The official name of the Pentagon/State Department operation to extract Afghan interpreters, translators and other Afghans who supported our troops during America’s “longest war,” is “Operation Allies Refuge.” The operation will evacuate more than 18,000 Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants “and will include Afghans at all stages of the application process and even those … [Read more...] about ‘Operation New Arrivals II’ (Video)
Advertising and False News
From the moment our parents allow us to sit in front of a television screen or listen to a radio, we are inundated almost continuously with advertisements trying to sell us various products. And during campaigns for elective offices, campaign managers and their staffs try and sell us on the virtues of the candidates they support or the vices of their opponents. The information … [Read more...] about Advertising and False News
Election polls in 2020 produced ‘error of unusual magnitude,’ expert panel finds, without pinpointing cause
A voter exits a polling location on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. Tom Pennington/Getty Images W. Joseph Campbell, American University School of Communication More than eight months after the acute polling embarrassment in the 2020 U.S. elections – that produced the sharpest discrepancy between the polls and popular vote outcome … [Read more...] about Election polls in 2020 produced ‘error of unusual magnitude,’ expert panel finds, without pinpointing cause
Why the US won’t be able to shirk moral responsibility in leaving Afghanistan
A handover ceremony as U.S. troops prepare to leave Afghanistan. Afghan Ministry of Defense Press Office via AP Michael Blake, University of Washington The majority of the remaining American troops in Afghanistan were withdrawn recently, with the rest due to leave by the end of August 2021. This withdrawal marks the end of nearly 20 years of American … [Read more...] about Why the US won’t be able to shirk moral responsibility in leaving Afghanistan
Delta variant behind more than 80% of U.S. cases; vaccines still highly effective -Fauci
Published by ReutersBy Carl O'Donnell and Mrinalika Roy (Reuters) -The Delta variant of the coronavirus is the cause of more than 80% of new U.S. COVID-19 cases, but the authorized vaccines remain more than 90% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths, said top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci during U.S. Senate hearing on Tuesday. The hearing featured a … [Read more...] about Delta variant behind more than 80% of U.S. cases; vaccines still highly effective -Fauci
Olympics-Tokyo 2020 chief doesn’t rule out cancelling Games
Published by ReutersBy Ju-min Park and Sakura Murakami TOKYO (Reuters) - The chief of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee on Tuesday did not rule out cancelling the Olympics if COVID-19 cases spiked, as more athletes tested positive for the virus and sponsors ditched plans to attend Friday's opening ceremony. Asked at a news conference if the global sporting showpiece might … [Read more...] about Olympics-Tokyo 2020 chief doesn’t rule out cancelling Games
U.S. House Minority Leader McCarthy picks five Republicans for Jan. 6 panel: Jim Jordan is one of them
Published by ReutersWASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy nominated five members of his party, including staunch Trump ally Jim Jordan, to serve on a special congressional panel probing the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, his office said on Monday. McCarthy is also naming Representatives Jim Banks, Rodney Davis, Kelly Armstrong and Troy Nehls to the … [Read more...] about U.S. House Minority Leader McCarthy picks five Republicans for Jan. 6 panel: Jim Jordan is one of them
A POX ON YOUR HOUSE (Cartoon)
US and allies condemn China for ‘malicious’ cyber activity
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - The United States on Monday led allies in fierce condemnation of China's "malicious" cyber activity, accusing Beijing of extortion and threatening national security, and promising consequences as it charged four Chinese nationals with hacking. In comments likely to further strain worsening relations between Washington and Beijing, US Secretary … [Read more...] about US and allies condemn China for ‘malicious’ cyber activity
TRUMP’S REICHSTAG MOMENT (Cartoon and Column)
General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was not the only person who believed Donald Trump would make a coup attempt. He’s also not the only person who believed Donald Trump and his supporters were acting like Nazis. People always say you shouldn’t compare anything to Nazis, but in this case, we’re comparing Nazis to Nazis. First, let me extend a greeting … [Read more...] about TRUMP’S REICHSTAG MOMENT (Cartoon and Column)
U.S. judge rules DACA program illegal, suspends new applications
