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Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 5, 2025

US Tariffs on Imports from Canada, Mexico and China Take Effect

I am a little confused about this case. I have read some reports saying that the contractors already did the work. If that is the case, it is normal for a judge to rule even if it does involve a lot of money. If it forced the payment for work that has not been done, that would be little more clear cut. Roberts and Barrett side with the liberals, Alito “stunned” by ruling: “As the Nation’s highest court, we have a duty to ensure that the power entrusted to federal judges by the Constitution is not abused. Today, the Court fails to carry out that responsibility….”

Troublingly, America’s fiscal imbalances have grown so large that balancing the budget is likely out of reach in the medium term. It would take nearly $17 trillion in ten-year savings to balance the budget by 2035. For context, the largest savings package in the past dozen years, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, saved $1.5 trillion over a decade.

Of interest to anyone who read the story that Rundy was sent around about the journalist who was scammed. Two Americas, one bank branch, and $50,000 cash

Links For Today

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 4, 2025

The 720,998 babies born in Japan in 2024 was a drop of 37 thousand, or 5%, from the previous year, according to the Health and Welfare Ministry. It was the lowest number of births since Japan started taking the statistics in 1899. The result, which includes babies of foreign nationality born in Japan, is 15 years ahead of the forecast for reaching that level. The birth rate for just Japanese nationals is expected to fall below 700,000 for the first time when it is published later this year. The faster-than-predicted decline suggests government measures have completely failed to address the country’s fast-aging and declining population.

Chaos Erupts as Serbian Parliament Members Throw Smoke Bombs, Flares

Trump’s 25% tariffs take effect;

Lumber Prices Up 7% YoY

Your showerhead is lying to you

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Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 3, 2025

Conservative lock step on this is depressing. Putin has been saying things casting doubt on any peace but nobody is getting excited about that. What exactly do they expect Ukraine to agree to? If it is a complete acceptance of all Putin demands then why does the US need to pretend to be involved? Trump Pausing, Reviewing Military Aid to Ukraine

Mexico’s new tariffs hit Shein — and millions of local resellers. The government hopes the 19% tax will push Asian e-commerce giants to grow their operations in Mexico, and make up for 79,000 textile jobs lost to fast fashion.

TSMC to invest $100B as Trump demands more US-made chips, report says

Americans Sharply Divided by Age Over Support for Israel

The Martuscello Dynasty: Power and Patronage in New York Prisons

Head Of NY FBI Office Forced To Resign Amid Epstein File Controversy

Wildfires rage across the Carolinas; South Carolina governor issues state of emergency

Gemini Live will learn to peer through your camera lens in a few weeks

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Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 2, 2025

Lebanon seizes funds bound for Hezbollah at Beirut airport

Thousands flee after Japan’s biggest wildfire in decades

African countries must urgently start the process of ending aid dependency

Bizarre Great Power Triangle

California Policymakers Ponder State Ownership of Oil Refineries

Never trusted them or wanted to have anything to do with them after they drove Brendan Eich out. Firefox deletes promise to never sell personal data, asks users not to panic

Remembering 1995, the year of the world wide web.

Hidden in the story is a truth that shows up over and over again. The bell curve for men is a lot flatter then it is for woman. The fewest words per minute in the survey was a man. The most words per minute was a man. Only in the average were did woman talk more. Women Talk More Than Men After All, And By Quite a Lot

Links for Today

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 28, 2025

Washington-Kyiv Relations Implode Spectacularly (Updated)

Christian town in Syria keeps Aramaic alive, amid fears for future under new regime

WHO Is On the Verge of Collapse

New York Advances Gas Ban, Sidelines Other Green Building Rules. The state is pushing ahead on all-electric buildings, but a draft update to the building code leaves out other key recommendations from the state’s climate plan.

An extraordinary event on TV

For some reason, Conservatives almost universally liked what Trump did in broad daylight. Like this Trump Cuts Talks With Zelensky After Fiery Oval Office Exchange or this Trump, Vance Drop Hammer on Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy Leaves White House Unexpectedly.

Meanwhile, even centrists reacted more like this…..

All I can say is You are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.

Links For Yesterday

Forgot to hit publish again….

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 27, 2025

‘All means are kosher’: A look at the IDF’s controversial Hannibal Directive

“Current Policy Baseline” Gimmick Could Explode the Debt

Greece gripped by massive strikes as suspicion and anger boil over

Human Bird Flu Hospitalizations Now Reported in Wyoming and Ohio

Doctors report upticks in severe brain dysfunction among kids with flu

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has revoked a waiver granted post-election by the Biden administration that allowed New York Governor Kathy Hochul to impose a “congestion fee” toll on roads built and maintained with federal funds in Manhattan.

Study: Hot Vesuvian ash cloud really did turn a brain to glass

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Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 26, 2025

The U.S. and Ukraine have finalized a natural resources deal. Here are its key terms.

Iran’s stock of near-bomb-grade uranium grows sharply, IAEA reports show

The U.S. Trade Representative’s office has proposed charging up to $1.5 million for Chinese-built vessels entering U.S. ports as part of its investigation into China’s growing domination of the global shipbuilding, maritime and logistics sectors.

US East and Gulf Coast Dockworkers Ratify New Six-Year Contract

Bill to Make Right-to-Repair a Federal Law Reintroduced by Bipartisan Coalition

Appeals Court: Parents Have No Right To Be Told When Their Child ‘Socially Transitions’ Sex In School

Trump Wants Lower Natural Gas Prices for New Yorkers

WB axes Shadow of Mordor maker in setback for clever, sadly patented game system

Automattic’s “nuclear war” over WordPress access sparks potential class action

Links For Yesterday

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 25, 2025

Ukraine agrees to minerals deal with U.S. after Trump administration ‘drops toughest demands’

Limpet Mines Eyed as Likely Cause of Blasts on Two Tankers in Mediterranean Sea

Foreclosure of Armenian Patriarchate properties threatens Christians in the Holy Land

Trump’s Missile Defense Initiative’s Name Changed From Iron Dome To Golden Dome

Wild West 2025: Audacious Train Robberies Reported in Mojave Desert

House Passes GOP Budget Despite Mid-Day Revolt

Joann To Close All 800 Stores After Second Bankruptcy In 10 Months