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Thomas Paine

To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

24 November - Blogs I'm Following - 4 of 5

10:24 pm MST

Iraqi Air Force wipes out entire ISIS base in Salaheddine

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:30 P.M.) – The Iraqi Air Force carried out a strategic attack on Sunday that targeted an Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) base in the Salaheddine District. According to a military statement on Sunday, an “Iraqi F-16 aircraft carried out an airstrike that resulted in the destruction of a hideout belonging ISIS gangs within the […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian Army attacks jihadist forces in northeast Latakia: video

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:15 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) continued their attacks against the jihadist forces in northeastern Latakia this past week, as their 4th Division hammered the terrorist positions around the town of Kabani. In a video posted this past weekend, the Syrian Arab Army’s elite 42nd Brigade (Ghiath Forces) can be seen […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Armenians were ‘nomads’ and ‘immigrants’ before statehood in 1991: Erdogan

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:45 A.M.) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated during his visit to Washington D.C. earlier this month that Armenians were ‘nomads’ and ‘immigrants’ before achieving statehood in 1991. “Armenia is a state of yesterday only,” Erdogan began. “They declared their independence and became a state in 1991. Before that, in different locations, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

US occupation of Syria’s oil fields is ‘legal’ under international law: envoy

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
Washington is not doing anything illegal by securing oil fields in Syria, US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey told reporters on Friday. “I have every belief that it is legal under international law”, Jeffrey said responding to whether he considers the US seizing the oil in the Arab republic legal under international law. […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian Army, SDF troops at the mercy of Turkish warplanes as militants attempt to advance

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:10 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been forced to fend off the Turkish-backed militants in northern Syria while coming under attack by Turkish drones. These Turkish drones have managed to cause heavy casualties within the ranks of the Syrian Army and SDF, as the latter […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Large Russian transport ship heads to Syria with tanks and armored vehicles: photos

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:45 A.M.) – A large Russian landing ship from the Russian Black Sea Fleet has entered Mediterranean waters after transiting the Bosphorus Strait, the Turkish maritime observer Yoruk Isik reported this week. According to Isik, the large landing ship, Azov 151, was spotted crossing the Bosphorus Strait for the Mediterranea. As pointed out […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Breaking: Syrian Army captures town in southeastern Idlib

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:30 A.M.) – Minutes ago, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) managed to retake the town of Musharifah Shmaliyah in the southeastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate. According to reports from the front, the Syrian Army took control of Musharifah Al-Shmaliyah following a short battle with the jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham. This […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

US military destroys ships attempting to smuggle oil to Syrian gov’t territories

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:20 A.M.) – The U.S. military reportedly attacked four tanker ferries on Saturday that were attempting to smuggle oil from the SDF-held areas in eastern Syria to the Syrian government territories. According to local reports, the U.S. warplanes targeted these ferries while they were traveling through the southern region of Syria’s Euphrates River […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Israeli attack caused heavy damaged on Syria’s air defenses in Damascus: report

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:45 P.M.) – The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attack on southern Damascus last Tuesday caused heavy damage to the Syrian military’s air defenses around the capital city, a new report said on Saturday. According to the Within Syria Blog Twitter account, the Israeli attack managed to destroy six pieces of air defense equipment, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Turkey, Russia to setup more observation posts inside Syria

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
Turkey and Russia may come to agreement in coming days on setting up observation posts in Syria, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said in an interview with the Qatari Al Jazeera TV Channel on Saturday. “I believe that the [joint Russian-Turkish] patrols will be even more successful and useful in coming days,” the Anadolu news […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Watch: Russian military tests newly-modified missile defense system

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:50 A.M.) – The Russian military tested their newly-modified Iskander missile defense system, Russia Today reported on Saturday. RT would later release a video of the Russian military testing the Iskander missile after it completed its modifications. Some more information about the Iskander system via Army Technology: “The Iskander (Nato: SS-26 Stone) is […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

About 500 US soldiers remain in Syria to counter ISIS: CENTCOM

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
US Central Command chief General Kenneth McKenzie stated Saturday that some 500 US personnel still remained in eastern Syria in order to take part in the upcoming anti-Daesh operation in the region. US President Donald Trump announced early in October his intention to bring the US troops stationed in Syria “back home,” though weeks later […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Queen's pal Donald Trump behind cover up of Epstein murder, his AG Barr's caught lying

