Linkee-poo Thursdays

"Once I incorporated these short recesses into our timetable, I no longer saw feet-dragging, zombie-like kids in my classroom. Throughout the school year, my Finnish students would—without fail—enter the classroom with a bounce in their steps after a 15-minute break. And most importantly, they were more focused during lessons." Whispers, it also works at work. But our Puritanical mindset about work and the "meritocracy" won't allow such a concept here in the US. (Grokked from Matt Staggs) "Bristol academic cracks Voynich code, solving century-old mystery of medieval text." Turns out it was a "proto-Romantic" language with some Latin thrown in. Or at least that's his theory. (Grokked from Dan)

"Beresheet's impact site appears as a "white impact halo" in the new image from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), NASA officials said in a statement. A white tail is also clearly visible in the image, which NASA said is consistent with Beresheet's trajectory and approach angle as the spacecraft came down April 11."

Wait, you're saying the Moon is not made of cheese?

"The rise of ultra-processed foods has coincided with growing rates of obesity, leading many to suspect they've played a big role in our growing waistlines. But is it something about the highly processed nature of these foods itself that drives people to overeat? A new study finds the answer is yes." Huh, it says here water is wet, by golly.

How goes Brexit? "Twice my colleague in Paris asked the prime minister if she would resign if her Brexit plan is rejected by MPs again… Twice she completely swerved the question." Ah, so everybody is dug-in then.

"These attempts are central to (Adree) Edmo's lawsuit against the state of Idaho and Corizon Inc., the prison's private health care contractor. Her attorneys argue these are desperate acts that prove Edmo isn't getting the medical care she needs."

"The director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says the Trump administration's Education Department is getting in the way of efforts to police the student loan industry. The revelation, in a letter obtained by NPR, comes at the same time that lawsuits allege widespread wrongdoing by student loan companies is costing some borrowers thousands of dollars." That's so strange.

"President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared a national emergency over threats against American technology, the White House said… The move, done via executive order, is expected to precede a ban on U.S. firms doing business with the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei."

"The San Francisco police chief has defended his department's decision to raid a freelance journalist's home and office looking for information about leaked police reports. Chief William Scott told CBS San Francisco - KPIX-TV on Wednesday that he was confident the search warrant issued to look around Bryan Carmody's property was legal and in compliance with the Shield Law, which protects journalists from revealing sources to law enforcement agencies."

"In a Rose Garden address on Thursday, President Trump will lay out the details of an immigration proposal that would dramatically reshape the legal immigration system in the United States. But it doesn't address the pressing challenge of what to do about the estimated 11 million people currently in the country illegally, one of the core issues that has animated Trump's presidency." America, closed for business. It's all just a cynical ploy anyway. An attempt to make them look reasonable. I have a feeling if Democrats actually would vote for this bill (and there's enough not in here that they won't) a lot of conservative would suddenly abandon ship.

Trigger warning, the link is to Fox News. "The Missouri Senate passed a bill early Thursday to ban abortion eight weeks of pregnancy… (Gov. Mike) Parson, who supports the bill, has said he believes this gives Missouri the opportunity to be 'one of the strongest pro-life states in the country.'" See, I told you it was a contest.

"The Federal Communications Commission is proposing to push phone companies to 'block unwanted calls to their customers by default.'" This administration actually might do something to help consumers? I don't believe it. It's a trap.

"The Trump administration is preparing to add tariffs — or taxes — on virtually everything the U.S. buys from China. But the president offered reassurance that in some cases, waivers will be granted, so Chinese goods can be imported tax-free." I'm sure the conservatives who often loudly complain about the government picking winners or losers will protest this vigorously. Hello? Still waiting.

"Specifically, the documents raise questions over whether the NRA’s board was aware of the luxury expenses and approved them as required under New York state statutes governing non-profits." Oopsie. And now they're trying to backtrack, which is just adding to the pile of incriminating documents. (Grokked form Kathryn Cramer)

"The expected release of the President's latest financial disclosure forms on Thursday will trigger a now annual controversy about Trump's wealth, including the question of whether he is adding to it while in office."

"The troubles at Trump Doral - detailed here for the first time, based on documents and video obtained under Florida's public-records law - suggest the Trump Organisation's problems are bigger than previously known. This is also the first known case in which a Trump Organisation representative has publicly acknowledged the president's name has hurt business." Well that's one. His bookings at the DC hotel have gone up, though.

"After accusations that he mischaracterized the Mueller investigation’s findings, Attorney General William Barr blames the media for muddling the story. This week, On the Media dissects Barr’s deflections. And, how a Jewish satirist uses grotesque caricatures to cut to the heart of the discourse on antisemitism and why effectively combating hate requires building coalitions. Plus, how ABC's The View became one of the biggest political stages on television." Highly recommended.