11:20 pm MST
Why The F-16 Fighter Still Strikes Fear Into Russia And China
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, * The F-16 was born out of the conundrum experienced by the Air Force in the Vietnam War. *Key point:* If the agile little fighter has any shortcomings, it’s that the American F-16’s radar has fallen out of date, and that the type was never designed to carry a great deal of fuel, limiting its combat radius to just 340 miles on internal stores. The F-16 Fighting Falcon bears an unusual distinctions: it is one of the only top jet fighters in the world to also be cost efficient. Fast and extremely agile, the light fighter does have some shortcomings in... more »
I Have One Good New Years Story
New Year's Eve is not one of my favorite holidays, and some of them have been downright unpleasant, but I have one good story. It involves the Olympic torch. This was the route. I wasn't kidding with "circuitous."Back on New Year's Day of 2002, the Olympic flame was on its way to Salt Lake City, and on its long circuitous route out West, the flame passed through Erie, Pennsylvania, which is just up the road from me. On New Years Eve I packed it in early and was in the car early the next day to take my turn at carrying the torch. My leg didn't come until a little after noon, but tor... more »
It's the first blog of the year
So what should we post as our very first post of 2020? Well, here's something that's happening right now... I've switched on BBC One and am seeing the BBC at its most self-indulgent. It's New Years Day primetime evening BBC One viewing and the BBC is paying tribute to 'Miranda', a minor hit on BBC Two a decade ago, and they've booked a massive hall and a cast of thousands - at, doubtless, ridiculous expense - to do it. Seriously, BBC, why? And, just as seriously, why am I even watching it? To tell the truth, I'm locked in a tense philosophical discussion with myself this eve... more »
Revolutionary News Reporting: Being Present for Future Generations
Photos by Brenda Norrell, Mohawks at Indigenous Peoples Border Summit; Marcos and friends in Sonora; AIM delegation demanding Lewis and Clark imposters leave South Dakota. Revolutionary News Reporting: Being Present for Future Generations By Brenda Norrell Censored News Even after being blacklisted in the news industry for 13 years, I am still surprised that the
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 1, 2020
Approximately 750 #Soldiers will deploy to the region immediately & additional forces from the IRF are prepared to deploy over the next several days. This deployment is an appropriate and precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against U.S. personnel... — Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper (@EsperDoD) January 1, 2020 *The Hill:* *Esper says 750 troops to deploy 'immediately' in response to violent embassy protests in Iraq* Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday that 750 U.S. soldiers will deploy "immediately" to the Middle East after violent prot... more »
The Poet: Joaquín Arcadio Pagaza, “Twilight”
*“Twilight”* “Slowly the sun descends at fall of night, And rests on clouds of amber, rose and red; The mist upon the distant mountains shed Turns to a rain of gold and silver light. The evening star shines tremulous and bright Through wreaths of vapor, and the clouds o'erhead Are mirrored in the lake, where soft they spread, And break the blue of heaven's azure height. Bright grows the whole horizon in the west Like a devouring fire; a golden hue Spreads o'er the sky, the trees, the plains that shine. The bird is singing near its hidden nest Its latest song, amid the falling dew, Enrap... more »
"No Other Way Forward..."
"Sometimes you imagine that everything could have been different for you, that if only you had gone right one day when you chose to go left, you would be living a life you could never have anticipated. But at other times you think there was no other way forward - that you were always bound to end up exactly where you have." - Kevin Brockmeier
"Snow, Death, and the Bewildered Herd"
*"Snow, Death, and the Bewildered Herd"* By Edward Curtin "Few people at this hour – and I refer to the time before the breaking out of this most grim war, which is coming to birth so strangely, as if it did not want to be born – few, I say, these days still enjoy that tranquility which permits one to choose the truth, to abstract one in reflection. Almost all the world is in tumult, is beside itself, and when man is beside himself he loses his most essential attribute: the possibility of meditating, or withdrawing into himself to come to terms with himself and define what it is he... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Howey In The Hills, Florida, USA. Thanks for stopping by!
"25 Profound 'Little Prince' Quotes Every Deep Thinker Will Appreciate"
by Kirstie Pursey "'The Little Prince', by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is a children’s story with some very profound meanings and some quotes that will really make you think. I have to admit that I never read the 'Little Prince' as a child. I think I wouldn’t have known what to make of it if I did. Even reading it as an adult I didn’t know what to make of it! However, it is clear that "The Little Prince" touches on some very deep themes about the nature of life, love, friendship and more. The following Little Prince quotes show just how many philosophical themes are discussed in thi... more »
"Everything..."