Jane Burgermeister at BIRDFLU666 WORDPRESS BLOG CONTINUES HERE - 16 hours ago
*From Zerohedge* *Epstein being taken off suicide watch not long after a previous suicide attempt and shortly before his successful suicide,* *suggestions that the first attempt may have actually been an assault via attempted strangulation inflicted by someone else,* *two security guards simultaneously falling asleep on the job when they were supposed to be checking on Epstein,* *one of those guards not even being an actual security guard,* *security footage of two cameras outside Epstein’s cell being unusable due to a mysterious technical glitch,* *at least eight Bureau of Priso... more »

The Third Stooge: Devin Nunes

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 16 hours ago
Devin Nunes has been one of Trump's most consistent defenders, co-conspirators and enablers in Congress. As Mark Sumner pointed out yesterday at *Daily Kos*, Nunes has been pretending to be an investigator, when he was part of the criminal syndicate all along. At the very least, an Ethics Committee investigation is required and likely inevitable-- and probably a great deal more. Vicky Ward's CNN exclusive yesterday was a shocker-- and possibly a harbinger of the end of Nunes' career in politics. Lev of Igor and Lev has ratted him out-- and in a big way! Ward wrote that Joseph Bond... more »

Affordable energy is essential for sustainable infrastructure

drinkingwateradvisor at The Drinking Water Advisor - 16 hours ago
“A new report prepared by Kleinhenz & Associates for the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program shows increased oil and natural gas production from hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) has saved American consumers $1.1 trillion in the decade from 2008 to … Continue reading →

State of Emergency: Why Chile Is Facing a Crisis

Alexis Javier Apablaza Campos at The National Interest - 16 hours ago
*Alexis Javier Apablaza Campos* *Security, Americas* [image: Reuters] Chile protests: President’s speeches early in crisis missed the mark, AI study reveals. After a month of sometimes deadly demonstrations against inequality, Chile may be making its way toward peace. A coalition of parties from across the political spectrum says it will support a constitutional referendum next year to decide whether and how Chile’s 1980 Constitution should be changed in response to protester demands. *Read more: Estallido social en Chile: discursos de Piñera bajo la lupa de la inteligencia art... more »

Could Universal Basic Income Actually Make Inequality Worse?

Matt Weidinger at The National Interest - 16 hours ago
*Matt Weidinger* *Politics, Americas* “Universal basic income” could quickly become just “basic income” for the poor — that is, a massive new welfare program that supplants work. Want to help low-income families rise out of poverty? Connect key welfare benefits with work and “make work pay” by offering subsidies for those who get a job. That’s basically been the anti-poverty policy consensus on the left and right since welfare reform in the 1990s. And as recent reports have shown, the pro-work strategy worked. When poverty is calculated in terms of what Americans consume (which ... more »

Why We May Have Already Found Life On Mars with Dr. Patricia Ann Straat

mosesman at Socio-Economics History Blog - 16 hours ago
Event Horizon 21 Nov 2019 With the recent findings of seasonal methane blooms on Mars and now unusual readings of unexplained oxygen levels, the question of “is there microbiological life on the red planet?” goes unanswered. In 1976, NASA sent Viking 1 and Viking 2 with four types of biological experiments. Of these experiments, the …

The Bambi Syndrome

Paul Homewood at NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT - 16 hours ago
By Paul Homewood A short video by Tony Heller which is well worth watching:

"A message of hope?"

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 16 hours ago
Talking of rum decisions... I can see why - in the wake of the British government's decision to take in orphaned Islamic State children and Paddy's mention that charities are calling for "*everybody's* child to be brought back home" - *Broadcasting House *chose to interview a woman who took in refugees (from the likes of Eritrea and Chad) and one of the young refugees she took in. It helps the cause. The rum thing is that, as Paddy (properly) pointed out, she's a Liberal Democrat candidate in the general election. She's standing in Luton North. Isn't it a bit unfair to the candi... more »

Global Magnitsky: Will UK Join US in Sanctions Against Venezuela Post Brexit?

Nina Cross at 21st Century Wire - 16 hours ago
*Nina Cross* | The UK are preparing to fall in line with Washington policy of economic warfare against target nations, designed to divide and conquer the continent of South America.

Massive Turnout in Hong Kong Elections Amid Unrest

miningawareness at Mining Awareness + - 16 hours ago
From VOA: “Massive Turnout in Hong Kong Elections Amid Unrest By William Gallo November 24, 2019 04:25 AM HONG KONG … Continue reading →

The PL-15 Pistol Is A 'Quantum Leap' For Russia's Military

Charlie Gao at The National Interest - 17 hours ago
*Charlie Gao* *Technology, * How much does it matter? *Key point: *The majority of pistol users in the Russian military rarely use their pistols. The PL-15 is hyped up by Kalashnikov Concern to be one of the best pistols in the world. Said to be light, accurate, and soft-shooting, Kalashnikov Concern plans to start producing the gun in 2019. However, the Russian military has not yet expressed official interest in procuring the gun. But should they? Does the PL-15 represent a large step up from existing sidearms? The short answer is, yes. The Russian military still predominantly... more »

Meet Britain's L85A1 Rifle: A Super Gun or A Total Dud?

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 17 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Technology, Europe* [image: By Stuart Hill - Photo source: http://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/fwbin/download.dll/45162150.jpgMetadata source: http://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/fwbin/fotoweb_isapi.dll/ArchiveAgent/5042/Search?FileInfo=1&MetaData=1&Search=45162150.jpg, OG] A fatal flaw? *Key point:* The design was innovative but didn't always work. In the mid-1980s, the United Kingdom became the first major NATO power to adopt a so-called “bullpup” assault rifle. The L85A1 Individual Weapon was unique in that it placed the rifle’s operating system and... more »

The Heckler and Koch G11 Assault Rifle Can Fire 2,100 Rounds Per Minute

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 17 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *History, Europe* Why did it never take off? *Key point: *The end of the Cold War and the cost of unification killed the innovative G11 rifle. In the last days of the Cold War, West Germany developed perhaps the most advanced assault rifle of all time. A compact weapon capable of firing a withering 2,100 rounds per minute, the Heckler and Koch G11 utilized technologies not seen even in today’s armies. The advanced nature of the G11 came at a considerable cost however, as the gun was much too complicated to be practical on an increasingly unlikely battlefield. Fo... more »

Poor V-22 Osprey’s Engines Have a New Enemy: Dirt

Michael Peck at The National Interest - 17 hours ago
*Michael Peck* *Security, * How can it be overcome? The V-22 Osprey just can’t catch a break. After years of controversy over the tilt rotor transport machine that flies like an airplane and a helicopter, the Osprey appeared to be settling down, with Japan buying a few in 2016 and Israel now expressing interest in purchasing some. But the V-22 has problems with its engines. The culprit? Dirt, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Inspector General IG). The problem is with the Engine Air Particle Separator, or EAPS, which is designed to allow the Osprey to ope... more »

Baltimore’s Answer to High Homicide Rates and Low School Performance? Ban Plastic Bags

Jarrett Stepman at The National Interest - 17 hours ago
*Jarrett Stepman* *Politics, Americas* We're not kidding. What do you do when your community faces crushing poverty, failing schools, and disturbing homicide rates? In Baltimore, the answer is: Ban plastic bags, of course. Yes, Charm City is saving the world, one plastic bag at a time. The Baltimore City Council passed a citywide ban on retailers’ use of plastic bags at checkout on a 13-to-1 vote Monday. If that weren’t enough, the city will now put a 5-cent charge on paper bags. The legislation now awaits signature by Mayor Bernard Young. If he signs it, it wouldn’t take effec... more »

In Gratitude and Thanksgiving

Age of Autism at AGE OF AUTISM - 17 hours ago
By Cathy Jameson A friend of mine shared a slew of positive messages on one of her social media accounts. It took me a few days to realize she was posting one per day during the month of October, but... more »

Mariners beat Western United in Gosford amid rare clean sheet

Just In - 17 hours ago
It's been a while — 39 A-League matches in fact — but Central Coast finally keep a clean sheet, and the Mariners' single goal is enough to beat Western United.

Pakistan star Babar Azam makes Brisbane breakthrough against Aussie attack

Geoff Lemon at Just In - 17 hours ago
Pakistan batsman Babar Azam's century in Brisbane doesn't prove he can play Test cricket — he's just shown his mettle under Australian conditions, writes Geoff Lemon.

Valentine Holmes returns to NRL after being cut by NFL's Jets

Just In - 17 hours ago
The North Queensland Cowboys confirm the signing of the former Queensland Origin star who was released by the American NFL's New York Jets on the weekend.

Man dies after being stabbed at Blackmans Bay service station

Mahalia Carter at Just In - 17 hours ago
A male youth is arrested after a 41-year-old man is stabbed in the stomach at a Hobart service station.

Sunday morning music

Peter at Bayou Renaissance Man - 17 hours ago
Guitar and rock aficionados will instantly recognize the name of Yngwie Malmsteen. He's been active for over 40 years, and, a decade ago, was rated 7th out of 10 of the greatest electric guitar players of all time. He has an almost cult-like fan following. Although he's generally considered to fall into the heavy metal genre, his playing style has been described as neoclassical. He's always been open about the influence of classical music and musicians on his playing style. I thought rock and classical music buffs alike might like to hear him talk about that, and offer examples... more »

Links 11/24/19

Lambert Strether at naked capitalism - 17 hours ago

Untitled

JR at GREENIE WATCH - 17 hours ago
*That wicked air pollution again* *The article below is a riot of statistics but one thing it sedulously avoids is any mention of effect sizes. The effect size in other studies of this topic is usually negligible so that may tell you why.* *And some of the previous studies of this topic have been pretty powerful. For instance, a 2018 study included the entire Medicare population from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2012. And their finding that only one in a million people die from particulate air pollution is pretty decisive. If you bother about that tiny risk, you should never g... more »

With Coal’s Decline, Pennsylvania Communities Watch the Rise of Natural Gas-fueled Plastics

Lambert Strether at naked capitalism - 17 hours ago
A growing chorus agrees the expansion of the natural gas industry, which feeds plastics and petrochemical plants like Shell’s, is moving the U.S. in the wrong direction to prevent catastrophic impacts from climate change.

Micro and Small Businesses Generated Over 73,000 Jobs in October

Richard Mann at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - In October, the country's micro and small companies created more than 73,000 new jobs, the best result for the month in the past five years, according to a survey conducted by the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE), based on the General Registry of Employees and Unemployed (CAGED) […] The post Micro and Small Businesses Generated Over 73,000 Jobs in October appeared first on The Rio Times.

Brazil Detains 90 Percent of Global Niobium Market

Dorah Feliciano at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - A metal unknown to the majority of Brazilians until now, Niobium gained visibility when President Jair Bolsonaro mentioned it during a live broadcast in June of this year. However, the metal should have greater name recognition in this country, since Brazil is the world's largest producer, supplying approximately 90 percent […] The post Brazil Detains 90 Percent of Global Niobium Market appeared first on The Rio Times.

Untitled

Jenna Orkin at From the Wilderness' Peak Oil Blog - 18 hours ago
From Jenna Orkin Outed CIA agent Valerie Plame is running for Congress, and her launch video looks like a spy movie trailer A 'no-brainer Nobel Prize': Hungarian scientists may have found a fifth force of natureRussia Inquiry Review Said to Criticize FBI But Rebuff Claims of Biased ActsBristol bar lets homeless people use their address so they can register to vote Deadly Virus Spreads Among Marine Animals as Arctic Ice Melts NASA has found sugar in meteorites that crashed to Earth Docs Freeze and Revive Human for First Time A self-declared space nation called Asgardia is planning a ful... more »

Untitled

jonjayray at EDUCATION WATCH INTERNATIONAL - 18 hours ago
*Teen Charged with Hate Crime after silly joke* A photo that appeared on Craigslist of a black teen that was captioned "Slave for Sale" has set off an hysterical frenzy in the town of Naperville, Ill., as the prosecutor has charged the young man who posted the photo with a hate crime. White supremacists run amok in the suburbs of Chicago? A racist kid planning to shoot up a school? Not exactly. You see, the young man who posted the photo and the kid in the picture are friends. And what surely began as an insensitive joke has now morphed into a criminal investigation. For racialis... more »

Fairness at 'Broadcasting House'

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 18 hours ago
In a post last Sunday, we discussed the decision by Radio 4's *Broadcasting House *to choose a former advisor to Boris Johnson, the second a former advisor to Jeremy Corbyn and the third a former advisor to Nick Clegg - i.e. a Conservative, a Labour supporter and a Liberal Democrat supporter - to be their 'special advisors' throughout the general election. and wondered how fair that was (i.e. did it overpromote the Lib Dems?). There's another problem. It turns out, as revealed this morning (out of her own mouth), that the former advisor to Boris Johnson (Jo Tanner) is *not* a Cons... more »

Electrifying Flamengo Comeback in Extra Time Secures Second Libertadores Cup Title

Iolanda Fonseca at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The first single-match final in the history of the Libertadores Cup ended with an epic 2-1 win for Flamengo over River Plate. In Peru's capital, Lima, the Brazilians were losing 1-0 after a first half goal from Borré, and seemed heading for defeat until the final minutes of the second […] The post Electrifying Flamengo Comeback in Extra Time Secures Second Libertadores Cup Title appeared first on The Rio Times.

Curfew Decreed in Bogotá after Vandalism and Chaos Follow Mass Protests

Juan Martinez at The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The mayor of Bogotá, Enrique Peñalosa, decreed a curfew from 9 PM (local time) throughout the city after the acts of vandalism that occurred in some areas. One day after a massive demonstration in the country, the capital was divided between two overlapping sounds: the pot-banging of peaceful citizens that […] The post Curfew Decreed in Bogotá after Vandalism and Chaos Follow Mass Protests appeared first on The Rio Times.

Rapid reaction

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 18 hours ago
Peter Oborne demands an answer (to a conspiracy theory). The BBC gives him one: Did the BBC really do this? So shocking if true. https://t.co/NlxMfNE30Z — Peter Oborne (@OborneTweets) November 23, 2019 It seems they did. This kind of thing was normal on state TV in Soviet Russia. Should not happen in a democracy like Britain. The BBC urgently needs to explain itself. https://t.co/WamBfZjuta — Peter Oborne (@OborneTweets) November 23, 2019 This clip, which was played in full on the 10 o’clock news last night, was shortened for timing reasons in today’s lunchtime bulletin. We’ve ful... more »

Why Ford vs. Ferrari Is More Than a Movie

James Jay Carafano at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*James Jay Carafano* *Society, Americas* It reminds us that when Americans unleash the constructive power of capitalism, we can accomplish great things. “Boomers” may be just “okay” today. But back in the 1960s, they were a rowdy bunch who craved fast cars and wild rides. And they certainly didn’t want to drive their father’s paneled station wagon. Henry Ford II wanted the boomers’ business. He decided to make a splash in the sports car market by jumping into the race car racket. Initially, he planned to do it by buying the world’s premier race car manufacturer, Ferrari. But tha... more »

Nazi Germany's World War II Mistakes Turned Eastern Europe Into A 'Caldron Of Horror'

Robert Farley at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Robert Farley* *Security, * Millions died. *Key point: *Germany’s fatal error was a misunderstanding of the strength of the Soviet state Even by the standards of World War II, the Eastern Front stands out as a cauldron of horror. Over four years of war, millions of soldiers and civilians died as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union pummeled each other relentlessly. Although the Germans inflicted serious damage in 1941 and 1942, the Red Army took the offensive in late 1942 at the Battle of Stalingrad, and slowly ground the Wehrmacht into dust over the course of the next three yea... more »

How the Browning Hi Power Handgun Came To Dominate The 9mm Space

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * One of the longest-serving handguns of all time. *Key point: *John Moses Browning’s final handgun was decades ahead of its time. One of the longest-serving handguns of all time was the final work of the most prolific gun designer of all time. The Browning Hi Power pistol was the last handgun designed by John Moses Browning, American weapon designer extraordinaire, whose inventions are still popular more than ninety years after his death. The Hi Power was arguably the first of the “Wonder Nines”—simple, accurate nine millimeter handguns with large cap... more »

