Published by AFPRome (AFP) - Scorching weather gripped three continents on Sunday, whipping up wildfires and threatening to topple temperature records as the dire consequences of global warming take shape. Predictions of historic heat hung over swathes of Asia, Europe and the United States. Japan issued heatstroke alerts to tens of millions of people in 20 of its 47 prefectures … [Read more...] about Dangerous heatwaves strike globe as wildfires rage
The NATO and Shanghai Cooperation Organization summits
President Joe Biden led NATO in reaffirming steadfast military support for Ukraine at the recent summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. But cracks have already appeared in how far his allies are willing to go in providing unconditional backing to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s brutally embattled country. Zelensky, who was at the summit, put urgent pressure to get a clear pledge on … [Read more...] about The NATO and Shanghai Cooperation Organization summits
The Thailand Cave Rescue: A Story that Keeps on Giving
Five years ago, on June 23, 2018, 12 members of the Thai soccer team “Wild Boars,” ages 11 to 16, along with their coach entered the Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex in northern Thailand for what was to be a short exploration, without packing food or water. However, while exploring the cave, heavy monsoon rains quickly flooded the cave system blocking the group's way out and … [Read more...] about The Thailand Cave Rescue: A Story that Keeps on Giving
“I’M GOING TO LIE TO YOU”
by Don Hermann Columnist It would be so refreshing to hear a candidate for public office actually admit that he or she was going to color the truth. The goal to get elected. If they get elected to Congress, they spend at least 50% of their time trying to raise money. If they get re-elected, they’ll be able to spend another 50% of their time raising money. Don’t you … [Read more...] about “I’M GOING TO LIE TO YOU”
Ukraine is the hot topic at the NATO summit – the most important work is all in the details happening behind the scenes
President Joe Biden and other world leaders are together at the 2023 NATO summit in Lithuania on July 11, 2023. Pauline Peleckis/Getty Images Tara Sonenshine, Tufts University A summit is literally the highest point on the mountain. In diplomatic terms, summits like the NATO meeting, held on July 11 and 12, 2023, in Vilnius, Lithuania, mark important … [Read more...] about Ukraine is the hot topic at the NATO summit – the most important work is all in the details happening behind the scenes
The Last Train to Auschwitz: A Poignant Postscript
It was only 30 years ago that I learned I had close relatives in Belgium and the Netherlands, most of them Jewish, all with deep Jewish roots. As I got to know my Dutch de Wind (previously Levy) relatives better, I learned of the horrors so many de Wind family members experienced during the Holocaust, especially the Dutch branch of the family. From a comprehensive … [Read more...] about The Last Train to Auschwitz: A Poignant Postscript
CONSPIRACY JUDGE (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
When I go to my Twitter home page, the first people who show up are Donald Trump Jr, Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, Jim Gym Jordan, and an assortment of other Trump goons. What’s odd about this is that I don’t follow any of those accounts. But Elon, who’s also one of those who shows up in my feed despite the fact I don’t follow him either, is working to … [Read more...] about CONSPIRACY JUDGE (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
There is no legal reason the US can’t supply cluster bombs to Ukraine – but that doesn’t justify Biden’s decision to do so
The remains of a rocket that carried cluster munitions found in a Ukrainian field. Alice Martins/For The Washington Post via Getty Images Robert Goldman, American University The Biden administration announced on July 7, 2023, that it would send cluster bombs to Ukraine – a deeply controversial move given the munition is prohibited by more than 120 … [Read more...] about There is no legal reason the US can’t supply cluster bombs to Ukraine – but that doesn’t justify Biden’s decision to do so
REPUBLICANS CRYING ABOUT COCAINE HAVE FORGOTTEN JAN. 6
What a perfect holiday-week news story, the equivalent of a brainless summer movie. Some clown recently left a small baggie of cocaine in the White House visitors area, thus inspiring various clowns in the MAGA cult (especially the twice-indicted clown) to froth at the mouth. Suddenly they’re all concerned about “security,” which would be laughable if it were not so … [Read more...] about REPUBLICANS CRYING ABOUT COCAINE HAVE FORGOTTEN JAN. 6
Want your advertising to be more effective?
by Don Hermann Follow these two people. One real. One make believe. The real person is no longer with us. But his impact is. And will be for decades. The Make Believe person is a Lady. Cinderella. Advertising Age the industry’s most important publication selected William Bernbach as the “most influential creative force of the 20th century in the advertising … [Read more...] about Want your advertising to be more effective?
