Today's News: June 10, 2024

WORLD NEWS

Millions headed to the polls during the final day of EU elections … Who won and who lost?

Right-wing parties have gained ground at the European Parliament in election results that rattled the traditional powers. The new parliament will consist of 720 seats due to demographic changes in EU member countries, while the outgoing European Parliament, elected in 2019, was made up of 705 members.

“Following the elections, France, Spain, and The Netherlands will each get two additional seats, while Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, Finland, Slovakia, Ireland, Slovenia, and Latvia are attributed one extra seat each,” the EU Parliament said in a statement.

Marine Le Pen, of France’s National Rally party, says she is “ready to turn the country around” after dealing a heavy blow to President Macron in the EU parliamentary election.

In Germany, support for Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats sank to a projected 14 percent, behind the right-wing Alternative for Germany, which surged into second place.

Initial projections based on 18 percent of votes counted in Italy indicate Premier Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy party has won the largest percentage of votes in the European parliamentary elections.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s nationalist party appeared set to take the most votes in Sunday’s European Parliament elections. With 55 percent of votes counted, Mr. Orbán’s Fidesz party stood at 43 percent of the vote, enough to send 11 delegates of Hungary’s 21 total seats in the European Union’s legislature.

Spain’s leading opposition conservatives pulled ahead of the governing Socialists in the European Union’s parliamentary elections, with the right-wing making significant gains. With 99 percent of votes counted, the right-wing opposition Popular Party (PP) had 34 percent of the votes, four percentage points more than the center-left Socialists of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. That translated into 22 seats for the conservatives, nine more than in the previous European election, and 20 for the Socialists. Spain has the fourth largest number of parliamentary seats allocated in the EU’s assembly: 61 out of 720.

The centrist opposition ANO (YES) movement led by former populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis has won the European Parliament election in the Czech Republic.

Near complete Dutch results confirmed Sunday night that Geert Wilders’s right-wing Party for Freedom was the biggest winner in elections for the European Union parliament.

The major opposition Progressive Slovakia has claimed victory in the European Parliament elections in Slovakia, topping the leftist Smer (Direction) party of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. The vote took place just weeks after Mr. Fico survived an assassination attempt.

New Democracy wins seven of Greece’s allotted seats in the 720-member assembly, one less than in 2019. SYRIZA elects four, two fewer than last time.

The state broadcaster of Cyprus says near-complete results show the right-wing ELAM party has managed to clinch one of six seats allotted to the country in the European Parliament. It’s the first time that the party, founded in 2008, has earned a seat in the European Parliament.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has declared victory after an exit poll showed a decisive victory for his centrist pro-EU party. The exit poll by Ipsos showed more than 38 percent of votes going to his Civic Coalition.

Exit polls in Croatia project the ruling conservatives to win the most votes in the EU election, followed by the main center-left opposition party. A newcomer right-wing party also won a seat for the first time.

Macron calls for snap legislative elections after resounding defeat in EU vote!

French President Emmanuel Macron has dissolved the French National Assembly and called for a snap election as the right-wing National Rally party heads to a sweeping victory in European Union (EU) parliamentary elections.

In a video addressing the French people, Mr. Macron announced, “I have decided to give you back the choice of our parliamentary future through the vote.

“I am thus dissolving the National Assembly this evening.”

The French president set the first round of elections for June 30, and the second round for July 7. The snap election move represents a gamble for Mr. Macron, who’s currently serving his second term in office as president. Should the National Rally Party gain enough seats in the new election, it will effectively derail Mr. Macron’s legislative agenda for his remaining two years in office. He is unable to seek reelection in 2027 due to term limits.

Tall order for Sinn Fein to revive suddenly flagging Irish election hopes!

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris could be tempted to call an early national election after rival Sinn Fein flopped at local council polls, upending expectations that the pro-Irish unity party was set to govern Ireland for the first time.

Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army, saw a commanding three-year opinion poll lead melt away in the run up to Friday’s council elections, before it picked up just 12% of the vote, an even worse outcome than expected.

Failing to enter government for the first time would be a major setback to its ambition of seeking a referendum on unifying with Northern Ireland, the British region where it is already the lead party.

Its stunning slide from 35% in surveys as recently as October coincided with immigration challenging the housing crisis at the top of voters’ concerns. Housing spokesman Eoin O’Broin said Sinn Fein was partly punished for not clearly articulating its position on immigration.

Benny Gantz, member of Israel’s war cabinet, resigns from the Netanyahu government!

Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s three-man war Cabinet, announced his resignation yesterday. The move does not immediately pose a threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who still controls a majority coalition in parliament.

Mr. Gantz said that Mr. Netanyahu is making “total victory impossible” and that the government needs to put the return of the hostages seized on Oct. 7, 2023, by Hamas terrorists “above political survival.”

The former military chief joined Mr. Netanyahu’s government shortly after the Hamas attack in a show of unity. His presence also boosted Israel’s credibility with its international partners. Mr. Gantz has good working relations with U.S. officials.

Ukraine is a ‘gold mine’ – US senator

Allowing a Russian victory in the conflict would deprive America of access to vast mineral resources, Lindsey Graham says

Washington “cannot afford” to allow Russia to achieve victory in the Ukraine conflict as this would mean losing direct access to vast mineral assets, US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has said.

In an interview with ‘Face the Nation’ on CBS on Sunday, Graham accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being a “megalomaniac” who is attempting to “re-create the Russian Empire by force of arms,” starting with Ukraine. He further claimed that if Moscow wins the current conflict, it will then take over Ukraine’s wealth and share it with China. Graham described that prospect as “ridiculous,” suggesting it would be better if this “gold mine” were available to the US instead.

“They’re sitting on 10 to $12 trillion of critical minerals in Ukraine. They could be the richest country in all of Europe… If we help Ukraine now, they can become the best business partner we ever dreamed of, that $10 to $12 trillion of critical mineral assets could be used by Ukraine and the West, not given to Putin and China,” Graham stated.

U.S. NEWS, POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

Judge alerts both sides of Trump trial of possible jury confidentiality breach! Mistrial? Maybe?

New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan on June 7 alerted counsel for former President Donald Trump and the Manhattan District Attorney of a potential juror confidentiality breach.

“Today, the Court became aware of a comment that was posted on the Unified Court System’s public Facebook page and which I now bring to your attention,” Justice Merchan wrote in a letter.

“In the comment, the user, ‘Michael Anderson,’ states: ‘My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted Thank you folks for all your hard work!!!!’”

The post was made on May 29, the day the jury began deliberations, one day before the guilty verdict on May 30.

The comment had been made on a post unrelated to Justice Merchan’s courtroom, for the appellate division in the New York Supreme Court. Former U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman commented on social media that, if true, it may go beyond a mistrial and end the case because of double jeopardy.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

10,000 California fast food workers McFired thanks to $20-an-hour minimum wage report …

Nearly 10,000 California fast food workers have been fired thanks to the state’s new $20 minimum wage, according to the California Business and Industrial Alliance (CABIA), which slammed Governor Gavin Newsom for the law which went into effect April 1.

“California businesses have been under total attack and total assault for years,” said Tom Manzo, CABIA president and founder in a statement to Fox Business, adding “It’s just another law that puts businesses in further jeopardy.”

According to Manzo, nearly 10,000 fast food jobs have been cut across the state since Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1287 into law last year.

“You can only raise prices so much,” he said. “And you’re seeing it. People are not going to pay $20 for a Big Mac. It’s not going to happen.”

CAIOBA took out this full page ad in Thursday’s USA Today which includes mock “obituaries” of various fast food chains.

“Restaurants are struggling to stay above water, and Democrats just threw them an anvil,” California Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher told FOX Business. “We warned Democrats this new mandate would cost jobs. They ignored us, and here we are with the highest unemployment rate in the country poised to get even worse.”

Research: Cashless payments make you spend more!

Consumers tend to spend more money when using cashless payment methods rather than traditional cash, Australian university researchers revealed.

The findings were published in the Journal of Retailing following an analysis of 71 research papers from 17 countries that included data from 11,000 unique individuals.

In the paper, the authors noted that 40 years of research links cashless payment methods, such as credit cards or Apple Pay, to higher consumer spending. This is also referred to as the “cashless effect.”

The paper used meta-analysis to identify key factors that make the “cashless effect” stronger or weaker. It found that people spend more with cashless methods especially when buying products that signal status, like jewelry, and during positive periods of the business cycle, such as an increasing GDP growth rate.

However, researchers found that the cashless effect has “weakened over time” as people are increasingly familiar with non-cash methods. Researchers also didn’t observe the cashless effect in the case of tipping.

Supreme Court rules 9-0 in favor of the IRS in denying a refund in an estate tax dispute!

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the IRS on June 6 in a dispute over taxing shareholders’ life insurance policies.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the court’s 9–0 decision in Connelly v. Internal Revenue Service.