"Everything ends, and Everything matters. Everything matters not in spite of the end of you and all that you love, but because of it. Everything is all you've got…and after Everything is nothing. So you were wise to welcome Everything, the good and the bad alike, and cling to it all. Gather it in. Seek the meaning in sorrow and don't ever turn away, not once, from here until the end. Because it is all the same, it is all unfathomable, and it is all infinitely preferable to the one dreadful alternative." - Ron Currie Jr.
Heckler & Koch's VP9 Gun: The 'People's Pistol' Should Be Feared
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Americas* The world's favorite police gun. *Key Point:* The VP70 uniquely lacks a hammer, giving it a very interesting look. One of the most interesting semi-automatic handguns on the American firearms market is made in Germany. Designed and is manufactured in Oberndorf, Germany, the Heckler & Koch VP9 pistol is touted as one of the most durable, reliable handguns in the world. Born in aftermath of World War II, gunmaker Heckler & Koch has risen to become a major force in the international arms market. The story of Heckler & Koch (HK) began in immedia... more »
Why America's Navy Could Use A New Battleship
*Salvatore Babones* *Security, Asia* Thick armor is important. *Key Point:* The ultimate comeback. In World War II, the Japanese super battleships *Yamato* and *Musahi* each mounted nine 18.1-inch guns, the largest naval guns ever deployed, but they never sank a single American ship. In a conflict decided by naval aviation, *Yamato* and *Musahi* were used mainly as flagships and troop transports. Despite their huge armaments, they were steel dinosaurs from an earlier strategic age. But how do you sink a steel dinosaur? The answer is: "with difficulty." It took eleven torpedoes... more »
Our Girl
It’s a new dawn! It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me! One way your body tells you you’re getting older is through the medium of coffee. When I was younger its laxative, diuretic and insomnia-inducing effects were barely noticeable, but as time goes by, it makes me need to pee all the time. While constant coffee stimulates you and keeps you focused, the trips to the bog, (oh, you call it the loo) are such a nuisance, interrupting the mental flow. (While facilitating the physical flow if you like) So, where was I? Oh yes. Does anyone know how many times you can reh... more »
The Law and Consequences of the Recent Airstrikes in Iraq
Marines deploy to Iraq to bolster security at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Robert G. Gavaldon) This past Sunday, Dec. 29, U.S. military forces conducted airstrikes against five facilities in Iraq and Syria controlled by Kata’ib Hezbollah, an influential Iraqi militia with close ties to Iran and an official status as part of Iraq’s security forces. The Defense Department later confirmed that the airstrikes—which reportedly resulted in more than 25 fatalities—were in response to a series of rocket attacks against various facilities hou... more »
The one question every female sport presenter has been asked
I never thought Australia was excessively progressive — especially its media landscape — but in comparison to the stories I heard from colleagues abroad we're basically world leaders.
'How good's the gold price?': Amid an economic slowdown can the value of gold keep shining?
As global interest rates continue to fall and uncertainty continues, this precious metal has caught the interest of investors and analysts.
This is a must-see if you value your privacy
This Vice report looks at how China is using facial recognition technology to track every one of its citizens. However, if you think that same technology isn't being deployed right here in America, right now, you're ill-informed. I *know* it is. I have enough contact with former law enforcement colleagues to be sure of that. To understand this technology's near-terminal threat to your privacy, watch this 13-minute video clip. And here we thought that Big Brother was just a fictional trope . . . instead of a reality. Peter
THE LETTERS: Eight letters offer seven solutions!
*WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020But does the problem exist?* "The blind men and an elephant" is an ancient parable. According to the leading authority on the subject, "the earliest versions of the parable" date to maybe 500 BC. According to that same authority, the parable goes like this: *Blind men and an elephant* The parable of the blind men and an elephant originated in the ancient Indian subcontinent...It is a story of a group of blind men, who have never come across an elephant before and who learn and conceptualize what the elephant is like by touching it. *Each blind man feels... more »
Trump-o-nomics Saves Black Lives; Chicago closes year with double-digit drops in murders, shootings
Fact: People with jobs commit less crime. President Trump replaced banal “Hope and Change” with real tangible results. President Trump did for Obama’s Hometown in 3 years than Obama did in 8. Sad but true. Black Live Matter isn’t just a propaganda slogan to put on a bumper sticker to President Trump. President Trump actually … Continue reading "Trump-o-nomics Saves Black Lives; Chicago closes year with double-digit drops in murders, shootings"
North Korea leaves the US door open despite possible new nuclear tests: Japan is looking on
North Korea leaves the US door open despite possible new nuclear tests: Japan is looking on Ri Kuk-Chol and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, is letting America know that unless genuine dialogue occurs, then new major military tests may take place. This relates to the possible resumption […]
President Trump 'Blasts' The Media For Saying He Played Golf During The Embassy Crisis In Baghdad When He Was Not
The Fake News said I played golf today, and I did NOT! I had meeting in various locations, while closely monitoring the U.S. Embassy situation in Iraq, which I am still doing. The Corrupt Lamestream Media knew this but, not surprisingly, failed to report or correct! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019 *Sputnik:* *Trump Blasts 'Lamestream Media' for Reporting He Was Playing Golf During Iraq’s US Embassy Assault* “The corrupt lamestream media”, as POTUS referred to mainstream left-leaning news outlets, were well aware of his busy meeting schedule as he was monito... more »
The Sig Sauer P365 Is the Hottest Semi-Automatic On the Market
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/USA-GUNS-SHOT-RC1F55AA6000.html] Its the ideal concealed-carry pistol *Key Point:* Don't expect the Sig 365 to be surpassed for a long time. For now, the Sig 365 appears to be a pistol with remarkably few downsides. The pistol did have several reports of failure to enter battery, where the slide goes fully forward chambering a live round. The company halted shipments and replaced the springs, and the problem seems to have been addressed. Aside from this minor issue the company quickly corrected, the Sig 3... more »
Trump Deploys More Troops to Mideast After US Embassy Attack
President Donald Trump ordered about 750 U.S. soldiers deployed to the Middle East as about 3,000 more prepared for possible deployment in the next several days.
“Dog Walks 200 Miles to Find the Woman Who Rescued Her”
*“Dog Walks 200 Miles to Find the Woman Who Rescued Her”* By Jeffery Pritchett "A Russian dog named Shavi was hit by a car and left for dead by the driver. She was saved by a woman named Nina who took her in, nursed her back to health, and then found her a home. But Shavi escaped from her new home and walked nearly 200 miles back to be with her guardian angel. Last winter, Shavi had been trying to survive as a street dog during the harsh Russian winter when her life nearly ended. She was the victim of a hit-and-run, which resulted in two badly broken legs, among other injuries. Sh... more »
"You Are Not Crazy: Taking a Time Out"
*"You Are Not Crazy: Taking a Time Out"* by Madisyn Taylor, The DailyOM "Sometimes as adults, we just need a time out to refocus and gather ourselves before starting out again. Most of us feel a little crazy from time to time. Periods of high stress can make us feel like we’re losing it, as can being surrounded by people whose values are very different from our own. Losing a significant relationship and moving into a new life situation are other events that can cause us to feel off kilter. Circumstances like these recur in our lives, and they naturally affect our mental stability. ... more »
"I'm Not Dumb..."
Yeah, feels that way at times. How about you?
Happy New Year! 2020: Will We Head Toward War, Or Put the World in Order?
[image: President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump depart Hangar 6 at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, after signing S. 1790, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)] “I think that people at the beginning of the year ... always start with deeper thoughts than usual,” was the opening reflection by Helga Zepp-LaRouche yesterday, speaking on the last Schiller Institute weekly webcast of the old year. “Where should this year go?” she asked. “What should be accomplished? What are the dangers?... more »
Woman Dies, After Family Says She Jumped Out of Cop Car to Avoid Rape
[image: police]The family of a woman who died in police custody is demanding answers after alleging their daughter jumped from a police vehicle to avoid rape.
‘Concerning’: Clusters of ‘Drones’ Flying Grid Patterns Over 2 States Have Officials on Edge
[image: drones]Multiple clusters of up to 30 6-foot-wide drones have been spotted flying grid patterns at night in two states and authorities have no idea who is behind it.
The Two Frances
We continue the episodic publication of Thierry Meyssan’s book, Before Our Eyes. In this episode, France appears divided: on the one hand, the President plays into the hands of the Anglo-Saxons and his Gaullist rival into the hands of Qatar, while two very right-wing ministers rely on former Libyan Prime Minister.
Jennifer Christie: "It's More Than Weather"
A few days ago I asked Indiana progressive candidate Jennifer Christie if she was up for commenting on a post I was working on about the Republican war against science. Was she ever! In fact she has *so much* to say about it-- and even sent us a homemade video!-- that I decided to run it as a stand alone post. *Why Climate Change is an Existential Threat -by Jennifer Christie* * It’s more than weather* The Earth’s climate has been extraordinarily stable which is partially why humans have done so well. A stable climate has enabled the development of agriculture and the adv... more »
"In The Final Analysis..."
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” - Mother Teresa
Charles Hugh Smith, “Burnout”
*“Burnout”* by Charles Hugh Smith “At least once a year, I completely burn out: exhausted, I no longer have the energy or will to care about anything but the bare minimum for survival. Everything not essential for survival gets jettisoned or set aside. This goes with the territory if you're trying to accomplish a lot of things that are intrinsically complex and open-ended- for example, running a business, being a parent, juggling college, work, family, community commitments, etc. I am confident many if not most of you have experienced burnout due to being overwhelmed by open-ende... more »
Can Iran Hope To Stop U.S. Stealth Drones?
*David Axe* *Security, Middle East* America is increasing its presence in the Middle East. *Key point:* In the aftermath of the drone shoot-down, it’s a safe bet that radar-evading American drones are flying around Iran. U.S. forces on deployment to the Middle East include F-15E fighter-bombers, F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters and B-52 bombers, among others. But as tensions escalate between the United States and its allies including Saudi Arabia on one hand, and Iran and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on the other hand, it’s worth considering what other American aircraft might ... more »
North Korea Just Revealed Its 'New Way'
*Daniel R. DePetris* *Security, Asia* North Korea’s new way, it appears, is much like the old way: build up the strategic deterrent to the maximum extent possible; prepare for rough economic times ahead; keep China and Russia close in order to ensure just enough seepage in the sanctions regime to get by; and hope a bolt of lightning hits Washington, D.C. that finally convinces U.S. officials that military threats and ever stronger financial sanctions will only produce more resistance. Will the Trump administration get the message? This time last year, North Korean leader Kim Jon... more »
For This Imperial Japanese Soldier, World War II Didn't End Until 1974
*Warfare History Network* *History, * Remarkably, Onoda was not the last Japanese soldier to come in from World War II. *Key point:* His first words upon landing in his homeland were, “I am greatly embarrassed to return.” The Japanese empire was a fine place for young Hiro Onoda. In 1939, at age 17, he hired on with a lacquerware company that posted him to Hankow (Wuhan) in Japanese-occupied China. There, he visited suppliers by day and danced the night away with obliging Chinese women. His idyllic world, along with that of countless others, came to an abrupt end in December 19... more »
Is the Ross Rifle the Worst Gun of All Time?
*Warfare History Network* *Security, * Let us know what you think. *Key Point:* The Ross rifle is a classic example of cronyism coming before efficiency. At the turn of the 20th century, Canada was dependent on Great Britain for rifles to equip her army. In 1901, however, a request by the Canadian government to purchase 15,000 Lee-Enfield Mark I rifles from Britain was denied. The British were in the process of upgrading and replacing rifles used in the Boer War, and with first priority given to arming their own troops, there were no rifles to spare at the moment for the North ... more »
Battleships' of 2020: What Does A Crewless Warship Look Like?
*Michael Peck* *Security, * What is it like to design a ship with no crew? What is it like to design a ship with no crew? No living quarters, galleys or lavatories. DARPA, the Pentagon’s research agency, wants to design a ship designed from scratch to be fully automated. The project, known as No Manning Required, Ship (NOMARS), aims to create a ship where every inch is available – or not wasted, depending on how you look at it – on human beings. “The NOMARS program seeks to design a ship that can operate autonomously for long durations at sea, enabling a clean-sheet ship design... more »
Donald Trump’s Three Mistakes on North Korea
*Henri Féron* *Security, Asia* Talks collapsed because Trump over-relied on sanctions, blocked inter-Korean cooperation and stalled on peace. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s January 1st speech at a Worker’s Party Central Committee meeting put the final nail in the coffin of President Trump’s “maximum pressure and engagement” policy. Kim rescinded his two-year moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests, promised the demonstration of a “new strategic weapon” in the “near future,” and called for “foil[ing] the enemies’ sanctions and blockade by dint of self-reliance.” Kim... more »
Does China Really Need Aircraft Carriers?
