10 pm MST
World News Updates -- January 17, 2020 (Evening Edition)
*Don Hepburn, The Hill:* *Why the US needs Russia and China to help change Iran's behavior* Predicting the future behavior of any country in the Middle East is a dangerous undertaking. Some might suggest it’s a lot cheaper and more effective to rely on a pack of tarot cards than a report from the U.S. intelligence community. However, even considering the recent seemingly unpredicted and unprecedented events there, history does remain a prologue to this region’s future. As the next stage of this latest twist with Iran unfolds, the U.S. cannot, alone or with regional Arab allies, ch... more »
Washington state marijuana group wants its legislation withdrawn
The Washington CannaBusiness Association (WACA) on Friday requested that legislation it proposed last September to create a cannabis social equity fund be withdrawn for consideration this year. WACA requested the withdrawal of two bills: One called for removing barriers to capital for minority business owners. The other sought to eliminate a residency requirement for potential investors […] Washington state marijuana group wants its legislation withdrawn is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Recent decisions on tax fines offer ray of hope for cannabis industry around burdens of IRS’ 280E
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision this week not to consider a Colorado Supreme Court ruling on a tax fine – coupled with dissenting opinions in a recent case involving a California medical marijuana company – could have significant ramifications for the cannabis industry, according to tax experts. Left standing by the U.S. Supreme Court was […] Recent decisions on tax fines offer ray of hope for cannabis industry around burdens of IRS’ 280E is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Tilt changes cannabis ‘management and loan’ practices in Massachusetts
Tilt Holdings, a Massachusetts-based marijuana company being investigated for allegedly trying to control more than the state-allowed three cannabis stores, has backed off the practices that got it into trouble with authorities. The Cannabis Control Commission noted in an investigative report that Tilt “has agreed with regulators to scrap the management and loan contracts it had […] Tilt changes cannabis ‘management and loan’ practices in Massachusetts is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Analyst: Most Canadian marijuana firms not ready for next wave of products
The majority of Canadian cannabis companies were not ready for the launch of new cannabis products such as edibles, extracts and topicals, despite having more than a year to prepare for the Cannabis 2.0 era, according to an analyst. Only 10 companies had products available when Ontario’s only legal online store started selling the products […] Analyst: Most Canadian marijuana firms not ready for next wave of products is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Marijuana tech firm Fyllo buys Denver’s CannaRegs for $10 million
Chicago-based Fyllo, a digital marketing firm that focuses on the cannabis industry, on Friday said it has agreed to pay $10 million to acquire Denver-based CannaRegs. CannaRegs provides a web-subscription service and technology platform that offers access to state and municipal cannabis rules and regulations. In February, the company said it secured a $2 million […] Marijuana tech firm Fyllo buys Denver’s CannaRegs for $10 million is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Will President Trump's Impeachment Trial In The US Senate Hurt Senator Sanders' Campaign?
....Joe Biden, and Bernie is shut out again. Very unfair, but that’s the way the Democrats play the game. Anyway, it’s a lot of fun to watch! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2020 *Politico:* *Trump accuses Dems of using impeachment trial to hurt Sanders campaign* *The president is suggesting Nancy Pelosi orchestrated the timing of the trial to give Joe Biden a boost. * President Donald Trump on Friday accused Democrats of trying to sabotage Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential bid, echoing allegations from Sanders supporters during the 2016 primary. “They are rigg... more »
Plasma Wild Fires
A post on Catallaxy Files on the funeral for a volunteer rural fire-fighter mentioned he died when his truck was overturned by a fiery tornado. This immediately struck a chord and reminded me of the electrical underpinning of vegetation previously … Continue reading →
Label-Lynching Matt Shea
[image: label-lynching-matt-shea] Mimicking the attacks on President Trump, ultra-left Democrats and their Fake News allies have unleashed a massive campaign smearing Washington State Representative Matt Shea as a “domestic terrorist.”
New anti-boycott bill would be more extensive than previous legislation
The latest anti-BDS bill seeks to prohibit Americans from participating in UN- and EU-issued calls to boycott Israel, and fails to hold Israel accountable for human rights violations. The post New anti-boycott bill would be more extensive than previous legislation appeared first on If Americans Knew Blog.
Robinson Crusoe: Not Exactly Isolated
with Sarah Skwire For hundreds of years, authors of economic treatises and textbooks have begun their analysis with a discussion of the economics of the isolated individual. Often, they choose the protagonist of Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe as their metaphor or model to undertake this analysis. We are asked to imagine Crusoe stranded on […] The post Robinson Crusoe: Not Exactly Isolated appeared first on Econlib.
In Indiana, McDonald’s Partners With Ivy Tech Community College to Offer Tuition Assistance
McDonalds and Ivy Tech Community College announced a partnership that would address educational attainment gaps and provide more affordable college options within the state of Indiana.
Clark Atlanta Chose Me
“I didn’t choose Clark, Clark chose me”. This is how Tennessee native Hali Smith describes her choice to attend Clark Atlanta University, a historically Black university (HBCU) in Georgia. This is her story.
President Trump Celebrates National Champion LSU Tigers at White House – Video and Transcript…
Earlier today President Trump honored NCAA Football Champion LSU Tigers with a celebration at the White House. [Video and Transcript Below] . [Transcript] – THE PRESIDENT: Well, this is an exciting day in the White House. We have very exciting … Continue reading →
Manufacturing President Jay Timmons: President Trump Made Promises, President Trump Kept Promises…
MAGAnomics – National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons describes how President Donald Trump has “delivered” for manufacturers, noting that “promises are being kept” on tax reform, regulation, and trade. . The passage of USMCA in combination … Continue reading →
Don't Fight The Tepper Tape?