The case concerns two brothers’ closely held corporation. After one of the brothers died, tax authorities and the estate didn’t agree on the value of the stock.

Closely held corporations commonly enter into agreements that require the redemption of a shareholder’s stock after the shareholder dies to preserve the closely held nature of the business. Under such routine estate- planning devices, corporations purchase life insurance on the shareholder to make sure the transaction is funded.

The Supreme Court held that life insurance proceeds that will be used to redeem a decedent’s shares must be included when calculating the value of those shares for purposes of the federal estate tax. The appeal of Thomas Connelly, executor of the estate of Michael Connelly, was rejected by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in June 2023.

The IRS said the estate owed close to $1 million after it found that St. Louis-based Crown C Corp., a building materials business, failed to report life insurance proceeds after Michael Connelly died in 2013.

CFPB warns financial firms over deceptive “fine print” in contracts!

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a circular notifying the financial sector against engaging in any deceptive contract terms with customers.

The circular warned companies about using illegal or unenforceable terms in consumer financial products and services contracts.

“Companies use this fine print tactic to try to trick consumers into believing they have given up certain legal rights or protections,” a June 4 CFPB statement reads.

Institutions engaging in these actions are at risk of violating the Consumer Financial Protection Act, the agency warned

“This fine print may just be an attempt to confuse people about their rights,” the agency stated.

For example, some firms add a “general liability waiver” in contracts that claim to fully insulate them from lawsuits. However, most states already have laws that have carved out exemptions to these waivers, the CFPB noted.

There are consumer protection laws that cannot be taken away irrespective of what a contract states, the agency noted.

Court ruled that Meta must face a lawsuit over fraudulent advertising on its Facebook pages!

Facebook parent company Meta must face a lawsuit over claims it breached its terms of service by soliciting fraudulent advertisements from Chinese companies, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Christopher Calise and Anastasia Groschen sued Facebook in 2022 after they bought items advertised on Facebook. Mr. Calise’s car engine assembly kit did not arrive. Ms. Groschen’s toddler activity board did arrive, but it was a puzzle, not a board.

The pair said Facebook was unjustly enriching itself and being negligent by not only accepting but soliciting ads from scammers. That included efforts to solicit ads from China-based advertisers, despite internal data indicating nearly three-in-10 such ads violated one or more Facebook policies.

They also said that Facebook was breaching the contract it made with users when it stated in its terms of service that if it learned of harmful conduct, “we will take appropriate action,” but instead solicited, encouraged, and assisted deceptive advertisers.

The entire case was thrown out by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, who ruled the claims were barred by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

However, Judge White was wrong to toss the breach allegations, according to the new ruling, which came from a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Section 230 confers immunity on providers “of an interactive computer service” for “information provided by another information content provider.” The law bars treating the providers “as a publisher or speaker” in such cases.

Federal judge halts disaster aid program for minority farmers

The program is the latest to be blocked in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning affirmative action in college admissions.

A federal judge in Texas has blocked an Agriculture Department disaster relief program from giving preferences to minority and female farmers, siding with a group of plaintiffs who allege that the program illegally discriminates against White male farmers.

In an order filed Friday in the Northern District of Texas, Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk found that the program probably violated the plaintiff’s equal protection rights under the Constitution. Kacsmaryk, appointed by President Donald Trump, wrote that the Department of Agriculture is enjoined from providing relief to farmers based on its “socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” designation, which he said funneled a greater share of aid to farmers identifying as Black, American Indian, Latino, Asian and Pacific Islanders, as well as women.

The program also lacked congressional authority to operate on the basis of race and sex, Kacsmaryk wrote.

BRICS developing platform for transactions in national currencies

Member states are seeking to improve the international monetary and financial system, the Russian foreign minister says

BRICS is prioritizing the creation of a platform that will enable member states to conduct transactions in national currencies, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.

Speaking at a meeting of the economic bloc’s foreign ministers in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Lavrov said BRICS was “actively working to implement the decisions of the Johannesburg summit last year, particularly when it comes to improving the international monetary and financial system, developing a platform for settlements in national currencies in mutual trade.”

He added that the bloc, which recently underwent a process of unprecedented expansion, is also looking to harmonize the framework of interaction between BRICS partners.

“Our agenda is extensive. It includes issues that will directly affect the future world order based on fair grounds,” Lavrov said.

