance and unable to find off-farm work.
Teacher's flash of inspiration leads to deep bonds between young and old
Teacher Melinda Davies' father was moved into aged care when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. When she saw his face light up at the sight of a child, she had an idea that has changed lots of lives.
'It's crazy': Boutique alcohol producers pleading for tax relief
Independent distillers and winemakers call for a change to alcohol tax rules, saying their products can be shipped to the other side of the world and sell for less than they do in Australia.
What does the BBL cancellation say about cricket in a changing climate?
Not being able to watch cricket isn't a tragedy and wouldn't make anyone's list of the worst things about bushfire season, but how players can cope in rising temperatures is one more thing to think about in a changing climate, writes Richard Hinds.
Prawn prices on the rise ahead of Christmas as drought hits supply
Prawn lovers in New South Wales are facing higher-than-normal prices this Christmas as the drought takes its toll on the commercial fishing industry.
Regional priest suggests time may have come for Church to split over same-sex marriage divide
A priest from Albury in regional NSW is questioning whether it's time for the Anglican Church to "divorce", as debate on the Religious Freedom Bill leaves some of his parishioners feeling anxious over the Christmas period.
Homeless charity cancels food and clothing service due to Gold Coast City Council decision
Agape Outreach cancels its food and clothing services at a Coolangatta Park following intervention from the City of Gold Coast.
A Practical Guide to EMF Mitigation
Story at-a-glance – Lloyd Burrell, founder of ElectricSense.com, has been an advocate for electromagnetic field (EMF) safety and consumer education for the past 15 years First, educate yourself on EMFs to understand the potential dangers. Next, buy a meter and identify hotspots. Lastly, take remedial action to lower your exposure When remediating, first turn off […] The post A Practical Guide to EMF Mitigation appeared first on Health Nut News.
BBC: Florida Businessman Pays Overdue Power Bills for 36 Families
In a moving act of kindness, a pool installation company owner in Florida has paid off the bills of 36 families who were in danger of losing power during the holiday season. Michael Esmond, motivated by his own unheated holiday season years ago, got the idea after receiving his utility bill in the mail. He […] The post BBC: Florida Businessman Pays Overdue Power Bills for 36 Families appeared first on Health Nut News.
Epidemic of Vitamin D Deficiency Contributes to False Child Abuse Charges by Child Abuse Doctors
With the overwhelming prevalence of medical data supporting the positive effects of Vitamin D during pregnancy and decreasing the odds of adverse events associated with pregnancy and delivery, there is still no screening program for Vitamin D on pregnant women. Rickets is being misdiagnosed as abuse by Child Abuse Pediatricians due to their lack of knowledge and relying on x-rays only, and not laboratory tests, confirming a vitamin D deficiency. How many parents and children could be spared the devastation of a false child abuse accusation if the mother was screened for vitamin D d... more »
Gregory Mannarino, "Markets: A Look Ahead 12/22/19”
Gregory Mannarino, "Markets: A Look Ahead 12/22/19” - https://www.traderschoice.net/
Sunday Talks: Chairman Lindsey Graham -vs- Maria Bartiromo – Impeachment, Spygate and Lessons in Can-Kicking…
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham appears on SMF with Maria Bartiromo to discuss House Speaker Nancy Pelosi withholding articles of impeachment from the Senate. Senator Graham does a good job explaining the fraudulent visible reasons, purposes and strategy for establishing … Continue reading →
A Georgia family found an owl hiding in their Christmas tree
A Georgia family got a special holiday surprise last week after finding an owl hiding inside their Christmas tree. The discovery came last Thursday evening when Katie McBride Newman and her two children, India and Jack, were finishing dinner. India, 10, had started to clear the table and was in another room when Newman heard her exclaim, "Oh my gosh!" "She comes very dramatically into the dining room and goes, 'Mama, that ornament scared me,'" Newman told CNN. "Then she bursts into tears." Newman said she's a big fan of owls, so the tree actually had about a dozen owl ornaments g... more »
The Past Decade Has Been The Best In Human History
*Matt Ridley, Spectator:* *We’ve just had the best decade in human history. Seriously* *Little of this made the news, because good news is no news.* Let nobody tell you that the second decade of the 21st century has been a bad time. We are living through the greatest improvement in human living standards in history. Extreme poverty has fallen below 10 percent of the world’s population for the first time. It was 60 percent when I was born. Global inequality has been plunging as Africa and Asia experience faster economic growth than Europe and North America; child mortality has falle... more »
Rushin’ To Destruction, 2019 In Review, Part 4-- Quotes Of The Year! Number One: Status Quo Joe Biden!
*-by Noah* More often than not, I write about idiotic things uttered by republicans in my year end reviews. Face it. It’s too easy, an endless bounty of low-hanging fruit and all that. So why Joe Biden? Why not? He’s just a Republican with a ‘D’ next to his name, so yeah, why not, indeed. Howie writes a lot about Status Quo Joe so there’s no need for me to say much. I will say, though, I don’t want a president who’s going to show me how senile I might be in the last few years of my life. I have enough senior moments as it is already, but at least I’m living in the present day for... more »
Equal Human Rights will Build a Good Society Unconditionally
Many people think that the escape from an entirely wrong history of humankind will come from some high level of knowledge that people cannot understand. The output should be based on the work of great thinkers such are Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad, Kant, Hegel, Marx, etc. However, by following these people, we are not on the […] More The post Equal Human Rights will Build a Good Society Unconditionally appeared first on The Duran.
The Little Ice Age altered the course of history
Six Ways the Little Ice Age Made History-FromtheNewEngandHistoricalSociety. LITTLE ICE AGE CAUSES MUTINY LITTLE ICE AGE CAUSES MUTINY Washington and his men at Morristown, NJ, many of whom had no coats or shoes, didn’t eat for days at a time. The soldiers finally mutinied in early May, though an officer persuaded them to abandon their rebellion. COLONIZATION ... Read moreThe Little Ice Age altered the course of history The post The Little Ice Age altered the course of history appeared first on Ice Age Now.
Mongolia – Cold weather to continue
Temps down to -39 degrees. Snowfall and blizzards also expected 19 Dec 2019 – Snowfall and blizzards were expected in the western parts of western aimags on December 20, in some parts of western and Gobi aimags on December 21, in southern parts of western aimags, eastern parts of central aimags, and in some parts ... Read moreMongolia – Cold weather to continue The post Mongolia – Cold weather to continue appeared first on Ice Age Now.
China's New Aircraft Carrier Will Have A Smaller Fighter Jet Force Than Expected
China Navy Type 002 Aircraft Carrier Standard Configuration: 24 J-15 Fighter 3 J-15D EW Fighter 6 Z-18F ASW Helicopter 4 Z-18Y AEW&C Helicopter 2 Z-18A VIP Transport Helicopter 1 Z-8JH Medical Helicopter 2 Z-9S Rescue Helicopter pic.twitter.com/vsb0Rg4JMY — 龙龑之 (@Loongnaval) August 27, 2019 *SCMP:* *China military’s new Shandong aircraft carrier set to have smaller fighter jet force than expected* * CCTV footage indicates that the vessel might have just 24 J-15s on board rather than the 36 previously expected * The carrier also needs more time to get up to minimum operational speed, ... more »
China and India: The Cold War No One Is Watching
*Richard A. Bitzinger* *Security, Asia* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/G20-SUMMIT--RC12CF48BD40.html] How do their arms industries compare? *Key Point:* China's ability to manufucture weaponry is much more efficient and advanced than India's. “Rich nation, strong army,” was the adage that drove Japanese modernization – both civilian and military – in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today it is a rallying cry for other Asian countries seeking great-nation status. A corollary to this saying might be that *great nations have great arms industries*. China and... more »
Illegal Aliens & Others Arrested in Historic New York MS-13 Bust
[image: illegal-aliens-others-arrested-in-historic-new-york-ms-13-bust] Nearly 100 MS-13 members were arrested by authorities, thwarting several murder plots and preventing the gang from building a foothold in New York.
Soil Science, Climate Change, and Property
Our understanding of soil is changing fast with new science. But can soil science help prevent global warming? Or, if the problems are political, not scientific, what is the political barrier?
This Day In Iraqi History - Dec 22
1638 Ottoman Sultvan Murad IV began siege of Baghad Captured it by end of year Massacred Shiites 1916 British forces began digging lines towards Ottomans defenses at Khadairi Bend 1922 British cabinet said it wanted an independent Iraq and that Anglo-Iraq treaty would be best way to maintain relationship (Musings On Iraq book review *Supremacy And Oil, Iraq, Turkey, and the Anglo-American World Order, 1918-1930*) 1986 Iraqi intel reported Iranians preparing for major offensive in Basra Saddam ordered bombing of assembly areas (Musings On Iraq interview with author Anthony Tucker... more »
Winter Solstice 2019
Howdy! I survived one more lap around the sun, and it was a productive and satisfying year. It was one more year of being a wordsmith in a quiet hermitage. Staying focused on my life’s work is a fairly full time job. It’s not a busy whirlwind of excitement, distractions, and annoyances. Progress continues on *Wild, Free, & Happy*, at a pace something like 6,000 words per month. Since September 2018, I’ve been sharing new sections on my blog, every two weeks. This year, I’ve been steadily attracting more readers. In the last few days, the total lifetime views of my blog have ... more »
The Next Threat to America: China's 650 Ship Navy?
*David Axe* *Security, Asia* [image: Reuters] Well, it depends on your math. *Key Point:* Beijing's rise might be more than Washington thinks it can handle. The Chinese fleet is much bigger than most people think. And that should compel the United States to reconsider its Pacific maritime strategy, one expert argued. The People's Liberation Army Navy by 2020 will possess between 313 and 342 warships, the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence *estimated*. By comparison, in mid-2018 the U.S. Navy possessed 285 warships. But the PLAN accounts for only a fraction of China's maritime p... more »
In the 1860s, France And America Almost Went To War Over Mexico
*Warfare History Network* *History, Americas* A close call. *Key point: *America wanted an end to European meddling in North America. The continued presence of a handpicked French puppet emperor in Mexico, which had so worried the Lincoln administration during the Civil War, remained a sore point with American political and military leaders after the Union victory in 1865. Almost as soon as he had accepted Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, Virginia, in April of that year, General Ulysses S. Grant turned his attention to Mexico and Emperor Maximilian of Austria, who now sa... more »
Sea Ice Extent (Global Antarctic and Arctic) – Day 355 – 2019
Originally posted on sunshine hours: South / North
CO2 Hysteria Impairs Thinking
Originally posted on Science Matters: An article by James Pero at Daily Mail confirms suspicions about muddled thinking regarding global warming/climate change. Is carbon dioxide making it harder to THINK straight? Excerpts in italics with my comments and images. Rising CO2 levels may hinder cognitive function and could decrease decision-making efficiency by 50 PERCENT in…
Greta’s Fears Of Climate Change Are Baseless
Originally posted on NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT: By Paul Homewood ? ? A very good summary of the unfounded fears about climate change. It’s fairly generalised, but is ideal for passing onto friends who are not interested in details: ? https://youtu.be/MU70facZc6A https://www.justfactsdaily.com/climate-change-fears-of-teen-activist-are-empirically-baseless/
This Is How China Could Use Its 2 Aircraft Carriers To Cut Off Taiwan
*Business Insider:** China’s aircraft carriers tipped to team up to target foreign forces aiding Taiwan* * The Shandong is expected to operate alongside the Liaoning to form a dual-carrier battle group to cut off access to independence forces on the island * Beijing considers Taiwan a wayward province that must be unified with the mainland by force, if necessary China’s new aircraft carrier is likely to team up with its sister ship to form a dual-carrier battle group to cut off foreign military access to Taiwan during a war, according to a military magazine and defence specialist... more »
Smullen announces $30 million in new grant funding for 118th
Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref) is proud to announce that over $30 million has been awarded to organizations and localities within the 118th Assembly District. These funds will be received through Round 9 of the Regional Economic Development Council Awards. “Since joining
Lawmakers present mother, daughter with the signed Bill they inspired
Dream’s Law will require New Yorkers with a Central Venous Line to have access to safe and continued care when discharged from a hospital OSSINING, NY – Today, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and Senator David Carlucci along with health advocates presented 14-year-old,
RICHIE: Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas
BY SENATOR PATTY RICHIE It is hard to believe Christmas is here and that 2019 is drawing to a close. Between the holiday parties and shopping for gifts for loved ones, the season always seems to go too quickly. In
May announces $7.1 million in grants for water infrastructure improvements
Syracuse, NY – Senator Rachel May (D-Onondaga, Madison, Oneida) announced the awarding of grants for water infrastructure projects to the City of Syracuse and the City of Oneida, totaling $7.1 million. The City of Syracuse has received $2.1 million to
Kolb: Drive safely this holiday season
BY BRIAN KOLB As we prepare to revel in the upcoming holiday celebrations, it is especially important to remember to do so safely. Many of our holiday traditions, especially our New Year’s Eve celebrations, involve indulging in spirits. Done safely,
Did Trump Send a Letter With a Hidden Insult to Pelosi?
Routine correspondence from the president supposedly said more than lawmakers were expecting.
