Alligator count has not subsided.
"A planet over 12 times more massive than Jupiter has been found drifting alone through space around 20 light years away from Earth." Rouge planets that are almost brown dwarfs. (Grokked from Dan)
"Apple Inc told U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday that its iPhones do not listen to users without their consent and do not allow third-party apps to do so either, after lawmakers asked the company if its devices were invading users’ privacy."
Who needs regulations (or food inspectors)? "At least six multistate foodborne illness outbreaks are going on now, according to federal health officials, prompting recalls aimed at preventing further problems… There are also a number of food recalls due to potential illness, although no known illnesses have been reported, according to the US Food and Drug Administration… Here's what to stay away from." (Grokked from Cherie Priest)
Speaking of regulations. "One of the most dangerous construction-related carcinogens is now legally allowed back into U.S. manufacturing under a new rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Fast Company recently reported that on June 1, the EPA authorized a 'SNUR' (Significant New Use Rule) which allows new products containing asbestos to be created on a case-by-case basis." What's a little pulmonary silicosis between super-powers? (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"California Gov. Jerry Brown has called the devastating wildfires tearing through Northern California 'part of a trend — a new normal.' But one climate scientists says 'it's actually worse than that.'" We're boned. Have I mentioned how the tick problem this year is quite terrible and tick-borne diseases have widened their affected areas.
"An amendment from Italy's anti-establishment government that removes mandatory vaccination for schoolchildren is sending shock waves through the country's scientific and medical community." And here in the US, we're already seeing the start of new measles outbreaks.
Guess what's back? "Armed escorts will be required to protect vaccination teams as they battle to contain Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the World Health Organization has warned."
"A series of attacks on a mosque, an abortion clinic, and a railroad line looked like the work of a three-man militia, but newly unsealed court documents suggest the alleged bombers might have been following orders from 'higher ups' in a network of extremist groups." Here we go. The Feds appear to have had access to their encrypted mail account. (Grokked from Chuck Wendig)
"Saudi Arabia barred all citizens from receiving medical treatment in Canada as a diplomatic dispute over criticism of its human rights record intensifies." That's not petulant at all.
"So perhaps some people will assemble under the Anonymous banner and do something about Qanon and maybe that will have an effect on Qanon's actions. But on the other hand, Qanon's followers are trumpian in the sense that they are willing to forgive any lapses in logic in their cult leader, so even if Anonymous publishes the true identity and motives of Qanon, and even if these are damning and terrible, it's easy to believe that it will have no effect on Qanon conspiracists, who could very well just dismiss the revelations as fabrications intended to obscure the truth." (Grokked from Dan)
"A widely used loophole for funneling secret 'dark money' into political ads closed quietly last weekend, as a federal judge concluded it thwarted Congress' intent to have broad disclosure of political money." So any bets on if this makes it to SCOTUS?
"It is difficult to imagine the possibility that a man like (Commerce Secretary Wilbur) Ross, who Forbes estimates is worth some $700 million, might steal a few million from one of his business partners. Unless you have heard enough stories about Ross… If even half of the accusations are legitimate, the current United States secretary of commerce could rank among the biggest grifters in American history." It takes one to hire another. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"The Trump administration is expected to issue a proposal in coming weeks that would make it harder for legal immigrants to become citizens or get green cards if they have ever used a range of popular public welfare programs, including Obamacare, four sources with knowledge of the plan told NBC News." Because it was never just about "illegal immigration." There is no satisfying the authoritarian maw. (Grokked form Robert J Bennett)
"The American Civil Liberties Union sued the Trump administration on Tuesday for restricting migrants fleeing their home countries because of domestic and gang violence from being granted asylum." Our Attorney General is an asshole.
"President Donald Trump's tariffs against China are causing a South Carolina television maker to lay off nearly all of its employees because of the sudden increase in the price of components for its products… Element TV Company will let 126 workers go, most of them on Oct. 5, leaving behind a skeleton crew of eight employees to watch the Fairfield County plant in hopes it can reopen in three to six months, the company said in a letter to state employment officials Monday." So much winning.
"On the same night that a special congressional election in Ohio proved too tight to call, one of the most competitive Republican primaries for governor this summer was also deadlocked early Wednesday, as Kansas’s most populous county struggled to tally its votes in the race between Kris W. Kobach and Gov. Jeff Colyer."
"Not only did Stein appear at the 2015 gala in Moscow honoring the Russian propaganda outlet RT… Now, a new release of tweets from fake Russian Twitter accounts associated with Russia’s Internet Research Agency show how several of these accounts backed Stein’s candidacy — and tried to dampen support for Hillary Clinton in the process." Ah yep. (Grokked form Laura J Mixon)
"A page of proposed topics for negotiation, not previously made public, offers new insights into the substance of the July 16 dialogue (in Helsinki) that even Trump's top advisers have said they were not privy to at the time. Putin shared the contents of the document with Trump during their two-hour conversation, according to a U.S. government adviser who provided an English-language translation." Of course there's no way to know if this is truth or a fiction the Russians are trying to push. IMHO, by now the president has forgotten what was discussed in that meeting, there are no notes, and other than the translators, only Putin and Trump were there. I'll also note that for discussing arms control, Putin came out of the meeting and in short order showed off/threatened the US with their new weapons development strategy.
"Rick Gates, the former deputy chair of President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and a member of Trump's inauguration planning committee, testified Tuesday in the criminal trial of his former boss Paul Manafort that it was 'possible' Gates stole money from the inauguration." When you steal so much it can be hard to remember it all. The legal advice I've been hearing boils down to, "as long as the star witness who is testifying for a plea bargain is standing and retains a shred of credibility after the cross examination, the jury will believe them." (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
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