HEALTH

Here’s why you should swap your butter for Indian ghee …

The next time you head to the grocery store, you might find jars of ghee tucked in among the other culinary oils on the shop’s shelves. With its deep-rooted history and rich flavor, ghee is often a top choice for those shifting from industrial foods, including highly processed seed oils, to a less refined and more natural diet.

Ghee is a type of clarified butter that originates from India and is a staple in South Asian cuisine. Its distinct nutty flavor works well in dishes such as rice, long-simmered curries, and sautéed vegetables, or drizzled over flatbreads like roti or naan.

All ghee starts with butter. Most cooking oils, such as coconut or olive oil, are pure fat. Butter is different. It’s a natural emulsion that contains fat, water, and milk solids. The water and milk solids found in butter lower its smoke point and shorten its shelf life.

Making ghee is a simple process that removes these components, producing a pure golden butterfat. You gently simmer butter over low heat until it separates into liquid fats and milk solids. Then, you strain them out, leaving the clarified butterfat. This process gives ghee a rich, nutty flavor. It also increases its smoke point: Butter’s smoke point is about 350 degrees F, while ghee’s is closer to 485 degrees F. This makes it ideal for cooking at high temperatures without burning. Since ghee is pure fat, it has a long shelf life and does not need refrigeration. You can store it in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to a year.

“In Ayurvedic medicine, ghee is highly valued for its nourishing and healing properties,” said Mrinal Pandit, a registered dietitian and clinical nutritionist at the Oliva Clinic. Practitioners use it both internally and externally, to “purify and rejuvenate the body.” She notes that it balances the three body-type energies, promoting overall harmony and well-being, and supports vitality, immunity, and digestion.

Current nutrition research agrees that ghee offers many benefits. A 2024 review found that it’s a good source of vitamins A, D, E, and K. It also has butyric acid, a fatty acid linked to gut health. Moreover, many people who experience dairy sensitivities may be able to consume ghee. Casein (milk protein) and lactose (milk sugar) are the components of dairy that elicit the biggest reactions. Since these milk solids are removed during the ghee-making process, ghee may prove a safer option for those with dairy sensitivities.

Study: Microplastics increase potential harm to cardiovascular and brain health!

Microplastic pollution is widespread, presenting significant health hazards. A study published in March revealed that microplastics increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke by more than four times.

Plastic particles smaller than five millimeters in diameter are referred to as microplastics. A March study, published in the journal Science of The Total Environment focused on excavations taken from a historic site in the 1980s, analyzing soil sediment found underground at a depth of seven meters. The results revealed 16 types of microplastic polymers, indicating that microplastic pollution was present as early as the 1980s.

Microplastics come from a variety of plastic products, including personal care items like exfoliating skin products and toothpaste containing plastic microbeads. Additionally, synthetic fibers in clothing also contribute to microplastic pollution. The ubiquitousness of microplastics in our air, water, food, and everyday items makes avoiding them impossible.

Microplastics can trigger chronic inflammation. Research indicates that microplastics mainly cause harm to health by inducing inflammation and disrupting the immune system. Chronic inflammation can damage blood vessel linings and cell membranes, predisposing individuals to various chronic diseases.

Microplastics and the chemicals they degrade into can cause oxidative stress in our bodies. One study found that microplastics induce oxidative stress in tissues, inhibit enzyme activities, and promote lipid peroxidation. Oxidative stress is a self-defense mechanism in our bodies. While normally not problematic, excessive oxidative stress can lead to an overproduction of free radicals, which can damage our body’s cells and tissues, thereby increasing the risk of various diseases. Microplastics can also adsorb other toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals, causing further harm to the body.

There is currently no medication or health product that can completely remove microplastics from the body. However, we can consider the reasonable use of the following types of health products to mitigate the effects of microplastics on the body.

Antioxidants: Whether we get them through food or supplements, vitamins A, C, and E, and glutathione all act as antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and protect our cells.

Omega-3: Omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in supporting the health of cell membranes by maintaining their structure and function.

Probiotics: Probiotics can support the digestive and detoxification functions of our gastrointestinal system.

Herbal extracts: Extracts of certain herbs, such as turmeric, dandelion, and milk thistle can contribute to liver detoxification.

Green algae and spirulina: Both are rich in chlorophyll and antioxidants, which can help eliminate heavy metals and other toxins from the body, thus aiding in detoxification.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC): NAC serves as a precursor to glutathione. Glutathione is vulnerable to degradation during absorption. Supplementing with NAC to increase glutathione levels in our body can promote antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Activated charcoal: In some cases, activated charcoal can act as a detoxifier in the intestines.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D regulates cellular functions and provides significant support to the immune system, thereby enhancing the body’s defense against various environmental factors.

