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Information from some sites may not be reliable, or may not be vetted.
Some sources may require subscription.
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from Asia Times Online
South Korean press reports indicate the tailored deterrence strategy contains options for preemptive strikes in case of an imminent threat of North Korea using nuclear weapons
If parliament approves changes to a law to allow girls below 18 to be wed in ‘special cases’, this is an alarming move says global alliance
US Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson made several combative statements in his Senate confirmation hearings on Wednesday evening about the incoming administration’s determination to deny China’s occupation and militarization of outcrops and atolls in the South China Sea. “We’re going to have to send China a clear signal that, first, the island-building stops,” he told the senators. “And second, your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed.”
Bishops are wary of criticizing Philippine president too much over his war on drugs fearing the strongman's wrath
Customs agency official says export growth by world's largest trading nation will be limited if US president-elect imposes greater trade measures
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has praised his country for becoming ‘minority friendly,’ but for one sector life is filled with a loss of hope. Christmas is usually a time of joy, but not for Christians living in Pakistan, where they faced death threats.
China is playing multiple foreign policy roles, but everything comes down to their relations with the US and Russia. China has a changing attitude to the thornier diplomatic and security crises now afflicting the Asian continent. Depending on the amount of national interest at play and the power it can reasonably project in the relevant geopolitical chessboards, Beijing can put on the face of peace facilitator in Syria, peace broker in Afghanistan and would-be boss in the Western Pacific.
Is Trump shredding the Iran deal the least of our problems?
What serious ramifications could happen if Trump shreds the Iran deal as soon as he takes office?
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from CNN
Dashcam video released by the Utah Department of Transportation shows a tractor-trailer clipping a state snowplow on a highway, sending the plow careening over the edge of the road and into the Spanish Fork Canyon. The plow driver, identified by UDOT as Terry Jacobson, survived the Thursday crash and is hospitalized with serious injuries in Provo's Utah Valley Hospital. He has been with the department for more than 23 years.
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from CNSNews.com (& MRC & NewsBusters)
Political Correctness: A Tool of Liberal Coercion – A Most Un-American Development
Political Correctness is a strategy, a weapon of social warfare, a bullying, against those unwilling to reshape and renounce their traditional belief system and bow to the dictates of the leftaucracy dead-set on total domination of our lives and culture. It enforces censorship and activates demonization, threatening those unwilling to submit and apologize with loss of job, livelihood, social acceptability, company sales, friends, reputation and status. It is the liberal version of Islamic blasphemy laws, ruthlessly excising anyone who questions or strays from the leftwing cultural and social dogmas. It is the most un-American development in our lifetime.
Nicole Kidman Calls for Americans to Support Trump
Meanwhile, American celebrities still haven't come around to the fact that Trump won.
American University Prof: 'Russian Meddling' Shows 'There Must Be a New Election'
Here we go again. A month ago, Robert Baer, a leading coddler of Iran who is an "Intelligence and Security Analyst" while pontificating at CNN, contended that alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election meant that the nation needs "to vote again." Now The Hill has given space to Chris Edelson, an assistant professor of government in American University's School of Public Affairs, to advocate the same thing.
GAO: Border Patrol Misclassified More Than 15,000 Criminal Aliens in FY2013-15
A new report published by the Government Accountability Office shows border agents misclassified more than 15,000 criminal aliens at the border between FY2013 and FY2015, instead processing them as non-criminal aliens, first-time offenders and sometimes even family units.
Pelosi: Defunding Planned Parenthood is a ‘Manhood Thing’
While giving a press briefing to reporters, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called the GOP's push to defund the taxpayer funded Planned Parenthood a “manhood thing.” Reverse the roles here, and the left would be shouting to high heavens. But Pelosi can make everything about gender and it's perfectly okay.
New Senator Presses Trump's CIA Nominee on LGBT-Friendly Policies for Spies
Newly elected Sen. Kamala Harris, a California Democrat, repeatedly pressed Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday for assurances that he will not discriminate against homosexuals and Muslims if he is confirmed as CIA director.
