10 pm MST
Seen in Cairo's Heliopolis : A Mid-Century Modern Villa
[image: A mid-century modern villa in Cairo] A mid-century modern villa in Cairo One of my favorite villas in Cairo’s Heliopolis is this Mid-Century Modern villa in El-Oroba street. It is one of the unique mid-century modern style buildings in El-Orba street which hosts a wonderful collection of villas and palaces. According to my mom, this design was so popular and was found in several different areas like in Dokki and Maadi in the old days. Many villas and palaces were demolished in Heliopolis to be replaced with big towering residential buildings. Hopefully, this building survive... more »
Skeptics Doubt China Will Adhere to Phase One
[image: skeptics-doubt-china-will-adhere-to-phase-one] Senator Charles Schumer may be right: The Chinese communists are laughing behind Trump's back after signing an agreement they have no intention of keeping.
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Order That Lets States Refuse Refugees
[image: federal-judge-blocks-trump-order-that-lets-states-refuse-refugees] Mere days after Texas became the first state to decline refugee resettlement under a Trump executive order, the order was blocked by a federal judge.
Avenatti Arrested Again, This Time at a Bar Disciplinary Hearing
[image: avenatti-arrested-again-this-time-at-a-bar-disciplinary-hearing] Tough-talking porn lawyer Michael Avenatti was arrested again yesterday, this time for violating terms of his release before a federal trial.
Democrats Win as Wisconsin Voter Purge Put on Hold by Appeals Court
[image: democrats-win-as-wisconsin-voter-purge-put-on-hold-by-appeals-court] A Wisconsin appeals court halted a voter roll purge of over 200,000 names after a lower judge had ordered the effort to go forward.
Iran threatens to kill European soldiers if Europe doesn't do what Iran wants
Iran has formally declared that it will break its commitment to not develop nuclear weapons and so Germany, Britain, and France are starting a process which could result in the reinstatement of sanctions against Iran. Iran's response was to threaten to kill European troops deployed in the Middle East. This is the country that Democrat politician side with over our President.
Trump administration broke the law over Ukraine aid, says watchdog
Just In - 11 hours ago
The White House violated federal law in withholding security assistance to Ukraine, a United States federal watchdog agency says. It comes as the US House of Representatives sends changes of impeachment to the Senate.
Putin appoints unknown hockey buddy as Russia's new PM
Just In - 11 hours ago
The Russian parliament overwhelmingly backed President Vladimir Putin's surprise choice for prime minister after a major political overhaul that some say could set Mr Putin up as leader for life.
What Democrats celebrating impeachment tells us
Not surprisingly Nancy Pelosi has been lying to you. She's said that impeachment is a somber necessity. But the fact that Democrat politicians cheered and jumped up and down like High School seniors who just found out that daddy is giving them a car for graduation showed otherwise. As did the way Pelosi staged the actual signing of and transfer to the Senate of the articles of impeachment; she was jumping up and down with joy. Clearly Democrat politicians impeached Trump not because he did anything criminal, they admit that since there are no crimes listed in their articles of impe... more »
What have Democrats done for you? Nothing
Since winning the House in 2016 pretty much every Democrat has had a laser like focus on one thing; no not making your life better but rather undoing your vote in 2016. Their sole focus has been in destroying Trump no matter how much damage it causes the country or how much it hurts you. Democrats monomaniacal fixation on power is such that they have defended post birth abortion and Soleimani in order to attack Trump. They will say, do, and ally with anyone they think will help them get power. They work hard to ensure that it's easy for illegal immigrants to illegally vote--in CA ... more »
Egypt Opens A Massive New Air And Naval Base On The Red Sea
I was happy to accompany the Egyptian President during the opening of the Berenice military base and civilian airport. Such achievements reflect Egypt's vision of all-round development and enhance its role in regional stability. We wish it more progress and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/nvbWqMA01j — محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) January 15, 2020 *Middle East Eye:* *Egypt seeks to bolster Red Sea influence with massive new base* *Egyptian facility, inaugurated with much fanfare and presence of Abu Dhabi crown prince, set to be used as an anti-Iran bulwark.* Egypt’s President Abde... more »
‘Friends’ Cast Reunion Special Remains a ‘Maybe’ for HBO Max
The “Friends” reunion will be there for you. Maybe.
Utah Stops Distribution of Condoms with Cheeky Slogans
The HIV-awareness campaign used slogans that put a sexy spin on Utah state pride.
Human Rights Watch Blasts China for Rights Violations at Home and Abroad
Global Issues News Headlines - 11 hours ago
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 16 (IPS) - China is currently under heavy scrutiny for its massive human rights violations across different sections, Human Rights Watch (HRW) head Kenneth Roth said on Wednesday. Read the full story, “Human Rights Watch Blasts China for Rights Violations at Home and Abroad”, on globalissues.org →
Climate Change and Financial Risk
Global Issues News Headlines - 11 hours ago
WASHINGTON DC, Jan 16 (IPS) - Pierpaolo Grippa is a senior economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Jochen Schittmann is the IMF's resident representative in Singapore and Felix Suntheim is a financial sector expert in the IMF's Monetary and Capital Markets Department*. Climate change is already a reality. Ever-more-ferocious cyclones and extended droughts lead to the destruction of infrastructure and the disruption of livelihoods and contribute to mass migration. Read the full story, “Climate Change and Financial Risk”, on globalissues.org →
Bernie Sanders isn't a misogynist; but he did say you were
In their desperate attempt to keep Bernie Sanders from getting the Democrat nomination--not because they don't like his plan to make government all powerful but because they don't think he can win--the #FakeNews media have been trying to paint his alleged comment that a woman can't win in 2020 as misogynistic. To see the problem with that imagine if someone in Nazi Germany in 1935 said that a Jew couldn't win some election and so people said that he was an antisemite. Clearly what the person was saying is that the German voters were antisemites and that they'd never elect a woman. ... more »
Movie Mogul Harvey Weinstein Goes on Trial in New York and Also Has Been Charged with Sexual Assault in Los Angeles
Harvey Weinstein is going on trial in New York for allegations that include rape and sexual assault relating to two unnamed accusers. He says the sexual encounters were consensual.
2020 Will Have Lowest Solar Activity in 200 Years – Severe Earth Cooling is Predicted
Based on 20 years of observation and data, scientists are predicting that the sun will be nearly seven percent cooler and dimmer by 2050 causing a 'mini ice age'. [The real deniers in the climate-change controversy are those who deny that global warming is a politically motivated myth.]
Richard Pan Wants To Take Away The Medical Licenses of 130 California Doctors for Writing Vaccine Medical Exemptions….
Things are VERY BAD in California. All of the stories you have heard about large segments of the population leaving the State are absolutely true… In California “Corruption” is all there is… Opinion by “Deplorable” Consumer Advocate Tim Bolen Yes, California has the worst homeless problem in the history of America. Yes, there are human … Continue reading Richard Pan Wants To Take Away The Medical Licenses of 130 California Doctors for Writing Vaccine Medical Exemptions….
No, the 1953 Coup in Iran Didn’t Start U.S.-Iran Dilemma
*Michael Rubin* *Security, Middle East* There is much to debate in U.S. policy, but facile readings of history do neither the United States nor Iran right. Indeed, to suggest that 1953 drives current conflict not only is dangerous because it appears to justify any outrage men like Soleimani might want to commit, but it also condescending to deny Iranians agency and responsibility for their own actions. As foreign policy and national security increasingly become political footballs, a bizarre phenomenon has taken root in Washington that no matter what the outrage, pundits and pre... more »
One Reason Not To Fear China's Stealth Fighters and Bombers
*David Axe* *Security, Asia* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/CHINA-THAILAND-MILITARY-GF20000071709.html] They can't even get their engines to work. *Key Point:* It's not obvious when these critical systems issues will be solved. The Chinese military is building up a meaningful force of J-20 stealth fighters, Y-20 strategic airlifters and other high-tech military aircraft while also developing a new stealth fighter, fighter-bomber and heavy bomber. But for all of these advancements, Chinese industry still is struggling to manufacture arguably the most important sub... more »
These 5 Marksman Rifles Are The Best On The Planet
*Charlie Gao* *Security, Americas* The designated marksman rifle is becoming increasingly popular in recent years. *Key Point:* What makes them so popular? The designated marksman rifle is becoming increasingly popular in recent years. The United States is purchasing more of them through the Army’s Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS) program. Also, in a recent reform of infantry equipment, the British Army announced that it would be ditching its version of the M249 SAW, the L110 Minimi, and buying more L129A1 designated marksman rifles. What rifles could be consider... more »
Putin's Power Puzzle: Russia's President Loses a Cabinet and Gains an Exit Strategy
*Nikolas K. Gvosdev* *Security, Eurasia* [image: Reuters] Vladimir Putin now has a Napoleonic-style referendum with which to mobilize the population and seek the public imprimatur of a new mandate for reshaping Russian politics for the 2020s. Russian president Vladimir Putin dropped a bombshell on Wednesday during his 2020 state of the union address to legislators. He announced a raft of constitutional amendments that, if enacted, would transform the Russian political system. In response, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev offered the resignation of the country’s entire Cabinet so th... more »
Palestinian child prisoners face further repression and transfer
Israeli prison administration announced that 34 Palestinian children would be transferred to Damon prison on Monday morning, 13 January, without the presence of their adult representatives. The post Palestinian child prisoners face further repression and transfer appeared first on If Americans Knew Blog.
Virginia Voted To Pass The ERA, But The Trump/Barr Justice Department Is Preventing It From Becoming The 28th Amendment To The Constitution
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution passed another milestone yesterday. Virginia became the 38th state-- and that's how many you need to make it the 28th amendment. But the Trump regime has already moved forcefully to prevent that. Let me explain. First the text of the resolution proposing the amendment (H.R. 208): Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United State... more »
Don’t Be a Modal Weasel
I often hear academics say things like: “It is not necessarily the case that the evidence would support that.” Is this sentence meaningless or just trivial? I don’t know, but I am still surprised by how many otherwise reasonable people hide behind such verbiage. Other common examples of the defense use of modal diction: 1. […] The post Don’t Be a Modal Weasel appeared first on Econlib.
A Distraction Inside a Diversion Within a Deflection
I almost feel sorry for CNN, the most mistrusted name in news. As you've probably heard, one of its debate moderators belligerently asked Bernie Sanders *why* he had told Elizabeth Warren that a woman could never win the presidency rather than *if *he had told her this. This tacky episode of desperately obvious collusion between the war industry-financed cable giant and the faltering campaign of Elizabeth Warren puts CNN in a real quandary as Donald Trump's impeachment trial opens in the Senate. How will its reporters juggle the onerous task of breathlessly hyping the drama of Ukrai... more »
**Mike Vanderboegh – Ardent Opponent To Tyranny** (3%) CCDL Gun Rights Rally 4/20/2013
Nothing more to add, folks. His words are plain as day and more relevant today than when originally spoken…HEA SOURCE
Death from Cardiovascular Disease up 25% in Colorado between 2010-2011 and 2015-2016
Do you ever read something in the news and have an immediate and fearful apprehension, a sense of foreboding? MASS MORTALITY EVENTS INCREASING I have been documenting mass mortality events for animals and elevated mortality statistics for people in the US since 2011. For example, see my posts here covering news reports of animal anomalies and shrinking human lifespans: http://majiasblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/animal-anomalies-is-fukushima-daiichi.html http://majiasblog.blogspot.com/2016/12/americans-lifespan-is-shrinking-experts.html Recent news that Colorado's cardiovascular ... more »
RATIONAL ANIMAL TALES: Atticus Finch [HEART] Bob Ewell!
*THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020And calls to mind Donald J. Trump:* Does it really make sense? Does it make sense to create an "adaptation" of a famous book—in this case, a famous novel—if you don't even like the book? If you don't *understand* the famous book, even in the most basic ways? Also, have you "adapted" a famous novel if, in the course of your "adaptation," you simply change the famous novel's basic events all around? If you massively scramble the attitudes andthe views of its famous characters? Should we call that an "adaptation?" The famous novel to which we refer is Har... more »
VA Declares State of Emergency to Stop ‘Serious Threats of Armed Militias Storming Capitol’
[image: state of emergency]The Virginia governor declared a state of emergency claiming an attack on the capital will take place, complete with drone attacks from above by militia groups.
Trump Impeachment Trial: Senators Must Be Seated Today By High Noon; Swearing In At 2 PM
With Schiff and Nadler in the lead, this impeachment process will be worth listening to. Trump Impeachment Trial – Senators … Continue reading →
US Virgin Islands Attorney General George Files Lawsuit Against Estate of Jeffrey Epstein and Related Companies for Sex Trafficking
As recently as 2018, Jeffrey Epstein was seen leaving his plane with girls who appeared to be between the ages … Continue reading →
Russian MPs Confirm Mikhail Mishustin As New Prime Minister
*Daily Mail:* *'I'm sure the Russian people will support me': Putin is confident of becoming Russia's leader for LIFE after changing the constitution* * Putin says he believes Russians will support sweeping changes to constitution * Planned changes could pave the way for him to extend leadership beyond 2024 * Putin is supposed to step down as president by 2024 under the current rules Vladimir Putin believes the Russian people will support his sweeping changes to the country's constitution that could keep him in power long after his presidential term ends. The Russian President... more »
Review Losing Iraq, Inside The Post War Reconstruction Fiasco
*Phillips, David, **Losing Iraq, Inside The Post War Reconstruction Fiasco**, Westview Press, 2005* *Losing Iraq, Inside the Post War Reconstruction Fiasco*by former State Department official David Phillips argues that the United States failed in Iraq. Phillips was involved with the Future of Iraq Project, which brought together Iraqi opposition figures to plan for a post-Saddam Iraq. He adds important information about what the State Department was doing before the 2003 invasion, which has largely been overlooked for the activities of the Pentagon, the CIA, and the White House. Ph... more »
This Day In Iraqi History - Jan 16
1943 Iraq declared war on Axis (Musings On Iraq book review of *Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq*) 1948 Communists led protests against new Anglo-Iraq Treaty Fired upon by police 4 killed Led to large sectors of country to turn against treaty (Musings On Iraq book review *Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam*) (Musings On Iraq Interviewwith Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party) 1981 UN Envoy Palme visited Iran and Iraq to try to negotiate ceasefire in war 1987 Iran seized Bovarian Island Basra and caused... more »
"The future is stupid" - electric car edition
According to this meme (found on Gab), it certainly looks that way! It's almost as good as a photograph I once saw of a non-hybrid model Toyota Prius (i.e. no engine - plug-in recharging only), driving along a road, with a gasoline-powered generator mounted on its towing hitch! Peter
Mexico Can’t Sell Presidential Jet, Tries Odd Sales Pitches
Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador has made selling off the luxurious presidential jet a centerpiece of his austerity program, but there's just one problem: Nobody, it seems, wants to buy the white elephant.