Health Officials: Cows with bird flu have died in five U.S. states!

Dairy cows infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza A, or H5N1, in five U.S. states have died or been slaughtered by farmers because they did not recover, according to state officials and academics.

In South Dakota, a dairy farm with 1,700 cows sent a dozen animals to slaughter after they did not recover from the virus and killed another dozen that contracted secondary infections, said Russ Daly, a professor at South Dakota State University and a veterinarian for the state extension office who spoke with the farm.

A farm in Michigan culled about 10 percent of its 200 infected cows after they failed to recover from the influenza, also known as bird flu, according to Phil Durst, an educator with Michigan State University Extension who spoke with that farm.

In Colorado, some dairies reported culling cows with the bird flu because they did not return to milk production, said Olga Robak, spokesperson for the state Department of Agriculture. Cows infected with the influenza typically display symptoms such as reduced milk production and lethargy.

Ohio Department of Agriculture spokesperson Meghan Harshbarger said infected cows have died in Ohio and other affected states, mostly due to secondary infections.

The Texas Animal Health Commission also confirmed that cows have died from secondary infections at some dairy operations with avian flu outbreaks.

Officials could not provide figures for the number of statewide cow mortalities.

New Mexico’s state veterinarian, Samantha Uhrig, said farmers increasingly culled cows due to decreased milk production early in the outbreak, even before the United States confirmed that bird flu was infecting cattle. Culling decreased as farmers learned that most cows gradually recovered, she said.

FDA RECALL: 800,000 cream cheese unit recalled across the U.S. over salmonella issues!

A dairy company recalled more than 800,000 units of cream cheese products due to potential salmonella contamination, according to an alert sent out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Wisconsin-based company, Schreiber Foods Inc., said it is recalling 836,721 units of various cream cheese products due to a possible salmonella contamination, the FDA said in an enforcement report.

The affected cream cheese products were distributed and sold by several food retailers, including major ones including Hy Vee, Kroger, and Piggly Wiggly. Others that sold the products include Dutch Farms, Fareway, Happy Farms, Our Family, Schnuck, Essential Everyday, and Dunkin, according to the brief FDA notice.

The FDA classified the recalls as Class II, which are issued on products that “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” the agency says.

FDA ALERT: 8 people sickened by Diamond Shruumz Microdosing Chocolate Bars; 4 states!

The Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert about a brand of microdosing chocolate edibles linked to some users having bad reactions, including seizures, loss of consciousness and vomiting.

Eight people in four states have reported illnesses after eating Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars, the FDA said Friday. All reported seeking medical care and six were hospitalized, the agency said.

No deaths have been reported, the agency said.

The microdosing chocolate bars can be purchased online and nationwide at retailers that sell products made with hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC). The full list of retailers is currently unknown, the FDA said.

The edibles are made with soy, milk and Diamond’s “proprietary blend of nootropic and functional mushrooms,” according to the company’s website.

It’s unclear why the chocolate bars have been sickening people and the investigation is ongoing.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

KIA RECALL: Nearly 463,000 Telluride SUVs recalled due to fire risk; park outside!

Kia America is recalling nearly 463,000 Telluride SUVs — and urging owners to park their cars outside and away from other structures until an issue posing a fire hazard is fixed.

The front power seat motor on the affected Tellurides from the 2020-2024 model years may overheat because of a stuck slide knob, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That could potentially result in a fire while the car is parked or being driven.

Kia made the decision to recall the vehicles on May 29th after receiving reports of one under-seat fire and six incidents of localized melting in the seat tilt motor between August 2022 and March 2024. No related injuries, crashes or fatalities were reported at the time.

The recall report notes that strong external impact to the recalled Tellurides’ front power seat side cover or seat slide knob can result in internal misalignment — and with continuous operation, that can cause overheating. People driving vehicles with the issue may find they can’t adjust the power seat, may notice a burning or melting smell, or see smoke rising from underneath the seat. To fix this, dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs at no cost. Until the vehicles are repaired, owners are being instructed to park their cars outside and away from buildings.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Dane Wigington’s Geoengineeringwatch.org update #461!

“Destruction more severe than nuclear war: What is weather warfare?”, from WION news. “Hurricanes Are Now So Strong, Scientists Want To Introduce Category 6″ Storms”, from IFL Science. Question, are these two headlines connected? Inseparable? Biosphere collapse is here, the controllers are more desperate and dangerous than ever before. What cards will they play next?

