"The Space Launch System rocket that will launch NASA's Artemis astronauts into space on their way to the moon went through a final and successful hot-fire test of the core stage on Thursday."
"A demonstration mission to test an idea to clean up space debris launched Monday morning local time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Known as ELSA-d, the mission will exhibit technology that could help capture space junk, the millions of pieces of orbital debris that float above Earth." But it will only work for satellites launched in the future which incorporate a compatible docking plate.
"Thousands have flocked to a volcano in Iceland which erupted near the capital, Reykjavik… Lava started to burst through a crack in Mount Fagradalsfjall on Friday evening, in the first eruption of its kind in more than 800 years."
"Record-breaking floods in southeastern Australia have caused a mass animal exodus to higher ground, with spiders in particular surging onto people's land and into their homes… Rains have been inundating communities since Thursday, but parts of the east coast tipped into crisis on Saturday as a major dam overflowed, adding to swollen rivers and causing flash flooding."
"Sunday marks the start of Severe Weather Awareness Week in Ohio… It’s a joint effort from the National Weather Service, the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency to promote preparedness. The NWS provides safety guides on tornados , flooding, lighting and more… The statewide tornado drill is Wednesday at 9:50 a.m."
"Getting and staying focused can be a challenge in the best of times. But with everything going on in the world, concentrating can often feel down-right impossible." The human mind cannot multi-task, it switches quickly between tasks, but that switching also consumes energy and willpower.
"Jeep has unveiled a new all-electric version of its iconic Wrangler SUV, but consumers will likely have to wait at least a few years to purchase one… The brand on Monday debuted the Wrangler 'Magneto' as a concept vehicle, meaning it’s a custom product typically built by automakers to gauge customer interest or show the future direction of a vehicle or brand." I've always wanted a Jeep, but hated the cost and fuel economy. This might make me change my mind. Make it in a Willy's form and I'll be beating down your door.
"Scientists at University of California San Francisco have detected 109 chemicals in a study of pregnant women, including 55 chemicals never before reported in people and 42 'mystery chemicals,' whose sources and uses are unknown." Better living through chemistry.
"Preliminary results from a study examining the efficacy of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine indicate it is significantly effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19." Note the language used (also used for the other vaccines, how it prevents "severe illness"), and that while this vaccine is only 79% effective, it was also tested with some of the later variants.
"'We didn't see any substantial difference in cases among students or staff in districts with 3 feet versus 6 feet, suggesting that we can open the schools safely at 3 feet, provided that some of the mitigation measures that were present here in Massachusetts are in place,' said Westyn Branch-Elliman, a co-author of the study and an infectious diseases specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. 'Our study adds to a growing body of worldwide data about the safety of 3 feet in school settings.'" Again, note the language. They are not saying 3' is safe (as it's being interpreted), but that 3' is as safe as 6'. Or to put it differently, spacing children either 6' apart or 3' apart does not change the speed or spread of infection. The other way to interpret these results is "6' is not enough to keep people safe" (which is the actual truth here).
How's Spring Break? "Pointing to over 1,000 arrests in one of the nation's top party spots, Miami Beach officials warned Sunday that the unruly spring break crowd gathering by the thousands, fighting in the streets, destroying restaurant property and refusing to wear masks has become a serious threat to public safety… Commissioners gathered virtually Sunday and extended for another week the emergency declaration issued Saturday in response to the unruly South Beach crowds, CBS Miami reported." Spins up the Beastie Boys.
"Police are searching for a man who they say stabbed a restaurant manager several times after he was asked to wear a mask. The incident occurred at a Jack in the Box in League City, Texas."
"In December, when she and her daughter contracted COVID-19, Henry once again had to go without pay as she recuperated at home. Now, though she is still dealing with the fatigue and other lingering effects of the virus, Henry goes to work anyway."
"Russian President Vladimir Putin has reacted angrily after President Biden agreed in an interview that the Kremlin leader was 'a killer.'…'It takes one to know one,' Putin said on national television, adding that the children's taunt had a 'very deep meaning.' People often see themselves reflected in others, Putin said, suggesting that Biden was projecting on him American guilt for slavery and the treatment of Native Americans." As former GRU, Putin has no rooms to speak here (or shall we bring up the gulags, progroms, and purges). Hey Putin, sit and spin, pal. Stay safe my Russian friends.
"The Philippines is calling on Beijing to remove some 220 vessels moored at a reef in the South China Sea – the latest dispute between China and its maritime neighbors over claims of sovereignty in the strategic body of water."
"The United States, Canada, Britain and the European Union are set to announce an array of sanctions on China on Monday over what U.S. officials have called a genocidal campaign against Uyghur Muslims, according to two people familiar with the issue." And now you know why the economic meeting last week was "fraught."
"The House on Thursday passed two proposals that would legalize subsets of the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission, as Democrats gauge the chances of approving immigration legislation and sending it to President Biden's desk." And then it hits the wall of the Senate Filibuster.
"California's agricultural growers square off against the farmworkers union at the Supreme Court on Monday over a nearly half-century-old law stemming from the work of famed union organizer Cesar Chavez. The law, enacted in 1975, allows union organizers limited access to farms so they can seek support from workers in forming a union… The growers challenging the law contend that California, by giving union organizers a limited right of access to farms, is authorizing a mass trespass on the growers' private property. And that, they argue, is an unconstitutional taking of their property." Bullshit.
"Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said he had 'no apologies' after he made what appeared to be a pro-lynching remark during a congressional hearing on combatting anti-Asian American violence… 'The victims of race-based violence and their families deserve justice,' Roy said in his opening statement at the House Judiciary subcommittee hearing, adding that he was concerned about the 'thought police' stifling free speech."
"The White House on Friday sought to downplay the number of staffers whose jobs have been derailed by their prior cannabis use… A Daily Beast article published Thursday reported that 'dozens of young White House staffers have been suspended, asked to resign, or placed in a remote work program' because of admissions of prior marijuana use."
"Federal investigators are still examining Donald Trump’s role in inciting the attack on the US Capitol… Michael Sherwin, the departing acting US attorney for the District of Columbia, confirmed that the former president is still under investigation over the 6 January putsch in an interview with CBS 60 Minutes on Sunday." I'll be surprised if anything comes of it.
"In the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, a popular narrative has emerged: that because rioters did not fire guns that day, they were not really 'armed.'… But a review of the federal charges against the alleged rioters shows that they did come armed, and with a variety of weapons: stun guns, pepper spray, baseball bats and flagpoles wielded as clubs. An additional suspect also allegedly planted pipe bombs by the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties the night before the riot and remains at large."
"Former President Donald Trump teased the launch of his own social media platform in a new interview, but did not provide a timeline or offer any further details regarding the potential business venture." As we all know, planning is not the Fool's strong point.
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