House Judiciary Committee, Court Deadline Tomorrow – DC Appellate Case For Mueller Grand Jury Evidence…
REMINDER: The House Judiciary Committee led by Chairman Jerry Nadler has been seeking: (1) Mueller grand jury material; (2) a deposition by former White House counsel Don McGahn; and less importantly (3) Trump financial and tax records. Each of these … Continue reading →
Stephanie Grisham Discusses House Withholding Articles of Impeachment…
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham appears on Fox News morning broadcast to discuss Speaker Nancy Pelosi holding back the articles of impeachment. Unfortunately I have seen ZERO discussion about the obvious strategic legal benefits for Pelosi to withhold those … Continue reading →
Is Russia's Military Hardware Falling Apart?
*Popular Mechanics:* *As Another Bomber Crash Lands, Is Russia's Military Hardware Falling Apart?* The belly-flopping bomber is just the latest in a string of accidents involving Russian military hardware. * A Russian Backfire bomber performed an emergency belly landing in southern Russia. * The bomber is nuclear-capable but was not carrying nuclear weapons at the time. * It’s the second crash landing for Backfire bombers in a year, and the second major incident involving Russian military equipment in one week. A Russian bomber crew successfully landed their stricken aircraft in a... more »
When the family home got too crowded, Chloe moved into a pod in the backyard
Tasmanian families are trialling backyard pods for older children to live in, allowing them to have a space of their own while remaining part of the family unit.
'People are going to lose out big time if we don't have tax reform. Really big time'
Ten years ago, Ken Henry handed his boss Wayne Swan Australia's first major tax review in more than 30 years. A decade on, it sits gathering dust, and its lead author says that's costing Australia "big time".
NSW bushfire crews rally to take control in cooler conditions after 100 properties destroyed in days
The NSW Rural Fire Service plans strategic back-burning as it confirms at least 100 properties have been lost since Friday in the extreme fire conditions.
Sorry We Missed You is a nightmarish portrait of the gig economy that makes Orwell look soft
An unemployed father of two finds fresh hell in a courier job where he bears all the cost and none of the benefits, in the latest from working-class hero Ken Loach.
Hong Kong's colour-coded revolution: 'Yellow' cafes get customers, 'blue' ones get smashed
A long line outside a Hong Kong restaurant doesn't necessarily mean it has the best dumplings. It could just mean the business is out and proud about its sympathy for pro-democracy protests.
Is 2020 the year Australia's record-breaking economic run ends in recession?
This year was one many would like to forget when it comes to Australia's economy and, for 2020, economists surveyed by the ABC see lower interest rates, a slight pick up in growth but also risks to the downside.
How to get 16 days off using just eight days of leave … and other ways to game the system in 2020
If there's one thing employees want more of, it's holidays. But while most of us have little control over how much annual leave we are entitled to, what we can control is how to make the most of it — and that's by using public holidays.
Netflix creates the illusion of availability. The cure? DVDs
Just In - 10 hours ago
Streaming services have stolen our favourite films and locked them away in their own digital vaults. Whether we like it or not, physical ownership is now more important than ever, writes Cameron Williams.
FACT: 10 U.S. Military Bases are Named After Confederate Generals
*Jeff South* *History, Americas* [image: Reuters] The Fort Hood military base in Killeen, Texas. In the debate over Confederate symbols in the U.S., the 10 Army bases named after Confederate generals who fought for the South during the Civil War have largely escaped scrutiny. As a former newspaper reporter and a current journalism professor, I have wondered why the media have mostly overlooked this story of military installations that still bear the names of those who fought to maintain slavery and white supremacy. Working for a newspaper in Norfolk, Virginia, 37 years ago, I co... more »
Hitler's Nightmare: The PTRD Was the Russia's Mighty Tank-Killing Super Rifle
*Warfare History Network* *History, Europe* Nazi Germany hated this. *Key point:* This rifle did a lot of good, but it it would eventually need upgrading. The German panzers approached the Russian artillery column as it moved to a new position. As the troops trudged toward their new firing point, six panzers appeared, rampaging into the Russian rear area, no doubt searching for vulnerable targets to destroy. The long line of Red Army trucks, which had cannons hitched behind them, were helpless. By the time they could be unlimbered and brought into action it would be too late. ... more »
Russia's Invasion Of Imperial Japan Created Modern East Asia
*Jeffrey Mankoff* *History, Europe* With both Russia and Japan increasingly wary of Chinese power in the Asia-Pacific, four sparsely populated outposts at the edge of the Sea of Okhotsk remain in many ways the biggest impediment to a rapprochement between Moscow and Tokyo that could reshape Asian geopolitics. *Key point:* Asia remains a continent of wary nations nursing historical grudges. The Second World War was an unparalleled calamity for the Soviet Union. As many as 27 million Soviet soldiers and civilians died as a result of the conflict that started with the German invasi... more »