FOOD, PREPPING, GARDENING, FARMING & HOMESTEADING

USDA RECALL: Recall involves more than 20,000 pounds of frozen beef products!

More than 20,000 pounds of beef products have been recalled because the meat was improperly inspected when shipped into the United States, according to U.S. regulators.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in a news release on June 4 that California-based importer, South American Meat Inc., recalled approximately 20,111 pounds of various frozen raw beef products because the items were not presented for reinspection to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) upon entry from Uruguay.

According to the USDA, the beef was imported from the South American country “on or around March 17” before it was shipped to distributors, restaurants, retailers, and institutions in Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington.

Neither the company nor the USDA has received any reports of anyone experiencing any adverse reactions from eating the products.

However, FSIS expressed concern earlier this week that some of the products may already be in the freezers of consumers, distributors, restaurants, or retailers.

“Any individual or entities who have purchased these products
are urged not to consume or serve them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” the agency said.

Bird flu confirmed in Wyoming cattle herd; 12th state to record infections!

Bird flu has been detected in a dairy cattle herd in Wyoming, the state’s agriculture department said on June 7, making it the 12th confirmed state where the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has been detected in cows.

Inspectors with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Veterinary Services Laboratory have confirmed the presence of bird flu in a dairy cattle herd in Wyoming, the Wyoming Livestock Board said in a June 7 statement. The discovery is the first confirmed case of the avian influenza virus in Wyoming.

“The primary concern with this diagnosis is on-dairy production losses, as the disease has been associated with decreased milk production. The risk to cattle is minimal and the risk to human health remains very low.”

Since late March, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has been reported in more than 80 dairy herds across the country.

Black spots on tomato leaves? Save the day with this simple organic fix!

Tomatoes are also perennials in their natural habitat, for those who didn’t know.

Black spot fungus appears as, well, black spots on tomato leaves. It usually affects the lower ones first, followed by yellowing and dropping of the foliage. It will reduce or outright destroy yields and eventually kill the plant.

Since it’s a fungus, picking up a bottle of flowers of sulfur at a local garden center should work.

Here’s how simple it is. Cut the toe out of an old pair of panty hose or a knee-high pair. Fill it with powdered sulfur. Tie it shut.

Now, holding it by the knot, dust the whole plant with it using a bouncing motion, as if you were playing with a yo-yo. Be sure to dust the soil around it as well, plus any neighboring plants. Repeat as necessary. I haven’t found this to affect soil pH much. As an aside, this method works very well to apply other powders in the garden and around the home, such as diatomaceous earth.

2ND AMENDMENT

The McCloskey’s want their guns back now that their convictions have been expunged!

A St. Louis judge this week expunged misdemeanor convictions against Mark McCloskey and his wife, Patricia, after the couple in June 2020 famously stood outside their home with guns while facing a mob of Black Lives Matter protesters.

Now McCloskey wants his firearms back, saying in an interview that “it’s time for the city to cough up my guns,” the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. He added that he’ll sue if the city doesn’t cooperate, according to the paper.

McCloskey surrendered the two guns he and his wife possessed that day — a Colt AR-15 rifle and a Bryco .380-caliber pistol — as part of an agreement in which he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault and she pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment, both misdemeanors, the Post-Dispatch said. They originally were charged with felonies.

Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson later pardoned the couple, and McCloskey sued in 2021 to get his guns back, the paper said, adding that judges denied that request and a subsequent appeal.

The McCloskeys in January petitioned to expunge their misdemeanor convictions, the Post-Dispatch said, testifying during a March hearing and arguing that they have been upstanding citizens since their guilty pleas. McCloskey said he has continued to work as a lawyer, fighting for his clients, the paper added.

Armed self-defense group patrols Hartford, Connecticut city streets to combat violent crime!

A mostly black neighborhood in Hartford, Connecticut, has turned to a group of armed citizens to help patrol their streets. They hope the move cuts down on the prevalence of violent crime in the area, according to the New York Post.

The armed group calls themselves the “Self-Defense Brigade,” which is made up of around 40 legally armed citizens. Members volunteer to patrol Hartford’s North End and wear body cameras. They generally patrol the streets on nights and weekends.

The group also has access to drones and 75 home surveillance systems that help them keep an eye on things. By monitoring these feeds, they can pinpoint where potential crimes are being committed.

