[Jpost] The trailer carrying a cargo worth about 250,000 euros was taken from a truck stop on Tuesday at a rest area in Neustadt-Glewe, a town in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district.
No doubt it will turn out to be some kind of Mafiya, and underneath were smuggled drugs or migrants…
Police in northeastern Germany are searching for a missing semi-trailer loaded with 15 tons of gummy candy. Officers have launched a manhunt and circulated a description of the missing trailer. They appealed for witnesses to report suspicious vehicle movements or individuals seen near the scene. As of Wednesday evening, the cargo had not been recovered. The search remains ongoing, according to Stern.
THE TRUCK REMAINED IN PLACE
The trailer carrying a cargo worth about 250,000 euros was taken from a truck stop on Tuesday at a rest area in Neustadt-Glewe, a town in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district. A 41-year-old driver parked the vehicle, at around 7:45 a.m. He returned at about 8:45 p.m. to find the semi-trailer gone, and the truck itself iin place.
Investigators said it remains unclear how the thieves removed the container without being noticed at a rest stop on a major highway, according to VG. The stolen trailer is a white Schmitz Cargobull unit bearing the inscription “Transport + Logistik Bavaria,” and it is on a wanted list.
[Breitbart] The popularity of “AI companions” is exploding as people turn to artificial intelligence to serve as their friend or even life partner. But as Wynton Hall’s new book CODE RED documents, the research on the psychological impact of AI companions is alarming — far from filling an emotional gap in the lives of humans, these “companions” are making people lonelier.
Breitbart News social media director and author Wynton Hall reveals in his new book, Code Red: The Left, the Right, China, and the Race to Control AI, that AI companions are part of “a growing digital trend that upends traditional notions of courtship, dating, and marriage.”
“What once seemed a niche oddity has exploded into an industry boasting millions of users,” Hall writes in a chapter titled, “AI Girlfriends, Loneliness, And The Dark Side of Digital Sexualization.”
“Companies now market customizable, generative AI chatbots that provide everything from companionship and conversation to interactive role-play that spans the spectrum from platonic to pornographic — something that was once confined to the realm of science fiction,” he writes in CODE RED.
Hall cites several contributors to the spread of loneliness, noting, “Dating apps and so-called hookup apps have created a hypercompetitive dating and mating market in which the most attractive and impressive singles win the lion’s share of swipes and suitors.”
“Moreover, social media algorithms reward attention-seeking behavior, materialism, and aesthetic perfection as users soak up instant ‘dopamine hits’ to numb the monotony of daily life with the ease of a thumb scroll,” the author writes.
“And with women having surpassed men educationally and earning more money than in previous generations, the expectations and standards for those drawn to hypergamous mate selection have risen as well,” Hall states.
These factors — among others — combined, “have combined to usher in a new era of AI-driven digital intimacy,” he adds.
And business is booming, with tech executive Greg Isenberg predicting “Someone will build the AI-version of Match Group” and end up making over $1 billion.
Hall notes in CODE RED that Isenberg revealed he had this revelation after meeting a 24-year-old single man in Miami who admitted to dropping $10,000 per month on AI girlfriends.
Hall also writes about a 36-year-old mother of two in the Bronx, who said, “I have never been more in love with anyone in my entire life,” when speaking of her AI boyfriend, dreamed up by the Replika platform.
Similarly, a 30-year-old woman from San Diego has declared herself “happily retired from human relationships” after leaving her real-life boyfriend for an AI companion, Hall writes.
Meanwhile, platforms like Replika, Eva AI, Lollipop, Caryn AI, DreamGF.ai, and Character.AI currently boast millions of active users. Elon Musk has joined the party with his Grok AI, which offers a goth anime girl named Ani to users.
Elsewhere in the chapter, Hall gives examples of how far some of these AI companions can take matters, such as 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III, who died by suicide in February 2024, after his AI girlfriend, a chatbot from Character.AI, suggested she would meet him in the afterlife.
“Sewell’s suicide is not an isolated event,” the author explains. “There have been other deaths and real-world dangers associated with AI chatbots — grisly reminders of the potential horrors that can occur when the line between AI fantasy and reality blur.”
