Published by ReutersBy Joseph Ax and Tim Reid PRINCETON, N.J./SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Reuters) - A COVID-19 surge ignited in parts of the United States by the highly contagious Delta variant and vaccine hesitancy has led to new mask mandates and deep confusion among some people about which guidance to follow. In Los Angeles County, leaders have reinstated an indoor mask mandate, … [Read more...] about As Americans navigate conflicting COVID-19 mask advice, ‘everyone is confused’
Olympics-Athletes parade in empty stadium as Tokyo Games open in shadow of pandemic
Published by ReutersBy Antoni Slodkowski, Elaine Lies and Kiyoshi Takenaka TOKYO (Reuters) - In an Olympic opening ceremony like none before, one tradition held firm on Friday as athletes from across the world paraded into an eerie, almost empty national stadium to represent their nations, for the first time their smiles hidden behind masks. Most countries were represented by … [Read more...] about Olympics-Athletes parade in empty stadium as Tokyo Games open in shadow of pandemic
Some Weekend Photography
It has been a while since we have seen some “weekend photography.” (Ron Beasley, we miss you!) There is a great on-line magazine -- Airman, "the official magazine of the U.S. Air Force" – with good readings, videos and photography. Right now, on its FaceBook page, Airman is featuring a contest asking readers to help them select the "Airman Top Shot" of the … [Read more...] about Some Weekend Photography
Mississippi calls on Supreme Court to overturn US right to abortion
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - The state of Mississippi on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to overturn the right to abortion in the United States in a legal brief added to a case set to be heard later in the year. The case, involving a Mississippi law that bans most abortions in the state after 15 weeks of pregnancy, will be heard during the court's next term which begins … [Read more...] about Mississippi calls on Supreme Court to overturn US right to abortion
FBI ignored tips on Brett Kavanaugh, Senate Democrats charge
Published by ReutersBy Jan Wolfe and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Seven Democratic senators on Thursday said that newly released materials show the FBI failed to fully investigate sexual misconduct allegations against U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh when he was nominated to the court in 2018. The senators, including Sheldon Whitehouse and Chris Coons, said a … [Read more...] about FBI ignored tips on Brett Kavanaugh, Senate Democrats charge
An Open Letter to Former President Trump
Dear Mr. Trump As you certainly know, more than seventy-four million Americans voted for you in the 2020 presidential election. As you also know – and acknowledge -- more than eight months after the elections, an overwhelming majority of those voters still love you, no matter what. As you may also know, those voters believe every word you say, no matter … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to Former President Trump
SEAN HANNITY SUGGESTS FOX NEWS SHOULD STOP KILLING PEOPLE
Pro-life Americans, which I define as people who want to defeat the pandemic, should welcome support from all quarters – including the darkest precincts of the Fox propaganda machine. Hence it was nice this week to hear Sean Hannity utter these sentences: “Please take COVID seriously. I can’t say it enough. Enough people have died. We don’t need any more death…Research … [Read more...] about SEAN HANNITY SUGGESTS FOX NEWS SHOULD STOP KILLING PEOPLE
Republicans abandon Capitol riot probe after Pelosi rejects Jordan, Banks
Published by ReutersWASHINGTON (Reuters) -The top Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday withdrew his five nominees to serve on the special committee probing the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol after Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected two of them. Pelosi had earlier rejected Representatives Jim Jordan and Jim Banks, staunch defenders of … [Read more...] about Republicans abandon Capitol riot probe after Pelosi rejects Jordan, Banks
‘Operation New Arrivals II’ (Video)
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