The group’s founder, Cornell Lewis, pointed the finger at Democrats in charge, saying: “The Democratic machine in Hartford is either unwilling or unable, incapable of doing it, and people are paying their tax dollars, and they’re not really getting any kind of service.”

“So we want the people to understand, number one, self-defense is not a dirty word.”

However, the group has not gone without criticism. Hartford’s Democratic Mayor Arunan Arulampalam has condemned the group over concerns that it will devolve into vigilantism, per the report. Lewis has also denied that members of the group are vigilantes. He insisted that all members are trained in discipline legal security, according to the Post.

While all the members of the group have legal permits to carry concealed weapons, Lewis mentioned that he is a fourth-degree black belt and has also trained members in hand-to-hand combat. The group started patrolling the streets after two men were left dead in from of the Walk in the Light Church of God last February.

Arkansas Supreme Court lets judges ban guns in courtrooms if they so choose!

The long legal battle in Arkansas over firearms in courthouses turned another page last week as the state’s Supreme Court ruled that judges can ban guns from courtrooms and other rooms in courthouses where official business is conducted.

In a divided 3–2 ruling, the Arkansas Supreme Court granted circuit and district court judges the authority to decide whether to allow firearms in their courtrooms and other areas, with the decision being issued less than two months after it ruled that state law allows attorneys to bring guns into courthouses but left unresolved the matter of whether this extends to courtrooms.

COVID RELATED NEWS

Study: COVID severity not affected by viral load upon first infection!

The viral load or quantity of SARS-CoV-2 in the nasal cavity does not predict disease severity, according to a recent JAMA Network Open study.

“We observed considerable variability in VL (viral load) at diagnosis,” the authors wrote. “Intriguingly, we did not find an association between VL at diagnosis and severe COVID-19 in this largely outpatient setting.”

The findings contradict those of earlier studies that found that patients with severe COVID-19 presentations tended to have a high viral load.

“The findings of this study suggest that caution should be exercised in the use of individual-level viral load … as a surrogate for COVID-19 severity, especially given increasing diversity in preexisting immunity,” the authors added.

The study authors followed uninfected and unvaccinated people who were part of the placebo group in COVID-19 vaccine trials, finding high variability in viral load that could not be explained.

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center who was not involved in the study, said he was not too surprised at the findings. He added that COVID pneumonia, a complication associated with severe COVID-19, is known to be determined by the body’s immune response and less so by viral load.

CANCEL CULTURE

British Invasion: U.S. newsrooms invaded by British executive editors with killer instincts!

The crisis in American news media has led to an unexpected result in a very short time: The invasion of executive news suites by British editors, who experts say bring a “killer instinct” to news gathering, while notably downgrading the diversity quotient in news leadership.

Most recently with the appointment of Will Lewis as the publisher and CEO of the Washington Post — and his latest restructuring plan, featuring the appointment of Fleet Street-bred editor Robert Winnett as executive editor after the election — British players are gaining a significant foothold in the U.S. media industry.

These latest U.K. natives arrive just months after a growing list of others — CNN’s CEO Mark Thompson, The Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker, Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait, The Daily Beast’s content chief Joanna Coles and the outlet’s new executive editor Hugh Dougherty.

“In the media, everybody is floundering. As legacy media takes continual hits, everybody is looking for the magic ticket that appeals to consumers and advertisers,” said Mark Borkowski, a London-based British publicity, image and crisis consultant, told TheWrap. “It is about the perception of who is successful, and therefore doing something similar is going to lead to similar success.”

But, as UK media execs are being handed some of the biggest jobs in U.S. journalism, some question whether the choices are what America’s democracy needs. “Everybody’s screaming about how we have a crisis in local news,” said Jeff Jarvis, a journalism professor at CUNY. “I say we have a crisis in national news too, at this time when fascism is at the door.”

Texas Democratic Convention featured speaker is a drag queen story hour performer!

The Texas Democratic Convention was held in El Paso and ended on Saturday. The convention featured speakers such as transgender activist Charlotte Clymer, gun control activist David Hogg, and “full-time” drag queen Brigitte Bandit. The drag queen claims “to have worked with children for over a decade”, at the convention.

Bandit – who regularly posts sexually explicit photos on Instagram – has hosted several drag queen story hours for children, read to kids at a face-painting drag story hour with arts and crafts at the so-called all-ages “Family Dragtivity Day” in Austin, and is seen on video performing a show in front of several very young children.

Bandit argued that children are safer at a drag queen story hour than at their own schools.