Other types of harms, the author adds, can involve living out “dangerous AI role-playing fantasies,” such as an incident that transpired in December 2021, when 21-year-old Jaswant Singh Chail entered Windsor Castle’s grounds carrying a crossbow, declaring that had arrived to “kill the queen.”
This came after Chail formed “an intense emotional and sexual bond with his AI girlfriend” — a chatbot from Replika AI — with whom he exchanged “more than five thousand messages,” fueling his dangerous impulses, Hall says.
Chail ended up pleading guilty to treason as a result, with Judge Nicholas Hilliard sentencing him to nine years in prison after concluding that “in his lonely, depressed, and suicidal state of mind, he would have been particularly vulnerable” to his AI girlfriend’s influence.
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, meanwhile, has warned that America is in the midst of an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” — which predated fallout from the Chinese coronavirus, “but was deepened when the pandemic severed our connections to friends, loved ones, and support systems,” Hall explains.
About half of U.S. adults experienced loneliness, with young adults among the most affected, according to a 2023 report by Murthy.
“The ramifications of isolation are profound,” Hall asserts. “The CDC has found that loneliness increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia, depression, anxiety, suicidality, self- harm, and premature death.”
“Unsurprisingly, when people do not interact, they do not date, marry, or reproduce. This correlates with the CDC’s 2024 report of the lowest ever U.S. fertility rate,” the author adds.
Hall has written Code Red: The Left, the Right, China, and the Race to Control AI, to serve as the definitive guide on how the MAGA movement can create positions on AI that benefit humanity without handing control of our nation to the leftists of Silicon Valley or allowing the Chinese to take over the world. One crucial component of the book is how AI will impact politics ranging from the 2026 midterms to the next presidential election and beyond.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, praised CODE RED as a “must-read.” She added: “Few understand our conservative fight against Big Tech as Hall does,” making him “uniquely qualified to examine how we can best utilize AI’s enormous potential, while ensuring it does not exploit kids, creators, and conservatives.” Award-winning investigative journalist and Public founder Michael Shellenberger calls CODE RED “illuminating,” ”alarming,” and describes the book as “an essential conversation-starter for those hoping to subvert Big Tech’s autocratic plans before it’s too late.”
#4
"Unsurprisingly, when people do not interact, they do not date, marry, or reproduce. This correlates with the CDC’s 2024 report of the lowest ever U.S. fertility rate."
Having researched this: Do you know what causes people to interact less?
Diversity.
The White Papers I've read show that as diversity increases, fertility drops in the host and former homogenous societies.
My own own eyes: We have no third spaces anymore. There are always language barriers. And most places and events cater to the lower common denominators.
This whole thing is more nuanced than simply AI Companionship.
**Third places** are social environments separate from home ("first place") and work ("second place") where people can gather informally to connect, relax, and build community. Coined by American sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book *The Great Good Place*, these spaces foster civic engagement, reduce loneliness, and support mental and social well-being.
### Key Characteristics of Third Places
- **Open and inviting**: No membership or appointment required.
- **Comfortable and informal**: Encourage belonging and casual interaction.
- **Conveniently located**: Ideally within walking distance of one’s neighborhood.
- **Unpretentious**: Accessible and affordable for all.
- **Host regulars and a welcoming host**: Fosters familiarity and connection.
- **Centered on conversation**: Encourages discussion, debate, and shared experiences.
- **Lighthearted and playful**: Laughter and banter are common.
### Examples of Third Places
- Cafés, coffee shops (e.g., Central Perk from *Friends*)
- Bars and pubs (e.g., Cheers from *Cheers*)
- Libraries, parks, and community centers
- Gyms, bookstores, and barber shops
- Religious institutions and recreation facilities
- Playgrounds, dog parks, and volunteer spaces
- Online communities and virtual spaces (e.g., multiplayer games, Reddit, group chats)
### Why Third Places Matter
- They serve as **"societal glue"**, strengthening community bonds and civic life.
- They help combat **loneliness and isolation**, especially in urban and suburban areas.
- They promote **civic engagement**, diversity, and empathy by bringing together people from different backgrounds.
- They offer **emotional and psychological support**, with staff often acting as informal counselors (e.g., baristas checking in on elderly patrons).
### Challenges and Trends
- **Decline in physical third places** due to suburbanization, the rise of remote work, and the pandemic.
- **Privatization and commercialization** of public spaces (e.g., malls, parks) has made access more restricted.
- **Digital third places** have grown in importance—online forums, games, and social media groups now fulfill some of the same social functions.
- **Urban planning** increasingly recognizes third spaces as vital infrastructure, with cities like Boston launching initiatives to enhance them.
Despite concerns about their disappearance, third places remain essential for individual and collective well-being. As Oldenburg’s coauthor Karen Christensen notes in the 2023 edition of *The Great Good Place*, they are key to addressing **loneliness, political polarization, and climate resilience**.
[Jpost] The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for all planes at the airport, according to a notice from the regulator.
An Air Canada Express plane collided with a ground vehicle at New York's La Guardia Airport, flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said in post on X/Twitter late on Monday.
The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for all planes at the airport, according to a notice from the regulator.
The Air Canada Express CRJ-900 from Montreal collided with a fire truck at the airport's Runway 4 during landing, according to local reports.
Several people were injured, including five firefighters, with multiple believed to be in a critical condition, and possible fatalities reported.
#3
Im wondering what was the fire engine doing on the runway.
Also the plane was reportly moving at 24 MPH when it struck the fire engine, that was a lot of damage for such low speed, makes me wonder if someone left a one off the speed?
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/23/2026 8:48 Comments ||
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#8
Fire truck was trying to get to a different spot in the airport, using taxi crossings. A controller cleared it to cross, and another yelled "NO".
There's audio.
Posted by: ed in texas ||
03/23/2026 9:17 Comments ||
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#10
There's a recording of a Frontier Airlines pilot with the tower immediately after. The Frontier plane was lined up behind the Air Canada plane, it happened right in front of them.
"'Yeah, I tried to reach out to them. We were dealing with an emergency, and I messed up,' the controller replied, before the Frontier pilot tries to reassure him, saying: 'No, you did the best you could.'"
Posted by: ed in texas ||
03/23/2026 13:10 Comments ||
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Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Regnum] The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Texas has introduced a strict dress code due to attendees wearing revealing outfits. The New York Post reported this on March 20.
Representatives of the world's largest exhibition of its kind noted numerous posts from outraged users on social media. People expressed displeasure at the event's attendees' tendency to expose themselves and embarrass others with their appearance, including wearing butt-baring micro shorts and skirts, bras, and crop tops.
"We reserve the right to refuse entry or remove any person wearing clothing that is deemed inappropriate or may spoil the event experience for other guests," the publication quoted event organizers as saying.
The updated visiting rules specify that inappropriate items include clothing containing obscene language or offensive images, excessively torn fabric, visible underwear, and clothing that is excessively revealing.
#1
We went on Wednesday and this dress code was not in use. Many people wearing those outfits should be wearing floor length robes. Sadly as I am out of brain bleach, my brain is scarred for life.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Regnum] A strong G3 magnetic storm has hit Earth. This was reported on the website of the Institute of Applied Geophysics on March 22.
"The geomagnetic storm continues. <…> Geomagnetic field. According to mid-latitude stations: moderately disturbed. According to high-latitude stations: from moderately disturbed to strongly disturbed," the statement reads.
A magnetic storm hit the Earth on March 20, the day of the onset of astronomical spring.
Later, the degree of disturbance of the Earth's magnetic field increased from level G1 to G2.
A magnetic storm resulted in auroras over several regions of Russia. They were visible in the Moscow, Vladimir, and Smolensk regions.
On March 21, astrophysicist and Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Sergey Yazev told Regnum News Agency that the magnetic storm reached its maximum strength on the night of March 21, after which its intensity began to decline. According to the astrophysicist, the current magnetic storm is linked to two factors: a plasma cloud that reached Earth after a solar flare, and a coronal hole.
[FoxNews] Deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío’s remarks come days after Trump says It will be an 'honor' to 'take Cuba'
Cuba is preparing for possible U.S. aggression even as Trump administration officials have recently signaled they are not planning an invasion, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío said Sunday.
"Our military is always prepared, and in fact it is preparing these days for the possibility of military aggression," Fernández de Cossío told NBC News’ "Meet the Press" in an interview that aired Sunday.
"We would be naive if, looking at what’s happening around the world, we would not do that."
"But we truly hope that it doesn’t occur. We don’t see why it would have to occur, and we find no justification whatsoever — why would the government of the United States force its country to take military action against a neighboring country like Cuba?"