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from Coeur d'Alene Press
CD'A SCHOOL BUSES WILL GET BELTED
Some of Coeur d'Alene School District's buses will have seat belts starting this fall. The Coeur d'Alene School Board unanimously voted Monday to only buy school buses with three-point shoulder harness seat belts from here on out. The board also decided to retrofit seat belts into six existing school buses.
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from Competitive Enterprise Institute
In 2012, the Obama administration finalized fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The standards exceed what is currently technologically feasible given consumer preferences, so a key safety valve of the 2012 regulation is a requirement that the federal government undertake a midterm evaluation by April 2018, pursuant to which federal regulators would decide whether the 2025 goal was achievable. On November 30, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unexpectedly announced that it had conducted a midterm review, and was proposing to adjust the 2025 standard to 51.4 mpg, and thus largely maintain the existing rules. Yesterday, Bloomberg’s Ryan Beene and John Lippert reported that the EPA today will issue a “final determination” that upholds its November 30 proposal. The politics of the matter are clear: The EPA is desperately and unfairly trying to salvage President Obama’s climate legacy. The midterm evaluation for the 2025 fuel efficiency standards wasn’t due for more than a year from now.
Minimum wage increases have obvious winners, which is why they are so popular. Their tradeoffs are less obvious. The New York Times finally seems to be becoming aware of this basic fact. The headline to Noam Scheiber’s January 10 column admits that “Studies Find Higher Minimum Wage May Have Losers.”
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from Conciliar Post
This is the first in a series “In Defense of”. In our modern culture, this shift away from passing a collection plate is not entirely unwarranted. Some members of the Church are uncomfortable by the practice, and many outside the Church see it as exploitative or inappropriate. Certainly, when one sees “pastors” like Creflo Dollar pressure congregants into tithing so he can get a private jet it is sickening. Yet regardless of what the world thinks, when done properly, passing a collection plate is a valuable act of Christian community which is right and good to practice for two reasons: one Scriptural and the other liturgical.
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from EUobserver
Malta raises alarm on Russia in Libya
A Russia-backed Libyan warlord could start a “civil war” in Libya, increasing refugee flows to the EU, Malta has warned. The danger comes as the Libyan commander, Khalifa Haftar, advances on Tripoli, the seat of the UN-recognised government, Malta’s foreign minister, George Vella, told press in Valletta on Friday (12 January).
Trump team asked which EU state is next to exit
The outgoing US ambassador to the EU, Anthony L Gardner, says Trump's transitional team had placed a call to officials at the EU institutions asking which member state would be next to leave the European Union.
Merkel urges EU to take care of own security
The EU must take better care of its own security in the Trump era and must establish control of immigration, German chancellor Angela Merkel has said.
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Malta raises alarm on Russia in Libya
A Russia-backed Libyan warlord could start a “civil war” in Libya, increasing refugee flows to the EU, Malta has warned. The danger comes as the Libyan commander, Khalifa Haftar, advances on Tripoli, the seat of the UN-recognised government, Malta’s foreign minister, George Vella, told press in Valletta on Friday (12 January).
Trump team asked which EU state is next to exit
The outgoing US ambassador to the EU, Anthony L Gardner, says Trump's transitional team had placed a call to officials at the EU institutions asking which member state would be next to leave the European Union.
Merkel urges EU to take care of own security
The EU must take better care of its own security in the Trump era and must establish control of immigration, German chancellor Angela Merkel has said.
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from The Heritage Foundation
What Comes After Repeal? How to Fix American Health Care, Part 2
The federal government should not attempt to design and manage America’s health care system. Federal health policy should focus on establishing a few basic rules while leaving most of the detailed decisions to either the private sector or state governments.
New Numbers Show Strong Support for Repealing Obamacare
Americans clearly aren't buying the liberal media's fear mongering about Obamacare repeal.
How a Jeff Sessions Justice Department Can Change Course on Crime
The Alabama senator's confirmation hearing signals that a Sessions DOJ would respect the rule of law. Sessions consistently professed reverence for the Constitution and separation of powers, stating that regardless of whether he supported legislation as a senator, once he becomes attorney general he will ensure that the laws as passed by Congress are “properly and fairly enforced.”