Mark DeCambre of MarketWatch reports the man who made a killing during financial crisis says that, at some point, the stock market will slow down — but, till then, ‘I love riding a horse that’s running’: Perhaps, cribbing from the lyrics to the viral song “Old Town Road,” David Tepper is going to take his horse and ride till he can’t no more. That is essentially the sentiment conveyed by the founder of hedge fund Appaloosa Management to CNBC on Friday. *Tepper told the network’s anchor Joe Kernen that he “has been long and will continue that way.”* The U.S. stock market has enjoy... more »
How Turbulent Will Trump’s Trial Become?
*Hunter DeRensis* *Politics, Americas* [image: Reuters] The prospect that Donald Trump will be ousted from office is virtually nil. But that’s not really what the trial, at this point, is really about. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Donald Trump both have the same goal but may be working at cross-purposes. McConnell wants a no-muss, no-fuss trial. Trump appears to have other ideas. He’s apparently tapping former Clinton prosecutor Ken Starr and liberal gadfly Alan Dershowitz to join his defense team. Dershowitz cited his own statement on his Twitter feed to... more »
How Would A U.S.-China War Go Down? We Asked An Expert
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Asia* For more than a hundred years, the U.S. Navy has been using naval wargames to test ships, tactics and strategy. *Key Point:* Warfare is tragic and unpredictable. The year is 2016, and two of the U.S. Navy’s latest ships are backing a key ally in the tinderbox of the South China Sea. They’re facing down the Chinese navy halfway across the world with the latest weapons and systems the United States can get its hands on. But is it enough? For more than a hundred years, the U.S. Navy has been using naval wargames to test ships, tactics and strategy. ... more »
Why Did the Trump Administration Scold South Korea in the Wall Street Journal?
*Daniel R. DePetris* *Security, Asia* Politics is often the death of pragmatic statesmanship. Allow politics into the room, and you make the job of the officials sitting around the table that much harder. Either Secretaries Pompeo and Esper didn’t get the memo or they don’t understand some of the most elementary tenants of diplomacy. The cost-sharing negotiations between Washington and Seoul have been tough, brutal, and draining. But as the months have ticked by, at least some progress was being reported. On January 8, a senior State Department official told reporters at a brie... more »
Video: Russia's MiG-31 Is A Supersonic Threat
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, * [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/WW2-ANNIVERSARY-RUSSIA-PARADE-RC139224B170.html] We have the receipts. *Key Point:* Russia media reports the MiG-31 nailing its military exercises. From mounting hypersonic Kinzhal missiles to deploying anti-satellite technology, the Russian Air Force has big plans for their MiG-31 fighter. Recently released exercise footage of MiG-31’s intercepting an “intruder” in the stratosphere sheds further light on the capabilities and intended role of its latest incarnation, the MiG-31BM. The clip, released by t... more »
The B-52 Bomber Could Fly Into War For A Hundred Years
*David Axe* *Security, * [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/BOEING-HYPERSONIC--GM1E95402NB01.html] It would just need some new engines. *Key Point:* The B-52 has been a symbol of American power since its creation. Sixty-seven years after the U.S. Air Force *received* its last B-52 from Boeing, the flying branch finally has firmed up plans to fit the heavy bomber with new engines. *Air Force* magazine in its January 2019 issue *took a deep dive* into the re-engining effort. "If Air Force plans hold up, the B-52 will be approaching nearly a century of service by 2050,... more »
Senado estadounidense da luz verde al nuevo TLC de América del Norte
bilaterals.org - 7 hours ago
17-Jan-2020 La reforma al Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte (TLCAN) que se conoce como T-MEC obtuvo este jueves la aprobación del Senado estadounidense con 89 votos a favor y 10 en contra.
Ley del Plebiscito pasa de Contrabando el TPP-11
bilaterals.org - 7 hours ago
17-Jan-2020 La ley aprobada por el Congreso para posibilitar el plebiscito en su artículo 135 incluyó disposiciones especiales para permitir que hasta el fin de la Constituyente el Congreso siga legislando y pueda aprobar el TPP-11 u otros tratados de Libre Comercio.
President Trump Chooses His Impeachment Defense Team
*NBC:* *Trump impeachment defense team expected to include Ken Starr, Alan Dershowitz* *Starr investigated President Bill Clinton, and Dershowitz's past clients include Jeffrey Epstein and O.J. Simpson.* WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's defense team for his Senate impeachment trial will include former independent counsel Ken Starr, who investigated President Bill Clinton, and famed defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, sources familiar with the president's legal strategy told NBC News Friday. Also joining the team is Robert Ray, who succeeded Starr as Clinton special counsel, a... more »
Does Soleimani's Death Create A Power Vacuum Within Iran?
Iranian General Qassem Soleimani *Jason M. Brodsky, The Hill*: *Soleimani's death creates power vacuum within Iran* Qassem Soleimani, former head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, was feared at home and abroad. He held both symbolic and substantive authority. Iran’s supreme leader dubbed him a “living martyr.” Also, while technically serving under the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, he often eclipsed those at the highest ranks of Iran’s Praetorian Guard. While after Soleimani’s death the supreme leader said the Quds Force’s mission “is the same as it w... more »
"In This World..."
"In this world, the thing people fear the most, and what pains people the most - is giving more than they receive. God forbid I cut off more of my fingernail for you than you cut from your fingernail, for me! Heaven forbid I hold my breath in longer while thinking about you, than the amount of time your breath is held in for me! Not a second longer! It is a sad fact of human nature that there you stand as an Infinite Soul and yet your greatest fear is not receiving from another person in proportion to what you give. Your viewpoint is low, your vision is clouded. You have become, in... more »
"Twelve Tips For Making Sense Of The World"
*"Twelve Tips For Making Sense Of The World"* by Caitlin Johnstone "In an environment that is saturated with mass media propaganda, it can be hard to figure out which way’s up, let alone get an accurate read on what’s going on in the world. Here are a few tips I’ve learned which have given me a lot of clarity in seeing through the haze of spin and confusion. Taken separately they don’t tell you a lot, but taken together they paint a very useful picture of the world and why it is the way it is. *1. It’s always ultimately about acquiring power. *In the quest to understand why governm... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Wilmington, Massachusetts, USA. Thanks for stopping by!
"I'll Tell You A Secret..."
"You're mad, bonkers, completely off your head. But I'll tell you a secret: all the best people are." - Lewis Carroll I couldn't resist, lol...
“Language Is The Battlefield”
*“Language Is The Battlefield”* by Asha Logos "Nation's survive and thrive when they're able to communicate clearly and honestly, and they can just as easily fall to pieces when dishonest actors pollute or confuse language as a means of obtaining their ends. We're swiftly reaching a point in which the two sides of the ideological fence can hold nearly polar opposite definitions of the exact same words or concepts... a point in which true communication becomes impossible, and the prospect of very real violence looms on the horizon. The men who built this nation took great pains to... more »
"The First Rule Of Life..."
"The first rule of life is to reveal nothing, to be exceptionally cautious in what you say, in whatever company you may find yourself. If you have a secret, you have only to whisper it to your dearest friend with the strictest injunction that it will go no further, and within half a day the story is all over town, and when you do make what would seem to be a perfectly sensible remark, you will find it reported in the most grotesque form, thus incurring no end of criticism to rebound upon you." - Elizabeth Aston
In France’s Longest Protests Since 1968, Striking Workers Continue the Fight Against Neoliberalism
From bus drivers to ballet dancers, workers from across France have taken to the streets in opposition to President Emmanual Macron's attempts to reshape the country into a U.S.-style neoliberal state. The post In France’s Longest Protests Since 1968, Striking Workers Continue the Fight Against Neoliberalism appeared first on MintPress News.
91% of Peer-Reviewed Papers Find Medicare for All Would Save Public Money, Cover Everyone
An analysis of peer-revied scientific papers found overwhelming consensus in the conclusion that Medicare for All would indeed save the American taxpayer money. The post 91% of Peer-Reviewed Papers Find Medicare for All Would Save Public Money, Cover Everyone appeared first on MintPress News.
US Court Dismisses Suit by Youths Over Climate Change
The case had bounced around the federal courts for five years and multiple trial dates were canceled.
Reuters ‘News’ Tries to Boost Warren at Sanders’s Expense
Eric Zuesse On January 17th, Reuters editors chose to publish and headline an alleged ‘news’-report “Flap with Warren knocks Sanders’ strategy off course”, indicating that Sanders was ‘knocked off course’, and that Warren gained at his expense, when the January 14th final pre-primaries debate in Des Moines included Elizabeth Warren saying that Bernie Sanders had […] More The post Reuters ‘News’ Tries to Boost Warren at Sanders’s Expense appeared first on The Duran.
6 F-35 jets were reportedly on Iran’s borders at time of plane crash: Russia
*Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov gives* * a press conference, in Moscow, Russia, on* * January 17, 2020. (Photo by AFP)* Most sentient humanity has now accepted that the Ukrainian passenger jet was brought down by the USraelis. Here we have "Acting"* [due to the mass resignation the other day of the entire Russian Government in preparation for a Constitutional Referendum]* Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying that the* US/Israeli jets were in the skies near the take down at the relevant time. *We know that they already set up a False Flag last September by t... more »
PRESIDENT PUTIN TRIES GREENING – REDUCES CARBON FOOTPRINT OF PRIME MINISTER MEDVEDEV
by John Helmer, Moscow @bears_with In law courts, justice must not only be done but be seen to be done. In politics, too. The problem with what President Vladimir Putin (lead image, right) announced in his Federal Assembly address this week, and what he did immediately after, is that things don’t look the way he says […]
'Running for the Sisters' MMIP Sunrise Prayer Run -- Flagstaff to Window Rock: Photos by Bad Bear
'Running for the Sisters' MMIP Sunrise Prayer Run -- Flagstaff to Window Rock: Photos by Western Shoshone Photojournalist Carl Bad Bear SampsonToday, Jan. 17, 2020Join them on Dineh or Hopi land, as they run through Cameron, Tuba City, Second Mesa, and Ganado to Window Rock over the next few days.Jan. 17 -- 21, 2020!Censored News
3 More Linked to Neo-Nazi Group Arrested in Georgia
The Base, a collective of hardcore neo-Nazis that operate as a paramilitary organization, has proclaimed war against minority communities within the United States and abroad, the FBI has said.
Portrait Found in Gallery’s Walls Verified as Missing Klimt
The authentication of the painting solved one of the art world's enduring mysteries.
Intersex Kids at Risk Due to Lack of Medical Guidelines, Advocates Say
Advocates for intersex people said the medical community has failed to regulate itself on performing surgeries that can have lasting, harmful effects.
