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Coming to HBO in 2022: "House of the Dragon" (A Game of Thrones Prequel)
*Stephen Silver* *Technology, * Casting has begun. Here is what you can expect. "Game of Thrones," by most measures the most popular HBO show of all time, wrapped up its eight-season run in the spring of 2019. But that doesn't mean we've seen the last of the Seven Kingdoms on HBO. HBO was known to be working on multiple potential spinoffs of "Game of Thrones," with as many as four in the works at one point. The network at one point moved forward with casting on a prequel series, which was to star actress Naomi Watts, but HBO announced last fall that that project was dead. Howev... more »
Review: Netflix's "Fear City" Is a Watchable Treatment of the Feds' War With the Mob
*Stephen Silver* *Technology, Americas* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2017%3Anewsml_RC113E0FF7F0&share=true] The show unravels what exactly cause the demise of NYC's infamous five mafia families. The latest entry in *Netflix*’s seemingly endless series of true crime documentaries is “Fear City: New York vs. The Mob,” which debuts on the service Wednesday. The documentary series was directed by Sam Hobkinson, and produced by the team behind the Netflix series “Don’t F**k With Cats.” The show expertly combines talking head footage with news arch... more »
SKILL VERSUS STORYLINE: She posed a strange question to Donald J. Trump!
*TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020Sharpton rejects Storyline:* Catherine Herridge, an experienced journalist, is currently a senior investigative correspondent for CBS News. Needless to say, she's a Harvard grad (class of 1987). She also holds a master's degree from the Columbia Journalism School. For what it's worth, Herridge always struck us as a serious journalist, even during her long tenure at the Fox News Channel. If memory serves, she was typically brisk and to-the-point. We've never *studied* her work for Fox, but it seemed to us that Herridge was one of that network's actual repor... more »
This Top-Secret World War II Incident Killed Hundreds—And Helped Invent Chemotherapy
*Sebastien Roblin* *History, Europe* [image: Bombardment of Bari. 2 December 1943. Wikimedia.] It was covered up by the Allies... *Here's What You Need To Remember:* Treating victims of the chemical weapons accident at Bari taught scientists how to kill fast-replicating cancer cells. On November 26, 1943 the SS* John Harvey *cruised into the harbor of Bari, Italy. The placid port city of 250,000, which had an old quarter dating back to the Middle Ages, had been seized by British paratroopers several months earlier without a fight. Located in southern Italy near the heel of the ... more »
See This Battle Picture? It Started over 100 Years of Tank Warfare
*Sebastien Roblin* *History, Europe* [image: A German A7V tank captured by the 26th Australian battalion, at Monument Wood, near Villers-Bretonneux, in France, on July 14th, 1918. Australian War Museum.] The A7V was Germany’s first home-built tank, deployed after months of one-sided tank battles. *Here's What You Need To Remember:* Imperial Germany was originally skeptical of tanks, but eventually designed its own war machines and went head-to-head with Allied tankers. More than one hundred years ago, on the evening of April 23, 1918, a thousand German artillery pieces unleashed... more »
Russia's Massive T-35 Was One of the Largest Tanks To Ever See Combat
*Sebastien Roblin* *History, Europe* [image: T-35] And it came back from the dead. *Here's What You Need To Remember:* The T-35 was a formidable machine, but its own design flaws doomed it. Recently, a Russian military museum in Sverdlovsk unveiled a moving replica T-35 tank, recreating one of the largest tanks ever to see combat, though only *very* briefly. Indeed, a few dozen T-35s charged straight into the largest tank battle in history—and none came back. Overtaxed transmission and faulty clutches proved a greater nemesis than armor-piercing shells. *Soviet Land Ironclad* I... more »
This Is the USS Pueblo: This Captured U.S. Spy Ship Still Remains in North Korea Today
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, * A U.S. Army light freighter launched during World War II, the fifty-four-meter-long Pueblo had been recommissioned by the Navy in 1966s to serve as an “environmental research ship.” *Here's What to Remember: *The capture of the *Pueblo *marked a worst-case disaster scenario for U.S. intelligence, as the ship had carried a dozen top-secret encryption machines and coding cards. A U.S. Army light freighter launched during World War II, the fifty-four-meter-long *Pueblo *had been recommissioned by the Navy in 1966s to serve as an “environmental rese... more »
The U.S. Military Is Ready To Fight To Protect Taiwan, But Is Donald Trump?
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Asia* China continues to threaten Taiwan's sovereignty. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *The United States remains legally committed to the defense of Taiwan, even though it no longer recognizes it as the government of China. Despite a recent spike in tensions, China-Taiwan relations are still massively improved, exchanging university students and business investments rather than artillery shells and aerial bombs. However, the capabilities of the PLA have drastically increased in the interval as well. In 1955, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army... more »
Stealth Carrier Fighter? Before the F-35, the Navy Almost Flew F-117s Off Of Carriers
*Sebastien Roblin* *History, Americas* [image: Two specially painted F-117 Nighthawks fly on one of their last missions. The F-117s were retired in a farewell ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April 22, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Kim Frey)] Lockheed Martin threw everything but the kitchen sink into the A/F-117X Seahawk. *This Is What You Need To Remember:* The upgraded stealth attack plane was passed over for the Joint Strike Fighter, which later became the F-35. The F-117 Nighthawk made a definite impression on both Iraqi air defenses and... more »
This U.S. Aircraft Carrier Survived Four Kamikaze Attacks During World War II
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Asia* The USS Intrepid had a long and storied career. *Key Point*: Carriers are a magnet for attack. Many a ship has a remarkable tale to tell—but few have survived as many scraps as the aircraft carrier berthed at Pier 86 in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. The *Intrepid *(CV-11) and its sailors and aviators survived hits from four Kamikaze planes, helped sink the largest battleship ever built, recovered three astronauts from the sea and shot down a MiG jet over Vietnam. The “Fighting I” was one of two dozen Essex-class fleet carriers that entered U.S. N... more »
Anthrax is One of the Deadliest Biological Weapons- And Killed Dozens in Russia
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, * In October 1979, a West German newspaper run by Soviet émigrés ran a vague story alleging that an explosion in a military factory in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg) had released deadly bacteria, killing as many as a thousand. *Here's What You Need to Remember: *Because anthrax can be easily manufactured and remains stable for years, it also was ideal as a biological weapon—a fact that U.S. scientists were aware of due to the experience of their own biological-weapons program, which had been active since 1943. In October 1979, a West German newspape... more »
China's Type 99 Tank: Can It Beat Russia's T-90 or America's M1 Abrams?
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, * Does China even need tanks? *Here's What You Need to Remember: *The Type 99’s armor, gun and electronic systems is not certain, particularly as the vehicle has not been exported, whereas both the M1 and T-90 have been used in action by multiple operators China has a *lot* of tanks. Like, eight to nine *thousand* of them. Who *else* would bother to maintain such a ridiculous number? The United States. And Russia. (Note that *such counts* include vehicles in storage and reserve. The numbers for tanks in operational units are lower in every case). *... more »
Why China Fears The Power Of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers In A War
Reuters *National Interest:* *Why China Fear the Power of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers in a War* This was China’s introduction to the power and flexibility of the aircraft carrier, something it obsesses about to this day. Here's What You Need to Remember: China is in the unique position of both seeing the value of carriers and building its own fleet while at the same time devoting a lot of time and resources to the subject of sinking them. More than twenty years ago, a military confrontation in East Asia pushed the United States and China uncomfortably close to conflict. Largely u... more »
Letter to editor from a Hispanic American veteran
A letter to the editor of The Charlotte Observer caught my eye this morning. I will repeat it in its entirety sans the name. The letter is under the caption “Tillis’ mask comment was unacceptable.” “Regarding ‘Tillis says Hispanics adhere … Continue reading →
China Begins Final Assembly Of Next Two Advanced Aircraft Carriers
Photos taken by military enthusiasts and posted on social media show the Type 002 aircraft carrier under construction in a dry dock in Jiangnan Shipyard outside Shanghai. Photo: Weibo *SCMP:* *China steps up shipbuilding with two more aircraft carriers under construction towards 2035 navy goal* * As China aims to equal US naval strength in the Pacific, its first domestically developed carrier begins final assembly process * Type 002 vessels will have advanced electromagnetic aircraft launch system allowing faster and more frequent take-off China is expected to launch its next-gener... more »
The Judas Goat
Violent demonstrations have broken out in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Thousands marched, dozens were arrested, but more citizens continued to arrive and join the protests. The people of the only Jewish state are upset and unhappy. They expected a better outcome from their fight with corona.
“Credible Open Source Reporting”, the Intelligence Services and Scottish Independence
I write as somebody who held Top Secret clearance for 21 years, with extensive daily use of Top Secret material that entire time, and the highest possible specific codeword clearance above Top Secret for 11 years. I personally conducted for the FCO the largest “action on” operation in GCHQ history. (“Action on” is the process of declassifying top secret material for, in my particular case, government to government use). I have also given evidence in person in a three hour appearance before Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee.
The U.S. Nuclear Presence in Western Europe, 1954-1962
Declassified Records Reflect Debates over Nuclear Weapons Stockpile, Use Decisions, and Independent Nuclear Capabilities
Pesticides speed the spread of deadly parasites
Even low concentrations of pesticides can increase transmission and weaken efforts to control the second most common parasitic disease
An Israeli charity group is uprooting Palestinians – not planting trees
The Jewish National Fund has won plaudits for its environmental work, but its agenda has been to evict on behalf of the state
Minnesota Lawmakers Ban Neck Restraints After Floyd’s Death
The sweeping package was said to be one of the most substantial changes to the state's criminal justice system in years.
EU Agrees on $2.1 Trillion Deal After Marathon Summit
The 27 leaders grudgingly committed to a costly, massive aid package for those hit hardest by COVID-19, which has already killed 135,000 people within the bloc alone.
Recovery of Collapsed Airline Traffic in the US Backtracks
Traffiic data confirmed warnings by United and Delta of re-declining ticket sales, seinding airline shares down 3.7% intraday.
'No longer sustainable': Is interstate FIFO work nearing its end in WA?
Just In - 16 hours ago
WA Premier Mark McGowan has called on resources companies to employ state-based workers, and regional councils couldn't be happier. But not everyone thinks it's feasible to put and end to FIFO work.
India Isn’t Singapore. It Is More Like Iran
The news report in the Tehran Times today that Iran and the Russia-led Iran Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will set up three more working groups on the expansion of trade ties between the two sides should not come as surprise — except to those Indian analysts who visualise Persian Gulf […]
COVIDIOCY: Dictator Dan, media and Scomo play public for fools in political circus
By Tony Mobilafonitis VICTORIA’S Dictator Dan (Andrews) is playing the WHO scamdemic playbook to a “T”, aided and abetted by PM Scott Morrison and health departments who also follow the script from that corrupt money laundering operation run by that despicable, lying Ethiopian Marxist Tedros what’s-his-name. And WHO is basically bought and paid for by […]
Mexico's Drug Cartels Have Taken Over The Country's Cell Towers
A cellular tower in the municipality of Guadalupe, Mexico July 6, 2020. Reuters *Business Insider/Reuters:* *'Narco-antennas' keep appearing in Mexico, another sign cartels are reaching far beyond drugs* * Technicians and contractors working on Mexico's communications antennas often find unofficial hardware installed on them: "narco antennas" used for communications by organized-crime groups. * The proliferation of the antennas reflects both those groups' expansion into new kinds of criminal rackets as well as their influence with, or intimidation of, legitimate businesses. MEXIC... more »
Syrian Army Capture A U.S. Black Hornet Nano Spy Drone
Some reports that SAA found samll American UAV in Tal Tamr CS pic.twitter.com/xQNX27Av63 — ZOKA (@200_zoka) July 19, 2020 *Warzone/The Drive: **Syrian Regime Troops Captured A Black Hornet Nano Spy Drone* *These tiny drones give even small units a significant boost in situational awareness, providing a low-risk way to spot ambushes and other threats.* A picture has emerged online reportedly showing members of the Syrian Arab Army holding a FLIR Systems Black Hornet 3 drone that they captured in the northeastern corner of the country. Variants of this pocket-sized helicopter dron... more »
Implementing Compromise
For the symposium on Andrew Koppelman, Gay Rights vs Religious Liberty? The Unnecessary Conflict (Oxford University Press, 2020). Douglas Laycock 1. Religious minorities and sexual minorities make essentially parallel claims on the larger society. They each say that some aspects of human identity are so important to each individual that government should not interfere without the most compelling reason. They might have been allies in the political and legal battle against enforced conformity. Instead, they have been locked in mortal combat, each loudly proclaiming its ... more »
How Can the U.S. Respond to Schrems II?
Main courtroom of the European Court of Justice (Lucien Schilling, https://flic.kr/p/phYiw7; CC BY-NC 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/) The decision of the European Court of Justice (CJEU) in *Schrems II* is gobsmacking in its mix of judicial imperialism and Eurocentric hypocrisy. The decision invalidates the Privacy Shield agreement between the U.S. and the EU on the ground that U.S. protections for individual rights are not “adequate,” by which the court means not “essentially equivalent” to the rights provided to individuals under European law. It manages to... more »
Russia report: Interference is 'the new normal'
The report, which the Bureau campaigned to have released before the 2019 election, reveals the extent of Russian manipulation in the UK
The Roman Empire
The intellectuals see Ancient Greece as the fountainhead of the western civilization, but, in my opinion, the real fountainhead of the western civilization is the Roman Empire, which, at its height, stretched from Syria to Scotland, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea, and endured for almost five hundred years (the Eastern Roman Empire lasted for fifteen hundred years). To conquer and rule such a large area is a towering achievement, unparalleled in history; so grand was the Roman influence that many so-called barbarians kingdoms, which ravaged the Roman Empire, gave up their o... more »
Knowledge Is Power
Donald Trump has spent the last few weeks trying to stop the publication of books that reveal who he is. But he's also worked very hard to conceal data on the pandemic which is devastating the United States. Paul Krugman writes: Nobody should be surprised that the Trump team is trying to suppress bad news about the pandemic. This was completely predictable given the Law of Obama Projection: Every right-wing conspiracy theory about President Barack Obama was an indication of what Republicans wanted to do themselves, and would do once they had the power. The Trump administration rec... more »
Brazil Expects Conflict Escalations in South America, Adapts Military Strategy
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Brazil's armed forces are preparing for armed conflicts in South America. According to the Ministry of Defense, the region is no longer conflict-free. This is the conclusion reached in the draft for the new National Defense Policy (PND) which the government is submitting to Congress this week. The new military […] The post Brazil Expects Conflict Escalations in South America, Adapts Military Strategy appeared first on The Rio Times.
First Attempt to Restart South American Soccer Championships Fails
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - As South America without soccer sounds like a paradox, an ocean without water, on Friday, July 17th, an attempt was made to restart matches on the outskirts of Asunción. The experiment was a failure. In what was expected to be the first reopening of national competitions after the suspension imposed […] The post First Attempt to Restart South American Soccer Championships Fails appeared first on The Rio Times.
Bolsonaro’s Approval Rate Grows for Fourth Consecutive Poll, Now 30 Percent
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - President Jair Bolsonaro's approval rate rose by two percentage points between June 20th and July 20th, according to an XP/IPESPE opinion poll. The ratio of those who considered Bolsonaro "great or good" fluctuated between 28 and 30 percent, within the 3.2 percentage points error margin. As a result, the President's […] The post Bolsonaro’s Approval Rate Grows for Fourth Consecutive Poll, Now 30 Percent appeared first on The Rio Times.
Locust Cloud Could Reach Rio Grande do Sul State on Wednesday, Experts Say
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The locust cloud in the province of Corrientes, Argentina, could reach Rio Grande do Sul next Wednesday, July 22nd, according to experts from the state's Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development. The insects' migratory movement was driven by the heat wave that affected the . . . To read […] The post Locust Cloud Could Reach Rio Grande do Sul State on Wednesday, Experts Say appeared first on The Rio Times.
After 3-Week Decline, Covid-19 Deaths Rise Again in São Paulo State
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - After three consecutive weeks of decreasing Covid-19 deaths, the state of São Paulo has once again shown an increase in the The post After 3-Week Decline, Covid-19 Deaths Rise Again in São Paulo State appeared first on The Rio Times.
Paraná Governor Proposes R$100 Million Budget Item to Buy Coronavirus Vaccine
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - On Monday, July 20th, the day the world dawned with the news that at least two vaccines have progressed in research - among them the Oxford vaccine now being tested in Brazil - the government of Brazil's well-off southern State of Paraná also made an important announcement. The state will […] The post Paraná Governor Proposes R$100 Million Budget Item to Buy Coronavirus Vaccine appeared first on The Rio Times.
Rio Citizens Who Insist on Refusing to Wear Masks Now Receive Fines
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Over the past few weeks, Rio de Janeiro citizens have been ignoring one of the most basic items, but which greatly helps to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the protective masks. Faced with this scenario, the Municipal Guard has been imposing fines on people failing to wear the item. […] The post Rio Citizens Who Insist on Refusing to Wear Masks Now Receive Fines appeared first on The Rio Times.
Brazilian Scientist Marketing ‘Super Soap’ Claims 6-hour-long Protection from Coronavirus
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Brazilian scientist Fernanda Checchinato has developed a bactericide soap that also protects against the novel coronavirus and remains active on the skin for hours. The startup founded by the chemical engineer, who completed part of her PhD in France, also produces and markets a spray to sanitize cloth masks. The […] The post Brazilian Scientist Marketing ‘Super Soap’ Claims 6-hour-long Protection from Coronavirus appeared first on The Rio Times.
Proposal to push AfCFTA implementation to January
bilaterals.org - 18 hours ago
21-Jul-2020 The executive secretary of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), has proposed to African heads of state that trading under this framework starts in January 2021, according to an official.
COMESA Resolves 95% Of NTBs At Borders
bilaterals.org - 18 hours ago
21-Jul-2020 At least 82% of the reported Non-Tariff Barriers in the COMESA region are those imposed on imports and exports of goods and services and are largely operational by design. According to trade experts, these type of NTBs are easy to identify and monitor.
MPs try to block corporations using new trade deals for lawsuits
bilaterals.org - 18 hours ago
21-Jul-2020 MPs are set to try to force the government to block corporate lawsuits relating to future trade deals, in a bid to safeguard human rights.
Desperate To Win The Atlantic, Nazi U-Boats Tried To Kill Allied Warplanes
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Eurasia* It didn't go so well. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *Allied pilots were at first taken aback by the new aggressive tactics—but quickly adapted. If a U-Boat chose to remain surfaced and spit out flak, flyers would circle at a distance until reinforcements arrived to launch a coordinated attack, with their defensive machineguns used to strafe the flak gun crews. At the height of the World War II Battle of the Atlantic, Grand Adm. Karl Dönitz, mastermind of the Nazi U-Boat fleet, issued Standing War Order 483 in defiance of conventional w... more »
$291 Billion in Market Value Added to Big Tech Stocks in One Day
*Ethen Kim Lieser* *economy, * Shares of tech giants Amazon, Tesla, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, Facebook and Netflix roared higher on Monday to tack on $291.66 billion in combined market valuation. Shares of tech giants Amazon, Tesla, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, Facebook and Netflix roared higher on Monday to tack on $291.66 billion in combined market valuation. During the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, tech stocks have been among the top performers, with many companies surpassing all-time highs. After a Goldman Sachs analyst hiked Amazon’s price target to $3,800 per share, the ... more »
What It Was Like to Fire Bomb Tokyo From a B-29 Bomber
*Warfare History Network* *History, Americas* [image: By https://media.defense.gov/2009/Jun/25/2000536926/-1/-1/0/090625-F-1234K-159.JPG, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1487209] This pilot tells his harrowing tale. *Key point: *They flew low, but that meant it was perilous. These pilots got a better shot, but so did the enemy. When the Boeing B-29 Superfortress crews poured out of the briefing at North Field, Tinian, on the afternoon of March 9, 1945, they were disgruntled. Some were angry. Sergeant William J. “Reb” Carter, the left blister gunne... more »
See This Video? It Shows How Kim Jong-un Could Die in a War (Thanks to an F-15)
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Asia* [image: A South Korean air force F-15K Slam Eagle from the 11th Fighter Squadron, Daegu Air Base, South Korea, takes off during Exercise Max Thunder 17 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, April 27, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Colville McFee)] The F-15K is the only Korean fighter capable of hauling the deadly 3,000-pound Taurus missile. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *The South Korean air force has impressive weapons, but they could only mitigate the effects of a full-blown war. In late 2017, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKA... more »
China's Drones Are Doing a Little Bit of Spy Work Over the Pacific
*Kris Osborn* *Security, Americas* China’s CH-5 tandem drones present an interesting and a rather close parallel to the U.S. Air Force’s Global Hawk drone and its maritime variant, the U.S. Navy’s now operational Triton. China is now flying a large, long-dwell maritime drone over the Pacific Ocean as part of a transparent effort to increase surveillance in the region and adapt unmanned systems to ocean conditions. The platform, called the CH-5 drone, recently completed its first flight test, according to a news report in the Chinese-government-backed *Global Times*. The paper de... more »
The USS Barb: The First Rocket-Launching Submarine That Destroyed Japan
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, * Starting in July 1945, Allied battleships embarked on a series of naval bombardments of coastal cities in Japan in an effort to draw these forces out to battle. *Here's What You Need to Remember: *The *Barb, *which displaced 2,400 tons submerged, was one of the top-scoring Allied submarines of World War II. By the most conservative count, it sank seventeen ships totaling ninety-seven thousand tons of shipping. In the closing months of World War II, heavy losses and depleted fuel stocks kept many of Japan’s remaining combat aircraft grounded and ... more »
This Russian Rocket Launcher Can Destroy Cities—and the U.S. Can’t Match It
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Eurasia* The TOS-1 Buratino is amongst the most devastating explosive weapons short of tactical nuclear weapons. *Key Point*: The TOS-1 carries a uniquely nasty reputation. The TOS-1 *Buratino *is a unique Russian self-propelled multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS) that has seen action in global hotspots like Afghanistan, Chechnya, Iraq and Syria. Like the enormous 240-millimeter 2S4 self-propelled mortar, the TOS-1’s specialty is obliterating heavily fortified positions. Although some of these may be found in rural rebel strongholds and fortified... more »
True Story: U.S. Marines Launched a Raid From Submarines During World War II
*Sebastien Roblin* *History, Asia* The Makin raid in 1942 might seem to have the implausible plot of an action movie. *Key Point*: The Makin raid inflicted only minor military damage, and its strategic impact is disputed. On a stormy night, U.S. Marines set off secretly from submarines to assault a remote island base. They are led by a controversial commander with radical new ideas. And the son of the sitting U.S. president is one of his officers. The Makin raid in 1942 might seem to have the implausible plot of an action movie—and in fact, one year later it would become one! B... more »
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*School Reopenings—Parents, Students Don’t Need National Consensus, They Need This Strategy* Parents looking for a national consensus on whether schools should open in the fall won’t find one. But that’s okay. We don’t need one. Parents should be wary of press releases with advice on education from public or private national groups that use words like “comprehensive” or “nation’s schools." Washington should not force schools to reopen. But national officials can remind state lawmakers and parents there are alternatives. Parents looking for a national consensus on whether schools s... more »
Russian cyberthreat extends to coronavirus vaccine research
Dorothy Denning, Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Defense Analysis, Naval Postgraduate School at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 18 hours ago
The Russian cyberthreat, now targeting coronavirus vaccine research, goes back over three decades, extends into the country's educational systems and criminal worlds, and shows no signs of letting up.
Social networks aim to erase hate but miss the target on guns
Adam G. Klein, Associate Professor of Media Studies, Pace University at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 18 hours ago
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social networks say they are targeting hate, but they're overlooking a major source of hateful content: gun talk.
Mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations? Here's what states and employers can legally require
Debbie Kaminer, Law Professor, Baruch College, CUNY at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 18 hours ago
For a COVID-19 vaccine to stop the pandemic, a large percentage of the population will have to get vaccinated. A law professor explains how far government and employer vaccine mandates can legally go.
A Population of Interstellar Asteroids?
It was hard enough to find ‘Oumuamua, the first object on an interstellar trajectory discovered within our own Solar System. The emergence of new resources like the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) should help us develop a preliminary catalog of such interlopers, thought to be not uncommon if we can identify them. But tracking down […]
Azerbaijani forces fired 183 gunshots at Armenian troops: MoD
[image: Azerbaijani forces fired 183 gunshots at Armenian troops: MoD] BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:20 P.M.) – The press secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Shushan Stepanian, announced on Tuesday, that the Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire regime on the border with Armenia 17 times last night. He wrote on Facebook: “The relative calm remained on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on the night of July 20-21, as well as now. The enemy violated the ceasefire 17 times with different light weapons in some parts of the border, and fired 183 shots at Armenian positions.” In particula... more »
Israeli airstrikes cause several casualties in ranks of Syrian Army
[image: Israeli airstrikes cause several casualties in ranks of Syrian Army] BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:50 P.M.) – The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced last night that several soldiers were wounded as a result of the Israeli airstrikes on the southwestern suburbs of Damascus. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense, the Israeli airstrikes wounded seven soldiers that were deployed to the Sahnaya suburb of Damascus. “At 21:48 this evening, Israeli warplanes over the occupied Syrian Golan directed several explosive rockets towards southern Damascus, and our air defen... more »
Iraqi Prime Minister makes first visit to Iran
[image: Iraqi Prime Minister makes first visit to Iran] BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:40 P.M.) – On Tuesday, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, left Baghdad for his first official visit to neighboring Iran. Kazemi is expected to discuss bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries, along with ways to enhance their cooperation in a number of fields, including economics and military. During the visit, the Prime Minister will meet a number of Iranian officials, including the President of the Islamic Republic, Hassan Rouhani. Continue reading Iraqi Prime Minister makes fi... more »
Israeli forces demolish coronavirus testing center in Hebron: photos
[image: Israeli forces demolish coronavirus testing center in Hebron: photos] BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:30 P.M.) – On Tuesday, the Israeli forces demolished the coronavirus examination center, located at the entrance to the city of Hebron (Al-Khalil), which was supposed to provide rapid examination services and relieve pressure on hospitals in the governorate, RT reported. Previously, Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Authority announced that the Israeli authorities had seized equipment for the center a few days ago. !function(w,d,a){if(!w[a]){var s=d.createElement('script'), x=... more »
Hamas condemns latest Israeli attack on Syria
[image: Hamas condemns latest Israeli attack on Syria] BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:10 P.M.) – The Hamas Movement on Tuesday, issued a statement condemning the latest Israeli attack on the Syrian capital city, Damascus, last night. “The Zionist enemy continues the policy of bullying over the whole region by again bombing areas in Syria,” said the movement’s spokesman, Hazem Qassem, in a press statement . They added: “This entity, which is based on continuous aggression and continuous expansion at the expense of our Arab nation, will not stop except for uniting the efforts of every nation i... more »
Azerbaijan announces destruction of 2 Armenian drones
[image: Azerbaijan announces destruction of 2 Armenian drones] BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:00 P.M.) – The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday, the destruction of two unmanned aircraft belonging the Armenian Armed Forces. A statement issued by the Ministry stated: “On July 21, units of the Armenian Armed Forces, using the tactical unmanned airplanes at 00:30 local time, attempted to conduct reconnaissance flights over the positions of the Azerbaijani Army units towards the Agdam area, and at 08.45 hours in the morning, the two planes flew towards the Tuvuz region along the ... more »
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*Antarctic ‘Doomsday Glacier’ Is Really Doomsday for Climate Alarmism* A fake climate scare making headlines comes from researchers who say West Antarctica’s Thwaites glacier may soon collapse, raising sea levels by 6 feet or more over the next century. Alarmists are dubbing this the “Doomsday Glacier.” This is ironically true, as the fake climate scare of the Doomsday Glacier is really a doomsday for climate alarmism. The Financial Times (FT) in an article titled, “Climate change: what Antarctica’s ‘doomsday glacier’ means for the planet,” writes, “if Thwaites goes, the knock-on e... more »
IT HAS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES OF FASCISM EXCEPT EFFECTIVENESS
What initially had me confused about President Trump's deployment of a thug army to Portland -- with another group reportedly headed to Chicago -- is that I always imagined fascism, if it came to America, being *effective.* I assumed that the tanks would roll in and any popular dissent would be brutally suppressed. But this is repression without merciless efficiency. The Portland deployment is arresting people from unmarked vehicles, brutalizing unarmed protesters (including a Navy veteran) and attacking reporters -- but phalanxes of moms are defying the troops, a small fire was set... more »
Oxford-Jenner Institute Vaccine Shows Promising Results in Monkeys & Humans
Monkeys did well even when exposed to Covid-19 in large amounts. Human trials look promising. Professor Sarah Gilbert, project lead, … Continue reading →
Dr. Martin Luther King: “Riots are self-defeating and socially destructive”
In a September 27, 1966 interview on 60 minutes, Dr. Martin Luther King talks about the importance of non-violence and … Continue reading →
COVID-19 Statistics - Manipulating the Data to Suit the Narrative
As the COVID-19 pandemic winds on, seemingly with no end in sight, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the statistics used by governments to manipulate public opinion and justify the massive changes to society that we have experienced since March 2020 are becoming harder and harder to believe. A recent posting on the website of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) provides us with clear proof that one of the nations with the greatest death toll from the SARS-CoV-2 virus is, to put it mildly, "data challenged". An article entitled "Why no-one can ever recover fro... more »
"Economic Fantasy Update 7/21/20"
*"Economic Fantasy Update 7/21/20"* Chronicling the most enormous fraud and theft in human history, down the rabbit hole of psychopathic greed and insanity... No resemblance to reality is intended or claimed. Read at your own risk. Only the consequences are real, to YOU, never *them.* ○ *"The more I see of the moneyed classes, * *the more I understand the guillotine."* - George Bernard Shaw ○ *7/21/20* ○ = Gregory Mannarino, *AM 7/21/20:* * “Hyper-Critical Updates”* - https://traderschoice.net/ ○ ○ *MarketWatch Market Su**mmary, Live Updates* - https://www.marketwatch.com/tools/marketsumma... more »
Where are the names and public funerals for these black lives?
I'm waiting to see the names and funerals of the 3 teens killed in Columbus, OH, week-end of July 14 announced nationally, because, their black lives mattered too. Will white liberals show up to show compassion and support for their families? In fact, one 15 year old (the only name I could find) was the son of someone killed in gun violence when he was a baby. Our mayor Ginther is verbally suggesting less violence is the answer, yet in actions, supporting the looting and burning by having police stand down. Such a wimp. Look at this sweet face. Probably wouldn't put a toddler in a t... more »
A Supreme Court compromise on gay rights
I'm honored by the fabulous responses to Gay Rights vs. Religious Liberty? The Unnecessary Conflict that have appeared here at Balkinization, and will respond to all of them shortly. But meanwhile, today I have an op ed on the interaction of the recent Supreme Court decisions in Bostock and Our Lady of Guadalupe School. It is at USA Today, here.
Covid by the numbers, trouble by the score.....
Yes the U.S. is #1 indeed! The chart speaks for itself. Don't we really need a single-payer Medicare for All program in this country?
It's Going To Get Worse, But Despair Is Not The Answer
*Portland? Who's next?* My first trip to Turkey was in 1969-- and it was love at first sight. I drove a VW camper van from London to Istanbul, stayed a few weeks and then drove the entire width of the country-- to Ankara and Kirikkale (then a small village, now a sprawling city) in the middle of the country, along the Black Sea to Samsun and Tabzon, down into the "wild east" city of Ezurum and then to Iran. I've been back a dozen times and Turkey has never failed to fascinate me-- the food, the music, the architecture, the people, the history... I love Turkish history and you see it... more »
Words Are Weapons: Don't Hex Yourself
*hattip Legalise Freedom*
Rare July Ground-Frosts Sweep the UK and Ireland
In addition, July, 2020 will likely go down as an historically cool month (according to CET data). The post Rare July Ground-Frosts Sweep the UK and Ireland appeared first on Electroverse.
Has the left been gulled into believing its small right to speech is already too much?
My post earlier this month on the so-called “cancel culture” letter proved to be the most polarising I have written – matched only by another recent post on the pulling down of a statue in the UK to a slave trader. The ferocity of the reactions to both, I believe, is related. It derives from a similar refusal, even on the left, to factor in power – and how it is best confronted – when assessing issues of speech and oppression.
Black Agenda Radio for Week of July 20, 2020
20 July 2020 — Black Agenda Report Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley and Glen Ford The Historical Quest for a Black Nation / Move 9 are Free – Mumia is Next / Maroons As Movement Role Models The Historical Quest for a Black Nation Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley and Glen Ford Thanks … Continue reading Black Agenda Radio for Week of July 20, 2020
Net Zero: Every Urban Street And Front Drive Will Be Dug Up
By Paul Homewood Electrification of heat and transport will create huge challenges in terms of generating capacity. But what is often forgotten is the upgrading of the cables which bring the power into our towns and homes: London, 16 July: The UK faces a £200 billion bill to rewire the country if the […]
"Covid-19 Pandemic Updates 7/21/20"
*"Covid-19 Pandemic **Updates 7/21/20" * *- Frequently **Updated* Please visit these sites often for the very latest Covid-19 Pandemic and Economic news and information. ○ *7/21/20* by David Leonhardt *"Progress on a vaccine: *Three competing laboratories released promising results yesterday from early human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. The labs said that the vaccines produced strong immune responses with only minor side effects. There’s no clear timeline for when a vaccine will be available, and one researcher cautioned that, “There is still a long way to go.” But progress has ... more »
China urges US to 'correct its mistakes' after 11 companies blacklisted over alleged Uyghur abuse
Just In - 19 hours ago
China's Foreign Ministry accuses the US of abusing export control measures under the pretext of protecting human rights.
Russia report says UK Government failed to investigate interference
Just In - 19 hours ago
The report says there were open source indications Russia sought to influence the Brexit campaign but that the British Government did not look for deep evidence of meddling.
Quarantine guards in Melbourne hotels recruited via WhatsApp
Security guards were hired to work at Melbourne's COVID-19 quarantine hotels through a WhatsApp message in a process so murky that one guard didn't even know who she was actually working for.
AFL to play 33 matches in 20 days as part of next fixture block
Just In - 19 hours ago
The AFL's efforts to compress its coronavirus-disrupted season ramp up, with the league to stage matches across 20 consecutive days.
Magazine industry rocked as Bauer Media axes eight titles due to coronavirus pandemic
Eight magazine titles, including Harper's BAZAAR, ELLE, Women's Health and Men's Health will disappear from newsstands as financial stress from the coronavirus pandemic continues to hurt the media industry.
Skye was 16 when her first child was taken away. Now she has five children in care
Skye was angry and upset when her children were taken away. She's stopped using drugs and alcohol to curb the pain and is pushing to a change a system she says is "breaking parents".
Tasmania has a rare upper hand in its stand-off with the AFL
How fortunes change. Who could have seen that the AFL would be, at least in part, relying on Tasmania to host games as it fast runs out of places to base clubs due to the coronavirus crisis? Now, Tasmania has to use the situation it finds itself in to its advantage, writes Chris Rowbottom.
What's the hype around Black Is King? Here's what we know about Beyonce's latest project
Just In - 19 hours ago
Beyonce has dropped the trailer for Black Is King ahead of its release next week, and the hype is already building. Here's what we know about it.
Three-metre fishing spear used as weapon in alleged murder at house party, court hears
A four-pronged, three-metre fishing spear was used as a weapon in the alleged murder of a man at a party near Ceduna in 2018, a court hears.
The Queen’s denial on the Palace Papers beggars belief
[image: A picture of Queen Elizabeth with Pinocchio's nose] It is simply implausible that the Queen did not know that John Kerr was planning to sack Gough Whitlam, writes John Menadue. She may not have known the detail of the coup in progress, but she knew the substance.
Musical Interlude: Disturbed, “Sound of Silence”
Disturbed, “Sound of Silence”
“[H]ow gullible reviewers and editors…can be”: An excerpt from Science Fictions
We’re pleased to present an excerpt from Stuart Ritchie’s new book, Science Fictions: How Fraud, Bias, Negligence, and Hype Undermine the Search for Truth. One of the best-known, and most absurd, scientific fraud cases of the twentieth century also concerned transplants – in this case, skin grafts. While working at the prestigious Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute … Continue reading “[H]ow gullible reviewers and editors…can be”: An excerpt from Science Fictions
The 7 Best Brain Foods
Dr. Wolfson would say that the heart is the most important organ in the body. Would you expect a cardiologist to think otherwise? But just about everyone (including Dr. Jack) knows that without good brain health, not much else matters. It can be argued that your brain is the most important organ in your body. … Continue reading "The 7 Best Brain Foods" The post The 7 Best Brain Foods appeared first on TDW.
SafeMinds: Having an Aunt or Uncle with Autism May Put Children at Higher Risk of ASD
Risk estimated at 3 to 5 percent vs. 1.5 percent in general population According to new research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a child who has a parent with a sibling on the spectrum is more likely to... more »
Damn the Side Effects! Full Speed Ahead, Oxford!
Oxford coronavirus vaccine induces strong immune response, early trial results suggest The vaccine was found to produce both antibodies and virus-killing T cells. Note: Corrections made below to match manufacturer. Thank you. Spin the vial it's a clinical trial, "CoVax... more »
Why America's World War II C-47 "Gooney Bird" Transport Plane Was Such a Big Deal
*Warfare History Network* *History, Americas* [image: By Adrian Pingstone (Arpingstone) - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10809916] One way you win wars is by having better logistics. *Key point: *Strategic airlift got American troops and supplies where they were needed. And the C-47 was crucial to that effort. Of all the workhorse weapons in the Allies’ World War II arsenal, from the American M-4 Sherman medium tank and jeep to the British Handley Page Halifax bomber and 25-pounder field gun, none was more widely and effectively deployed... more »
Could This North Korean Gun Engulf Seoul in a "Sea of Fire"?
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Asia* A conflict between North and South Korea would involve a terrible cost in civilian lives. *Key Point*: The Koksan could inflict terrible suffering on civilian targets, though not on the scale that Pyongyang boasts. Seoul has to cope with an unusual urban planning program for a huge, modern metropolis: the northern side of the capital lies little more than thirty miles from the border of North Korea, within range of hundreds of enemy artillery pieces—a zone that Pyongyang has threatened to turn into a “sea of fire.” City planners have gamely bu... more »
Why Russia, China and North Korea All Loved This Russian Submachine Gun
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Europe* Meet the PPsH-41. *Key Point*: While more flexible assault rifles have mostly superseded weapons like the PPsH on the frontline, the submachine gun remains a symbol of the Soviet struggle in World War II. Submachine guns began to appear near the end of World War I to help soldiers clear out trenches in brutal short-range assaults. These short barreled, highly portable automatic weapons usually employed the simple blowback principle in which the gasses expelled by a low-powered pistol cartridge both propelled the round out of the barrel and p... more »
Pearl Harbor: Why Japan's Midget Submarine Attack Was a Suicide Mission
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Asia* A forgotten story. *Key Point*: Air attack accomplished what midget submarines could not. On Dec. 7, 1941, the aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy rained devastation upon the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. But Japanese warplanes didn’t actually fire the first shots that brought America into a massive Pacific War. An hour before the air attack, a squadron of tiny Japanese midget submarines attempted to slip into the harbor’s defenses, like burglars in the night, to wreak havoc on Battleship Row. Unlike the aerial assault, the sail... more »
Chart: US cannabis industry’s economic impact could hit $130 billion by 2024
American marijuana businesses could pump up to $130 billion on an annual basis into the U.S. economy by 2024, a staggering figure that highlights the true reach of the nation’s cannabis industry. Estimates published in the newly released Marijuana Business Factbook show the total economic impact of legal cannabis sales increasing from $38 billion-$46 billion […] Chart: US cannabis industry’s economic impact could hit $130 billion by 2024 is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Daily confirmed COVID-19 cases declining, United States
[image: Screen Shot 2020-07-20 at 9.42.25 PM]
EU Frugal Four fold to Merkel & Macron’s billion euro slush fund (Video)
The Duran Quick Take: Episode 603.
Chris Wallace accomplishes a Fake News Fail with Trump interview [Video]
[image: President Trump gives landmark interview with Chris Wallace]On July 19th, 2020, Fox News’ reporter Chris Wallace was granted a no-holds-barred, nothing-is-off-the-table, and highly praised interview with President Trump. The edited video of this interview is available at the end of this piece. The interview is interesting because it highlights the main thrust of what has come to be called the “fake news […]
Trump throws down the gauntlet at Oval Office News Conference [Video]
[image: President Trump at a short Oval Office News conference]President Trump has enormous media transparency, far more than any president in history. Love him or hate him, his talent at using a hostile media to get his own message out is formidable and apparently quite effective. Here, the President gives a short, ten-minute interview in which he states in very clear terms that the spiraling […]
Surprise, surprise (no surprise) – Analyst says Russians did NOT hack DNC server [Video]
[image: The Deep State is really there, according to this former NSA director.]On July 18th, Bill Binney, a former technical director with the National Security Agency (NSA) went public on a video interview, saying something that readers of The Duran have known for three years or longer: the Russians did not hack anyone. Even the around the edges hinting of Russian involvement in somehow ‘meddling’ with the American presidential […]
Is This The New Normal?
In South London, buses are now taking a maximum of 30 passengers instead of 20, but masks are still compulsory. Many cafés and restaurants have reopened, and a few of them are allowing diners to eat in, albeit at alternate tables or a similar arrangement. Barbershops and nail bars have reopened with staff wearing visors […]
Archives: Teacher Merit Pay
*While the Institute is away at a corporate retreat, far, mostly, from the interwebz, I've arranged for some dips into the archives.* Again from seven years ago, and again, still completely applicable today. *Why Teacher Merit Pay Is Stupid * Sometimes we forget the obvious, so let me spell it out. Here's why teacher merit pay will never make sense.
Thought of the day
From Miguel at Gun Free Zone: Amazed to find out that exercise equipment is designed for people that are already fit. “If I had the weight limit you recommend, I would not need your ****ing expensive machine to begin with.” You can say that again! It's depressing to shop for fitness equipment, only to find that its maximum weight capacity is a long way below one's present weight. What's more, even if one is within the weight capacity of the machine, it'll creak, groan and complain during use, as if to say, "Only just!" Of course, with so much exercise equipment now being made i... more »
Brazil’s Federal Prisons Host Its Most Deadly Organized Drug Gang Members
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Bonde dos Cachorros is not a funk group, Amigos do Estado is not an NGO that partners with the Government, Sindicato RN does not defend any professional category and 'Cerol Fino' is not a kite club. These are the names, unknown to many, of some of the dozens of Brazilian […] The post Brazil’s Federal Prisons Host Its Most Deadly Organized Drug Gang Members appeared first on The Rio Times.
Rio’s Private Schools May Re-open on August 3rd, Says Mayor
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Mayor of Rio, Marcelo Crivella, announced on Monday, July 20th, that private school representatives announced their intention to restart classes on a voluntary basis on August 3rd. The return of the private The post Rio’s Private Schools May Re-open on August 3rd, Says Mayor appeared first on The Rio Times.
With 623 New Records, Brazil Passes 80,000 Deaths From Coronavirus (July 20th)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Brazil recorded 632 new deaths and 20,257 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours. According to the daily bulletin, released by the Ministry of Health, the country currently counts 80,120 deaths and 2,118,646 cases of the disease. According to Monday's report, July 20th, The post With 623 New Records, Brazil Passes 80,000 Deaths From Coronavirus (July 20th) appeared first on The Rio Times.
Musical Interlude: 2002, "Memory of the Sky"
2002, "Memory of the Sky"
"If We're Lucky..."
“Maybe we accept the dream has become a nightmare. We tell ourselves that reality is better. We convince ourselves it’s better that we never dream at all. But, the strongest of us, the most determined of us, holds on to the dream or we find ourselves faced with a fresh dream we never considered. We wake to find ourselves, against all odds, feeling hopeful. And, if we’re lucky, we realize in the face of everything, in the face of life the true dream is being able to dream at all.” - Dr. Meredith Grey, "Grey's Anatomy"
Sure I’ve lied about everything else, but this time I’m telling the truth......
......says the boy who cried collusion. Democrats and the media are currently on a kick that DJT will try to steal the upcoming election, and even if he loses won’t relinquish power. Meanwhile, the notorious liar Adam Schift is crying about a *"disinformation campaign against democrats."* Adam Schiff bitching about disinformation is like Michael Moore complaining about obesity; it’s his most obvious flaw. The same man who lied for years about having proof of Russian collusion and created the entire false narrative behind the unsuccessful Presidential coup attempt is now crying t... more »
How Kenya’s Indigenous Ogiek are Using Modern Technology to Validate their Land Rights
Global Issues News Headlines - 20 hours ago
CHEPKITALE, Kenya, Jul 21 (IPS) - The Ogiek community, indigenous peoples from Kenya's Chepkitale National Reserve, are in the process of implementing a modern tool to inform and guide the conservation and management of the natural forest. The community has inhabited this area for many generations, long before Kenya was a republic. Through this process, they hope to get the government to formally recognise their customary tenure in line with the Community Land Act. Read the full story, “How Kenya’s Indigenous Ogiek are Using Modern Technology to Validate their Land Rights”, on glo... more »
Tobacco Industry Factoid on Illicit Trade Leading Governments Astray
Global Issues News Headlines - 20 hours ago
BANGKOK, Thailand, Jul 21 (IPS) - A factoid is unreliable information repeated so often that it becomes accepted as fact. One such factoid repeatedly echoed across the globe by the tobacco industry is that tobacco tax increases worsen cigarette smuggling. Read the full story, “Tobacco Industry Factoid on Illicit Trade Leading Governments Astray”, on globalissues.org →
First bilateral trade agreement signed between EU and China
bilaterals.org - 20 hours ago
21-Jul-2020 The first significant bilateral trade agreement has been signed between the European Union (EU) and China this morning, Monday, July 20.
Cambodia-China FTA talks conclude, to be signed this year
bilaterals.org - 20 hours ago
21-Jul-2020 Chinese commerce minister Zhong Shan and Cambodian counterpart Pan Sorasak announced the conclusion of the talks via a video conference yesterday. The FTA is expected to be signed this year.
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