The Ebola outbreak erupting from the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to escalate wildly, with cases nearing 750, deaths reported at 177, and around 1,400 contacts now being traced, the World Health Organization reported in a press briefing Friday. read more
Public health experts say neither virus poses an immediate threat to most Americans. But the trust deficit the viruses are exposing could be catastrophic when crisis arrives. read more
President Donald Trump broke a wave of unwanted polling records across national surveys released within days of each other this week. read more
NOAA's seasonal outlook gives a 55% chance of a below average season for the Atlantic. The agency forecasts 8 to 14 named storms, with 3 to 6 likely to become hurricanes. read more
During the first fiscal year after New Britain started a program allowing certain employees to use city-issued credit cards to buy goods and services, a total of about $7,500 was charged to then-Mayor Erin Stewart's card, according to expense reports. Flash forward to her final full fiscal year in office, and about $40,000 was charged to her card, according to the expense reports released through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Another view ...
When Flock Cameras Appear: Everything You Need to Know About This Surveillance Tech (April 2026)
www.cnet.com
... I have up-close experience with Flock, as my current city, Bend, Oregon, ended its contract with surveillance company Flock Safety earlier this year, after a public campaign protesting the cams -- and some very active city council meetings. Flock's controversial AI-powered license plate cameras were shut down, and its partnership with local law enforcement ended over privacy concerns.
We weren't the only city to reject Flock cameras: In the past two years, dozens of towns have suspended or deactivated contracts with Flock over concerns about how the cameras could be used, as well as weak contract language. But you might not even know if Flock has come to your town: Sometimes these automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, appear in neighborhoods without warning. ...
Flock may have an issue with this ...
Clear evidence.
Safer communities.
Privacy first.
www.flocksafety.com
... Flock connects communities, businesses, and public safety so incidents can be understood clearly and decisions can be made on facts ...
Suspect dead after opening fire near White House security checkpoint, Secret Service says
www.wyff4.com
... A person who opened fire Saturday on a White House security checkpoint is dead after being shot by officers who returned fire, the U.S. Secret Service said. It was the third incidence of gunfire in the vicinity of President Donald Trump in the past month.
The law enforcement agency said in a preliminary statement posted on X that the person in the area of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue "pulled a weapon from his bag" shortly after 6 p.m. ET and began firing. The officers returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was taken to a hospital where he later died, the Secret Service said. ...
Related ...
Russia Wants Armenia Back in the Fold. It May Be Too Late.
www.themoscowtimes.com
... Years of slowly growing tensions between Yerevan and Moscow have crescendoed in recent weeks as Armenia prepares for national elections on June 7. The competition is expected to be riddled with attempts by Moscow to exert its influence.
In April, Armenia hosted the European Political Community (EPC) summit. For comparatively small Armenia, historically aligned with Russia, it is difficult to overstate the importance of a diplomatic event that brought dozens of European leaders to Yerevan. The event was especially memorable as Volodymyr Zelensky became the first Ukrainian president in 24 years to visit Armenia.
A few days later, Pashinyan skipped his usual trip to Moscow for Russia's all-important May 9 Victory Day commemoration. Even as Armenia had begun to drift away from Russian influence in recent years, Pashinyan had continued to attend the symbolically important parade.
The next day, statements from Russian officials about Armenia became increasingly hostile. In reference to the EPC, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the meeting platformed "anti-Russian statements" with no balance provided by Armenia's leadership. He went on to say the event was "inconsistent with the spirit of relations" between Armenia and Russia.
Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on Armenia's fledgling EU aspirations, saying Yerevan should hold a referendum on the issue. But, tellingly, he also remarked, "We all see what's happening with Ukraine now. But where did it all start? With Ukraine's attempt to join the EU." ...
Then there's this ...
Iran, Oman discuss Strait of Hormuz toll system: Report
thehill.com
... Iran and Oman have discussed setting up a toll system to charge vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, despite President Trump's condemnation of charging fees to pass through the waterway.
"Iran and Oman must mobilize all their resources both to provide security services and to manage navigation in the most appropriate manner," Iranian Ambassador to France Mohammad Amin-Nejad on Wednesday told Bloomberg News, which first reported the talks. ...
OK, back down to earth ...
Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded By The Light (1976)
www.youtube.com
This is a cover song of a song from Springsteen's first album.
The lyrics are often misinterpreted.
The word is "deuce," not "douch."
...
Blinded by the light
Revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night
...
More from the cited article ...
... President Donald Trump on Wednesday confused his predecessors Joe Biden and Barack Obama while touting the purported successes of his ongoing war on Iran -- and boasted that he has lost "only" 13 U.S. service members in the unpopular conflict. ...
Oh dear.
Is the Trump family apparent history of mental acuity decline starting to show its face with Pres Trump?
Donald Trump's Nephew Recalls Grandpa's Dementia Symptoms as He Warns of Former President's 'Decline' (2024)
people.com
... Donald Trump's nephew Fred C. Trump III is opening up about his family's often-overlooked history of dementia -- and how his uncle's recent behavior reminds him of the other Trumps who have faced cognitive health challenges, including Donald's dad.
"Like anyone else, I've seen his decline. But I see it in parallel with the way my grandfather's decline was," Fred, 61, tells PEOPLE of Donald, 78, who has at times downplayed his father's symptoms. "If anyone wants to believe that dementia did not run in the Trump family, it's just not true."
Welcome to DeFlock
An open-source project mapping license plate readers.
deflock.org