Published by ReutersBy Mica Rosenberg NEW YORK (Reuters) -A U.S. federal judge in Texas on Friday blocked new applications to a program that protects immigrants who were brought to the United States as children from deportation, but said the hundreds of thousands of people already enrolled would not be affected until further court rulings. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen sided … [Read more...] about U.S. judge rules DACA program illegal, suspends new applications
World’s deepest diving pool in Dubai features entire underwater city
Published by DPADubai, known for the tallest building in the world, is now going in the opposite direction with the world's deepest diving pool. According to the operators of Deep Dive Dubai, the 60-metre-deep plunge pool has already been entered into the Guinness World Records. The pool, which will open to the public later this month, holds 14 million litres of water and is … [Read more...] about World’s deepest diving pool in Dubai features entire underwater city
Kevin McCarthy’s latest trip to Trump: again putting politics above democracy
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's latest trip to visit his political Pope boss lifeline -- former President Donald Trump -- is yet one more manifestation of how a politician can soley focus on his own or partisan political power. Democracy be damned. McCarthy has become a symbol of the Republican Party. But I wouldn't say the face. Here's CNN's Stephen Collinson, … [Read more...] about Kevin McCarthy’s latest trip to Trump: again putting politics above democracy
Top US general feared Trump ‘Reichstag’ power seizure: book
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - The Pentagon's top general feared late last year that then-president Donald Trump would suspend the constitution to retain power in a move resembling Adolf Hitler's 1933 Reichstag takeover, according to a new book. Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley saw Trump's refusal to accept defeat to Joe Biden in the November election as a possible sign … [Read more...] about Top US general feared Trump ‘Reichstag’ power seizure: book
What Building Materials Are Most Popular for Smart Cities?
by Emily Newton It’s no surprise that the growth of digital technologies and the adoption of smart devices are causing significant shifts in the world. Industries across all sectors are eager to take on new projects and work to transform their workplaces. However, new tech allows cities to upgrade and retrofit their existing infrastructure to be more innovative and greener. … [Read more...] about What Building Materials Are Most Popular for Smart Cities?
BREAKING NEWS: ‘Operation Allies Refuge’ to Airlift Afghans Imminent (UPDATED)
UPDATE: During a briefing today at the Pentagon, Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided only few additional details on Operation Allies Refuge. Kirby confirmed the operation will be led by the State Department. As to possible locations, Kirby said: To date, we have identified overseas locations and we're still examining possibilities for overseas locations, to … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: ‘Operation Allies Refuge’ to Airlift Afghans Imminent (UPDATED)
BAN THESE OBNOXIOUS PHRASES!
If you're a political and media junkie, you know one truth: your head starts to spin after a while due to obnoxious, trite and overused phrases that have invaded and are now embedded in our culture. But they've also permeated every day life, with nothing to do with politics. Here are some phrases as welcome as chalk scraping on a blackboard or waiting in line at the DMV. 1. … [Read more...] about BAN THESE OBNOXIOUS PHRASES!
BATMAN VACCINATED (Cartoon)
U.S. Senate Democrats agree to $3.5 trln for budget reconciliation bill
Published by ReutersBy Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden's drive for big new infrastructure investment got a boost on Tuesday when leading Senate Democrats agreed on a $3.5 trillion investment plan they aim to include in a budget resolution to be debated soon, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said. "We have come to an … [Read more...] about U.S. Senate Democrats agree to $3.5 trln for budget reconciliation bill
Biden calls voting rights fight ‘the most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War’ in Philly speech
Published by The Philadelphia InquirerPHILADELPHIA — President Joe Biden called the right to vote “a test of our time” and urged Americans to protect it amid GOP-led changes to election laws and threats to voting rights, casting the battle as a globally watched test of U.S. democracy in a speech at the National Constitution Center on Tuesday. “We’re facing the most significant … [Read more...] about Biden calls voting rights fight ‘the most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War’ in Philly speech