Obama’s Strange Pattern of Concessions to Cuba’s Communists
With just a week left in office, President Obama has rushed once again to make concessions to the communists in Havana. He seems to forget Cubans are trapped inside an authoritarian military dictatorship.
Use Term Limits to Drain the Swamp
United States Senator Mike Lee says term limits will put the people's interests before the interests of career politicians. Too often today our representatives and senators seek re-election not by making an argument to their constituents, but by issuing an ultimatum. It usually goes something like this: “I know we’re all citizens in a free republic and that means you can vote for whomever you want, but given the amount of seniority and authority that I’ve built up during my long career in Washington, if you don’t vote for me, our district or state will lose money, power, and influence.”
Where Physical Barriers Have Yet to Be Built Along Mexico Border
As Donald Trump looks to build a border wall, he will encounter challenges that have prevented previous administrations from building a continuous one. The U.S. government has built some form of physical barrier along roughly one-third of the 1,933-mile southern border with Mexico. The border state with the longest boundary—Texas, at about 1,241 miles—is covered by only 115 miles of barriers.
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from Indian Country Today Media Network
Last Two Oil and Gas Leases for Sacred Badger-Two Medicine Canceled
Finally, after a 35-year effort by the Blackfeet Nation, the last two oil and gas leases of an original 47 in the sacred Badger–Two Medicine area have been canceled. The Badger-Two Medicine, located at the wild intersection of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area in Montana, has been the traditional homeland of the Blackfeet Nation for more than 10,000 years. It’s where America’s prairie runs headlong into the Rocky Mountains, and it is known as Miistakis, the Backbone of the World, where the Blackfeet began.
Dawes Allotment Act: It’s Been 130 Years
Premised on the doctrine of Christian discovery and domination, the Dawes General Allotment Act was enacted by Congress on February 8, 1887. This year, 2017, marks 130 years since the passage of that congressional act, which resulted in the non-Indian society economically benefitting by land-grabbing and “privatizing” tens of millions of acres of the territories of our Original Nations.
Last Two Oil and Gas Leases for Sacred Badger-Two Medicine Canceled
Finally, after a 35-year effort by the Blackfeet Nation, the last two oil and gas leases of an original 47 in the sacred Badger–Two Medicine area have been canceled. The Badger-Two Medicine, located at the wild intersection of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area in Montana, has been the traditional homeland of the Blackfeet Nation for more than 10,000 years. It’s where America’s prairie runs headlong into the Rocky Mountains, and it is known as Miistakis, the Backbone of the World, where the Blackfeet began.
Dawes Allotment Act: It’s Been 130 Years
Premised on the doctrine of Christian discovery and domination, the Dawes General Allotment Act was enacted by Congress on February 8, 1887. This year, 2017, marks 130 years since the passage of that congressional act, which resulted in the non-Indian society economically benefitting by land-grabbing and “privatizing” tens of millions of acres of the territories of our Original Nations.
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from Intellihub
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
Likely more executive orders on the way before Obama’s exit
Army Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz is to be removed from his post as Head of the D.C. National Guard, against standard protocol, effective as of Jan. 20, 12:01 p.m., just 60 seconds after Donald Trump takes the helm at the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.
This article originally said that Obama ordered Schwartz to be removed. However, the WaPo article makes it unclear exactly who sent the email ordering Schwartz to be removed from his post on Jan. 20 at 12:01 p.m. and it has been reported two different ways (1: ‘Trump ordered’, 2: ‘Obama ordered’). Just to be clear, it looks as if Trump may have ordered Schwartz to be removed.
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from MEDIAite
Obama: Limbaugh, Fox Helped Create Environment for Republicans Refusing to Work With Me
In tonight’s NBC Dateline special, as President Obama tonight discussed his frustrations with Republicans for not being more willing to work with him over the past eight years, he once again invoked Rush Limbaugh and Fox News to discuss that very issue.
