Washington (AFP) - Amazon has agreed to buy the storied MGM studios for $8.45 billion, the companies said Wednesday, giving the US tech giant a vast library to further its ambitions in streaming. The deal bolsters Amazon Prime Video, which competes with Netflix and others in the fast-evolving market, with some 4,000 films -- including the James Bond franchise -- and 17,000 … [Read more...] about Bezos blitz: Amazon to buy MGM studios, bolstering streaming ambitions
Manhattan DA convenes grand jury to weigh criminal charges against Trump, report says
NEW YORK — Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. has convened a grand jury that is expected to consider whether to charge Donald Trump and his business executives with crimes as part of a long-running investigation into alleged financial fraud at the former president’s namesake company, according to a report Tuesday. The grand jury was impaneled recently and is expected to … [Read more...] about Manhattan DA convenes grand jury to weigh criminal charges against Trump, report says
Kevin McCarthy’s Statement on GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Holocaust Comments
It took the spineless House Republican Leader, Kevin McCarthy, five days to muster a modicum of courage to speak out on GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s disgusting comparison of wearing COVID masks to the Holocaust atrocities (below). But shame on him to, even then, include a slanderous and false swipe at the Speaker of the House and the “Democrat … [Read more...] about Kevin McCarthy’s Statement on GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Holocaust Comments
A year since George Floyd’s murder, Americans reflect on his legacy
By Jeff Mason and Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Americans on Tuesday will mark the first anniversary of the murder of George Floyd beneath a white Minneapolis police officer's knee, which catalyzed the largest U.S. protest movement in decades over police brutality against Black people. In Washington, President Joe Biden will meet privately with members of Floyd's family … [Read more...] about A year since George Floyd’s murder, Americans reflect on his legacy
Cicada sushi, anyone? US chef serves up sustainable ‘Brood X’ delicacy
Washington (AFP) - After 17 years underground, swarms of cicadas are emerging across the eastern United States -- and for one Washington chef, the rare bug invasion was his cue for a cookout, with a side of food ethics. Bun Lai, an advocate for the sustainable food movement, invited locals for an insect hunt in a city park followed by a taste of his fried cicada sushi. "In a … [Read more...] about Cicada sushi, anyone? US chef serves up sustainable ‘Brood X’ delicacy
53% of Republicans view Trump as true U.S. president – Reuters/Ipsos poll
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A majority of Republicans still believe Donald Trump won the 2020 U.S. presidential election and blame his loss to Joe Biden on illegal voting, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll. The May 17-19 national poll found that 53% of Republicans believe Trump, their party's nominee, is the “true president” now, compared to 3% of Democrats and 25% of … [Read more...] about 53% of Republicans view Trump as true U.S. president – Reuters/Ipsos poll
Scion of a dynasty, Assad rules over shattered Syria
BEIRUT (Reuters) - President Bashar al-Assad, once seen as a reformer but viewed by his many foes as a tyrant after a decade of war and repression, looks set to extend his family's dynastic rule of Syria further with an election on Wednesday. Branded "an animal" by the United States for gassing his people and a "great fighter" by Iran for resisting Washington and Israel, Assad, … [Read more...] about Scion of a dynasty, Assad rules over shattered Syria
The New Dividing Line (Cartoon)
KREMLIN CRUZ (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Texas Senator Ted Cruz did not serve in the military. But he says when he was younger, he thought about it real hard. Today, why golly gee willikers, he kinda wishes he had served. Of course, Ted only wishes he had served for the political bonus points serving would have given him. In Ted’s feeble little mind where the thoughts are all about Ted, he believes saying he thought … [Read more...] about KREMLIN CRUZ (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Belarus forces airliner to land and arrests opponent, sparking U.S. and European outrage
By Andrey Ostroukh and Andrius Sytas MOSCOW (Reuters) -Belarusian authorities scrambled a fighter jet and flagged what turned out to be a false bomb alert to force a Ryanair plane to land on Sunday and then detained an opposition-minded journalist who was on board, drawing condemnation from Europe and the United States. In what was described by some EU leaders as a hijacking, … [Read more...] about Belarus forces airliner to land and arrests opponent, sparking U.S. and European outrage
Political Shock Jock Paul Announces He Won’t Get Vaccinated