Is it time to quit Twitter and join Threads instead?
Published by RelaxnewsBy STEFANI REYNOLDS / AFP Some 10 million internet users have already signed up to Threads, the Meta Group's new social network. The platform, which aims to compete with Twitter, was rolled out overnight in 100 countries, although it is still unavailable in the European Union. So can Threads really compete with Twitter and its 238 million daily users? Some … [Read more...] about Is it time to quit Twitter and join Threads instead?
HOMOPHOBIC CONTEST (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Democrats, I’m not worried about you but Independents, pay attention to the Republican primaries. It’s important that you pay attention now because one of these monsters is going to be the Republican nominee for the presidency of the United States of America and I don’t care if President Biden is on life support at that point, we can’t allow one of these goons in the White … [Read more...] about HOMOPHOBIC CONTEST (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Disinformation researchers lament ‘chilling’ US legal campaign
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - The study of disinformation has emerged as a political lightning rod in the United States, with conservative advocates launching a sweeping legal offensive that researchers fighting falsehoods denounce as an intimidation campaign ahead of the 2024 election. As next year's vote approaches, many US academics and think-tanks focused on … [Read more...] about Disinformation researchers lament ‘chilling’ US legal campaign
Americans Disdain for Facts
Is it our school systems? Is it our water? Is it our concept of equality, that every man’s knowledge and store of information is the same and worthy of attention? Such a large proportion of our citizens refuse to believe experts and look down on scientists. Conspiracy theories and bald-faced lies flourish and the facts languish. And this disdain for what is true and … [Read more...] about Americans Disdain for Facts
Mutiny in Russia: The dog didn’t bite but a hornet’s nest awaits.
The Wagner militia’s mutiny against Russia’s Vladimir Putin turned out to be the dog that didn’t bite but its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin could still be a dead man walking because Putin has a reputation of hunting down persons he sees as traitors. Putin handled Prigozhin’s rage deftly and crushed the mutiny within hours without bloodshed. But it has dealt serious damage to … [Read more...] about Mutiny in Russia: The dog didn’t bite but a hornet’s nest awaits.
NO MAGATS ALLOWED (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
I learned something a few years back and that is do not go into business with Trumpers. In my case, I didn’t know the organization was the type that’d support Trump but when I found out, I thought to myself, “This could go bad,” and eventually, it went bad. I found out during a video call in 2016. I had only been freelancing for an online English-language newspaper in Costa … [Read more...] about NO MAGATS ALLOWED (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Some 4th of July Misinformation — 1863
Some 4th of July Misinformation Strange how we keep coming back around to the same weird places in history. This is from the Monday, July 6, 1863 edition of The Richmond Daily Dispatch -- one of the most influential Southern papers of the Civil War. … [Read more...] about Some 4th of July Misinformation — 1863
DESANTIS CLOSET (CARTOON)
French riots follow decades-old pattern of rage, with no resolution in sight
François Dubet, Université de Bordeaux Although they never fail to take us aback, French riots have followed the same distinct pattern ever since protests broke out in the Eastern suburbs of Lyon in 1981, an episode known as the “summer of Minguettes”: a young person is killed or seriously injured by the police, triggering an outpouring of violence in the affected … [Read more...] about French riots follow decades-old pattern of rage, with no resolution in sight
“The Chains Are Broken.” Dutch King Acknowledges and Apologizes for Slavery
The Dutch call it de Gouden Eeuw (the Golden Century), a period in the history of the Netherlands – then known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands -- roughly spanning the era from 1588 to 1672. It was truly a golden era for the Dutch as the Dutch Republic -- one of the smallest countries in Europe -- became one of the most powerful and wealthiest nations in the … [Read more...] about “The Chains Are Broken.” Dutch King Acknowledges and Apologizes for Slavery