*James Holmes* *Security, Asia* In home water, no. Far away, for sure. One of the world's top naval experts explains. No. And Yes. Should the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) consummate its maritime strategic aims, aircraft carriers might well be superfluous for defense of the Western Pacific and China seas. But that’s a feature in Chinese fleet design, not a bug. Carrier task forces unneeded for local defense are available to carry the Chinese flag into faraway demesnes, projecting influence far beyond East Asia. Resources sluiced into building flattops have not gone to waste. A... more »
Britain's Astute-Class Submarines Are A Big Headache For Russia's Navy
*Robert Farley* *Security, Europe* And they aren't going away. *Key point: *Along with the two Queen Elizabeth–class aircraft carriers, the Astutes represent the core of the Royal Navy’s offensive capabilities. Since the commissioning of HMS *Dreadnought* in 1963, the Royal Navy has maintained a formidable force of nuclear attack submarines. Indeed, HMS *Conqueror* is the only nuclear attack submarine (SSN) to ever sink an enemy warship in anger. But the Royal Navy has undergone a transformational crisis over the past decade, shrinking in size and changing in composition. The la... more »
President Trump Says He Does Not Want, Or Foresee, War With Iran
*WNU Editor:* You may not want war, but war may want you .... *Trump says he does not want, nor foresee, war with Iran* (Reuters). My prediction. Iran is going to back down, but will keep the demonstrations loud and less violent.
Australia Sending Aid to Wildfire Towns as Death Toll Rises
Apocalyptic wildfires have left at least 17 people dead nationwide and sent thousands of residents and holidaymakers fleeing to the shoreline.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Says The U.S. Can't Do A Damn Thing
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei meeting with Iranian nurses. January 1, 2020 *Daily Mail:* *You can't do a damn thing!' Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei hits back at Donald Trump after the president threatened to make him pay a 'big price' for US embassy attack* * Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has strongly condemned deadly US strikes on Iraq * Supreme leader warned his country was ready to confront threats from the US * President Donald Trump warned the Islamic republic would pay a 'big price' * He accused Iran of 'orchestrating' the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad I... more »
Iraqi Activist: US Embassy Attackers Are the ‘Same People’ Who Have Been Killing Anti-Government Demonstrators For The Past Few Months
US Marines fired tear gas at the Iran-backed militia and their supporters early on Wednesday as the siege outside the US embassy in Baghdad continued for a second day. Iraqi flags were seen being flown, as well as the yellow of Kataeb Hezbollah *Sputnik:* *US Embassy Attackers Are ‘Same People’ Killing Peaceful Iraqi Protesters - Activist* While Washington leaders have attempted to draw parallels between the Iraqi protesters demonstrating peacefully for months and the violent group who attacked the US Embassy in Baghdad Tuesday, the truth is that nonviolent protesters have also be... more »
Pro-Iran Militia Members Are Preparing For A Long Stay Outside The U.S. Embassy In Baghdad
Demonstrators waving Iraqi flags outside the US embassy in Iraq as the siege rumbled on for a second day. Trump has squarely levelled blame at Iran for the assault on the consulate Cooking pots set up outside the embassy where 50 tents and a number of portable toilets have been shipped in for the long haul *Daily Mail:* *Siege at the US embassy: Pro-Iran militia storm Baghdad compound for a second day as Marines fire tear gas and video reveals how bloodthirsty Hezbollah fighter vowed to kill every American inside* * Yesterday thousands of demonstrators - many of them members of Ir... more »
Assange is Dying in UK Category A Prison, While UK Pedophiles Roam Free
Julian Assange did the whole world a big favor by publishing confirmatory evidence of an interlocking system aimed at concentrating power into the hands of the Deep State. Yet, only a few of those believe in free speech have the time to do something to pressure the UK to release him immediately for the simple … Continue reading Assange is Dying in UK Category A Prison, While UK Pedophiles Roam Free →
More Life for the Wealthy - Less Life for the Poor
How is disparate human life valued? By "wealth"! Chetty R, Stepner M, Abraham S, et al. The Association Between Income and Life Expectancy in the United States, 2001-2014. *JAMA.* 2016;315(16):1750–1766. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.4226 Importance The relationship between income and life expectancy is well established but remains poorly understood. Objectives To measure the level, time trend, and geographic variability in the association between income and life expectancy and to identify factors related to small area variation. Design and Setting Income data for the US ... more »
Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your year. - Armine Yalnizyan writes about the ongoing struggle for workers' rights a century after the Winnipeg General Strike: Most workers have no channels for acting, or even talking, collectively. That may be changing. Here in Canada, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers launched a campaign in May to organize Foodora’s bicycle and car couriers in Toronto, in hopes of providing access to basic workers’ rights. In June, 300 Uber drivers in the Greater Toronto Area formed a union with the United Food and Commercial Workers to push back against unfai... more »
Happy 2020: Notes From The Edge Of The Narrative Matrix
Start over in the new year. Also, start over at any other time during the rest of the year, whenever you want, as often as you like. Time is an illusion anyway. I cannot assure you that things will get better in the ’20s. I […]
Security Personnel At The US Embassy In Baghdad Fired Tear Gas And Rubber Bullets At Iranian-Backed Militia Demonstrators In A Second Day Of Unrest
*CNN:* *US Embassy security personnel fires rubber bullets at Baghdad protesters in second day of unrest* Security personnel at the US Embassy in Baghdad fired tear gas and rubber bullets at hundreds of protesters on Wednesday, as demonstrations at the compound entered a second day. Protesters were seen trying to climb the embassy's exterior walls, an eyewitness -- who asked not to be named for security reasons -- told CNN. Others said the protesters were hurling rocks at the building and trying to set fire to its walls and to the security booths at the main entrance. It marks ... more »
ISIS suffers heavy losses after launching several attacks against Syrian Army troops
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:30 P.M.) – The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) launched several attacks against the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) troops in the eastern countryside of the Homs Governorate this week, targeting a number of sites in the Badiya Al-Sukhnah region near Deir Ezzor. ISIS reportedly began their attacks on Tuesday morning, hitting a number of Syrian […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Al-Qaeda linked jihadists launch attack on largest Russian base in Syria
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:10 P.M.) – The Al-Qaeda linked jihadists from Rouse the Believers, a coalition of militant groups, launched several grad rockets towards the largest Russian military base inside Syria. According to the terrorist group, their forces fired several grad missiles towards Russia’s Hmeimim Airbase in the southwestern countryside of the Latakia Governorate. The terrorist […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
All illegal foreign forces in Syria will be treated as aggression: Deputy FM
BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:55 P.M.) – Syrian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Faisal Al-Miqdad, said that any illegal foreign presence on Syrian soil will be treated as an aggression and occupation of Syrian territory. Al-Miqdad said in a statement to the Syrian News Agency (SANA) on Tuesday, “we are always ready to sacrifice and […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
North Korea vows to develop new strategic weapon if US doesn’t change ‘hostile’ policies
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised that his country will continue to develop strategic weapons if the US doesn’t change its “hostile” policy, according to media quoting the leader who spoke during the meeting of ruling party officials, as shown in footage broadcasted by North Korean State TV on Tuesday. He was quoted as […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
US immediately deployed 750 soldiers to Middle East after embassy protest
US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper tweeted Tuesday that, at “the direction of the Commander in Chief”, he had authorized the immediate deployment of additional forces to the Middle East to mitigate what he characterized as “increased threat levels against” American personnel. Esper also said that an infantry battalion from the Immediate Response Force (IRF) […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
The Daily Brief 2019-12-30
This is a summary of 18 AMN articles on the following subjects: Libya, LNA, Syria, Turkey, China, Bahrain, Iraq, Russia, Israel, Aleppo, Ansarallah, Houthi, Yemen, Idlib, Baghdad, US, Washington, Damascus, Daraa, Raqqa, Assad, Putin. Categories covered in this brief: North-Africa, Syria, Turkey, World-News, Gulf, Iraq, Yemen Let us know how you like this brief in […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
No Benghazi on this President’s Watch
Crisis Response Marines Sent To U.S. Embassy In Baghdad . Troops hit the ground in Bagdad in response to the attack on our embassy. 100 U.S. Marines, two Apache helicopters reinforcing embassy in Baghdad after attack. . The 750-strong troop deployment is the second wave of reinforcements landing in Baghdad to help secure the U.S. embassy. That will be followed by a 4,000 troop deployment as needed. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (December 31) he does not want, or foresee, war with Iran, after he earlier threatened to retaliate against the country following violent protest... more »
Pacific nation of Palau bans sunscreen toxic to coral reefs in environmental world first
The Pacific nation of Palau is the first country in the world to ban sunscreen which contains chemicals that are "incredibly toxic" to its coral reefs.
