UPDATE: The Associated Press is reporting that Chinese President Xi Jinping gestured, during a dinner speech in San Francisco on Wednesday, that China intends to send new pandas to the U.S., perhaps to San Diego. Calling pandas “envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples,” Xi said according to the AP: We are ready to continue our cooperation … [Read more...] about Updated: ‘Panda Diplomacy’ – An Endangered Species?
Unhealthy eating habits and poor agrifood systems cause global losses of $10 trillion yearly, UN says.
Unhealthy eating habits and food production systems that damage the environment and worsen harmful climate change are costing the world at least $10 trillion a year and disasters are causing $123 billion annually in lost earnings, the world’s leading food agency said. A unique new 154-country study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is the first to … [Read more...] about Unhealthy eating habits and poor agrifood systems cause global losses of $10 trillion yearly, UN says.
Updated: Trump channels hate, Hitler in Veteran’s Day speech: tells supporters those others are “vermin.”
Published November 13, 2023 | Updated November 15, 2023 With your help, your love and your vote we will put America first, and today especially, in honor of our great veterans on Veteran's Day, we pledge to you that we will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country, that lie and steal and … [Read more...] about Updated: Trump channels hate, Hitler in Veteran’s Day speech: tells supporters those others are “vermin.”
South Carolina is the latest States Newsroom affiliate
The South Carolina Daily Gazette, which debuted November 14, is the 37th state news publication affiliated with the States Newsroom. The goal: "free, high-quality, nonpartisan reporting on the important issues affecting the Palmetto State." The news reports are free not only to readers but to other media outlets, editor Seanna Adcox made clear in her … [Read more...] about South Carolina is the latest States Newsroom affiliate
What a Difference ‘a Day’ Makes in Politics
It seems like only yesterday when a pompous Trump descended the golden Trump Tower escalator and characteristically proclaimed his presidential ambitions with a lie and a slur. “Wow. Woah. That is some group of people. Thousands!”, Trump told the dozens of onlookers, some of them paid $50 to attend the event. He soon followed this by accusing Mexican migrants of “… … [Read more...] about What a Difference ‘a Day’ Makes in Politics
As yet another deadline looms, a divided US House stumbles closer to a federal shutdown: 5 essential reads
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson arrives for a GOP meeting at the Capitol on Nov. 7, 2023. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Howard Manly, The Conversation Once again, federal budget negotiations are down to the last minute, and once again, GOP hardliners are in the middle of what might turn into a gridlock. Current government funding expires on … [Read more...] about As yet another deadline looms, a divided US House stumbles closer to a federal shutdown: 5 essential reads
Aging and Politics
Age is being increasingly injected into politics. It’s a valid issue as aging may make people less vigorous, and cognitive function declines in a large percentage of older people. But the physical and cognitive losses are not universal or uniform across the population. And there are individuals who have what is called a “large cognitive reserve” who function quite well from an … [Read more...] about Aging and Politics
WHO: Writing the final chapter in the story of TB, the world’s deadliest infection
The World Health Organization (WHO) has brought a sliver of positive news in these awful times of Hamas terrorism, Russia’s unprovoked war on Ukraine and China’s increasing military assertiveness in the Taiwan Straits and South China Sea. The total number of TB-related deaths, including those among people with HIV, stood at 1.3 million in 2022, down from 1.4 million the year … [Read more...] about WHO: Writing the final chapter in the story of TB, the world’s deadliest infection
The GOP’S DILEMMA (GUEST CARTOON BY MIKE PETERS)
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 GOP’S DILEMMA (GUEST CARTOON BY MIKE PETERS)
MORE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES NEED TO FOLLOW PENCE’S LEAD
by Carl Golden Former vice president Mike Pence was the first domino to fall, drawing increased focus and pressure on the remaining single-digit candidates for the Republican presidential nomination to confront the harsh reality that victory will not be theirs. In the Real Clear Politics polling average, Pence, at 3.4 percent, held fifth place but showed no movement. His … [Read more...] about MORE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES NEED TO FOLLOW PENCE’S LEAD
Trump said Obama is the current president during a New Hampshire campaign event
The pundit editorial class -- as well as too many political reporters -- focus on President Joe Biden's age. What they don't do is point out that Donald Trump is only 3.5 years younger. Nor do the New York Times, Wall Street Journal or Washington Post -- or any TV news show -- ever feature a quote from a Trump campaign event that's more than a few words. That's because … [Read more...] about Trump said Obama is the current president during a New Hampshire campaign event