Watchdog: White House Violated Law in Freezing Ukraine Aid
The White House violated federal law in withholding security assistance to Ukraine, an action at the center of President Donald Trump's impeachment.
New study on Mercosur: A bad deal for climate and environment
bilaterals.org - 12 hours ago
16-Jan-2020 The Mercosur agreement damages the environment, climate and small farmers.
Seychelles hosts meeting with EU, African states on economic partnership
bilaterals.org - 12 hours ago
16-Jan-2020 Seychelles is for the first time hosting negotiations between the European Union and the Eastern Southern African States that are focusing on the implementation of an interim economic partnership.
Nuevo estudio sobre el acuerdo Mercosur-Unión Europea
bilaterals.org - 12 hours ago
16-Jan-2020 El estudio de los investigadores argentinos Dra. Luciana Ghiotto y Dr. Javier Echaide ofrece una revisión exhaustiva de las cláusulas y mecanismos cubiertos en las cientos de páginas de texto que componen el acuerdo, y de sus posibles efectos en ambos bloques.
Uber, ¿El capitalismo salvaje del siglo XXI?
bilaterals.org - 12 hours ago
16-Jan-2020 En Colombia, Uber se atribuyó la facultad de imponer tarifas por encima de la autoridad competente, violando el Código Penal y también leyes del transporte.
Bernie is right: Trade is a climate issue
bilaterals.org - 12 hours ago
16-Jan-2020 Trade deals have been huge drivers of climate change. NAFTA, for instance, incentivized the expansion of industries with high carbon footprints.
Morocco begins talks to curb trade deficit with Turkey
bilaterals.org - 12 hours ago
16-Jan-2020 Morocco and Turkey agreed to review their free trade deal as Rabat struggles to curb its roughly $2 billion annual trade deficit with Ankara.
Lenín Moreno dice que aspirar a un TLC con Guatemala
bilaterals.org - 12 hours ago
16-Jan-2020 El presidente de Ecuador, Lenín Moreno, aprovechó su estadía en Guatemala para reunirse con empresarios guatemaltecos y ofrecerles las oportunidades de inversión y negocios en su país, un foro en el que habló de la necesidad de un acuerdo de libre comercio entre las partes.
Le Maroc et la Turquie ont convenu de revoir leur Accord de libre-échange
bilaterals.org - 12 hours ago
16-Jan-2020 Le Maroc et la Turquie ont tenu la 5e session du comité mixte de l'Accord de libre-échange liant les deux pays.
Les Etats-Unis et la Chine signent un accord "historique" en vue de mettre fin à la guerre commerciale qui les oppose
bilaterals.org - 12 hours ago
16-Jan-2020 The US and China signed what they billed as the first phase of a broader trade pact. Big issues of Beijing's state-run economy left for phase two.
US and China sign phase one of trade deal
bilaterals.org - 12 hours ago
16-Jan-2020 The US and China signed what they billed as the first phase of a broader trade pact. Big issues of Beijing's state-run economy left for phase two.
El Senado de EE.UU. votará este jueves para aprobar el T-MEC con México y Canadá
bilaterals.org - 12 hours ago
16-Jan-2020 El Senado de Estados Unidos tiene previsto votar este jueves para aprobar el nuevo tratado comercial entre México, Estados Unidos y Canadá, conocido como T-MEC (USMCA en inglés), que luego será enviado a la mesa del presidente Donald Trump para completar el proceso de ratificación en este país.
The Federal Reserve Considers the Economics of Climate Change in 2020
Lael Brainard, Member of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors (Flickr/Federalreserve) Economic stability and action on climate change have often been understood as incompatible with one another. But the opposite is the case. Instead, the first days of 2020 have emphasized the crucial connection between economic and climatic stability: BlackRock joined the Climate Action 100+ group to pressure fossil fuel companies to make disclosures and emissions reduction pledges, U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue called for action on climate change, and Australia is beginning to real... more »
Instead of Kidnapping and Caging Drug Addicts, Police are Getting Them Help—And It’s Working
[image: drug]Instead of kidnapping and caging drug addicts, a police department in Arizona is getting them treatment and it's working.
Privatization 15, GOCCs, GLCs, SOEs
My friends in KL, IDEAS, posted today about privatization. Here are our short tweets: -------------- @IDEASMalaysia IDEAS backs Cabinet decision not to sell PLUS. “A transparent divestment process should be in place before the government engages in privatisation”, said Ali Salman, CEO of IDEAS. Do you agree with IDEAS on government having a GLC reform plan first before engaging in divestment? @Noysky Hi Ali, govt should get out of business as much as possible. Use privatization proceeds to retire portion of pub debt, reduce debt/GDP ratio, save on interest payment. Also help depoli... more »
Taliban Offer The U.S. A Ceasefire To Last Seven And Ten Days
*The Hill:* *Taliban offers temporary cease-fire: report* The Taliban say they have offered a temporary cease-fire to the United States in Afghanistan that would last between seven and 10 days, according to The Associated Press. The offer given to U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad would give U.S. troops the opportunity to pull out of the country. Khalilzad reportedly received the offer late Wednesday in Qatar where the Taliban run a political office. Read more .... *WNU Editor:* This ceasefire is to last 7 to 10 days, and the Taliban are saying that it will be during this period of tim... more »
Modern Predictions
*A New Progressive Political Party?* It's arguable, and can be demonstrated because of the Democrat super delegates, that the 2016 nomination was stolen from Bernie Sanders (and his bro's). Now in 2020, there is a concerted effort underway in the Democrat party to deny him the nomination again. The Party prefers corrupt, old, Slow Joe Biden because he's not a communist. However there are a lot of communists who find themselves in the ranks of the Democrat Party. It may be that the progressive wing of the Democrat Party forms their own National Socialist Worker's Party for the likes ... more »
The “White” Identity Politics of the Left
[image: duke-pesta-the-white-identity-politics-of-the-left] VIDEO - Dr. Duke Pesta watched the recent Democratic debate so you didn't have to. The news following this debate seems to showcase how "white" the whole thing was. If any of the candidates truly believed in white privilege, they would have walked off stage and transferred their support to someone of a minority in the name of "identity politics."