Bandit – a biological male – spoke about the necessity for hormone blockers for trans youth at the three-day convention.

“Hormone blockers that are medically necessary for more than just trans youth,” Bandit said. “Gender-affirming care is life-saving. We have a duty to protect our most marginalized communities. Trans kids deserve to grow into healthy adults.”

Bandit concluded, “Free Palestine, long live Texas drag, protect trans kids, and happy Pride Month, everybody.”

Bandit sued the state over Texas Senate Bill 12, legislation attempting to protect children from sexually oriented performances on public property. The bill was ultimately shot down by a federal judge in September and deemed to be “unconstitutionally overbroad and vague,” according to the Texas Tribune.

PET NEWS

Dog breeding facility fined $35-million for animal cruelty against 4,000 beagles!

This past week, Inotiv, the parent company of the medical research company Envigo, agreed to pay $35 million for their horrific breeding operations — the largest ever fine in an animal welfare case.

The U.S. Justice Department, along with the HSUS, removed over 4,000 Beagles from Envigo’s facility in July of 2022. Envigo was raising the dogs to be sold to testing facilities, where the Beagles would have eventually been tortured by high doses of toxic substances. Most would have been killed at the end of the testing or as a result of the drugs, reported the HSUS. It’s common for Beagles to be chosen for animal testing because of their calm temperaments — according to the USDA, 60,000 Beagles are victims of experimental testing each year.

At Envigo’s breeding facility, where the dogs were bred and kept before being sold to labs, the conditions were just as dire. The Department of Agriculture found many instances of animal cruelty at the site. “They noted things like 25 puppies who died of cold exposure at the facility in the past, maggots that were in dog food, and animals with medical conditions that should have received treatment [but did not],” said Lindsay Hamrick, the director of shelter outreach and engagement for the Humane Society. Dogs were euthanized without sedation, drinking water was filthy, and cages were infrequently cleaned, reported AP News.

ICYMI

Newly-released FBI files delve into OJ Simpson’s murder investigation!

The FBI on June 7 released 475 pages of documents revealing details of the 1994 O.J. Simpson homicide investigation, two months after the death of the controversial NFL and Hollywood star.

Mr. Simpson was tried for the murders of Mr. Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in a high-profile trial.

He was cleared of criminal charges in 1995, but was later found liable for the deaths in a civil suit brought by the families and was ordered to pay more than $30 million in restitution.

Mr. Simpson maintained his innocence until his death in April from prostate cancer at the age of 76.

The newly released files focus on the collection and testing of forensic evidence from the crime scene. This includes fiber and blood samples, as well as hair samples from Ms. Brown Simpson and Mr. Goldman.

The fibers in question were from the infamous white Ford Bronco that Mr. Simpson used to flee police in a live televised car chase, after being served arrest warrants.

Multiple pages also focused on a pair of luxury Italian Bruno Magli men’s shoes that were reportedly found at the crime scene. Authorities connected Mr. Simpson to the crime via these size 12 shoes.

The FBI further detailed its research into the manufacture and distribution of the shoes, a rare brand which investigators believe to have been worn by the murderer due to the distinct bloody footprints left at the scene.

The records include a visit to the designer factory in Italy, where

investigators obtained shoe molds and soles to give to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Also included in the files, were rambling notes written by an individual claiming to have had premonitions of the murders. The letters were addressed to the FBI and were sent during the month of the crimes. It’s unclear if the FBI intends to release more documents, as the first tranche was labeled “part one.”

The Apollo 8 astronaut who took the “Earthrise” photo dies at age 90 in a plane crash!

Maj. Gen. William A. Anders, USAF (Ret.), an astronaut who was part of the first Apollo 8 manned mission to the moon, died on Friday at the age of 90 while piloting an aircraft that crashed off the Washington coast.

His son confirmed the news, sharing with NPR that his father was flying solo in a Beech A45 plane when it descended into the waters near Jones Island, Washington.

The National Transportation Safety Board has announced an investigation into the cause of the crash.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson paid tribute to Mr. Anders, recalling the historic “Earthrise” photograph taken from lunar orbit during the Apollo 8 mission.

Missing British columnist and doctor’s body found on Greek island …

The Greek authorities confirmed that they found Dr. Michael Mosley’s body after a five-day search on the Greek holiday island of Symi, according to the Daily Mail.

Mosley’s body was reportedly discovered in a rocky region alongside the Agia Marina after an extensive search led by emergency workers. The 67-year-old Daily Mail columnist was last seen in the village of Pedi before he was discovered.