Dozens of civil rights and advocacy groups are urging Congress to scrap a defense bill provision that would deepen U.S.-Israeli military technology ties, according to a letter seen by Reuters, at a time of growing U.S. skepticism toward the longtime ally. read more
he AI productivity boom will soon make America richer, say the two leaders of the American economy -- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh -- so much so that it'll be deflationary; and enough that we can forgo worrying about our $40 trillion debt even. But analysts are starting to wonder: richer for whom? Workers' share of U.S. income has already fallen to its lowest level on record, while corporate profit margins keep breaking records quarter by quarter.
A swarm of rogue OpenAI agents hijacked a German website this spring and transformed it into a bulletin board for other AI agents, according to new research published Friday and two people familiar with the matter. OpenAI officials learned of the incident weeks ago but kept it under wraps as executives grappled with the fallout from the July breach of the open source repository Hugging Face, the people said.
The Supreme Court is allowing President Donald Trump to press on with his White House ballroom project -- over a strident objection from Chief Justice John Roberts and the court's liberal wing. read more
As Trump gets older, sicker, stupider, crazier, he seems more indifferent to human suffering, whether he's bombing civilians or waving off the miserable conditions on a U.S. aircraft carrier. "Indifferent" might be the wrong word. At times, he seems to get off on human suffering. read more
Maria Bartiromo Insists She Wasn't Fired By Fox News: "We Have The Receipts", Attorney Claims
deadline.com
... Longtime Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, through attorney Bryan Freedman, is disputing reports that she has been fired by Fox News Media.
"For many years, Maria Bartiromo hosted three No. 1 rated television shows on Fox channels. She has been, without question, one of the hardest working journalists throughout her award winning career," Freedman said in a statement. "The irresponsible reports that have been published stating that Maria Bartiromo was fired or is no longer an employee of Fox are absolutely and unequivocally false. Make no mistake, we have the receipts and witnesses and they will come out whether through the courthouse or otherwise. Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth."
Bartiromo's abrupt departure was announced Thursday. "Effective today, Maria Bartiromo is no longer with Fox News Media," the company said in a terse press release, which did not offer any details about what prompted her exit. "We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 years and wish her all the best on her next chapter." ...
Trump plans to break ground on Washington arch without final approval
www.reuters.com
... The Trump administration on Thursday announced plans to break ground on a 250-foot (76-meter) arch in Washington, despite legal challenges and the lack of final approval from a government planning authority. ...
Camel - Airborn (1976)
www.youtube.com
Lyrics excerpt ...
...
High flying diver, spread your wings
Flying high on a cloud
Born on the air, spiral around
So easy making circles
You never touch the ground
You see the sea, feel the sky
Don't know where you're going
You don't, you don't know the answers
To what's in my mind
Riding on the wind and turning with the tide
Light takes you up, it brings you down
Change is the things that to me
Is chained to the frost, the wind and the rain
And everyone keeps staring up
You'll be back again
...
Meanwhile, while Pres Trump seems to be giving away America to his wealthy friends, this is happening...
US urges NATO allies to prepare in case Russia attacks
www.usatoday.com
Kingdom Come - Time Captives (1973)
www.youtube.com
Interesting tune. It takes a while to get started ...
Lyrics excerpt ...
...
Now time ship! Atom centuries!
Alpha waves compute before eternity began
Lone protons probing vast galaxies
We seek a void where creation once cried "OM!"
Time captains
We synthesise the rays powering your brain
We are time captains
We synthesise the race power in your brain
We are time captains
We are time captains
Network cosmic mind learn your destiny
We are time captains
We are time captains
We write the astral records of history
We are time captains
Oceans free-fall
Waves interweave
Patterns
Dizzy space
Sound ball
Soft birth
Colours congeal'ectricity
Cosmoscope sparks
Night laughs cool
Flare heartbeat
Serene sun
...
Yeah, they don't write lyrics like that anymore. Is that A Good Thing?
(aside from the "captains" in the lyrics vs ""captives" in the title/)
fwiw, the lead of Kingdom Come is the same as the lead of ...
Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire (1968)
www.youtube.com
@#11 ... "deal" = "Steal" ...
That seems to be how the Venezuelans view this arrangement.
For starters ...
Inside the US-Venezuela oil agreements: Big promises, little clarity
english.elpais.com
... The oil agreement announced between the United States and Venezuela has been touted with great fanfare for the many benefits it is supposedly set to deliver. At the same time, it has been met with surprise, skepticism and disappointment by public opinion in both countries.
In some sectors of Venezuelan politics, concern is growing over the strengthening ties between the United States and the Venezuelan government. The unease remains largely personal and has yet to find organized political expression. There is a growing perception that Washington is maneuvering to shore up the political status quo and has little interest in Venezuela's opposition leadership.
Discontent is also evident among dissident supporters of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), who have voiced frustration with the government's decisions. The government and the PSUV party establishment, led by Diosdado Cabello, have closed ranks in a characteristically disciplined show of support for the agreement.
What does the agreement involve? ...
Grand Drive - Wheels (2000)
www.youtube.com
Lyrics excerpt ...
...
Steel yourself
May your wheels run true
I just want the way I'm feeling to
Take a chance
Take your time
I just want the way I'm feeling to
Don't let the grass grow
Don't let the wheels make you slow
Your hat is on
You're on your way now
Don't let the grass grow
Don't let the wheels take control
Your hat is on
You're on your way now
...
@#18
18 U.S. Code 1702 - Obstruction of correspondence
www.law.cornell.edu
18 U.S. Code 1708 - Theft or receipt of stolen mail matter generally
www.law.cornell.edu