Protests Show That Iran Is Having Trouble Controlling the Middle East

Mohammed Ayoob at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Mohammed Ayoob* *Security, Middle East* [image: Reuters] A combination of escalating internal dissent with an increasingly unfavorable regional environment is presenting challenges to Iran’s state interests and, more particularly, to the legitimacy of the mullah-dominated regime that Tehran. All is not well with the Mullah-dominated regime in Iran. Economic distress and political repression are rampant in the country. When these are coupled with the increasingly angry reactions in Lebanon and Iraq against Tehran’s overbearing attitude toward its neighbors there are clear indicat... more »

Iran Would Be Wasting Its Time Building an 'F-35'

Sebastien Roblin at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Middle East* It would be asking for more trouble than it's worth. *Key Point:* Iran has reasons to want a stealth fighter, but it is a very expensive undertaking. There can be such a thing as posturing too hard. Iran’s aviation industry has accomplishments to boast about despite operating under heavy sanctions for nearly forty years. It has managed to keep once state-of-the-art U.S.-built F-4 Phantom and F-14 Tomcat fighters in operational condition for decades, including nine years of high-intensity aerial warfare with Iraq, despite being cut off f... more »

Lighten The Load: SOCOM Wants Lighter Machine Gun Ammunition

Michael Peck at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Michael Peck* *Technology, Americas* Carrying ammo is no fun. *Key point: *SOCOM is also exploring a lightweight assault machine gun chambered for 6.5-millimeter ammunition. Having lots of ammunition is good. Carrying lots of ammunition, not so good. So, U.S. Special Operations Command is looking for ammunition that weighs 40 percent less than current cartridges for machine guns and rapid-fire miniguns. The goal of the feasibility study is to assess whether it is possible to develop “belt link cartridge cases that are significantly lighter than brass cases and have increased i... more »

Report: Prescriptions Aren't Causing The Opioid Epidemic

Jeffrey A. Singer at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Jeffrey A. Singer* *Society, Americas* It's time to end the war on drugs. A new study reported in the November 1, 2019 *Annals of Emergency Medicine *pours more cold water on the false but persistent narrative that the opioid overdose crisis was caused by doctors prescribing opioids to patients in pain. This prospective cohort study by researchers in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine followed 484 “opioid naïve” patients prescribed opioids for acute pain upon release from the emergency department during a six month period. The statewide ... more »

A familiar point

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 19 hours ago
Oh Rob! 'Complaints from both sides', eh? Twitter life in two tweets #marr pic.twitter.com/1aRCOZCIeV — Rob Burley (@RobBurl) November 24, 2019

Should Britain hand back the Chagos Islands?

George Callaghan at The Duran - 19 hours ago
The Chagos Islands lie in the Indian Ocean. These isles are sometimes called the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The islands have been in unbroken British possession since 1814. More The post Should Britain hand back the Chagos Islands? appeared first on The Duran.

Should the death penalty be restored?

George Callaghan at The Duran - 19 hours ago
What is the purpose of the death penalty? This touches on the broader philosophical question of why we have punishment at all. More The post Should the death penalty be restored? appeared first on The Duran.

Comeback

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 19 hours ago
The great Chris Mason (t/m Andrew Marr) responds: *Alex Balfour*: Have you watched the BBC recently? It’s almost as if RP is no longer allowed. Great to have nice regional accents but then you get Chris Mason who sounds like a train conductor, Beth Rigby who turns ‘ings’ into ‘in’s’ and Steph McGovern who makes the Tetley ads sound highbrow! *Chris Mason*: Mercifully, the word ‘eejit’ means the same how ever you say it.

Errata

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 20 hours ago
This morning's *Sunday* featured an interview with Rose Hudson-Wilson, the former Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons who has become Bishop of Dover. Presenter Emily Buchanan asked her about race: Do you think in terms of your own position in the Church that the Church is getting any better at the way it treats people from ethnic minorities? I mean, you are still pretty exceptional, aren't you? There's only the Archbishop of York John Sentamu and the Bishop of Woolwich who are also from ethnic minorities. This brought a rebuke from a Christian gentleman on Twitter: Bis... more »

Turkish-backed militants suffer heavy losses in failed Raqqa offensive against SAA, SDF troops: video

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 20 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:15 A.M.) – The Turkish-backed militants launched a big offensive in the northern countryside of the Al-Raqqa Governorate on Saturday. Led by the so-called “Syrian National Army” (SNA), the Turkish-backed militants began their offensive on Saturday by storming several points under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian Arab Army […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Hezbollah is preparing for major confrontation with Israel: media

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 20 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:45 A.M.) – Hezbollah is preparing its forces for a major confrontation with Israel in the near future, the Ynet news site reported on Saturday. Citing military sources, the publication said Hezbollah has taken final steps to ensure that their forces are prepared for this confrontation with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

OPCW modified chemical weapons report on Syria’s Douma had crucial details omitted: Wikileaks

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 20 hours ago
Three countries – the United States, the United Kingdom and France – carried out airstrikes against Syrian government targets, justifying their assault by claiming that the chemical weapons were allegedly used by the Syrian Army. Wikileaks revealed that the OPCW’s redacted version of the so-called fact-finding report on Douma’s events had been intentionally doctored, misrepresenting […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

The Daily Brief 2019-11-22

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 20 hours ago
This is a summary of 21 AMN articles on the following subjects: Iran, Putin, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Hasakah, ISIS, China, Germany, Palestine, Hmeimim, Aleppo, Iraq, Israel, Assyrians, EU, US, Bolivia, Morales, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Latakia. Categories covered in this brief: Iran, Syria, Turkey, Palestine, World-News, Iraq, Middleeast, Lebanon Let us know how you like this brief […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

‘Latinwood’ Emerges as New Mecca of Cinema

Richard Mann at The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The elves, dwarves, and men, in addition to saving humankind from Sauron and killing every possible orc, have put New Zealand on the map. Director Peter Jackson made an effort to film the saga of 'The Lord of the Rings' at home and the world fell in love with the […] The post ‘Latinwood’ Emerges as New Mecca of Cinema appeared first on The Rio Times.

Bolsonaro Confirms Interest in Exporting Native Amazonian Timber

Lachlan Williams at The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed on Saturday, November 23rd, that the government is studying the possibility of exporting timber from tree species native to the Amazon, as reported today O Estado de São Paulo. According to the report, the measure began to be studied after a suggestion from sector entrepreneurs, but […] The post Bolsonaro Confirms Interest in Exporting Native Amazonian Timber appeared first on The Rio Times.

Successive Budget Cuts Weaken Scientific Research in Latin America

Juan Martinez at The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - "When my father died of Argentine hemorrhagic fever, I was very young. I was six years old. For the whole family, it was a very hard blow. At that time there was no vaccine," recalls Juan Sarasola, mayor of the municipality of Casilda, in the Argentinian province of Santa Fe. […] The post Successive Budget Cuts Weaken Scientific Research in Latin America appeared first on The Rio Times.

Oil Spill Fragments Reach State of Rio de Janeiro Coast

Xiu Ying at The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - President Jair Bolsonaro said yesterday, November 23rd, that there is no way of knowing how much oil has been spilled near the Brazilian coast. Yesterday, the country's authorities reported that oil fragments had reached the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro. According to the president, one must be prepared for […] The post Oil Spill Fragments Reach State of Rio de Janeiro Coast appeared first on The Rio Times.

The App Scanning WhatsApp Chats: Flirty or Friendzone?

Arkady Petrov at The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Artificial intelligence can help us find a match. Mei is an app that analyzes the words and expressions of WhatsApp conversations in order to tell users whether the person they are talking to is hiding a secret, expressing abnormal levels of boredom or having a romantic interest in them. In […] The post The App Scanning WhatsApp Chats: Flirty or Friendzone? appeared first on The Rio Times.

Places like the Harvard HETG group look healthy

Luboš Motl at The Reference Frame - 20 hours ago
The plot of Idiocracy takes place in 2505 but if one relied on the trend that is apparent in the media, it would be more realistic to estimate that the Idiocratic level of the societal intelligence would already be achieved around 2055: 15 years seem to be enough to lower the depth and accuracy of the discourse by one academic degree. However, Idiocracy has explained the trend towards the stupidity as a biological one: stupid people were said to outf*ck the smart ones which is why that segment of the IQ spectrum grew in importance. Clearly, we aren't getting dramatic changes of the u... more »

A ship wreck on Loch Ness

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 20 hours ago
A ship wreck on Loch Ness (Photo: Mikadun/Shutterstock) pic.twitter.com/IXElfDhPPa — Scottish Field (@ScottishField) November 24, 2019

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