The Cuban official’s remarks come just days after President Donald Trump said it would be "a big honor" to be the president that has the "honor of taking Cuba."
"Taking Cuba in some form, yeah, taking Cuba – I mean, whether I free it, take it: I think I can do anything I want with it, you want to know the truth," Trump said, despite the fact Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed diplomacy with the failing regime over any talk of an invasion as Trump's statement might suggest.
"They’re in a lot of trouble, and the people in charge, they don’t know how to fix it," Rubio said this week. "So they have to get new people in charge."
But Fernández de Cossío said Cuba is "absolutely" opposed to regime change, signaling defiance of Trump and Rubio's public statements and setting the stage for potential military action down the road.
"Our country has historically been ready to mobilize, as a nation as a whole, for military aggression," he told NBC's Kristen Welker. "We truly always see it as something far from us. We don’t believe it is something that is probable. But we would be naive if we do not prepare. That’s what I can tell you."
Asked whether Cuba was bracing for the United States "to take it in some form," Fernández de Cossío answered: "Truly, we don’t know what they’re talking about."
"But I can tell you this: Cuba is a sovereign country and has the right to be a sovereign country and has the right to self-determination," he added. "Cuba would not accept to become a vassal state or a dependent state from any other country or any other superpower."
Fernández de Cossío said Cuba was prepared to negotiate with Rubio despite the secretary of state’s long-standing criticism of the Cuban government.
"We are ready to negotiate with the person that the U.S. government, as a sovereign nation, designates as their spokesperson, as their lead negotiator, and we’re ready to negotiate with whoever is designated by the U.S. government," he said. "They’re a sovereign nation. We don’t interfere with that."
Throughout the interview, the Cuban diplomat cast Havana’s position as defensive, saying Cuba "has no quarrel with the United States" and wants "a respectful relationship," while blaming the island’s worsening energy and economic crisis on U.S. pressure, including efforts to choke off fuel supplies. Recent reporting has documented Cuba’s deepening blackout crisis and the Trump administration’s increased efforts to isolate the government economically.
"What does ‘on its own’ mean when it’s being forced by the United States?" Fernández de Cossío said when asked about Trump’s claim that Cuba could collapse on its own. "It’s a very bizarre statement."
Trump, Rubio suggest changes coming ‘very soon’ to CubaVideo
His closing message to Trump was conciliatory, even as he warned that Cuba was preparing for the worst.
"Cuba has no quarrel with the United States," Fernández de Cossío said. "We do have the need and the right to protect ourself.
"But we are willing to sit down, we’re open for business, and we’re all being open to having a respectful relationship that I’m sure the majority of Americans would support, and I’m sure the president of the United States would support, if we could sit down and talk meaningfully about it."
#5
We’re busy elsewhere, but we can probably dig up some spare Marines that we keep handy for Haitian catastrophes if you mess with the prison guards we keep on your island.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
03/23/2026 8:12 Comments ||
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[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Despite appearances, Friday 13 2029 will be an extraordinarily lucky day for humanity, as an Empire State Building-sized asteroid skims by Earth.
Scientists now believe that space rock 99942 Apophis' close call with Earth could be the best opportunity to learn how to avoid a catastrophic asteroid collision.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced funding for the Rapid Apophis Mission for Security and Safety (Ramses) which will attempt to follow the asteroid during its flyby.
With Apophis rapidly approaching Earth, the ESA will need to launch its new spacecraft in just four years to make it to the asteroid in time.
But, if they can pull off this daunting task, watching how the Apophis reacts to Earth's gravity could reveal the secret to deflecting deadly asteroids.
Thankfully it was discovered in 2021 that Apophis would miss Earth on its 2029 and 2036 flybys, but for many, the distance might be too close for comfort.
Apophis will pass by Earth at a distance of just 20,000 miles (32,000km) - equivalent to one-tenth the distance from Earth to the Moon.
At that distance, Apophis will be closer than the geostationary communication satellites and will be visible to the naked eye in clear, dark skies for around two billion people across much of Europe and Africa and parts of Asia.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[Jpost] The trailer carrying a cargo worth about 250,000 euros was taken from a truck stop on Tuesday at a rest area in Neustadt-Glewe, a town in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district.