Social Engineering Run Amok in the Department of Labor
[image: social-engineering-run-amok-in-the-department-of-labor] Instead of holding firms accountable when they engage in real discrimination against their employees, the Department of Labor has become a government arm for securing high-dollar settlements on dubious grounds.
Separation of Church and Space? Attacks Against Space Force Bible
[image: separation-of-church-and-space-atheist-attacks-space-force-bible] Militant anti-Christians are up in arms again talking about the “separation of church and state.” Raising their ire this time was the blessing of the new Space Force’s official Bible, which took place this past Sunday. The Holy Book will be provided to corps commanders who choose to be sworn in on it. But Mikey Weinstein, founder and president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, is apparently not pro-choice.
Will Article V Convention Advocate Meckler Accept Debate Challenge?
[image: will-article-v-convention-advocate-meckler-accept-debate-challenge] Mark Meckler has been challenged to debate his assertion that we need to hold a convention to make changes to our present U.S. Constitution. Will he answer the bell on February 6?
Govt May Reform Air Passenger Duty
By Paul Homewood A quick round up of some interconnected news items: First up, greens are up in arms at suggestions that the government will reform or even abolish Air Passenger Duty for domestic flights, following a rescue deal for Flybe: The immediate future of Flybe was secured on Tuesday night after […]
"No Matter How Much Money the Fed Prints, We Still Can't Afford Nice Things"
*"No Matter How Much Money the Fed Prints, * *We Still Can't Afford Nice Things"* by Charles Hugh Smith "When will the American wage-earner finally tire of the skims, scams, fraud and lies that are now the foundations of everyday life? You'd think that with the Federal Reserve printing trillions of dollars since 2008, we'd all be able to afford nice things. But you'd be wrong: after 11 years of Fed money-printing, nice things are even more out of reach for all but the favored few who've received the Fed's bounty of freshly created currency. The Fed's trillions were supposed to trick... more »
"Debt and Inflation Are Bringing the Economy Down"
*"Debt and Inflation Are Bringing the Economy Down"* By Bill Bonner "A determined government can always create inflation." – Ben Bernanke BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – “Fed Adds $82 Billion to Financial Markets.” That’s the headline on page B12 of yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, reporting on Tuesday’s Federal Reserve action. On Monday, the Fed added $60 billion. This “repo madness” has been going on for four months. It’s time to ask some questions… *From Theoretical to Desperate: *Who is the biggest debtor in the world? Who is already scheduled to borrow another $20 trillion in the next 2... more »
"Economic Market Snapshot AM 1/16/20"
*PM 1/16/20, Updated frequently as available.* ◆ Gregory Mannarino, AM 1/16/20: "*ALERT! The Biggest * *MARKET MELT-UP FOLLOWED BY AN EPIC MELTDOWN IS UNDERWAY.**"* - https://www.traderschoice.net/ *Related:* "The Global Debt Bomb! $255 Trillion Debt – Inevitable Economic Collapse & Stock Market Crash" "It’s Repo Madness" ◆ *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 Mar... more »
Australia Firefighters Save World’s Only Rare Dinosaur Trees
Specialist firefighters have saved the world’s last remaining wild stand of a prehistoric tree from wildfires that razed forests west of Sydney
Ukraine Opens Probe of Possible Surveillance of Ambassador
Ukrainian police said they have opened an investigation into the possibility that the U.S. ambassador came under illegal surveillance by an unknown party before she was recalled from her post in May.
Putin Cements Power as Russian Lawmakers Approve His New PM
Russian lawmakers quickly approved the appointment of a new prime minister, a day after President Vladimir Putin kicked off an unexpected reshuffle of his inner circle that could keep him in power well past the end of his term in 2024.
This Is Why America's 1911 Pistol Is so Enduring After 100 Years of Combat
*Kyle Mizokami* *Technology, Americas* [image: By rock_com_cn - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34237159] The legend. *Key point:* Ever since the 1911 pistol was invented, it proved very useful. It is no wonder then that it has continued to serve well 100 years later. For more than a hundred years, one weapon has travelled with American troops into almost every crisis, hot spot and war the United States has participated in. Developed as a response to Washington’s first overseas insurgency, the 1911 pistol still accompanies U.S. forces toda... more »
This 1 Reason Shows Why the HK45 Pistol Is One of the Finest
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Europe* [image: By Ckindel - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8137014] One word: reliability. *Key point: *Heckler & Koch is known for its reliable firearms. The HK45 is no different and it is well-regarded. In the early 2000s, the U.S. Army pondered replacing stocks of Beretta M9 service handguns with a new, more powerful handgun. The Pentagon cancelled the program but one of the contenders, Heckler and Koch, eventually released its entry into the civilian market. Designed with the assistance of U.S. special ope... more »
Why Smith & Wesson's M&P Bodyguard .380 Is an Excellent Compact Gun
*Kyle Mizokami* *Technology, Americas* [image: https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/mp-bodyguard-380] Here's what it can do. *Key point: *The M&P Bodyguard .380 is a very small weapon, but it packs a punch. This gun is ideal for small spaces or concealment. Newfound consumer interest in the subcompact handgun has led many gun manufacturers to introduce smaller––but still potent––pistols that can be carried discretely as a backup gun or concealed carry piece. But which ones are worth your time and money? One such example is the Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380. One of the best o... more »
Why It Doesn't Make a Difference If Pakistan Could Beat India in a Land War
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Asia* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/PAKISTAN-DEFENCE-DAY--GF10000195055.html] One reason: nukes. *Key Point:* Although India or Pakistan might be able to beat the other in a normal war, any armed fighting raises the risks of a nuclear exchange. If nuclear weapons are used, everyone loses. The Indian subcontinent is home to two of the largest armies on Earth. Not only are the armies of India and Pakistan both larger in personnel than the U.S. Army, but they have stood at alert facing one another since the dissolution of the British India... more »
India’s New Citizenship Law and its Anti-Secular Implications
Protests in New Dehli Over the CAA and NRC (Source: Wikimedia Commons/DiplomatTesterMan) Over the past month, India has witnessed massive protests across the country against the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by the Indian Parliament and the implementation of the National Register of Citizens. Initially, students led protests against the law and faced a brutal police response. Protests spread and the government relied on a colonial-era law to prohibit the gathering of more than four persons. Authorities shut off the internet in parts of the country, including vario... more »
Breaking: Powerful explosion kills several people in northern Raqqa, including 2 Turkish soldiers
BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:15 P.M.) – A powerful explosion was reported in the northern countryside of the Al-Raqqa Governorate this afternoon, resulting in the death of several people. According to the reports, a car bomb was detonated inside the Turkish-held town of Sulouk in northern Al-Raqqa. This explosion in northern Al-Raqqa this afternoon resulted in the […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Syrian Army expands attack across jihadist-held Aleppo
BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:30 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has expanded their assault across the jihadist-held areas in the Aleppo Governorate this afternoon, following a massive attack on the militant defenses near the Aleppo-Idlib Highway (M-5). Led by the 4th Armored Division, the Syrian Arab Army has intensified their strikes on Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham’s […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Russian Navy amasses large force in eastern Mediterranean as Syrian troops launch offensive in Idlib: photos
BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:00 P.M.) – The Russian Navy has been sending several warships to the eastern Mediterranean recently, as they build up their forces off the coast of Syria. According to a new report from maritime observer Yoruk Isik, the Russian Navy deployed the Black Sea Fleet’s 150th Tactical Group’s Aleksandrit-class minesweeper Ivan Antonov to […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
‘Zero possibility’ of peace talks with Israel as long as Netanyahu is PM: Palestinian top diplomat
The Palestinian government sees zero possibility for resumption of talks with Israel as long as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki has told reporters in New York. “For the last years, while Netanyahu was a prime minister, he was successful in destroying all prospects for the renewing of negotiations […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Up close footage of large Russian military convoy arriving in northeast Syria
BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:50 P.M.) – The Russian military sent one of its largest convoys to the Al-Qamishli Airport this week, as they strengthen their forces at this strategic installation in northeastern Syria. According to reports from the Al-Hasakah Governorate, the Russian military convoy consisted of 55 vehicles and several army personnel. The Russian military convoy […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Iran is enriching MORE uranium than before 2015 nuclear deal: Rouhani
Iran has boosted its nuclear enrichment to levels not even seen before the JCPOA deal, President Hassan Rouhani has proclaimed, shortly after the Islamic Republic accused three European nations of “selling out” to the US. “We are enriching more uranium [than] before the deal was reached … Pressure has increased on Iran but we continue […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Breaking: Turkey sends more forces to Libya to help protect Tripoli
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:30 P.M.) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced this afternoon that his country’s armed forces would be heading to Libya to assist the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). Earlier the two main sides to the internal conflict in Libya, the UN-Backed Government of National Accord controlling the country’s east and the […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Syrian Army launches wide-scale attack on southwestern Aleppo
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:20 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) unleashed a powerful attack across the southwestern countryside of the Aleppo Governorate on Thursday. According to a military source in the provincial capital, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Armored Division has begun a massive artillery attack that has targeted the jihadist defenses throughout southwestern and […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
TRUMP SMACKS PUERTO RICO AROUND AGAIN
While you were paying attention to Sanders/Warren and Lev Parnas, this story appeared: The Trump administration imposed severe restrictions on Wednesday on billions of dollars in emergency relief to Puerto Rico, including blocking spending on the island’s electrical grid and suspending its $15-an-hour minimum wage for federally funded relief work. The nearly $16 billion in funding, released while Puerto Ricans still sleep on the streets for fear of aftershocks from last week’s earthquake, is part of $20 billion that Congress allocated for disaster recovery and preparation more than... more »
Battle of the Ages to stop Eurasian integration
A bigger bang awaits us throughout the decade: the myriad declinations of the New Great Game in Eurasia, which pits the US against Russia, China and Iran, the three major nodes of Eurasia integration.
Your Arrow Can Pierce the Sky, But Ours Has Gone into Orbit: The Third Newsletter (2020)
16 January 2020 — Tri-Continental Dear Friends, Greetings from the desk of the Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. On Wednesday, 15 January, China and the United States agreed to suspend their full-scale trade war. From February 2018, the United States placed tariffs on Chinese goods that entered the US market, and then China retaliated. This tit-for-tat game … Continue reading Your Arrow Can Pierce the Sky, But Ours Has Gone into Orbit: The Third Newsletter (2020)
The U.S. Navy Is Considering Arming Its Zumwalt Class Destroyers With Conventional Missiles
The USS Zumwalt (U.S. Navy) *FOX News/Warrior Maven*:* Navy may arm new destroyer with conventional missile able to hit anywhere on Earth in an hour* ARLINGTON, Va. - The Navy’s newest destroyer may fire a not-yet-to-be fielded Conventional Prompt Strike conventionally-armed missile engineered to hit anywhere on earth within an hour, service program managers said. The weapon, now being considered by Navy weapons developers for the emerging USS Zumwalt, will bring new attack options to the stealthy destroyer being prepared for combat as soon as 2021, Capt. Kevin Smith, Zumwalt-class... more »
Pabllo Vittar Prepares World Tour
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Brazilian singer Pabllo Vittar is preparing a real marathon this year. There are many concerts scheduled abroad. The latest one confirmed is the Primavera Sound 2020 on June 5th, in Barcelona, Spain, with the aim of spreading the latest trends in music. At the event, she will be able to […] The post Pabllo Vittar Prepares World Tour appeared first on The Rio Times.
Digital Money: Implications for Emerging Market and Developing Economies
A clinical look at digital money ideas for developing economies finds the benefits are narrower than boosters would have you believe.
National Parents Union: Do You Smell Astroturf
This week Lauren Camera treated us to a warm, fuzzy piece of launch PR for the National Parents Union; the US News editor announces right in the headline that this group is here to challenge the teachers unions, but in a totally organic grass roots kind of way. *Two Latina mothers from opposite sides of the country have joined forces to form their own union to disrupt an education agenda they say is pushing out parents like them and, more importantly, leaving behind poor students and students of color.* Well, maybe not exactly like them, because these two moms have a pretty hefty r... more »
The Amazing Way China Has Modernized Its Military—and Its Guns
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Asia* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/HONGKONG-ANNIVERSARY-CHINA-ARMY-RC1B898A8690.html] Impressive. *Key point: *Beijing wants an advanced and powerful military to protect its interests. That means upgrading all of its firearms too. China’s People’s Liberation Army has traditionally relied on foreign and Communist bloc weapons manufactured in China under license—or not. Now, however, as the PLA undergoes an unprecedented modernization, a new generation of locally designed and manufactured light weaponry is arming China’s armed forces, fr... more »
An American died in an Egyptian jail. Why didn’t this well-connected human rights community speak out?
Earlier this week, Mustafa Kassem, an American held in Egypt, died. The Trump Administration did little to help him. That wasn’t surprising. What was surprising was that the international religious freedom movement (IRF), a community that has gained close access to this Administration, seemed to have done little as well. The reason behind this should […]
What do we want? Unbiased reporting! When do we want it? During protests!