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from Mises Institute
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]From the perspective of the state, one of the benefits of growing larger geographically is that bigness makes it more difficult for residents to emigrate or cross over borders to escape taxes. In his writings on the origins of the "European miracle" that led to the continent's economic success, Ralph Raico has noted the importance of small states in Europe and the ability to easily emigrate from one political jurisdiction to another. This free movement has been essential in forming a free and open economy and society. Raico contrasts Europe with Imperial China where the state was more easily able to monopolize both natural and human resources through its large size.
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from New Statesman
"The leading voice of the British left, since 1913."
MPs are hearing from young people forced to leave home for treatment and support. Half of those people who experience mental health difficulties do so before the age of 14. The problems begin early - so early interventions are essential. Both the Children’s Society and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy say that access to good quality counselling in schools and colleges can play an "instrumental role" in promoting positive mental health and well-being.
from New York Times
In the Shopping Cart of a Food Stamp Household: Lots of Soda
Food stamps are supposed to help improve nutrition for the poor, but a study shows that, just like everyone else, food stamp users buy soda and junk food.
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from Rolling Stone
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
Meet the Leaders of the Trump Resistance
A broad-based movement is shaping up to thwart the incoming Trump administration
To put government power behind his darkest campaign rhetoric, Trump has assembled an extreme team – a crew that includes proud Islamophobes, heroes to white supremacists, defenders of torture, and executives from ExxonMobil and Wall Street. But even as the 45th president takes the oath of office, a fierce resistance is rising to confront and constrain the Trump presidency. From the ACLU to the Sierra Club to Everytown for Gun Safety, civil society is girding for battle – reinforced by an unprecedented upwelling of activist support and donations.
Meet the Leaders of the Trump Resistance
A broad-based movement is shaping up to thwart the incoming Trump administration
To put government power behind his darkest campaign rhetoric, Trump has assembled an extreme team – a crew that includes proud Islamophobes, heroes to white supremacists, defenders of torture, and executives from ExxonMobil and Wall Street. But even as the 45th president takes the oath of office, a fierce resistance is rising to confront and constrain the Trump presidency. From the ACLU to the Sierra Club to Everytown for Gun Safety, civil society is girding for battle – reinforced by an unprecedented upwelling of activist support and donations.
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from The Spokesman-Review
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from Sputnik
(Russian government-supported propaganda channel)
Some Americans would be a little less fearful of the coming Trump administration if they knew Democrats had their back - unfortunately, they don’t.
The last year has taught us, with Brexit, the US elections, growing anti-EU sentiment on the continent of Europe, that ignoring national interests, which are more and more often expressed in terms of national culture and identity, is not possible anymore. Will this translate through into the reconstruction of economic protectionism?
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from Tribal Tribune (Nespelem, WA)
David Finley has proud memories of serving as a Colville tribal police officer and game warden. The 65-year-old Inchelium resident was part of a law enforcement team that won the tribe jurisdiction over its lakes and waterways at a time when non-Indian entities patrolled the reservation. But even his role in the fishing jurisdiction case couldn’t stop the nightmares Finley suffered from an earlier incident. He's spent decades trying to get past one specific day: August 27, 1973 — the day he witnessed his fellow officer Roy Bradshaw being killed by childhood friend Larry Lemery.
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from UPI News Agency - United Press International
Secretary of defense designate James Mattis was officially granted a congressional waiver Friday to serve as President-elect Donald Trump's Pentagon chief. The full House of Representatives voted 268-151 Friday to grant the waiver to bypass the federal law that bars someone from serving in the post within seven years of retirement from active military duty.
After the Senate held an all-night session this week, the House voted Friday to take the first step in killing President Obama's signature health care law.
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from The Washington Post
Head of D.C. National Guard to be removed from post in middle of inauguration
Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, the Army general who heads the D.C. National Guard and has an integral part in overseeing the inauguration, said Friday that he will be removed from command effective at 12:01 p.m. Jan. 20, just as Donald Trump is sworn in as president. Military officials and Trump transition officials provided contradictory versions of the decision to replace Schwartz. As is customary for presidential appointees, the general submitted a letter of resignation to give the new administration a clean start. Two military officials with knowledge of the situation said the Trump team decided to accept the resignation. A person close to the transition said transition officials wanted to keep Schwartz in the job for continuity, but the Army pushed to replace him.
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