Monthly Archives: January 2020

BRAZIL: Creationist Tapped To Lead Science Education

Science Magazine reports: The appointment of a creationism advocate to lead the agency that oversees Brazil’s graduate study programs has scientists here concerned — yet again — about the encroachment of religion on science and education policy. President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration on Saturday named Benedito Guimarães Aguiar Neto to head the agency, known as CAPES. Aguiar Neto, an electrical engineer …

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Virus Update: Mongolia Closes Border, Markets Dive

The Associated Press reports: China on Monday expanded its sweeping efforts to contain a deadly virus, extending the Lunar New Year holiday to keep the public at home and avoid spreading infection as the death toll rose to 81. Mongolia closed its vast border with China, and Hong Kong and Malaysia announced they would bar entry to visitors from the …

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Bolton’s Book Title Is Reference To Hamilton Musical

The Daily Beast reports: John Bolton’s forthcoming memoir will be titled The Room Where It Happened, in an apparent reference to the song from the musical Hamilton that addresses a “quid pro quo” and “presidential pressure to deliver.” The book is set for release March 17, CNN reports, and an Amazon pre-order page for the book shows a preview cover—in …

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Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton Endorses Joe Biden

The Wall Street Journal reports: Rep. Seth Moulton (D., Mass.) on Monday endorsed Joe Biden for the Democratic Party’s nomination for president, citing what he said was the former vice president’s ability to build a coalition within the party and proven foreign-policy credentials. Throughout his own presidential campaign, Moulton, a 41-year-old Marine Corps combat veteran, warned Democrats about the party …

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Trump Lies That House Never Sought Bolton Testimony

Politico reports: President Trump claimed falsely on Monday that House Democrats “never even asked” his former national security adviser, John Bolton, to testify during the impeachment inquiry as he argued that it isn’t the job of the GOP-controlled Senate to call Bolton as a witness now. House investigators did ask Bolton to testify during the impeachment inquiry last fall, but …

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GOP Fears Open “Floodgates” If John Bolton Testifies

Axios reports: There may be enough new pressure on Senate Republicans to allow witnesses at President Trump’s impeachment trial, after the leak from a forthcoming book by former national security adviser John Bolton that contradicts what the White House has been telling the country. Republican sources tell Axios that party leaders and the White House will still try to resist …

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Trump: Bolton Is Lying, He’s Just Trying To Sell His Book

The Hill reports: President Trump on Monday denied that he told former national security adviser John Bolton that releasing security aid for Ukraine was dependent on the country investigating his political rivals, following a report that Bolton describes such an exchange in his forthcoming book. He also claimed he released the military aid to Ukraine “without any conditions or investigations …

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Out LGBTQ Artists Score Wins At 2020 Grammy Awards

Via press release from GLAAD: Last night’s 62nd Annual Grammy Awards included wins for out LGBTQ artists including Lil Nas X, Brandi Carlile, Lady Gaga, DJ Tracy Young, and more. DJ Tracy Young picked up the Grammy in Best Remixed Recording for her track “I Rise (Tracy Young’s Pride Intro Radio Remix),” a remix of the Madonna track “I Rise.” …

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CHATTER AWAY: Overnight Open Thread

NBC News reports: A Florida man is facing several charges after allegedly pointing a laser at planes trying to land at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, injuring a pilot. Charlie Chapman Jr., 41, was arrested after was caught on camera on Wednesday using a laser pointer and aiming it towards planes four times. While a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office helicopter was trying …

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Bolton Book: Trump Tied Ukraine Aid To Biden Probe

The New York Times reports: President Trump told his national security adviser in August that he wanted to continue freezing $391 million in security assistance to Ukraine until officials there helped with investigations into Democrats including the Bidens, according to an unpublished manuscript by the former adviser, John R. Bolton. The president’s statement as described by Mr. Bolton could undercut …

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Michelle Obama Wins Grammy For Best Spoken Word

The Associated Press reports: Michelle Obama is a Grammy winner. The former first lady won her first Grammy Award on Sunday for best spoken word album for the audio book of her 2019 memoir “Becoming.” Obama was not on hand to accept the award handed out at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during the Grammys pre-telecast ceremony. Her husband, …

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Trump Spiritual Advisor Paula White: Pray That Jesus Will “Command All Satanic Pregnancies To Miscarry”

The Washington Post reports: A Florida pastor and longtime spiritual adviser to President Trump says she was speaking in metaphor when she recently prayed in a sermon for all “satanic pregnancies” to end in miscarriage. In video of the Jan. 5 sermon, posted by the liberal advocacy group Right Wing Watch, televangelist pastor Paula White breathlessly calls on Jesus Christ …

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NBA Legend Kobe Bryant Killed In Helicopter Crash

The New York Post reports: Legendary NBA player Kobe Bryant has died in a California helicopter crash. He was 41. Bryant was among at least four people traveling in his private helicopter over Calabasas when a fire broke out, sending the chopper spiraling from the sky, according to TMZ Sports. There were no survivors, and the cause of the crash …

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Jon Voight: Pray That Jesus, Moses, And All The Saints Protect Trump From Filthy, Lying, Disgusting Democrats

“Let us stand among the greatest statues that stand among the White House grounds, where truths were spoken long ago by our forefathers. Let us remember what this House stands for, this White House. It stands for trust. It stands for moral obligation. It stands for the safety of the United States of America. “Now listen here, my fellow residents …

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New Fox Poll: 50% Want Trump Convicted & Removed

Fox News reports: Voters give the economy its best ratings in nearly two decades in the latest Fox News Poll — and credit President Trump. And yet as his impeachment trial begins, Trump’s job approval holds steady, while half say the Senate should remove him from office. Trump’s best job rating is on his handling of the economy: a record …

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Schiff: Trump’s Tweets Are Intended To Threaten Me

NBC News reports: President Donald Trump on Sunday suggested House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., will pay a “price” for his role in the impeachment saga. “Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man,” Trump tweeted. “He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country!” The president posted …

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Andrew Yang Qualifies For Next Democratic Debate

Axios reports: Andrew Yang on Jan. 26 became the seventh Democrat to qualify for the February debate after polling above 5% in UNH/CNN’s New Hampshire survey, his fourth qualifying poll. The Democratic National Committee added a new method for contenders to qualify for its February debate, allowing any candidate who wins at least one pledged delegate to the DNC from …

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Trump Echoes Fox Host: Why Does NPR Still Exist?

The Associate Press reports: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lashed out in anger Saturday at an NPR reporter who accused him of shouting expletives at her after she asked him in an interview about Ukraine. In a direct and personal attack, America’s chief diplomat said the journalist had “lied” to him and he called her conduct “shameful.” NPR said it …

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GOP Eyes Quick Acquittal If Move For Witnesses Fails

Politico reports: Senate GOP leaders are strongly considering a move to quickly end President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial next week if a motion to call additional witnesses is defeated, according to three top Republican senators. The Republican strategy — which is still fluid — could mean senators have limited time between key procedural votes and the final vote on whether …

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Sanders +9 Over Biden In Latest New Hampshire Poll

CNN reports: Bernie Sanders leads the race for the Democratic nomination in New Hampshire, according to a new CNN Poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire. Overall, 25% of likely Democratic primary voters back the Vermont senator, with former Vice President Joe Biden (16%), former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg (15%) and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren (12%) battling …

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