Floods in Indonesia's capital kill 9 people and force thousands to evacuate
At least nine people have been killed and almost 20,000 people evacuated as flash flooding submerges parts of the Indonesia's capital and nearby towns.
Disgruntled Pope Francis apologises for slapping woman's arm to free himself from her grasp
Just In - 14 hours ago
Pope Francis apologises for losing his patience and setting a "bad example" after he slapped a woman's arm when she grabbed hold of his hand and yanked him towards her.
Fire Kills More Than 30 Animals at Zoo in Western Germany
Police said the fire may have been caused by sky lanterns launched to celebrate the new year.
REAL AMERICANS DON'T THINK ANYONE IS TOO FAR GONE TO BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A GUN
We've been told that the church shooting in White Settlement, Texas, was ended quickly by a good guy with a gun, but as *The New York Times* reports, church security and parishioners noticed something suspicious about the shooter, Keith Kinnunen, well before he pulled out his shotgun: Though he had been to the church before, Mr. Kinnunen aroused suspicion among members of the security team on Sunday when he walked in wearing a trench coat and what looked like a fake beard. He tailed a family as they entered the church, which immediately brought attention his way. “He walked across t... more »
Musical Interlude: 2002, "Wings II ~ Return To Freedom"
*2002, "Wings II ~ Return To Freedom"* "Relaxing Music, Meditation Music, Stress Relief, Music for Studying. Over 1 hour of soothing, relaxing music for studying, meditation, yoga, and sleep. These are peaceful, soothing, instrumental compositions." A much needed musical interlude before, and especially after, the posts below. I know, I know...
Sen. Graham Laying Out Coup Plot Process
Lindsey Graham doing a step by step through the who, what, and how of the coup plot and plotters shown by the IG report. Continue reading →
FDA Failed to Police Opioids Makers, Thus Fueling Opioids Crisis
Johns Hopkins’ researchers document failure of FDA opioids regulation; maybe more effective regulation could have averted the opioids crisis.
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From Jenna Orkin Grooming ‘epidemic’ as almost 19,000 children identified as sexual exploitation victims in England Convert half of UK farmland to nature, urges top scientist Judge orders Georgia to switch to paper ballots for 2020 elections Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott are now going after ‘offensive’ museum artCuba’s Urban Farming Shows Way to Avoid HungerOxyContin Billionaire Granted Patent for Opioid Addiction Treatment (2018)Old people can produce as many new brain cells as teenagers German Arms Exports Surge To Record High, Hungary Biggest Buyer 1. Schumer: Bo... more »
"Central Banks Don’t Matter"
*"Central Banks Don’t Matter"* By Brian Maher “There is no money in monetary policy.” Could it be true? Is there no money in monetary policy? Yesterday we argued the Federal Reserve cannot even define money… much less measure it to any reasonable satisfaction. Today we venture upon a heresy deeper still - that central bank “monetary” policy has no actual existence. No money stands beneath it, behind it, beside it. The emperor is well and truly nude. Who then actually controls monetary policy today? The answer may very well lie hidden in the “shadows.” The details - the shocking det... more »
The Smith & Wesson 500: A .50 Caliber That Is More Like a Cannon?
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * [image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_500#/media/File:500withsmith629.jpg] A gun must be powerful, but also useful. *Key Point:* The Smith & Wesson 500 is the definition of overkill, which makes it unsuitable for home defense. In the world of firearms, there are plenty of boutique guns and calibers out there. Many are very powerful, but may have a very small market audience. Among the unique class of very, very big handguns, the Smith & Wesson 500 packs both popularity and power in a ridiculously lethal package, with a killing... more »
"Economic Market Snapshot 1/1/20"
*AM 1/1/20, Updated frequently as available.* ◆ Gregory Mannarino, PM 1/1/20: "Predictions for 2020" - https://www.traderschoice.net/ ◆ *MarketWatch Market Summary, Live Updates* - https://www.marketwatch.com/tools/marketsummary *CNN Market Data:* - http://money.cnn.com/data/markets/ *CNN Fear And Greed Index:* - http://money.cnn.com/data/fear-and-greed/ ◆ *Buffett Indicator: Where Are We with Market Valuations?* "As of 1/1/20 (updates daily): The Stock Market is Significantly Overvalued. Based on historical ratio of total market cap over GDP (currently at 153.1%), it is likely to r... more »
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