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has announced that even though he had covid, he will not be getting a vaccine. Surprise! NOT surprise! Paul has become a "shock jock" among politicians. He seemingly prides himself on standing out from the crowd and getting lots of media. His hectoring of Dr. Anthony Fauci which usually has him making a variety of charges and (ahem) fact-challenged … [Read more...] about Political Shock Jock Paul Announces He Won’t Get Vaccinated
‘The Underground Railroad’ attempts to upend viewers’ notions of what it meant to be enslaved
Making the series changed Barry Jenkins’ views on how his ancestors should be described and depicted. Atsushi Nishijima/Amazon Studios William Nash, Middlebury Speaking on NPR’s Fresh Air, Barry Jenkins, the director of “The Underground Railroad,” noted that “before making this show … I would have said I’m the descendant of enslaved Africans.” “I … [Read more...] about ‘The Underground Railroad’ attempts to upend viewers’ notions of what it meant to be enslaved
CNN Axes Rick Santorum After Racist Comments About Native Americans and Non-Apology Apology
Former Senator Rick Santorum has been fired from CNN as a conservative commentator after his racist comments about Native Americans--and blew his chance at an on-the-air apology. Apparently Santorum didn't realize that CNN bigwigs were watching his weak non-apology apology and he became the walking dead until he was fired. CNN has faced a dilemma in getting conservative … [Read more...] about CNN Axes Rick Santorum After Racist Comments About Native Americans and Non-Apology Apology
Video of Black man’s death in US varies sharply from police account
Washington (AFP) - Initial claims by Louisiana authorities that a Black man stopped after a high-speed chase had died of crash-related injuries were undercut this week by newly released video showing police Tasing, dragging, choking and beating the man. The latest controversy over a police-involved death began on May 10, 2019 when police in northern Louisiana tried to stop a … [Read more...] about Video of Black man’s death in US varies sharply from police account
The New Pro-Maskers (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about The New Pro-Maskers (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Republicans reject Biden infrastructure bill despite reduced cost
Washington (AFP) - Republican lawmakers have rejected a new White House infrastructure proposal that lowers the overall price tag in a bid to gain the opposition party's support, potentially raising the likelihood President Joe Biden's Democrats pass the measure on their own. The White House on Friday had proposed reducing the cost of the $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan to … [Read more...] about Republicans reject Biden infrastructure bill despite reduced cost
Will Bunch: Overturning Roe v. Wade would throw a political live grenade into 2022 midterms
One of the great political memes of the Trump era was that Maine’s moderate GOP Sen. Susan Collins is “concerned” over the president’s latest extreme action — even as she continued to vote in lockstep with a GOP dominated by the Former Guy. But one thing that Collins insisted she wasn’t concerned about — even as Donald Trump tilted the Supreme Court to the far right with his … [Read more...] about Will Bunch: Overturning Roe v. Wade would throw a political live grenade into 2022 midterms
Withholding Weapons from Israel Makes the US Weak
by Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) and a group of like-minded colleagues wanted to sink the proposed $735-million sale of a Boeing-built arms guidance kit to Israel. The Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) kit converts unguided or “dumb” bombs into precision-guided munitions. The goal, according to Politico, is “leverage to push … [Read more...] about Withholding Weapons from Israel Makes the US Weak
Israel-Hamas truce takes hold after 11 days of fighting
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dan Williams GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -An Egyptian-mediated truce between Israel and Hamas began on Friday and U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to salve the devastated Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid after the worst fighting in years. Palestinians, many of whom had spent 11 days huddled in fear of Israeli shelling, poured into Gaza's streets. Mosque … [Read more...] about Israel-Hamas truce takes hold after 11 days of fighting
DEMOCRATS SHOULDN’T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS
Why do most Capitol Hill Republicans oppose the creation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the deadly coup against democracy staged on Jan. 6? Duh, take one guess. They know darn well that a thorough investigation will implicate them. They can’t handle the truth. That’s why 80 percent of the House Republicans voted “no” Wednesday night, even as the commission cleared … [Read more...] about DEMOCRATS SHOULDN’T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS