Peter Cunliffe-Jones, University of Westminster and Lucas Graves, University of Wisconsin-Madison “Fake news” loves a crisis. It’s clear now that false information has played a role in recent events around the world from divisive elections to the COVID pandemic to the conflict roiling Israel and Gaza. It is important to counter false claims and false narratives. And … [Read more...] about Misinformation: how fact-checking journalism is evolving – and having a real impact on the world
Trump passes major election test with easy win in Iowa
Published by AFPDes Moines (United States) (AFP) - Donald Trump romped to a lightning-quick victory Monday in Iowa's caucuses -- the first vote in the US presidential race -- cementing his status as the presumptive Republican standard-bearer to challenge President Joe Biden in November's election. The former president has led polling for more than a year, but the contest was … [Read more...] about Trump passes major election test with easy win in Iowa
What is a nominating caucus? What do Trump’s Iowa supporters think and believe?
Tonight, all across Iowa, Republican voters are gathering in churches, libraries and school gyms to cast their votes for the Iowa Republican Party's nominee for President. We know this as "the Iowa caucus." Caucuses, however, are exclusive meetings for "strategic purposes." That might be legal mediation, or it could be political party discussions, whether involving elected … [Read more...] about What is a nominating caucus? What do Trump’s Iowa supporters think and believe?
Should the Boeing deferred prosecution for 737 MAX 8 fatal crashes be rescinded?
On Friday, 05 January 2024, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 blew out a door plug on an Alaska flight shortly after take off. It may have blown up a deferred prosecution as well. The next day, 06 January 2024, was the three-year anniversary of an illegally negotiated deferred criminal prosecution between the Trump Department of Justice and Boeing. Boeing admitted that it had "deceived" … [Read more...] about Should the Boeing deferred prosecution for 737 MAX 8 fatal crashes be rescinded?
US-UK airstrikes risk strengthening Houthi rebels’ position in Yemen and the region
Houthi supporters rally in Yemen following U.S.-U.K. airstrikes. Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images Mahad Darar, Colorado State University The U.S.- and U.K.-led strikes on the rebel Houthi group in Yemen represent a dramatic new turn in the Middle East conflict – one that could have implications throughout the region. The attacks of Jan. 11, 2024, hit … [Read more...] about US-UK airstrikes risk strengthening Houthi rebels’ position in Yemen and the region
The Republican Party’s Dangerous New Rhetoric Around Immigration
by Chris Jennewein Former President Trump vows to erect giant “deportation camps” if re-elected. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott muses about ordering law enforcement to shoot migrants. The Republican Party’s rhetoric around immigration is growing increasingly vile. Trump tells rallies that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country” in an echo of Nazi rhetoric and plans … [Read more...] about The Republican Party’s Dangerous New Rhetoric Around Immigration
NASA and NOAA agree: 2023 was the hottest year on record
“The heat over the last calendar year was a dramatic message from Mother Nature,” University of Arizona climate scientist Katharine Jacobs told Associated Press. According to NASA, the global average temperature last year was 1.17ºC (ºF) above the 1951-1980 baseline and 1.39ºC (2.5ºF) hotter than the pre-industrial baseline (mid-19th century, 1850, when records … [Read more...] about NASA and NOAA agree: 2023 was the hottest year on record
MAGA’S ROSE ED GLASSES (CARTOON)
TRUMP IS ALREADY WORKING TO UNDERMINE THE NEXT ELECTION
Donald Trump took a break from the campaign trail earlier this week to watch one of his flunky lawyers contend in court that any and all crimes he may have committed in office are hereby magically excused because he was acting in his role as monarch el supremo. I listened to the entire audio of the federal appeals court hearing – no cameras, alas – and it was perversely … [Read more...] about TRUMP IS ALREADY WORKING TO UNDERMINE THE NEXT ELECTION
How Ecuador went from being Latin America’s model of stability to a nation in crisis
Ecuador looks set to entrust its anti-gang fight to the military. Franklin Jacome/Agencia Press South/Getty Images Eduardo Gamarra, Florida International University Ecuador was until relatively recently seen as one of the safest countries in Latin America. That reputation has surely now been destroyed. On Jan. 9, 2024, images of hooded gunmen … [Read more...] about How Ecuador went from being Latin America’s model of stability to a nation in crisis
Where’s Lloyd Austin? (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin kinda went missing. At first, we were told he was in Walter Reed’s intensive care unit for “complications from an elective procedure.” Then we found out yesterday that the secretary had surgery for prostate cancer on December 22, and had to return on January 1 due to complications. We all wish him the best, well, most of us, and doctors say he’s … [Read more...] about Where’s Lloyd Austin? (Cartoon, Column and Video)
In the ‘big tent’ of free speech, can you be too open-minded?
In the ‘big tent’ philosophy of free speech, the more views, the better. But how does that hold up in practice? imageBROKER/Manuel Kamuf via Getty Images John Corvino, Wayne State University People often extol the virtue of open-mindedness, but can there be too much of a good thing? As a college dean, I regularly observe campus controversies about … [Read more...] about In the ‘big tent’ of free speech, can you be too open-minded?
Alaska and United are the only US airlines with a Boeing 737 MAX 9 in their fleet; all have the door plug
New background about door plug manufacturing and installation; more loose bolts identified in December; Oregon mom tells her story Airlines decide how many passenger seats they want on a plane. That's why some feel more crowded than others. The number of passengers an airplane can seat determines the number of emergency exits required by the Federal Aviation … [Read more...] about Alaska and United are the only US airlines with a Boeing 737 MAX 9 in their fleet; all have the door plug
WATCH: FULL VIDEO OF CHRIST CHRISTIE WITHDRAWING FROM 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE, CRITICIZING REPUBLICAN PARTY
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie withdrew from the 2024 race for the Republican Presidential Nomination today. Christie was the sole voice directly taking on former President Donald Trump, Trump's past and Trump's future threat to democracy. Here's the complete video of his speech withdrawing and warning about where the Republican Party is and where it's going: … [Read more...] about WATCH: FULL VIDEO OF CHRIST CHRISTIE WITHDRAWING FROM 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE, CRITICIZING REPUBLICAN PARTY
PRESIDENTIAL RACE (CARTOON)
A Boeing 737 MAX 9 blew an escape hatch on Friday. Here’s how a once-great engineering company created deadly planes.
Boeing no longer makes “amazing flying machines.” Typing that sentence brings a lump to my throat. My brain sees the “Red Barn,” part of the Museum of Flight adjacent to Boeing Field that pays homage to early Boeing innovation. Friends (geeky ones) held their wedding reception at the museum. I may have Georgia red clay roots, but 30+ years here has linked my sense of self to … [Read more...] about A Boeing 737 MAX 9 blew an escape hatch on Friday. Here’s how a once-great engineering company created deadly planes.
No surprise if you’ve been paying attention: 2023 was the hottest year on record
Global temperatures set new records in calendar 2023, according to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMRWF). Calendar 2023 was the warmest since 1850. In addition: From June to December, each month was warmer than its corresponding month since 1850. July and August were the warmest two months on record. For the first time, every day in 2023 … [Read more...] about No surprise if you’ve been paying attention: 2023 was the hottest year on record
Hamas Terrorists Bypassed Israeli Center for People with Disabilities
SAN DIEGO – “Adi” in Hebrew means “jewel” but at the 40-acre ADI-Negev campus near the town of Ofakim, ADI is also an acronym for “Ability, Diversity, and Inclusion.” The campus houses 170 residents with permanent disabilities and 72 inpatients at its Kaylie Rehabilitation Medical Center. On weekdays, it also instructs 190 special education students. Elie Klein, ADI’s … [Read more...] about Hamas Terrorists Bypassed Israeli Center for People with Disabilities
Beware of religious judges.
Beware of religious judges, for they tend to ignore important details in the religion from which they judge others. I know so because I have witnessed way too many religious judges doing such a thing. They believe that they are doing something good without realizing the damage that they are doing to others and to whatever religion they profess. Yeah, this sort of thing … [Read more...] about Beware of religious judges.
US Supreme Court decision on Trump-Colorado ballot case ‘monumental’ for democracy itself, not just 2024 presidential election
The US Supreme Court. Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images Derek T. Muller, University of Notre Dame Momentous questions for the U.S. Supreme Court and momentous consequences for the country are likely now that the court has announced it will decide whether former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump is eligible to appear on the Colorado … [Read more...] about US Supreme Court decision on Trump-Colorado ballot case ‘monumental’ for democracy itself, not just 2024 presidential election