A Special Tribute to a Special Group of Veterans
As Veterans Day 2023 draws to a close, it is appropriate to reflect on a special group of brave persons, our women Veterans. Such is even more fitting as this Veterans Day also happens to be the 30th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. Among the 58,318 names etched into the adjacent Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. are eight names … [Read more...] about A Special Tribute to a Special Group of Veterans
Abortion rights victories show this issue is unlikely to fade in 2024 elections — 3 things to know
Abortion rights supporters celebrate Issue 1 passing in Ohio on Nov. 7, 2023. Megan Jelinger/AFP via Getty Images Nicole Huberfeld, Boston University and Linda C. McClain, Boston University Abortion rights advocates won major victories in several state elections on Nov. 7, 2023, signaling that abortion laws are likely to continue to play an important … [Read more...] about Abortion rights victories show this issue is unlikely to fade in 2024 elections — 3 things to know
Updated: Iceland declares state of emergency after thousands of earthquakes foreshadow a volcanic eruption
This is a developing news story. Until recently, Iceland has averaged a volcanic eruption a couple of times each decade. Three volcanos have erupted since March 2021. One was this past July. Signs suggest another eruption is imminent. The Iceland Met Office reported Friday at 12:30 pm local time that an earthquake had occured on average every minute for the prior 24 hours … [Read more...] about Updated: Iceland declares state of emergency after thousands of earthquakes foreshadow a volcanic eruption
This was not a “leak.” 37,000 customers in WA and ID lose heat, hot water, ability to cook because someone did not call 811.
Just as the Deepwater Horizon explosion in 2010 was not a "spill" (it was an explosion), the reason 37,000 customers in eastern Washington and northwestern Idaho have no heat or hot water and can't cook meals is not a gas pipeline "leak." In each case, however, news organizations minimized the extent of the man-made disaster with weasel words. In the case of the rupture in … [Read more...] about This was not a “leak.” 37,000 customers in WA and ID lose heat, hot water, ability to cook because someone did not call 811.
Feds bust prostitution ring operating near Washington D.C., Boston. Clients include lawyers, elected officials, military officers.
Three men operated a network of "high-end" brothels in greater Boston and the Washington, D.C. suburbs, Joshua Levy, acting US attorney for Massachusetts, announced Wednesday. “Pick a profession. They’re probably represented in this case,” Levy said during a Boston press conference announcing charges against James Lee, 68, Torrance, CA; Han Lee, 41, Cambridge, MA; and … [Read more...] about Feds bust prostitution ring operating near Washington D.C., Boston. Clients include lawyers, elected officials, military officers.
The Trump Solution
by Don Hermann Columnist What will the media do when Trump is off the front page? What will publishers do? What will the Fake Gurus do? What will Cable News do? Trump morning, noon and night has put a lot of money in a lot of people’s pockets. Trump has fed all the bigots with an appetite for Hate to goose step and threaten and lie and get their day in the … [Read more...] about The Trump Solution
Book Review: ‘My Mother’s War within Me: A Search for Inner Freedom and a Life of Love’
The small country of the Netherlands was hit disproportionally hard by the high and cruel toll its Jewish citizenry suffered during World War II. Of the approximately 140,000 Jews living in the Netherlands when Germany invaded it, more than 100,000 were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. That is nearly three-quarters of the Dutch Jewish population at the time. … [Read more...] about Book Review: ‘My Mother’s War within Me: A Search for Inner Freedom and a Life of Love’
UN humanitarian office reports grim toll on people of the war in Gaza.
In the latest update after 30 days of war in Gaza, the United Nations humanitarian office (OCHA) reported that one Israeli soldier was reportedly killed in Gaza. That brought the total number of soldiers killed since the start of ground operations to 29, according to Israeli sources. The burden on Gaza’s people is grim despite US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s … [Read more...] about UN humanitarian office reports grim toll on people of the war in Gaza.
Eighteen UN and humanitarian agencies call for immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and unconditional release of hostages.
The heads of 18 United Nations bodies and other humanitarian organizations called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza today. They voiced “shock and horror at the spiralling numbers of lives lost and torn apart” in Israel and “the Occupied Palestinian Territory”. “We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. It’s been 30 days. Enough is enough. This must stop … [Read more...] about Eighteen UN and humanitarian agencies call for immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and unconditional release of hostages.