Danielle K. Kilgo, Assistant Professor, Indiana University at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 14 hours ago
From anti-war demonstrations to the latest women's march, 2020 is already shaping up to be a big year for protests in the US. Journalists will pick which messages get heard.
The Boshnjaks And The Bosnian Language (I)
“We have always been here and the Muslims have only been here since the 15th century” The Serbian mayor of Bratunac in Bosnia and Herzegovina, ( The New York Times, April 22nd, 1993) This article has to be part of a wider study upon the reasons and the stream of […]
Key Mueller “reliable” witness pleads guilty to sex crimes …
… Now that is a hard blow (raunchy pun intended) for a wasted $40 million witch hunt when one of their witnesses is a long time sex offender who had been in and out of jail. Not only that but had been a go-between resource for three presidents, Russia, and the Saudi United Arab Emirates. –##– Key Mueller witness pleads guilty to child sex charges Washington Examiner Caitlin Yilek January 13, 2020 George Nader, a key witness in former special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, pleaded guilty to bringing a teenage boy to the United States for sex and possessing … Continue ... more »
International Day of Action for a Unique Solution: Build Peace via Emergency Trump-Putin-Xi Summit
[image: LaRouchePAC organizing in New York City during the international day of action. Jan. 15, 2020 (LaRouchePAC)] The Schiller Institute, founded by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, organized an international Day of Action, which LaRouchePAC participated in, on Jan. 15 to call for an emergency summit meeting among Presidents Trump, Putin and Xi to find a solution to the pressing danger of regional and world war, as reflected in the recent Iran developments. That Day of Action was held yesterday in dozens of cities in five continents, to awaken the population to the danger of war, its causes,... more »
Big Things Happening with U.S.-China Relations, Putin Makes a Big Move for the Future of Russia
Big Things Happening with U.S.-China Relations, Putin Makes a Big Move for the Future of Russia Video of Big Things Happening with U.S.-China Relations, Putin Makes a Big Move for the Future of Russia Harley talks U.S.-China trade deal, what we know about the shake up in Russia with Putin's new proposals for the government. Are the Democrats so desperate they are baiting Trump into a war to get him impeached? Every weekday morning Harley will brief you on what you need to know to start your day. On Tuesdays, we broadcast his briefing live on the LaRouchePAC Facebook page at 12:0... more »
Here's China's Plan to Win Without Fighting
*Michael Peck* *Politics, Asia* [image: Soldiers of People's Liberation Army (PLA) march in formation past Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of People's Republic of China, on its National Day in Beijing, China October 1, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee] It's straight from Sun Tzu. *Key Point:* Modern militaries are packages of tightly integrated systems, including command, communications, targeting and intelligence. Disrupt that integration, and the enemy is reduced a gaggle of flailing limbs. “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy ... more »
The B-32 Only Fought One Battle in World War II—After It Was Over
*Sebastien Roblin* *History, Asia* [image: AAF personnel at Clark Field, Philippines, get their first look at a Consolidated B-32 Dominator in May 1945. Comparable to the B-29 in size and performance, B-32s saw service with only one bomber squadron before war's end. (U.S. Air Force photo)] Would it have been helpful? *Key Point:* Despite the B-32’s upsides, the Army Air Corps was largely satisfied by the B-29’s performance and only dispatched three B-32s for operational testing in the Phillippines at the request of the 5th Air Force. The Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber ach... more »
Why Does Israel Have Such a Fearsome Military? Here's Ten Reasons
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Middle East* [image: An Israeli soldier walks near the area where the Israeli army is excavating part of a cliff to create an additional barrier along its border with Lebanon, near the community of Shlomi in northern Israel April 6, 2016.] This is the story of the IDF. *Key Point:* The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has been instrumental in Israel’s defense, providing air superiority over Israel, close air support over Israeli ground forces, and performing strikes against targets deep in the enemy’s homeland. Over the past three decades it has also taken on ... more »
'Joe's Jokers': Meet Some of the Best Marine Aces of World War II
*Warfare History Network* *History, Asia* [image: Bill Larkins.] VMF-115 compiled an amazing combat record with Medal of Honor recipient Joe Foss at the helm. *Key Point:* For the first two years of the war, Marine air spent most of its time protecting the fleet and land-based installations from attacks by enemy ships and aircraft. This began to change after the Battle of Tarawa in late November 1943, as air support for ground troops as flown by Navy pilots was found wanting. “As a returning flight of Marine SBDs, dive bombers, were setting down on the airstrip, one of the plane... more »
The U.S. Navy's $3 Billion-a-Year Oxidation Problem
@USNavy No disrespect intended people but how do you expect people to believe you represent the most powerful navy in the world when almost every U.S. ship has exposed rust and faded paint markings. Like a professional soldier the ships need to look sharp. USS McCampbell pic.twitter.com/6Q4ZeYvolM — Doug Cox (@DroneOwnerWa) January 8, 2019 *Popular Mechanics:** Rust: The U.S. Navy's $3 Billion-a-Year Oxidation Problem* *Where there's a lot of metal, there's a lot of rust.* * The U.S. Navy spends $3 billion a year fighting rust, according to Military.com. * Corrosion takes place ... more »
US Senate Schedule Thursday Jan. 16 2020: Consideration of US-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act HR 5430; Impeachment Presentation Starts at Noon
Hopefully impeachment will keep them too busy to pass S386, whether amended or unamended. It may be a good time … Continue reading →
China Discovers Underwater Spy Drones In Its Waters
The Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) found by China are generally small, but they can gather important intelligence. This example was discovered in 2012. Few are reported in the media. H I Sutton (Author) *Forbes*: *China Discovers Underwater Spy Drones In Its Waters * The secretive world of naval underwater surveys rarely breaks the surface. Now recent events are briefly shining a light into the darkness. In the Adriatic a Croatian fishing vessel caught one of the U.S. Navy’s undersea sensor systems last week. That mysterious object has largely been explained. Meanwhile, China ... more »
Tweets For Today
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signs copies of the articles of impeachment against President Trump https://t.co/V4ZcvMGUSi pic.twitter.com/h69P3lr4Gn — BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) January 15, 2020 Chief Justice John Roberts will take his oath as the impeachment trial's presiding officer as part of the striking ceremonial matters taking place Thursday to set up the Senate as a court of impeachment. https://t.co/heByzgfb07 — The Associated Press (@AP) January 16, 2020 President Trump hails the U.S.-China Phase 1 trade deal as a win for the U.S. economy and his administration’s tr... more »
The Cornerstone
Sean Illing writes that we live in an age of "manufactured nihilism:" The issue for many people isn’t exactly a denial of truth as such. It’s more a growing weariness over the process of finding the truth at all. And that weariness leads more and more people to abandon the idea that the truth is knowable. I call this “manufactured” because it’s the consequence of a deliberate strategy. It was distilled almost perfectly by Steve Bannon, the former head of Breitbart News and chief strategist for Donald Trump. “The Democrats don’t matter,” Bannon reportedly said in 2018. “The real ... more »
New Mexico gov again pushes adult-use marijuana legalization
Legalizing recreational marijuana is one of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s legislative goals for 2020, a move she contends would be a huge economic boon for the state. After adult-use legalization stalled in New Mexico’s Legislature in 2019, Grisham, a supporter of the bipartisan effort, vowed to revive legalization this year. Grisham, a Democrat, […] New Mexico gov again pushes adult-use marijuana legalization is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Proposed regulatory and tax reforms in California could make life simpler for marijuana businesses
A proposed overhaul of California’s marijuana regulatory and tax collection system could mean far less headaches for licensed cannabis companies in the state. It could also indicate there’s more legislative help on the way in 2020 for California’s struggling legal marijuana market. When he announced his annual budget plan on Jan. 10, California Gov. Gavin […] Proposed regulatory and tax reforms in California could make life simpler for marijuana businesses is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Prince Harry makes last public appearance before stepping back from senior royal role
Just In - 14 hours ago
The draw of next year's Rugby League World Cup, of all things, played host to Prince Harry's first public appearance since the Queen gave him the go-ahead to transition away from senior royal duties.
On The Metaphysics Of God
Our language imposes certain logical limits to what we can think or say. Whether you are a theist or atheist, you cannot use language to express your belief or disbelief of god—at least meaningfully you can’t. When you talk about god, you are using natural means to describe an entity that transcends nature; you are using expression to describe an entity that is inexpressible; you are using conscious means to describe an entity that transcends consciousness or unconsciousness. You know in advance that you cannot succeed in describing or denying god, no one can. You can’t describe or ... more »
Picture Of The Day
House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving and House Clerk Cheryl Johnson carry two articles of impeachment against President Trump during a procession with the seven House impeachment managers through the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol to the U.S. Senate in Washington. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts *WNU Editor:* The above picture came from this photo-gallery .... *Editor's Choice Pictures* (Reuters).
The Call Has Gone Out - A Quotation by M.N. Hopkins
*The call has gone out and many have answered. They come together not as victims, but as leaders. Leaders leading the way back to their roots that were forged in the fires of a democratic dream. A dream of Man and Woman working together for the betterment of all within human community. * *© ** M.N. Hopkins*
Federal Politicians, Money and the NRA
With mass shootings being a relatively common occurrence in the United States and with Congress seemingly unable to do anything about it, data from Open Secrets provides us with a glimpse into the interest group funding underbelly of Washington, particularly as it relates to campaign donations. Let's start by looking at the number of gun violence deaths and mass shootings in the United States from data supplied by the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) for 2019: Here's a graphic showing the same data for 2020 (thus far): For your information, GVA defines mass shootings as a situation ... more »
Untitled
From Jenna Orkin Ocean temperatures hit record high as rate of heating accelerates Russia announces plan to ‘use the advantages’ of climate change Insider Trading by Mar-a-Lago Guests Before Soleimani Killing This Year Will Mark the Lowest Solar Activity in Over 200 YearsPompeo says Soleimani killing part of new strategy to deter U.S. foes Warren, Van Hollen Ask SEC To Investigate Insider Trading By Mar-A-Lago Guests Before Soleimani Airstrike The person who posted the video showing the Ukrainian plane being taken down by an Iranian missile has been arrested A newly revealed letter fro... more »
READ ABOUT THE MARTIAL LAW MEASURES WHICH WHO'S EBOLA EMERGENCY DECLARATION NOW ALLOWS ALL OVER THE WORLD
*PEOPLE IN THE DR CONGO ARE ALREADY BEING FORCED TO TAKE THE EBOLA VACCINE BY TEAMS GUARDED BY UN AND DR CONGO SOLDIERS* *FORCED VACCINATION WITH THE RISKY JAB AND FORCED QUARANTINE IN A WAY WHICH LEADS TO HEALTHY PEOPLE GETTING EBOLA (FAULTY ISOLATION PROTCOLS) HAS SPARKED RESISTANCE* *Overview of martial law measures used under WHO's Ebola emergency declaration* *The IHR 2005, and the national pandemic plans based on it, apply the same rules to an epidemic as to an armed conflict. WHO, governments and their armies are portrayed as being in conflict or war with an epidemic viru... more »
I Was Treated by a Donetsk Doctor
Mum, I’m a prisoner, but you don’t cry. I was darned, now like new. I was treated by a Donetsk doctor, Tired, dour, and harsh. God, have mercy on me; God, forgive me He treated me. Do you hear mother: I hit the city from “Grad”, And half the hospital was simply trashed But he was treating me: “It is so necessary.” God, have mercy on me; God, forgive me Mum, I’m a monster, I’m sorry. We got lost in the floods of lies. All my life I have to bear this cross. Now my eyes have opened. God, have mercy on me; God, forgive me We were taken to the places Where the shells hit. And we did not... more »
An Animated John Coltrane Explains His True Reason for Being: “I Want to Be a Force for Real Good”
Coltrane is, of course, one of the true giants of 20th century music. He first got attention playing with the Miles Davis Quintet in the mid-1950s on albums like Relaxin’, Cookin’ and Steamin’ before he released his seminal solo album Blue Train. But his career quickly faltered. He was hooked on heroin and Davis, a former junkie himself, fired him from the Quintet. When he cleaned himself up, Coltrane found he was a changed man.
Frigid Weather Gripping Central and Western Canada Inc. Balmy BC Coast
*I've been enjoying a milder winter here in southern Ontario after a frigid November/19. (Northern Ontario has been colder) A welcome respite from the last several extremely frigid winters. Those west of me have not been so lucky. Cold, Frigid, Frozen. Undoubtedly cold records are being broken. Electricity use through the roof. With requests to reduce the use of this much needed heat and light source... In other words, FREEZE. In the dark* *Frigid weather gripping Prairies, B.C. and territories not letting up anytime soon* *"TORONTO -- Western Canada and much of Yukon and the Northw... more »
'Sea Hunter': Meet the Submarine Killing Undersea Robot
*Zachary Keck* *Security, Americas* [image: PORTLAND, Ore. (Apr. 7, 2016) Sea Hunter, an entirely new class of unmanned ocean-going vessel gets underway on the Williammette River following a christening ceremony in Portland, Ore.] America's enemies should watch out! *Key point:* Competitive strategies like the first offset (tactical nuclear weapons) often employ cost-efficient systems. Here, too, the Sea Hunter fits the bill. America’s so-called Sea Hunter has taken a major step forward. On January 30, the U.S Navy accepted the Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned V... more »
Would Trump Dare 'Soleimani' North Korea?
*Daniel R. DePetris* *Security, Asia* If tensions between the United States and North Korea bubbled up to the surface circa 2017, would Trump consider the option to take out a member of the North’s senior military or political leadership? Would one of those targets be Kim Jong-un himself? The missile strike happened in the dead of night, when millions of Iraqis were either sleeping or retiring for the evening. The plane carrying Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani touched down at Baghdad International Airport just after midnight. Iran’s most notorious general climbed down the ... more »
The Deadly F-15 Just Got Deadlier
*Kris Osborn* *Security, Americas* [image: A U.S. F-15 fighter jet takes off during an exercise dubbed] Pew, pew. The Air Force is arming the F-15 with new weapons to better prepare the decades-old fighter for modern combat challenges and near peer rivals - giving the jet an ability to fly into the 2040s and track and destroy enemy targets at further ranges under a wide range of combat conditions. *(This first appeared in 2018.)* “The Air Force plans to integrate improvements for the AIM-9X and Small Diameter Bomb II on the F-15 over the next several years,” Capt. Emily Grabows... more »
33 Rounds: Why Kel-Tec's CP33 Is Not Your Typical .22 Caliber Target Gun
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, * Is it worth your time? We take a look. From “the world’s fastest reloading shotgun” to a Bullpup rifle that purports to eliminate the weaknesses of the Bullpup form factor, Florida-based firearms manufacturer Kel-Tec has distinguished itself for fresh takes on long-established formulas. It’s no secret that the rimfire pistol market hasn’t exactly been at the forefront of firearms innovation over the past several decades, but Kel-Tec seeks to change all that with one of the more unique handguns in recent memory: the CP33. It’s immediately apparent f... more »
The CIA Got Top-Secret Soviet Weapons. Here's How.
*Michael Peck* *History, Americas* [image: DAYTON, Ohio -- The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MS “Flogger-E”. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)] They knew their stuff. Sometimes the Cold War seemed like one big treasure hunt. When one side came out with a new weapon, the other side made every effort to get their hands on a copy to analyze, reverse-engineer or give it to guerrillas fighting the opposition. The United States termed this Foreign Military Exploitation (FME). A collection of documents compiled by the nonprofit National Security Archive shows just how extensive America's c... more »
Even the Law Can't Stop Elon Musk's Flamethrower—Here's Why
*Jared Keller* *Politics, Americas* [image: FILE PHOTO: SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk arrives on the red carpet for the automobile awards] 'Murica! *Key Point:* If it’s a question of public safety, you can do plenty more damage with household objects than the piddling flame of Musk’s Boring Company flamethrower, and an overly broad ban would end up having unintended consequences. Ever since billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk unveiled his slick new commercial flamethrower for the low, low price of $500, Americans have been scrambling to stake their claim to the incendiary... more »
China Wants To Sell This Tank Around the World. Is It Deadly Enough?
*Charlie Gao* *Security, Asia* Can it beat the M1-Abrams? *Key Point:* While the capabilities of the VT-4 are not revolutionary in any way (unlike some claims from Norinco), it is a solid tank for its price, that will likely have good support from the manufacturing base in China. While China’s primary tank is the ZTZ-99, its military industry (in the Western tradition) has also developed completely original designs for export. One of the designs that’s achieved considerable success is the VT-4, which has been recently adopted in significant numbers by the Royal Thai Army. The V... more »
Here’s One Way to Reduce the Number of Nuclear Weapons in the World
*David Axe* *Security, * A former U.S. ambassador to NATO offered some unsolicited advice to the next U.S. president for reducing the threat of nuclear war. A former U.S. ambassador to NATO offered some unsolicited advice to the next U.S. president for reducing the threat of nuclear war. Ivo Daalder, who served under former U.S. president Barack Obama, told the nonprofit Ploughshares Fund that whoever wins the presidency in 2020 could reconceptualize nuclear deterrence in order to begin making meaningful progress toward disarmament. “You need to decide what you want for deterre... more »
Revealed: Why Japan Gave Up On Building More World War II Aircraft Carriers
*Warfare History Network* *History, Asia* It didn't have a choice. *Key Point:* The Japanese war effort was so unbalanced and so crippled by industrial and managerial weaknesses that the June 30, 1942, aircraft carrier plan was little more than a feverish reaction to Coral Sea and Midway. Japan lacked the industrial strength needed to wage a war against the United States. Yet, Japanese military planners seldom considered the limitations to their nation’s construction capabilities. One example is the Imperial Japanese Navy’s June 30, 1942, plan for aircraft carrier construction.... more »
China's Stealth Fighters And Bombers Are Only As Good As Their Engines
*David Axe* *Security, Asia* And those need a lot of work. *Key point: *For the next generation of warplanes, China needs custom engines. The Chinese military is building up a meaningful force of J-20 stealth fighters, Y-20 strategic airlifters and other high-tech military aircraft while also developing a new stealth fighter, fighter-bomber and heavy bomber. But for all of these advancements, Chinese industry still is struggling to manufacture arguably the most important subsystems for these new planes. Their engines. Aviation website Alert 5 spotted a stock-exchange filing by... more »
Russia Wants America To Know That Its F-35s "Will Never Be Alone" In Europe
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, * A threat or a promise? *Key point: *Russia has plans for the F-35. In a move that would raise eyebrows even by Cold War standards of political saber-rattling, the Russian Embassy in Washington seemed to threaten America’s F-35 fighter with Vietnam-era propaganda footage. Back in February, the official handle of the Russian Embassy in the US tweeted the following update: *'If a Russia... ever was to see an F-35 inside its airspace', we would love to send Chief of Staff of the @usairforce Gen. David L. Goldfein 'message with two words' — ‘remember Vi... more »
Here's How The Mini-14 Rifle Was Propelled To Near AR-15 Levels Of Fame
*Kyle Mizokami* *Technology, Americas* The best gun you've never heard of. *Key point: *This may well give the rifle a new lease on life... One of the most enduring and popular semi-automatic rifles in America traces its lineage to the battlefields of World War II and Korea. The Mini-14 rifle, designed and developed by Sturm Ruger, is in widespread use as a ranch rifle, defensive weapon, and even a hunting arm. Now in its fifth decade, the Mini-14 shows no sign of going out of production anytime soon. In the late 1960s, firearms designer Bill Ruger and James L. Sullivan went to... more »
The Trump Impeachment and the Question of Precedent
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R.-Ky.) and President Donald Trump at the White House, Nov. 6, 2019 (Source: Flickr/Official White House Photo by Sheelah Craighead) On Dec. 17 and Dec. 19, 2019, and Jan. 8 of this year, speaking from the Senate floor, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the case that the Trump impeachment was setting a “toxic” and “nightmarish” precedent “deeply damaging to the institutions of American government.” The House’s actions, said the majority leader, would ensure that impeachment became routine, a “constant part…of the politic... more »
THE FOG OF WAR – GORILLA RADIO DISCUSSES THE RUSSIAN FOCUS
by John Helmer, Moscow @bears_with Political fog and the fog of war are different. The first is a way of believing first, seeing afterwards. The second is what happens when the weapons of camouflage and deception combine with confusion and fear to make seeing clearly impossible. Follow last week’s events as they happened in Damascus, […]
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