5 Times Britain's Mighty Military Got Crushed in Battle
*Michael Peck* *History, Europe* Here are Britain's worst military defeats. *Key point:* Victory has many fathers, but defeat is an orphan. For centuries, the sun never set on the British Empire. But eclipses there were, and more than a few that stained British arms. Like the Romans, the British fought a variety of enemies. They also had the distinction of being defeated by a variety of enemies, including Americans, Russians, French, Native Americans, Africans, Afghans, Japanese and Germans. Even in defeat, there is something glorious in losing to so many different foes. As the... more »
Donald Trump Is Not Done Yet Showing Cuba Who's Boss
*William M. LeoGrande* *Security, Americas* This isn't what diplomacy was supposed to produce. Key point: As the United States has ratcheted up these punishments, the tone of Cuba’s response has become defiant. In a blow to diplomatic relations with Cuba, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Oct. 3 ejected 15 Cuban diplomats from the United States. The expulsion follows his withdrawal of most U.S. personnel from the embassy in Havana after 22 American diplomats and family members there suffered unexplained health problems. Last November, some U.S. personnel in Havana began e... more »
French President Macron: Dozens Of Jihadists Killed In Mali By French Troops
Emmanuel Macron speaks during a visit to Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Photograph: Luc Gnago/Reuters *BBC:* *Mali conflict: Macron says 33 'terrorists' killed by French troops* French forces have killed 33 militants in an operation in Mali, according to President Emmanuel Macron. Mr Macron made the announcement on a visit to Ivory Coast, where he reiterated France's commitment to fighting jihadists in the region. It comes weeks after 13 French troops died in a helicopter collision in Mali in the biggest single-day loss of life for its military since the 1980s. Thousands of French troops... more »
Bred for Circuses
Conservatives and Republicans can win few arguments honestly on the merits; most of their policies are awful for the vast majority of Americans and benefit only a select few, typically the rich and powerful. Conservative positions tend to be unpopular, too. Rather than change their policies, conservatives choose to lie constantly and shamelessly, and to stoke the worst impulses of their base. Key
Prime Minister Pelosi
Advising Democrats not to cheer too hard over the impeachment votes, via USA Today. Apparently Trump held Congress and our national security hostage in the National Defense Authorization bill over his right to extort stuff from Ukraine— Senior Trump administration officials in recent days threatened a presidential veto that could have led to a government shutdown if House Democrats refused to drop language requiring prompt release of [a $250-million appropriation of] future military aid for Ukraine, according to five administration and congressional officials. The language was u... more »
Never Trust a Failing Empire
Originally posted on Astute News: The Washington Post, through documents released through the Freedom of Information Act, has published a long investigation into Afghanistan. Journalists have collected over 400 testimonies from American diplomats, NATO generals and other NATO personnel, that show that reports about Afghanistan were falsified to deceive the public about the real situation…
I Was Paralysed By The Flu Shot And Unable To Walk For Four Years!
Originally posted on Truth To Power: Lisa Marks Smith was a very healthy person, then she was given the flu shot, and the nightmare began! I became paralysed and couldn’t move, the hospital told me because I didn’t have ‘Gillian-Barre, so I must be faking and should go home? (Guillain-Barré (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) syndrome is a rare…
Are 5G-Enabled “Smart Ambulance” Tests Contributing to Multiple Deaths of UK Ambulance Workers?
Originally posted on Smart Meter News: Are 5G-Enabled “Smart Ambulance” Tests Contributing to Multiple Deaths of UK Ambulance Workers? by Alison Main In September, the Telegraph declared that East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) was “set to begin testing ‘smart ambulances’ equipped with next generation 5G technology.” In November, three EEAST workers died within 11 days. Is there a…
Figures in a new report suggest the number of NZ children living in serious poverty is greater than the population of Dunedin
Thanks to thecontrail.com for this link From odt.co.nz Figures in a new report suggest the number of children living in serious poverty is greater than the population of Dunedin. The 2019 Child Poverty Monitor also shows that those living in areas of high deprivation are three times more likely than other children to be admitted … Continue reading Figures in a new report suggest the number of NZ children living in serious poverty is greater than the population of Dunedin →
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment