Saturday, July 25, 2020

25 July - Blogs I'm Following - 4 of 5

10:16 pm MDT

Untitled

JR at GREENIE WATCH - 16 hours ago
*How Earth’s Climate Changes Naturally (and Why Things Are Different Now)* *The heading above is from a long but emptyheaded article that catalogs in a handwaving way the various influences on earth's climate.One might expect that a consideration of all the natural influences would inspire doubt about the anthropogenic global warming thesis. One would think that a signal emanating from human deeds would be hard to distinguish from all the other influences at work.No such luck. The article is straight warmism. The idea seems to be to create an air of profundity in its claim... more »

"For This Is What We Do..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 16 hours ago
Maybe you can see what's coming clearly, know what it is, and understand very well there's no escape, at all. You can't help but react emotionally, there's little defense against some "truths". How can you not react, if you truly understand what it is, and means? And some days, after a time, the sheer enormity of it all makes you falter in hopeless despair, and feel like this... So we take the unavoidable hits, hits that don't stop coming, and pull ourselves together as best we can... “Sometimes we love with nothing more than hope. Sometimes we cry with everything except tears. In t... more »

“Cohesive” Italian Parliament on neo-colonial missions

Bruce K. Gagnon at Organizing Notes - 16 hours ago
*The Art of War* By Manlio Dinucci Italian Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini (Democratic Party) expressed great satisfaction with the "cohesive" vote of the Parliament on international missions. The majority and the opposition approved 40 Italian military missions in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia in compact form, there were no votes against and few abstentions except some dissent in support of the Tripoli Coast Guard. The main "peacekeeping missions,” that have been underway for decades in the wake of the US / NATO wars (in which Italy participated) in the Balkans, Afgh... more »

Who Is The Biggest Drag On Republican Candidates In Florida-- Trump Or DeSantis?

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 16 hours ago
*Lambchop by Nancy Ohanian* Yesterday's Quinnipiac poll of Florida voters, released just as the U.S. crossed the 4.1 million case load, must have left White House heads exploding. Trump's overall job approval is way underwater-- 40% approve and 58% disapprove. (When it comes to his handling if the pandemic, it's even worse-- just 37% approve.) And Trump is dragging down the Florida GOP with him. They're all underwater. DeSantis' job approval is just 38%, while 57% disapprove. Rick Scott's approval is down to 41%, with 44% disapproving, similar to Marco Rubio's 40% approval/44% disap... more »

Second Wave: Record Numbers of New Covid-19 Cases in Every Global Region

Newsfeed at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - (Reuters) Almost 40 countries have reported record single-day increases in coronavirus infections over the past week, around double the number that did so the previous week, according to a Reuters tally showing a pick-up in the pandemic in every region of the world. The rate of cases has been increasing […] The post Second Wave: Record Numbers of New Covid-19 Cases in Every Global Region appeared first on The Rio Times.

Covid-19: Brazil Passes 85,000 Deaths, Records Over 50,000 Daily Cases (July 24th)

Xiu Ying at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Yesterday Brazil saw its third consecutive day with over 50,000 new Covid-19 cases recorded in 24 hours. According to a survey by the media outlets consortium, there were 58,249 notifications from the state Secretariats between Thursday and Friday, bringing the total of . . . To read the full NEWS […] The post Covid-19: Brazil Passes 85,000 Deaths, Records Over 50,000 Daily Cases (July 24th) appeared first on The Rio Times.

China Offers to Lend US$1 Billion to Latin America to Buy Chinese Covid-19 Vaccines

Richard Mann at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Chinese regime is becoming active in the region, amid the catastrophe of the coronavirus pandemic born in late 2019. In this context, Mexico and China chaired an online meeting with other Latin American and Caribbean nations to discuss international cooperation in the fight against Covid-19 and the challenges posed […] The post China Offers to Lend US$1 Billion to Latin America to Buy Chinese Covid-19 Vaccines appeared first on The Rio Times.

Instant Payment System PIX: Fintechs and WhatsApp Win, Terminals and Banks Lose

Richard Mann at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Central Bank announced this week that it will advance from November to October the launching of a service that will revolutionize the payments market in Brazil. It is called PIX, the instant payments and transfers system between digital wallets that will work 24 hours a day at zero cost […] The post Instant Payment System PIX: Fintechs and WhatsApp Win, Terminals and Banks Lose appeared first on The Rio Times.

Bolsonaro Is Now Favorite in 2022 Presidential Election Race

Arkady Petrov at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Jair Bolsonaro government has been through the perfect political storm for the past three months. The crisis unleashed by the novel coronavirus pandemic, which the president belittled from the outset, was compounded by numerous factors: the resignation of his most popular Minister, Sérgio Moro; two replacements at the Ministry […] The post Bolsonaro Is Now Favorite in 2022 Presidential Election Race appeared first on The Rio Times.

Fiocruz Waiting for Oxford’s Covid-19 Vaccine Approval to Begin Production

Xiu Ying at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Bio-Manguinhos vaccine manufacturing facility at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, in northern Rio, is considered the largest in Latin America and is preparing to produce the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University in the United Kingdom. The Oxford vaccine is in stage 3, the final stage, which will determine its […] The post Fiocruz Waiting for Oxford’s Covid-19 Vaccine Approval to Begin Production appeared first on The Rio Times.

São Paulo City Hall Postpones Carnaval 2021 Celebrations Due to Coronavirus

Iolanda Fonseca at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The São Paulo City Hall has decided to postpone both the street Carnaval and the 2021 Samba School parades due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The new date has not yet been set, but in the case of parades, the São Paulo Samba Schools League proposes that the festival be held […] The post São Paulo City Hall Postpones Carnaval 2021 Celebrations Due to Coronavirus appeared first on The Rio Times.

São Paulo Governor Announces New Quarantine Period Until August 10th

Iolanda Fonseca at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - São Paulo's governor João Doria yesterday announced a further quarantine period in the state as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The new period runs from July 27th to August 10th. This is the eighth quarantine in the state, which has been in social isolation since March 24th. The […] The post São Paulo Governor Announces New Quarantine Period Until August 10th appeared first on The Rio Times.

Study: Adopting Social Isolation May Have Saved 118,000 Lives in Brazil

Adele Cardin at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - A study conducted by economic statistics area professors at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) shows that up to 118,000 lives may have been saved in Brazil as a result of social isolation measures in May to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The study's findings […] The post Study: Adopting Social Isolation May Have Saved 118,000 Lives in Brazil appeared first on The Rio Times.

We are Preparing to Rule the Country Again in 2022, Says Lula

Dorah Feliciano at The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Ex-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said yesterday that the PT is preparing to win the 2022 general elections and reconquer the presidency of Brazil. Lula made this statement in the form of a message to the people who, in his words, are afraid of the party. "For those who […] The post We are Preparing to Rule the Country Again in 2022, Says Lula appeared first on The Rio Times.

"How It Really Is"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 16 hours ago

America's B-21 Bomber Is One Step Closer To Being War Ready

Kris Osborn at The National Interest - 16 hours ago
*Kris Osborn* *Security, * While most of the B-21 development is “black,” for understandable reasons, Roper’s comment offers an interesting window into some of what developers generally describe as a new generation of sensing, computing, targeting and processing information made possible by rapid software modernization. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *Not only will integrated next-generation software exponentially speed-up war-sensitive decision making, but it will also increase performance for weapons systems. Things like weapons guidance systems, weapons network security, p... more »

Can Mosquitoes Infect You with Coronavirus?

Ethen Kim Lieser at The National Interest - 16 hours ago
*Ethen Kim Lieser* *Health, * Thank god, the answer is no. Here is what the science tells us. Global agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and medical experts are in agreement: There is absolutely no truth to the myth that mosquitoes can carry and transmit the novel coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the diseases that can be spread to people by mosquitoes include the Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue, and malaria. With this in mind, many people have wondered whether coronavirus could be transmitted as well. ... more »

South China Sea Showdown: Here's How America Is Trying To Contain China In Its Own Backyard

Ted Galen Carpenter at The National Interest - 16 hours ago
*Ted Galen Carpenter* *Security, Asia* [image: Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) pulls alongside hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) to deliver supplies and mail by a connected replenishment in the South China Sea August 15, 2016. Picture taken August 15] All of these developments are signs that Washington is embracing a containment policy directed against the PRC, and speculation grows about the emergence of a cold war between the two countries. Recent US diplomatic and military moves in the Pacific theater are conveying a strong ... more »

Fauci Ain’t No ‘Dr. K’

Terry at 'Nox & Friends - 16 hours ago
♫ ♫ Buy him some peanuts and Crackerjacks ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ I don’t think he will ever be back ♫ ♫ After his impressive flattening-the-curve -ball rocket, he apparently was asked by the Washington Nationals front office to give back the team hat, and to lower the mask with their team logo so as to be less conspicuous. Here he is seen gleefully infecting the other 2 fans out of spite…. Hard to believe Dr. Fauci’s incredible feat of athleticism had ever been topped. But it had been. Years ago. By a girl! I’ve seen enough. Here’s how a REAL man does it….. ~Terry

Saturday Snippet: Horses, silver mines, and money

Peter at Bayou Renaissance Man - 16 hours ago
I'm slowly but surely getting back into writing, despite the rather stultifying effects of some serious medication the doctors prescribed for me after my heart attack last year. I'm hopeful that I'll be fully back in harness by the end of the year. To demonstrate that I'm on the mend, here's a snippet from the fifth novel in my Western series, the Ames Archives. I hope to publish it later this year. The novel doesn't yet have a title, but it'll involve a number of issues from previous books in the series, including the first sales of horses from the breeding herd Walt bought in ... more »

"Why the Unraveling Will Accelerate"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 16 hours ago
*"Why the Unraveling Will Accelerate"* by Charles Hugh Smith "Since the first news of pandemic in late January, I've been discussing potential accelerants to the unraveling of our fragile financial system: second-order effects (initial travel restrictions and layoffs were first-order effects, new waves of layoffs are second-order effects) and the shift from linear dynamics (add 1 to inputs, that changes output by 1) to non-linear: (add 1 to inputs, that changes output by 10). The system appears stable until a catalyst pushes it off the cliff. Catalysts come in a variety of forms, f... more »

Roman Warm Period was 2°C warmer than today, new study shows

Jamie Spry at Climatism - 16 hours ago
Originally posted on Tallbloke's Talkshop: Credit: OH 237 @ Wikipedia Natural climate variability similar to what we see today has been going on for thousands, if not millions of years, whether ‘greenhouse gas’ theorists moaning about modern human activities like it or not. – – – The Roman Empire coincided with warmest period of…

"Covid-19 Pandemic Updates 7/25/20"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 16 hours ago
*"Covid-19 Pandemic **Updates 7/25/20" * *- Frequently **Updated* Please visit these sites often for the very latest ○ Covid-19 Pandemic and Economic news and information. *Updated July 24, 2020, 8:50 PM E.T.* "More than 15.6+ million people around the world have been infected with Covid-19; 4,122,121 of them are Americans. Here is the latest case count. The number of daily tests conducted in the U.S. is only 39 percent of the level considered necessary to mitigate the spread of the virus. See how your state’s testing compares to others. ○ *- https://www.zerohedge.com/* *JULY 25, 2... more »

Links 7/25/2020

Lambert Strether at naked capitalism - 17 hours ago

TACA Is Hosting a Monthlong Virtual Autism Conference

Age of Autism at AGE OF AUTISM - 17 hours ago
Here's a bright spot for all of us! TACA is hosting a virtual conference throughout the month of October. Don't laugh, it's not that far off! We have Halloween candy in our grocery stores already. This conference will provide an... more »

Free to Be You and Me... No More.

Age of Autism at AGE OF AUTISM - 17 hours ago
Who is old enough to remember this GLORIOUS album of songs from 1972? Every song was about kindness, acceptance, a cohesive America and sought to shatter stereotypes. It featured stars like a young Michael Jackson, Alan Alda, Rosey Grier, Carol... more »

A chat about Any Questions, Chris Mason & Peter Hitchens

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 17 hours ago
For those who listened to *Any Questions* on Radio 4 last night (or are about to do so again when it's repeated shortly), here's a little Twitter chat about it. It's a rather civilised one by the standards of Twitter, and I think that fair points were made all round. Chris Mason is a great improvement on Jonathan Dimbleby. I think he'd also make a great replacement for Anita Anand on *Any Answers - *though, alas, I don't think my prayers will be answered on that front. Moreover, I do hope that the Monster Munch story below is true. I rather like pickle onion-flavoured Monster M... more »

Russiagate is a 100-percent fake story, Part I – Some Thinking Required

Seraphim Hanisch at The Duran - 17 hours ago
On July 23rd, 2020, the Schiller Institute, an international human rights organization, and Executive Intelligence Review, a magazine founded by Lyndon LaRouche in 1974, held a news conference featuring former NSA analyst William (“Bill”) Binney. The conference started with this proposition: If it were shown, using competent forensic evidence, that there is no actual proof of […]

Antony and Cleopatra a Political Satire

John Hagan at The Duran - 17 hours ago

Both Russian And American Supersonic Jets Spied On Israeli Nukes During The Yom Kippur War

David Axe at The National Interest - 17 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, Middle East* The war could have gotten out of control. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *Subsequent SR-71 flights over Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Israel gathered intel on the fighting as Jewish forces counter-attacked with U.S. logistical support. In the late 1960s and early ‘70s the most sophisticated spy planes in U.S. and Soviet service—the Mach-three SR-71 Blackbird and equally speedy MiG-25 Foxbat, respectively—flew dangerous reconnaissance missions over the Middle East, supporting opposing American and Russian policies. In June 1967 Israel went to w... more »

The Nazis' Graft Spree Was One Mighty Pocket Battleship (But It Too Was Doomed)

Warfare History Network at The National Interest - 17 hours ago
*Warfare History Network* *History, Europe* [image: By Source: York Space Institutional Respository, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40286521] Here is how it met its fate. *Key Point: *Berlin entered the war underprepared in terms of its Navy. Yet, they fought on as best they could even though the Royal Navy was still the master of the seas. When German dictator Adolf Hitler loosed his troops into Poland on Friday, September 1, 1939, he hoped that a lightning conquest would result in a negotiated peace with Great Britain and France. Hitler’s previous territorial move... more »

Protest Stoke's Racist Lord Mayor

Phil at All That Is Solid ... - 17 hours ago
Last month featured a a brief post about Stoke's outgoing Lord Mayor, Cllr Jackie Barnes, and her tendency to post up outright racist and dog-whistling pieces to social media. The story made the national media and thanks to the furore her successor, Cllr Melanie Baddeley of the City Independents (and formerly of the BNP), resigned her deputy mayoralty and won't be taking over from her in September. However, Cllr Barnes remains the mayor. According to the statement occasionally sent out by the City Council in response to complaints, she has "self-referred" to the standards committee... more »

A Surge in Violence (part one)

Larry-Lambert at Virtual Mirage - 17 hours ago
The Attorney General has made an announcement. The words below are his. Operation Legend Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Operation Legend, a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative across all federal law enforcement agencies working in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight the sudden surge […] The post A Surge in Violence (part one) appeared first on Virtual Mirage.

Australian drug convict released after 12 months in Bali prison

Just In - 18 hours ago
Australian man William Cabantog walks free from prison in Bali after serving one year for possession of cocaine in a nightclub.

Sharks hold off Dragons, Roosters survive Warriors scare

Just In - 18 hours ago
After nearly coughing up a sizable lead, Cronulla holds on to beat the fast-finishing Dragons 28-24, while the Sydney Roosters survived a scare against the Warriors side, winning 18-10.

Coronavirus Quarantine: The Online Nightlife Guide for Saturday, July 25, 2020

Beatriz Miranda at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
With Brazil stepping up precautionary measures against COVID 19, the entertainment sector in Rio and São Paulo has suspended its activities for an undetermined period of time. ONLINE FESTIVAL: Juntos Pela Vila Gilda (online) – This two-day-festival aims to raise funds for the community of Vila Gilda (Santos, São Paulo), the biggest favela community of […] The post Coronavirus Quarantine: The Online Nightlife Guide for Saturday, July 25, 2020 appeared first on The Rio Times.

Texas bracing for Hurricane "Hanna" - landfall expected this afternoon or early this evening

Tropical Storm "Hanna" remains in an atmospheric and oceanic environment conducive for strengthening, and is expected to reach hurricane status before it makes landfall this afternoon (LT) or early this evening, July 25, 2020, along the coast of southern...... Read more »

Why Russia Thinks Aircraft Carriers Will Go the Way of the Dinosaurs

Lyle J. Goldstein at The National Interest - 18 hours ago
*Lyle J. Goldstein* *Security, Europe* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2015%3Anewsml_TM3EB5J0Z6S01&share=true] They aren't unsinkable, but they aren't dead yet either. *Key Point: *Carriers will remain the mainstay of naval power for the foreseeable future. But they also may not always reign supreme. The 2019 iteration of the naval exercise *Sea Breeze*, which brought together nineteen nations (mostly from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and thirty-two ships, ended in the Ukrainian port of Odesa on July 12. The exercise was apparently co... more »

Allowing Iran Snapback Sanctions to Expire Would Be a Security Disaster

Thomas Spoehr at The National Interest - 18 hours ago
*Thomas Spoehr* *Security, Middle East* In order to maintain any control over Iran’s violent machinations in the Middle East—both in the short-term and the long-term—the United States should trigger UNSCR 2231’s snapback mechanism and soon. With nearly a dozen explosive incidents occurring across Iran in the past three weeks—including one at a prominent nuclear facility in Natanz—renewed questions have emerged regarding Tehran’s nuclear enrichment activities. Iranian hesitance to retaliate may be due to its fear that the United States could invoke the Joint Comprehensive Plan of ... more »

Three gorges dam

arclein at Terra Forming Terra - 18 hours ago
By now it has become rather obvious that the Three Gorges Dam itself is unstable and subject to potential collapse. Each year it is been loaded by the summer floods and pressurized. This means that the cross section of the dam is rotating to hold the increasing pressure. All this movement, even in inches, produces fracturing which weakens the whole cross section. All this comes about because the foundation must be much weaker than safe. Since this is larger than past builds, it is likely that bearing needs of those foundations must be built exponentially stronger. It may ... more »

Rising Chinese Nationalism

arclein at Terra Forming Terra - 18 hours ago
The real opposition to the CCP happens to be Chinese nationalism. Hong Kong has shown the way and CCP opposition is public now. What has to happen is a China first movement acting in direct opposition to the CCP. We already have folks hitting the bricks. Hanging out banners is a simple step forward. It is all there at the local level already. Better yet everyone has likely read the USA Declaration of Independence and the Constition as well. This puts on paper the population's claim for real freedom. Thus a rise of sentiment can be associated with completely indigeouness a... more »

Hydroxychloroquine Should Be Available Over The Counter

arclein at Terra Forming Terra - 18 hours ago
Of course it should. It is good old quinine after all which allowed the white man to actually live in africa. Think about that. When asian flue hit back in the fifties we resorted immediately to quinine. This happens to be an obvious public health initiative short of testing all the population which is almost impossible and ill advisable anyway. Better yet to throws full responsibility back on to the patient where it is for most anyway. Put it about that this is the first step. If still sick come in then. *Hydroxychloroquine Should Be Available Over The Counter* *by... more »

How HUD's Housing Policies Became a Weapon for Social Change

arclein at Terra Forming Terra - 18 hours ago
As usual the left proposes regulatory abuse as a solution for a problem that does not actually exist. For the nonce, such Obama era initiatives remain still born. We are still missing the point and that is the top third to two thirds of the population can pay to be safe and sound in a comfortable home. This has nothing to do with social justice but common sense. Urban neighborhoods that are not providing just that while also deeply depreciating will be abandoned and occupied by those requiring a lower cost of living. Easily reversed of course by a full reinvestment but still ... more »

Nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier group to enter eastern Mediterrean

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: Nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier group to enter eastern Mediterrean] BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:30 P.M.) – The nuclear aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower, and 12 other warships have arrived in the Mediterranean. The planes on board the aircraft carrier will conduct exercises with the Greek Air Force, according to the news portal Newsbomb.gr. According to news portal, the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower with a group of escort ships will enter the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal on Saturday. The aircraft carrier will go to the area south of the Greek island ... more »

Iran slams US interception of airliner as ‘act of terrorism’

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: Iran slams US interception of airliner as ‘act of terrorism’] BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:00 P.M.) – Tehran confirmed that it had submitted a formal complaint to the International Civil Aviation Organization, describing the American fighter’s interception of an Iranian civilian plane over Syrian territory as “terrorist and aggressive behavior”. On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the United States of risking a civil plane disaster. “The United States has intercepted a civilian passenger plane on a regular flight, endangering innocent civilian passengers ... more »

Yemeni Army captures important sites in Al-Bayda after heavy battle with Ansarallah forces

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: Yemeni Army captures important sites in Al-Bayda after heavy battle with Ansarallah forces] BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:00 P.M.) – The Yemeni Army, loyal to the government, scored a big advance in the Al-Bayda Governorate on Friday after clashing with the Ansarallah forces at the Qaniyah front. According to pro-government reports, the Yemeni Army captured several areas inside the Qaniyah District, including a number of points that were heavily protected by the Ansarallah forces. Pro-government media claimed that several members of the Ansarallah forces were killed and wounded as a ... more »

Syrian Army’s elite 25th Division deploys to southern Idlib with heavy weapons

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: Syrian Army’s elite 25th Division deploys to southern Idlib with heavy weapons] BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:45 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) elite 25th Special Mission Forces Division (formerly Tiger Forces) have deployed to the southern countryside of the Idlib Governorate this week after taking a long-hiatus following the conclusion of the Ma’arat Al-Nu’man operation. According to reports from the southern Idlib front, the 25th Division deployed several soldiers to the Jabal Al-Zawiya region amid reports of a new offensive against the Turkish-backed militants and their jiha... more »

First prayer and service held at Hagia Sophia in 86 years

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: First prayer and service held at Hagia Sophia in 86 years] BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:10 A.M.) – The Imam of the Hagia Sophia began the prayer in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the worshipers on Friday Earlier on Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul, where the first prayer for the mosque began after 86 years. The mayor of Istanbul, Ali Yirlikaya, announced the closure of the roads surrounding the Hagia Sophia mosque, due to the heavy traffic caused by the large attendance. Continue reading First ... more »

Russian Navy showcases its military might in large-scale drills off Syrian coast: video

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: Russian Navy showcases its military might in large-scale drills off Syrian coast: video] BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:50 A.M.) – The Russian Navy carried out large-scale drills off the coast of Syria’s Tartous Governorate this week, showcasing their military capabilities in the eastern Mediterranean region amid increased tensions between several nations. According to Sputnik Arabic, the Syrian coastal region witnessed the qualitative training of the Russian Navy, as they used their warships, military choppers and combat aircraft to simulate the effectiveness of their forces in battle... more »

First Arab country acquires new Chinese missile system

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: First Arab country acquires new Chinese missile system] BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:30 A.M.) – China has started exporting the third generation of their Red Arrow-12 anti-tank systems, also known as the HJ-12. According to the China Defense website, Algeria has become the first Arab country to obtain the upgraded Chinese anti-tank system. Not surprisingly, the Algerian military has long-standing relationships with the Chinese military-industrial complex. It has bought from China self-propelled howitzers, mortars, and multiple missile launch systems, as well as reconnaissance and atta... more »

Watch: Moment Russian Su-27 jet intercepts US military aircraft over Black Sea

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: Watch: Moment Russian Su-27 jet intercepts US military aircraft over Black Sea] BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:20 A.M.) – The Russian Ministry of Defense released a video of an American reconnaissance aircraft that appeared on July 23 over the neutral waters of the Black Sea. The plane was approaching the Russian border, so the Russian military began to track the U.S. aircraft. The footage shows how the Russian fighter crew approached the American plane, and identified its type as an American reconnaissance plane, the U.S. Continue reading Watch: Moment Russian Su-27 jet intercepts US ... more »

Four rockets hit military base hosting US-led Coalition forces

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: Four rockets hit military base hosting US-led Coalition forces] BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:50 A.M.) – At least four rockets hit a military base hosting U.S.-led Coalition troops south of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, causing a number of explosions in the process. According to reports, four Katyusha rockets targeted the Besmaya base south of Baghdad, which hosts the Spanish forces of the Coalition. The rocket attack reportedly caused some material damage to the base, but no one was harmed. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Continue reading Four rockets hit mil... more »

Israeli helicopters strike Syrian Army posts in Quneitra

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: Israeli helicopters strike Syrian Army posts in Quneitra] BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:30 A.M.) – The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a new attack against the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) after allegations of munitions being fired towards the occupied Golan Heights region. In a statement released on Twitter, the Israeli Defense Forces said they targeted the Syrian Arab Army’s positions in the southern part of the country, hitting the latter’s posts near the border region. “Earlier today, munitions were fired from Syria toward Israel,” the statement began, pointing out that “in respons... more »

Greece, Egypt strengthen ties amid Mediterranean tension with Turkey

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: Greece, Egypt strengthen ties amid Mediterranean tension with Turkey] BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:20 A.M.) – Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi receivedg on Thursday evening, a phone call from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to discuss several issues, including the ongoing conflict with Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean According to a statement of the official spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency , published on Facebook, the contact dealt with some regional files, particularly the developments of the Libyan issue and Turkish drilling in the eastern Mediterranean.... more »

The Daily Brief 2020-07-24

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 18 hours ago
[image: The Daily Brief 2020-07-24] This is a summary of *10* AMN articles on the following subjects: *Iran, Syria, Romania, Russia, Libya, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, US, Greece, Mediterranean, China*. Categories covered in this brief: Iran, Syria, World-News, North-Africa, Turkey, Iraq Let us know how you like this brief in the comments below. — The AMN Live Team Table of Contents - Moment US F-15 intercepts Iranian civilian airliner over Syria - Romanian warplane intercepts Russian strategic bomber - Syria 2.0? Continue reading The Daily Brief 2020-07-24 at AMN - Al... more »

Out with the old?

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 18 hours ago
After 33 years, Dame Jenni Murray is now peering over her permanently-lowered glasses towards the exit door of the *Woman's Hour *studio. Her final programme will on October 1. Apparently it's her own choice, though, as an admiring Amanda Platell speculates in today's *Daily Mail,* maybe the whole trans controversy found herself embroiled in back in 2017 made her feel less at home at an increasingly 'woke' BBC. Her former Radio 4 colleague Libby Purves, writing in the *Daily Telegraph, *pays her handsome tribute, describing her as "a feminist, campaigner, humanist, confessional... more »

Another market to conquer?

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 18 hours ago
*The Times* reports today that the BBC is planning to generate revenue to fund its public arm by launching a new subscription service for the North American market. The service as yet hasn't a name or a home, though it *could* be called 'BBC Four' after* our* BBC Four is taken off air. It will be a “highly curated” on-demand platform and its focus will be on “politics, culture and ideas”. It does look as the BBC are putting a good deal of time and energy into it and it will be interesting to see if it generates as much money for them as they hope it will, especially in light o... more »

Hidden motives?

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 18 hours ago
So Emily Maitlis says she got a supportive text from Dominic Cummings after the BBC criticised her for breaching BBC editorial guidelines with her controversial Dom-and-Boris-bashing *Newsnight* monologue. Now, if all's as Emily tells it, that's definitely quite something: It's astonishing that DC sent it. And it's almost as astonishing that EM kept quiet about it for a few weeks and then dropped it into a *Tatler * interview. That he evidently had her phone number initially surprised me - for all of two seconds. Of course he had it! Emily's choice of phrase to describe Dom's te... more »

Australia welcomes Vietnam's ban on wildlife imports, markets amid new health fears

Just In - 19 hours ago
Vietnam announces it will ban wildlife imports and wildlife markets over concerns that more viruses, like the one causing COVID-19, could jump from animals to humans.

Families left confused about options amid strengthened SA-Victoria border restrictions

Just In - 19 hours ago
There is expected to be a mad dash across the border this weekend for many South Australians in Victoria desperate to get home while they still can, but many are still confused over just who is allowed in.

Roosters survive a scare against lowly Warriors

Just In - 19 hours ago
The Sydney Roosters were run all the way by a determined Warriors side, but the favourites avoided an upset loss, running out 18-10 winners in Gosford.

Man pulls driver from wreckage of car before it bursts into flames in Armadale

Nicolas Perpitch at Just In - 19 hours ago
Justin Gould was driving behind a white car on Albany Highway when he saw a small silver car coming from the other direction suddenly cross over the grass median strip and collide head-on with another car.

Four die in Gold Coast car crash

Just In - 19 hours ago
Four people die in a two-car collision on a major Gold Coast hinterland road, with one young man escaping with minor injuries.

Blues keep their cool to hold off North, Papley leads Swans to win over Hawthorn

Just In - 19 hours ago
Carlton responds to its last-gasp loss to Port Adelaide by holding its nerve in a tense final quarter against North Melbourne, while four Tom Papley goals lead the Swans to victory over Hawthorn.

Taipei swelters through hottest day since 1896, Taiwan

Taiwan's capital Taipei sweltered under a scorching 39.7 °C (103.5 °F) on Friday afternoon, July 24, 2020, marking the city's hottest temperature since records began in 1896. According to the Central Weather Bureau, the record-setting temperature was...... Read more »

California cap-and-trade program’s “price and revenue volatility make planning nearly impossible”

drinkingwateradvisor at The Drinking Water Advisor - 19 hours ago
“After California’s May allowance auction settled at the minimum price and generated almost no revenues for the state, the long knives are again out in Sacramento for the state’s cap and trade program. What’s the point of a carbon market, … Continue reading →

Bill Gates pushing for 7 billion mandatory experimental RNA injections that re-program human cells to produce coronavirus spike proteins

j at Wake Up To The Truth - 19 hours ago
07/23/2020 / By Lance D Johnson Operation Warp Speed is underway in the United States as the federal government moves forward with approximately $2 billion in contracts with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to produce and deliver up to 300 million experimental vaccine doses by January 2021. In the meantime, state governments and health departments are … Continue reading Bill Gates pushing for 7 billion mandatory experimental RNA injections that re-program human cells to produce coronavirus spike proteins →

After AOC Calls Feds Trump’s “Secret Police” – Border Patrol Chief Shuts Her Antifa Argument Down

j at Wake Up To The Truth - 19 hours ago
By Adam Casalino|July 24, 2020 What’s Happening: AOC, like many other leftists, is outraged that Trump would send in federal law enforcement to end the surge of crime in major cities. Exposing her shocking lack of knowledge, she called federal agents “secret police”: The United States of America should not have secret police. Clearly, AOC … Continue reading After AOC Calls Feds Trump’s “Secret Police” – Border Patrol Chief Shuts Her Antifa Argument Down →

James Wood Points Out Stark Difference Between Protestors in Hong Kong and Portland

j at Wake Up To The Truth - 19 hours ago
By Jack Hadfield July 24, 2020 Conservative actor James Woods just pointed out that while protestors in Hong Kong fly the Stars and Stripes, protestors in Portland fly the flag of communism. A Stark Comparison In a tweet simply captioned, “ironic,” James Woods displayed two very contrasting photos. One of the protestors in Hong Kong … Continue reading James Wood Points Out Stark Difference Between Protestors in Hong Kong and Portland →

Everyone but far-left feels intimidated into silence, new survey finds

j at Wake Up To The Truth - 19 hours ago
Even moderate liberals and Democrats are wary of expressing their opinions, according to respondents. Fri Jul 24, 2020 – 4:33 pm EST By Calvin Freiburger Follow Calvin PETITION: Investigate George Soros’ role in funding domestic terrorism! Sign the petition here. July 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Conservatives, centrists, and moderate liberals all feel afraid … Continue reading Everyone but far-left feels intimidated into silence, new survey finds →

Canadian health dept OKs strangers having sex if they wear masks, don’t look at each other

j at Wake Up To The Truth - 19 hours ago
The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control insists that the only advisable restriction on sexual behavior during the COVID pandemic is that people shouldn’t face each other. Fri Jul 24, 2020 – 7:32 pm EST YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV / Shutterstock.com By Calvin Freiburger WARNING: The following article contains graphic descriptions of lascivious sexual practices. Reader … Continue reading Canadian health dept OKs strangers having sex if they wear masks, don’t look at each other →

Australia declares ‘there is no legal basis’ to Beijing’s claims in South China Sea | Australia news | The Guardian

j at Wake Up To The Truth - 19 hours ago
Australia says China’s claims to disputed islands are ‘invalid’ and are not consistent with UN convention on law of the sea Elias Visontay @EliasVisontay Sat 25 Jul 2020 Australia has declared “there is no legal basis” to China’s territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea, marking an escalation of recent tensions with Beijing … Continue reading Australia declares ‘there is no legal basis’ to Beijing’s claims in South China Sea | Australia news | The Guardian →

Bill Gates’s Nuclear Firm Collaborated With Chinese Military Proxy

j at Wake Up To The Truth - 19 hours ago
July 24, 2020 Natalie Winters Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, who notoriously praised the Chinese government’s handling of coronavirus, has collaborated with a Chinese Communist Party-linked nuclear firm tied to the nation’s military, The National Pulse can reveal. The Microsoft billionaire chairs a nuclear power initiative working alongside a Chinese energy company deemed a military asset … Continue reading Bill Gates’s Nuclear Firm Collaborated With Chinese Military Proxy →

Thomas Frank: Populism is Not Mob Rule

Yves Smith at naked capitalism - 19 hours ago
Liberal elites see mass movements as endangering their 'educated and wise leadership’. Populism and anti-populism has deep roots in American history.

Loose Nukes: Pakistan Remains A Nuclear Disaster Waiting To Happen

Caleb Larson at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Caleb Larson* *Security, Asia* Questions abound about how secure the nuclear missiles in Pakistan are from falling into non-state actor’s hands. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *Speaking to the New York Times, some American officials expressed their concern about “new vulnerabilities for Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, including the potential for militants to snatch a weapon in transport or to insert sympathizers into laboratories or fuel-production facilities.” Unlike India, Pakistan lacks a sea-based nuclear delivery platform and thus does not have a three-pronged nuclear tr... more »

Could Pakistan's CM-400AKG Missile Threaten India's Aircraft Carriers?

David Axe at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, Asia* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2020%3Anewsml_RC2Z8F9X4VEJ&share=true] The China-built missile is an unusual one. *Key Point: *This missile can be paired with Pakistan's jet fighters. Here is how Islamabad might use this new weapon. Pakistan’s newest fighter jet could launch a powerful, but strange, new anti-ship missile. The Pakistani air force is acquiring more than a hundred JF-17s from China in order to complement older F-16s, Mirages and J-7s. *This first appeared earlier in 2020 and is being reposted due to re... more »

In A Single Year, Russia Demolished Ukraine's Air Force

David Axe at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, Europe* A year of fighting starting in 2014 cost Ukraine a full half of its fighter jets, cargo planes and military helicopters. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *When Russian troops swept into Crimea in February 2014, they overran a number of Ukrainian air bases and captured scores of aircraft, many of them in poor condition and unable to take off. nd as the war expanded to Ukraine’s east, Kiev’s pilots found themselves conducting air attacks against pro-Russian separatists armed with high-tech surface-to-air missiles—one of which destroyed a Malaysian ... more »

Rohingya Women Take a Seat at the Table & Share Stories in a Growing Rights Movement

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 24 (IPS) - Rohingya women are coming together to feature their own work, plight and stories in mainstream conversations about their community — a space they say they've been left out of. "If we think of revolutions or liberty or think of any ways to liberate ourselves from the shackle of suffering and being dubbed as 'the most persecuted minority on earth', women have to be part of it," Yasmin Ullah, president of the Rohingya Human Rights Network, told IPS. Read the full story, “Rohingya Women Take a Seat at the Table & Share Stories in a Growing Rights Movemen... more »

Iranian FM on US Targeting Passenger Jet: ‘These Outlaws Must be Stopped’

21wire at 21st Century Wire - 20 hours ago
*21WIRE* | Washington continues to play its dangerous game with Iran and Syria.

Hitchens: ‘Excessive COVID Fears Have Completely Changed the Country’

21wire at 21st Century Wire - 20 hours ago
*talkRADIO* | “They deliberately stirred up excessive fear at the beginning, which has completely changed the nature of the country."

Coleman Hughes: Challenging the Political Premise of ‘Black Lives Matter’

21wire at 21st Century Wire - 20 hours ago
*John Anderson Show* | How valid are their demands for 'social justice'?

Trump Foreign Policy Enters Lame Duck Period

M. K. BHADRAKUMAR at OrientalReview.org - 20 hours ago
There was a time when President Trump’s personalised diplomacy seemed a hydra-headed phenomenon with tentacles reaching far and wide. He engaged such diverse politicians — from Shinzo Abe and Kim Jong-Un to Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi, from Mohammed bin Salman and Recep Erdogan to Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel. […]

Even If Joe Biden Wins in a Blowout, the ‘Global Economy’ Is Not Coming Back

Yves Smith at naked capitalism - 20 hours ago
Why corporations are past the high water mark for global commerce.

Stress Test of a Straining Superpower

Patrick J. Buchanan at The Duran - 20 hours ago
From the protests, riots, rampages and statue-smashing of the last two months, it is apparent that millions of Americans detest our history and heroes. Though nowhere in recorded time have 42 million people of African descent achieved the measures of freedom and prosperity they have in the USA, we are daily admonished that ours is a rotten and sick society whose every institution is shot through with “systemic racism.”

JUSTIN FAIRFAX — Black Lies Matter

TheDarkMan at The Duran - 20 hours ago
The Republicans may have been hit with more than a few manufactured scandals since Donald Trump declared his intention to run for the Presidency, but so have the Democrats, to complement their real ones. The big difference is that scant attention is generally paid to the latter. Until recently. Earlier this year, Tara Reade came […]

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