Extremes and Averages in Contiguous U.S. Climate – Part 2: NOAA’s East North Central Climate Region
Originally posted on Bob Tisdale - Climate Observations: This is the second in a series of ten weekly posts that present graphs of NOAA precipitation, drought (Palmer Drought Severity Index, PDSI), and temperature (TMIN, TAVG, and TMAX) data for the contiguous United States (and the 9 NOAA Climate Regions thereof) for the most-recent 100 years…
David Attenborough is making the same mistake as Greta Thunberg–Ross Clark
Originally posted on NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT: By Paul Homewood ? Ross Clark had a sceptical article in the Telegraph the other day, so it is good seeing him follow it up with this in the Spectator. It is behind a paywall, but you can easily subscribe for 5 free articles a…
Explaining the Discrepancies Between Hausfather et al. (2019) and Lewis&Curry (2018)
Originally posted on Climate Etc.: by Ross McKitrick Challenging the claim that a large set of climate model runs published since 1970’s are consistent with observations for the right reasons. Introduction Zeke Hausfather et al. (2019) (herein ZH19) examined a large set of climate model runs published since the 1970s and claimed they were consistent…
Mayo Pete Gets A New Hampshire Endorsement From The Republican Wing Of The Democratic Party
Today Ann Kuster appeared at a Mayo Pete rally in Concord, New Hampshire, having just endorsed him the day before. Kuster herself has been an especially bitter disappointment for progressives since she first took her seat in Congress in 2013, quickly joining the Wall Street-owned and operated New Dems and abandoning all the progressive rhetoric she had used to defeat Republican Charlie Bass. She had been endorsed by Blue America and by other progressive organizations (DFA and the PCCC). We had, unfortunately, all managed to ignore the significance of the fact that she had been a f... more »
Handy Edges
*What's on your Desktop?* That may be a personal question so don't take it wrong. I normally don't keep a loaded firearm on top of my desk. There is a rifle at the side of my desk (no photo), and normally I keep a kukri there, but I also keep little Jenny Wren on the desktop. The little hatchet is only 11" long and the head is triangular and razor sharp on all three sides. When I write that it's sharp, it is VERY sharp. And when grandkids visit, she is stashed away because they'd likely kill themselves with it by opening an artery. Where most tomahawks have the cutting edge and ... more »
President Trump Notes DNC Establishment Targeting Bernie Again…
The fourth quarter fundraising totals shocked the professional political class. Bernie is not only leading the polling, he’s also leading the fundraising… Things are serious now. Professional party Democrats pay attention to personalities and policies in a general sense; however, … Continue reading →
Wow, The Economy is Hot – U.S. Housing Starts Jump 16.9% in December, 1.608 Million Units…
Jumpin’ ju-ju bones this is the best recession ever! The Commerce Department announces U.S. housing starts in December jumped a whopping 16.9 percent in December with 1.608 million units. Blowing away forecast expectation of 1.375 million units; with the largest … Continue reading →
Dan Bongino Blows the Lid off the Dem-Russia Scandal
EP 1161 The Swamp Strikes Back – The Dan Bongino Show. Jan 17, 2020 ~Looks bad for Hillary and the dems, folks. This crap runs deep enough to garner the attention of the U.S. Military and the Pentagon…HEA
Michael Smith, guest blogger on who’s the liar?
"You'll forgive me for not getting a case of the vapors taking to my fainting couch over a person who 1) faked being a Native American to advance her career, 2) claimed to be a defender of the little people after lawyering for big corporations chasing big dollar settlements and 3) lied about getting fired for being pregnant, claiming that she was called a liar on national TV by an old guy who yells at clouds." And let's not forget the one about her son attending public school when in fact he attended private schools while she's trying to close down charter schools.
Is The Iranian Government Turning On Its Military?
*Business Insider:* *The Iranian government is turning on its military after it lied about the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane* * Iran's leadership has turned on its military over its response to the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 last week. * While Iran initially insisted that the plane crashed because of technical issues, it later said its Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down the commercial plane down by mistake. * President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iran must "compensate" for the crash and demanded that the Revolutionary Guard "explain to p... more »
Join RFK, Jr. at the Hawaii Rally for Health Freedom
Join us! Hawaii Rally for Health Freedom, Tuesday, Jan. 21st from 1-3 p.m.! RFK Jr will be in attendance to share his unifying vision for CHD and provide an update on the national movement for health freedom. The post Join RFK, Jr. at the Hawaii Rally for Health Freedom appeared first on Children's Health Defense.
Libya’s Haftar accepts Putin’s invitation to visit Russia
Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to come to Moscow to continue dialogue on settling the conflict in Libya, the Kremlin press service said on Friday citing Haftar’s letter to Putin. “I express my full support to Russia’s initiative on peace talks in […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Pence defends assassination of Qassem Soleimani in new speech
US Vice President Mike Pence defended President Donald Trump’s decision to assassinate Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani at a ‘Latinos for Trump’ rally in Kissimmee, Florida on Thursday. “Bernie Sanders even called the president’s decision to bring that man to justice, in his words, assassinating a government official. I got news for Bernie Sanders, Soleimani was […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Syrian Army takes on jihadists at strategic mountaintop in Latakia: video
BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:20 P.M.) – With the increasing violations of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP), the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has begun intensifying their attacks against these jihadist forces in northeastern Latakia According to reports, the front-lines at the strategic mountaintop town of Kabani have recently witnessed an increase in […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
UK officially designates Hezbollah as a terrorist organization
The UK Treasurer’s Office of Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation, it announced on Friday. Justification for designating the Lebanon-based organisation was cited under the Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (TAFA), with the group’s assets set to be frozen as of Thursday, OFSI wrote. Changes to the UK’s General Notice of […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Syrian Army spy films from jihadist stronghold in Aleppo
BEIRUT, LEBANON (5:20 P.M.) – A Syrian Arab Army (SAA) spy recently filmed from a jihadist stronghold inside the Aleppo Governorate’s southwestern countryside. According to the 25th Special Mission Forces Division, the Syrian Army spy filmed from the key town of Khan Al-‘Assal, which is located in the southwestern countryside of Aleppo. In the short […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Syrian Army captures several areas in Idlib after resuming offensive: video
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) resumed its military operation against militant groups in Idlib’s southeastern countryside on Thursday. According to sources near the battlefield, the Syrian Arab Army managed to capture four towns from the jihadist rebels, including the town of Abu Jarif. In addition to capturing Abu Jarif, the Syrian Arab Army also seized […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Syrian Army launches big assault in southwestern Aleppo
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:30 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched a heavy assault along the southwestern Aleppo front-lines on Friday, as their troops continue their campaign against the jihadist rebels in the governorate. According to a military source in Aleppo, the Syrian Arab Army unleashed a heavy barrage of artillery and missiles towards Hay’at […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Searches on Australia's fires 'eclipse' Google records
The bushfire crisis has captured the attention of Australians more than any other news event in the past decade, according an analysis of Google data, with searches on it almost twice as prolific as anything else.
Gondwana-era nightcap oak devastated by unprecedented bushfire
A rare stand of plants that has survived for tens of millions of years has been ravaged by fire in the wet, sub-tropical rainforests of northern NSW.
Gippsland town of Buchan tries to heal, but waits on world-renowned caves to open
The Buchan Football Club helps get to the town back together and heal after the bushfires, but there's a still a question mark over the town's biggest tourism drawcard.
A 24-year-old council worker is taking on fossil fuels and his super fund in a world-first court case
A landmark trial in Australia could potentially change the way superannuation funds invest Australians' almost $3 trillion in retirement savings and pave the way for more climate-change-related litigation.
Family members tracked down by Chinese media in latest 'war on information' against Uyghurs
Uyghur activists say family members are coerced into Chinese propaganda, while experts say the media campaign reveals just how concerned the Communist Party is about international condemnation of policies in Xinjiang.
Is Australia's pledge to 'step up' in the Pacific on track?
Despite a significant number of diplomatic visits and financial pledges, Australia's "step-up" in the Pacific last year was all but overshadowed by its lack of action on the single biggest threat facing the region: climate change.
Gavin Brook fought fire with fire by conducting a cultural burn — and his house is still standing
In June, Aboriginal cultural fire practitioners used ancient burning techniques on part of Gavin Brook's property on the NSW south coast. He is convinced it helped save his home when ferocious bushfires swept through the area.
UK student who survived plane crash sues Australia's aviation watchdog for $3 million
Hannah O'Dowd's holiday flight in Queensland was advertised as offering "thrills or excitement", instead it crashed, seriously injuring her and killing a friend. Now she's suing the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for not preventing the "dangerous" flight.
The legal battle at the heart of the Claremont killings trial harks back to OJ Simpson 25 years ago
DNA is emerging as a crucial area of evidence in the trial of Bradley Edwards and, as with the OJ Simpson trial in the US, police methods are under heavy scrutiny.
Ancient 'assassin' may have been wiped out by Kangaroo Island fires
An ancient species of spider found only on Kangaroo Island is feared extinct after bushfires destroyed its only known habitat.
A perfect storm of political hopelessness is causing havoc for Morrison
Some rain fell on eastern Australia this week and there was time to survey the damage and it wasn't just environmental. Politics took a hit too, writes Laura Tingle.
'That's my soulmate gone': The mystery behind Veronica's death in a jail cell
The last time Percy Lovett saw his partner of two decades, Veronica Marie Nelson Walker, was in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, just before she was refused bail. He'd never see her again.
Corporations don't lead, they follow — and they have a message for our politicians
Just In - 8 hours ago
When major corporations back social and political causes it is not because they are political thought leaders. It's because the tide has turned on public opinion, writes Carl Rhodes.
Warm year? If so, so what?
when one says "hottest" it is a gross exaggeration of the planet's mean temperature. The post Warm year? If so, so what? appeared first on CFACT.
Six Stories To Watch For In 2020
I made these predictions about three weeks ago, and now that we're halfway through January, I still stand by them. It's a cheap writer's game-- we won't know if I'm right until December, and I predict that nobody will remember what I predicted. So here are my guesses wise predictions about six stories that will heat up in 2020. *Ed Tech Will Try To Grow Its Market* Tech companies are sure that education presents a great growth opportunity, and they have products to push. Personalized Learning! Artificial Intelligence! Machine Learning! Learning Management Systems! Integrating all sor... more »
Kid’s Climate Lawsuit Dismissed on Appeal
Juliana et al. Vs US Federal Government is Dismissed. A federal appeals court on Friday threw out a lawsuit by children and young adults who claimed U.S. government climate policy put their future in jeopardy, a major blow to the high-profile case after a string of failed similar bids. In a 2-1 decision, the 9th […]
Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Praises Strikes On U.S. Bases In Friday's Sermon
*NBC:* *Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praises strikes on U.S. bases in rare address* The supreme leader's decision to speak at Friday prayers shows how seriously authorities take reaction to the accidental downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet. TEHRAN — The recent missile attack on U.S. troops in Iraq dealt a “blow to America’s image,” Iran's supreme leader said Friday as the government grappled with the fallout of the killing of a top general by the United States and scrambled to contain anger at the subsequent accidental downing of a passenger plane. "They stealthily and cowa... more »
Document Analysis: Debunking Fake ‘DoD Iran FOIA Request’
*21WIRE* | It took us just 5 minutes of Google searching to discover this letter was a forgery.
Syngenta says media has ‘overstated’ the science on insect declines
Pesticide giant Syngenta has said that the media is “overstating the science that clearly exists” on insect declines.
BBC an instrument of government foreign policy
In January 2015, the BBC warned the government that its global news presence will end up marginalised by overseas rivals such as Russia Today and al-Jazeera unless multimillion-pound cuts were reversed. The global news division included the BBC World Service, which had suffered big cuts. It was a stark warning that Britain’s global ‘soft-power’ was declining. In November that year, the taxpayer was quietly lumbered with an £85m bill. Lord Hall, the BBC Director-General of the day, welcomed what he described as “the single biggest increase in the World Service budget ever committed b... more »
Remembering Nabil aka @Ternz : Too early to leave
I do not know how old he was or now much about him in real life except that his name is Mohamed Nabil and he was a talented online cartoonist on Twitter. [image: Nabil's Ternz avatar on Twitter] The famous avatar of Ternz on Twitter for years That young man whom I knew through Twitter passed away last week in a road accident that made all those who followed him for years in a shock. I do not recall when exactly I started to follow Mohamed Nabil or as commonly known on Twitter as Nabil or @Ternz but I remember it was during the 2013 craze and he was among the reasonable funny voices... more »
A Malicious Indictment Mitch Should Toss Out
[image: a-malicious-indictment-mitch-should-toss-out] Mitch McConnell should let the House managers make their case, and then call for a vote to dismiss, and treat this indictment with the contempt it so richly deserves.
On National Religious Freedom Day, Trump Expands Religious Freedom
[image: on-national-religious-freedom-day-trump-expands-religious-freedom] The president celebrated National Religious Freedom Day by expanding religious freedoms.
"If Promoting Wealth Inequality and Social Breakdown Is Evil, The Fed Is Evil"
*"If Promoting Wealth Inequality and Social * *Breakdown Is Evil, The Fed Is Evil"* by Charles Hugh Smith "President Reagan was widely mocked in America when he declared the Soviet Union an evil empire, but this calling things by their real name had a profound impact in the Eastern Bloc. The mockery stemmed from the secularized American view that there was precious little moral difference between the USSR and the US, that the USSR was a legitimate "alternative system," and that ramping up Cold war tensions was not just dangerous but useless, as the USSR was as permanent (or more so)... more »
"Latin America’s freest, most stable and richest nation—is in free fall... a mere 40 days for the Latin American “oasis” of Chile to vanish. Other nations take note: This is what elite self-hatred can do for you." #QotD
*"Latin America’s freest, most stable and richest nation—is in free fall... It took a mere 40 days for the Latin American “oasis”—as President Sebastián Piñera called Chile not long ago—to vanish. How a stable and prosperous Chile fell so dramatically in such a short period is a lesson for every Western democracy... "The free market didn’t fail Chile, whatever its politicians might say, and the state doesn’t lack the means to restore the rule of law. The central problem is that a large proportion of the elites who run key institutions—especially the media, the National Congre... more »
President Trump Called Top Military Brass In 2017 A 'Bunch Of Dopes And Babies'
'Losers!' Donald Trump unloaded on top officers including Marine General Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (second right) and Paul Selva, his deputy and a four-star Air Force General (right). *Daily Mail*: *'I wouldn't go to war with you people. You're all LOSERS!' How Donald Trump insulted the military's most senior officers as 'dopes' prompting Rex Tillerson to call him a 'f***ing moron' is revealed in new book* * Dramatic details of how Donald Trump ranted against his most senior generals is revealed in new book * He spewed abuse at meeting chaired by Marin... more »
David Attenborough is making the same mistake as Greta Thunberg–Ross Clark
By Paul Homewood Ross Clark had a sceptical article in the Telegraph the other day, so it is good seeing him follow it up with this in the Spectator. It is behind a paywall, but you can easily subscribe for 5 free articles a month to read it: It wasn’t so long ago […]
A Navy scandal sheds light on the nature of bribery and the limits of free speech
Marcus Hedahl, Associate Professor of Philosophy, United States Naval Academy at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 9 hours ago
A massive scandal implicating senior US Navy officers highlights what bribery is and how it happens. A law and ethics scholar at the US Naval Academy can't say much more than that, though.
I asked people why they don't vote, and this is what they told me
Andrew Joseph Pegoda, Lecturer in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Religious Studies; and First Year Writing, University of Houston at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 9 hours ago
In the 2016 election, more than a third of Americans didn't vote. What might be keeping them from going to the polls?
Ukraine's President Zelenskiy Rejects Prime Minister's Resignation After Audio Recording Emerged Of The PM Criticizing Him
*DW:* *Ukraine's President Zelenskiy rejects prime minister's resignation* The prime minister's offer to resign came after leaked audio appeared to show him criticize President Zelenskiy, a former comedian, for his lack of knowledge. Zelenskiy later said he would give Honchurak a second chance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected the resignation of Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk on Friday. Honchurak was caught up in controversy after an audio recording emerged earlier this week that appeared to show him questioning Zelenskiy's ability to manage the economy. He call... more »
RIP, Body Armor? The Army's New Gun Has the Pressure of a Tank
*Jared Keller* *Security, Americas* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/USA-MILITARY--RC195580EB90.html] Amazing. *Key point: *The military is always working on new weapons. This new rifle is very powerful but it also might not be ready for use downrange just yet. The Army claims its new assault rifle will unleash a hailstorm of specially-designed shells with as much chamber pressure as a battle tank to tear through even the most advanced body armor — and if all goes according to plan, the soldiers will get them to play with sooner than they thought. The service plans ... more »
Germany's Air Force Has a Serious Problem
*Michael Peck* *Politics, Europe* [image: German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon takes-off during the air policing scramble in Amari air base, Estonia, March 2, 2017. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins] And it's running out of time to fix it. *Key point: *If the Germans can't be relied upon to maintain an air force, who in Europe can? President Trump’s goal of Europe taking more responsibility for its own defense may come crashing to Earth. Because if Germany’s most advanced fighters can't even fly, then how the U.S. drawback on its European military commitments without undermining the Western... more »
Israel's F-35I Adir Is Taking America's Stealth Fighter To A Whole Other Level
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Middle East* Israel has a history of improving America's weapons to fit its needs. *Key point: *Over time, Israel will likely acquire additional F-35s, as it intends for the type to replace its fleet of over 320 F-16s On May 22, Israeli Air Force commander Amikam Norkin announced that its F-35I stealth fighters had flown on two combat missions on “different fronts,” showing as proof a photograph of an F-35 overflying Beirut. While details on those missions have not been released—apparently, they were not deployed in a massive Israeli air attack on Ir... more »
European Commission falls short on WHO cannabis recommendations, experts say
The European Commission’s proposal that European Union-member countries support three of the six World Health Organization (WHO) cannabis scheduling recommendations does not merit much celebration from the cannabis industry, according to international drug policy experts. “The only good point in the draft’s common position is that the EU should support the deletion of cannabis from Schedule IV, but […] European Commission falls short on WHO cannabis recommendations, experts say is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
"I'll take 'Unlikely Movie Titles' for $100, Alex"
I was doing some shopping on Amazon.com the other night. To my utter astonishment, one of my search terms returned not only goods for sale, but also a short movie titled "Kung Fu Wizard of Jesus vs. Undead Robot Nazi Werewolves". A screen capture illustrating it looks like this: What's more, it's billed as a comedy! I haven't watched it, because my belief in Christ is an obstacle to making him an irreligious figure of fun. Nevertheless, the title brings in so many tropes and story elements that it boggles the mind. There's even another film in the series titled "Kung Fu Wiz... more »
Was the Soleimani Killing an Assassination?
Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani's grave (Source: Wikimedia Commons/CC by 4.0) The Jan. 3 killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Quds Force, has generated a robust conversation in the media on whether the air strike should be characterized as an “assassination.” Explaining its decision not to use the term in referring to the killing, the Associated Press wrote that doing so “would require that the news service decide that the act was a murder, and because the term is politically freighted.” NPR’s public editor, meanwhile, said that the radio service “feel[s] it is ... more »
FDA Approving Drugs at a Record Rate
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been approving new prescription drugs quicker than ever over the past few decades, but a recent study suggests there’s a major problem with the process. According to the study, published in JAMA, nearly half of recent approvals for new drugs were based on only one clinical trial. In […] The post FDA Approving Drugs at a Record Rate appeared first on Health Nut News.
Trump, The Deal Maker, Blinks Before China
The signing ceremony of the China-US phase-one economic and trade agreement at the East Room of the White House in Washington on Jan. 15, 2020 turned out to be a unique event. Historically, the East Room witnessed many important signing ceremonies. Notably, the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty […]
Georgia Considers Limits On College Course Payments
Georgia lawmakers are considering limits on what colleges high school students can enroll at and what courses they can take for credit. It’s an effort to cut down on costs by restricting the number of students earning college credit before they graduate high school. House Bill 444 would also limit most students taking academic courses […]
James Madison University Poet Receives Nomination For NAACP Image Awards
Dr. Lauren K. Alleyne, an associate professor of English at James Madison University, has been nominated for the NAACP Image Awards, which celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in literature, music and film and other creative approaches to social justice. The nomination is for her book Honeyfish, her second collection of poetry which won […]
Case Western Reserve Names New Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity
Robert Solomon, a longtime Ohio State University (OSU) diversity leader, will be the new vice president for inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Since 2015, Solomon has been serving as OSU’s assistant provost for diversity and inclusion, where he worked with multiple university offices to achieve the school’s diversity goals. […]
Abducted Syrian Bishops Killed in 2016
Assyrian International News Agency - 9 hours ago
Bishop Yuhanna Ibrahim (left) and Bishop Paul Yazici.They died as martyrs, killed in December 2016 by a gang of militiamen who had held them hostage for years.
IN WHICH I NORMALIZE TRUMP, UP TO A POINT
A newly published excerpt from *A Very Stable Genius,* the forthcoming book by *Washington Post* reporters Carol Loennig and Philip Rucker, is inspiring a lot of discussion. You should read the excerpt even if you've read the most talked-about passage, which takes place in a disastrous foreign policy learning session set up for the ill-informed president at the Pentagon. Trump addresses the military officers who, in an act of futility, have tried to explain the nature of our global alliances and the history of our recent wars: Trump by now was in one of his rages. He was so angry th... more »
2:00PM Water Cooler 1/17/2020
Today's Water Cooler: Biden, Buttigieg, Sanders, Trump, AOC's PAC, good economic reports, blockchain, bulding empty apartments for the rich, DoorDash, Google Maps, invasive species, Inca canals, gardens, surprise billing, readlining and mortality, jobs guarantee, Buddhism and printing,
How dare You?—That’s the Question Now
“Never mind that all Gretels and Hansels would quickly freeze to death without heat, even in the witch’s gingerbread abode; how dare you?” – Dr. Klaus L.E. Kaiser ______________ How dare You?—That’s the Question Now Dr. Klaus L.E. Kaiser It’s all about “inflections” these days. Whether xeno-robots, weather, or climate, the “inflections”, also described as “tipping points” ... Read more How dare You?—That’s the Question Now The post How dare You?—That’s the Question Now appeared first on Ice Age Now .
Did a Missouri Bill Propose Imprisoning Librarians?
House Bill 2044, which was aimed at events such as "Drag Queen Story Time" in public libraries, caused controversy upon its introduction in January 2020.
Best Picture reviews in the Washington Post!
*FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2020Just as a small point of reference:* We've mentioned some movie reviews this week. Movie reviews are subjective. Different people—even different major reviewers—will react to particular films in different ways, depending on various factors. You'd think that everyone would understand this basic point. But it sometimes seems that we don't. This morning, we were looking at the Washington Post's Weekend section. We decided to look at the number of stars the paper's reviewer, Ann Hornaday, gave to each Oscar Best Picture nominee this year. There are nine Bes... more »
Critic of science: universities should protect physics students from Arkani-Hamed's ideas on QFTs
...the ultimate safe spaces... Mark Goodsell is a young (but habilitated) HEP professor at LPTHE, Paris. He has a not very well-known blog, Real Self Energy, and wrote something about the critics of HEP yesterday: How to make progress in High Energy Physics His article starts with an LHCb CERN press release about some... 1-sigma... flavor violation seen by the experiment that is sort of compatible with some other flavor violation excesses at LHCb. That's great and it might indeed be a small step towards making a clear picture of a new, flavor-violating (electron-muon-asymmetric) phe... more »
Belarus: 83-year-old Independence Advocate Tried Twice in One Day
These are part of the trials of people who protested against Belarus’ further integration with Russia. They want Belarus to … Continue reading →
How 2 Soviet Emigres Bought Their Way to Top of Republican Party
From VOA News: “How 2 Soviet Emigres Bought Their Way to Top of Republican Party By Masood Farivar October 13, … Continue reading →
DC Attorney General Racine Co-Leads Multistate Lawsuit to Stop Trump Admin from Eliminating Food Assistance for Nearly 700,000 Struggling Americans
According to the Trump Administraion, if you are poor and unemployed you are supposed to have children or drop dead, … Continue reading →
Masked Intruders Attack Jawaharlal Nehru University in India: University has Long Scared Country’s Rulers
From “The Conversation”: JNU violence: Indian university’s radical history has long scared country’s rulers by Shalini Sharma, Keele University On … Continue reading →
Passenger Takes Over Airport Monitor for Video Game
A passenger waiting for a flight at an Oregon airport needed a bit more screen space for his video game.
Analysis: Baseball Has Become a Prisoner of Technology
Technology unleashed baseball’s Analytics Era, and now it’s holding the sport prisoner.
Why and How Russia Is Jamming American Fighter Jets Near Iran
*David Axe* *Security, Middle East* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/USA-AUSTRALIA-BOMBS-GM1E97O0Z0801.html] For what devious purpose? *Key Point:* All powers like to use proxy conflicts to test out new weapons and Russia is no different. Moscow is seeing how well its jamming equipment fares against America's planes. Russian forces have been jamming GPS systems in the Middle East. The electronic-warfare campaign could affect U.S. forces gathering in the region in advance of potential strikes on Iran. “Since last spring, pilots flying through the Middle East, specifi... more »
Trey Gowdy Discusses Impeachment Trial – President Trump Adds Ken Starr and Alan Dershowitz to Defense Team…
Trey Gowdy appears on Fox to discuss the anticipated points and counterpoints, accusations and defenses, and strategy within the upcoming impeachment trial. Today it was also announced that President Trump’s defense team added Ken Starr, Alan Dershowitz, Robert Ray, Pam … Continue reading →
World News Updates -- January 17, 2020
*Reuters: **Iran's Khamenei stands by Guards after unrest over downed plane* DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran’s supreme leader threw his support behind the elite Revolutionary Guards in a rare sermon on Friday after their belated admission that they had accidentally downed an airliner triggered days of protests on the streets. In his first Friday prayers sermon in eight years, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also told worshippers chanting “Death to America” that the elite Guards could take their fight beyond Iran’s borders after the U.S. killing of a top Iranian commander. Washington said any thre... more »
Iran Missile Strikes: Beginning of a ‘New Middle East’?
*Middle East Stream* | Host Marwa Osman discusses what just happened and where it's heading, with Patrick Henningsen for 21WIRE.
As We understand the articles submitted to the Senate
From Navy Crawfish and we thank him… –##– The Articles of impeachment the House Democrats submitted to the Senate are for Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress. I. The abuse of power for asking Ukraine to look into corruption (Burisma, Bidens) First of all, these do not fall under the guidelines of what is an impeachable offense according to our Constitution, which are, Bribery, Treason, High Crimes or Misdemeanors. The President is allowed to ask nations with mutual treaties to investigate corruption —– the Ukraine and America have a treaty relating to the aforementioned. As a ... more »
On the Climate Road to Serfdom
The political world is saying “no” to policies that make energy less available, more expensive, less reliable, and more intrusive.… The post On the Climate Road to Serfdom appeared first on IER.
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