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A US helicopter made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea, leaving one person missing
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 3: Non-WoT
7 17:30 Grom the Reflective [1823] 
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2 15:40 Oregon Dave [1818] 
6 17:29 Glenmore [1811] 
12 19:40 James the lesser [1853] 
5 21:34 Frank G [1819] 
2 11:34 Besoeker [1789] 
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1 03:02 Grom the Reflective [1787] 
9 14:51 Matt [1829] 
5 21:04 Frank G [1844] 
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Page 1: WoT Operations
1 12:39 Grom the Reflective [1784]
2 12:29 MikeKozlowski [1794]
9 15:05 Whiskey Mike [1795]
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3 17:24 Glenmore [1935]
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1 04:34 Knuckles Grundy [1806]
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Page 2: WoT Background
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1 10:09 Grom the Reflective [1862]
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4 14:49 Chris [1895]
1 03:18 Grom the Reflective [1789]
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1 16:09 Chris [1826]
Page 4: Opinion
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10 16:28 Besoeker [1839]
2 20:33 Clem+Elmish4239 [1851]
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7 14:06 Lord Garth [1821]
Page 5: Russia-Former Soviet Union
1 08:23 Lord Garth [1782]
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Page 6: Politix
3 12:24 swksvolFF [1802]
11 20:30 Procopius2k [1824]
8 17:42 Glenmore [1887]
-Lurid Crime Tales-
DOJ and 17 state AGs sue food businesses for illegally manipulating egg prices
[Just The News] The Justice Department and 17 U.S. states’ Attorneys General are suing several food companies for illegally coordinating the manipulation of egg prices.

Announced in a Justice Department press release on Tuesday, the complaint — filed in Iowa’s Northern District Court — alleges that the defendants conspired to artificially inflate the daily price quotations of Urner Barry Publications, a market reporting company.
Cracked that one wide open did they ?
Urner Barry’s publications impact prices that restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses pay for eggs across the country.

The defendants include Mississippi-headquartered Cal-Maine Foods Inc., Arizona-headquartered Hickman’s Egg Ranch Inc., Iowa-headquartered Versova Holdings LLC, Centrum Valley Holdings LLC and Versova Management Cooperative; all produce and sell eggs to grocery stores, restaurants and other businesses that ultimately sell or provide eggs to American consumers.

According to the complaint, the defendants conspired to inflate Urner Barry’s price quotations by agreeing to: submit a lot of bids, submit bids that were unlikely to result in executed trades, cause several defendants to bid to alert Urner Barry that market participants needed to buy eggs and deliver trades at premium prices.

The defendants, along with other egg producers, also bid to obtain eggs on spot markets, including the Egg Clearinghouse, an exchange that helps determine and establish the market value for eggs and egg products.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 04:39 || Comments || Link || [1811 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Yes! Private run farms and business agriculture are obviously the problem. I recommend a NYC Mayor Mamdani style of price controls and collectivization.
Supply and demand must be strictly gov't regulated. It's for our own good.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 5:00 Comments || Top||

#2  An ancient antisemitic conspiracy theory. Mamdani is fanning the flames.
Posted by: Spats Whereck2759 || 07/02/2026 5:04 Comments || Top||

#3 

Suing vs indictment on criminal charges.
Are the States after $$$$$, or justice?
Posted by: NN2N1 || 07/02/2026 5:54 Comments || Top||

#4  /\ I'm going with "egg money."
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 11:30 Comments || Top||

#5  Oh well. My doctor says I get too much cholesterol anyway.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 07/02/2026 13:01 Comments || Top||

#6  That reminds me, it’s time to walk up the hill and tend the (on vacation) neighbor’s chickens and pick up a few eggs…
Posted by: Glenmore || 07/02/2026 17:29 Comments || Top||


16 children found living in 'deplorable' Ohio home conditions, 4 arrested: 'Pure evil'
[FoxNews] Ohio AG Andy Wilson said two children were airlifted to Level 1 trauma centers and deaths were narrowly avoided

Four people have been arrested after 16 children were found living in "deplorable" conditions and in need of medical treatment in a rural Ohio home, officials said Wednesday.

The children were found during a search of the home in Hamden, 60 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio, state Attorney General Andy Wilson said at a news conference.

"Conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in," Wilson said.

The children were removed from the home. Wilson called it the worst scene he had encountered in his career, describing it as "pure evil." Several were in serious condition when found, and two were flown to Level 1 trauma centers because of their injuries.

"If they had waited 24 hours, there is a very high probability that we’d be dealing with a death, or multiple deaths, of these children," Wilson said.

Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain described horrid conditions, saying there was a high presence of feces and bacterial matter.

"Most of the livestock was kept in better condition than the children," Cain said.

The suspects — Gary Siders Sr., Gary Siders Jr., Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders — were charged with 16 counts of second-degree child endangering. A judge entered not guilty pleas on their behalf during a Wednesday court hearing and set a $300,000 bond for all four.

Officials didn't confirm if the children were related, but said they ranged in age from 18 months to 18 years old and included both boys and girls.

"Justice will be served for these children," Wilson said.

Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer clarified that the suspects are not originally from Vinton County.

"This is an intra-family situation. This is not human trafficking. There is nothing to put our other children at risk," Archer said.
Posted by: Skidmark || 07/02/2026 00:43 || Comments || Link || [1819 views] Top|| File under:

#1 

16 kids by 2 women & 2 guys = Breeding farm?
Posted by: NN2N1 || 07/02/2026 6:56 Comments || Top||

#2  More likely just fertile morons
Posted by: Chantry || 07/02/2026 17:43 Comments || Top||

#3  Officials didn't confirm if the children were related,

Could some of them, perhaps, have been runaways who accepted an offer of safety? Human trafficking would require someone else to collect and sell them to the parents, but voluntarily joining the household is not forbidden by the limited information here.

Off the top of my head, if both women were conceiving they each could have given birth every other year or so for sixteen years without having twins or triplets, which is a reasonable pace.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/02/2026 21:09 Comments || Top||

#4  MSN has more:

Who are Gary Siders Jr and Elizabeth Siders?

According to WOWK 13, marriage records from the Mason County Courthouse in West Virginia show that Gary Siders Jr who is now 36 and Elizabeth Siders who is now 33, were married on March 31, 2008, when they were 18 and 15 years old.

The records say Elizabeth's parents, Brian Ray Russell and Lori Ann Raines and then-Circuit Court Judge David Nibert gave consent for the marriage. At the time, both lived in Gallia County in Ohio, just two houses apart. The records also show that Gary had completed ninth grade and Elizabeth had completed eighth grade.

What was the case about

Gary Siders Jr, Elizabeth Siders, Gary Siders Sr who is now 73, and Christina Siders who is now 67, each face 16 counts of child endangering after authorities found 16 children in serious medical condition during a search of a home on Ohmer Street in Hamden, Ohio.

All four were arrested on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty during their court appearance on Wednesday. The judge set bond at $300,000 cash or surety for each defendant. They were also ordered to have no contact with one another or the children and anyone released on bond must wear a GPS monitor.

According to WOWK 13, each child endangerment charge carries a possible prison sentence of two to 12 years if the defendants are convicted.

According to WOWK 13, Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain and Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer said the case is not related to human trafficking. Archer described it as an “intra-family” situation and said there is no danger to the community.

Officials also said the suspects are not from Vinton County and had been traveling. Wilson said the family has ties to Gallia County and had also lived in Pike County, Jackson County and Wisconsin before staying in Vinton County for about four years. He also confirmed that the children were not enrolled in school.

Archer said investigators had not yet been able to speak with the children, who range in age from 20 months to 18 years. The criminal complaints list children aged 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, 11, 9, 8, 6, 5, two 4-year-olds and two 20-month-old twins. Authorities have not confirmed who the children's parents are or whether they all have the same parents, as per WOWK 13.

Wilson called the scene the worst he had ever encountered in his career, describing what he found as “pure evil.”

“Some of these children couldn't even speak,” Wilson said. “This is terrible. They really, they looked like almost feral animals; it was terrible. So when we’re talking reading, writing and education, we’re talking a whole other level of expectations here. It’s hard enough just to get these kids to be able to - the 18-year-old can’t spell her name.”
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/02/2026 21:17 Comments || Top||

#5  It’s hard enough just to get these kids to be able to - the 18-year-old can’t spell her name.”

Yet she's already registered to vote Democrat
Posted by: Frank G || 07/02/2026 21:34 Comments || Top||


-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
Scientists have predicted the strongest magnetic storm in six months, a G3 level
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[REGNUM.RU] The strongest magnetic storm in six months, a G3 level storm, may hit Earth on the evening of July 2. This was reported on July 1 by the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences.



According to experts, a high-class X-ray flare occurred on the Sun on June 30. Although the event was moderate in magnitude, due to the active regions' location on the Sun-Earth line, the impact on the planet is expected to be significant.

“No storms or radiation storms of the highest level are expected in this case, and even the level preceding the highest [G4] is unlikely to be reached, but events of the G3 [strong] category are apparently inevitable,” the scientists clarified.

The Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences explained that the front from the flare explosion will reach the planet on July 2, between 9:00 PM and 12:00 AM Moscow time. The magnetic storm is expected to be the strongest since March of this year.

On March 30, a powerful X1.4 solar flare occurred on the Sun. The event began at 5:47 AM Moscow time and peaked at 6:19 AM Moscow time. The flare occurred in solar region 4405.

Earlier, Sergei Bogachev, head of the Solar Astronomy Laboratory at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, stated that solar activity would continue to decline, with numerous magnetic storms expected for at least the next two years. By 2028–2031, they should cease altogether.

Posted by: badanov || 07/02/2026 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1789 views] Top|| File under:


#2  "Magnetic Storm air bag" protection required for regions depicted in red only.

Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 11:34 Comments || Top||


The skies over Venezuela turned red after a devastating earthquake
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[REGNUM.RU] The sky over Venezuela turned red a week after a devastating earthquake. State-run television channel VTV published a scientific explanation for this phenomenon on July 1.

On the evening of June 30, residents of Caracas and the state of La Guaira noticed an unusual reddish glow in the sky and posted photos and videos on social media.

Experts explained to the TV channel that the phenomenon is related to the Rayleigh scattering effect. After an earthquake, large quantities of dust, sand, and tiny particles of construction debris are released into the atmosphere, scattering sunlight. As a result, the observer receives predominantly long wavelengths of light in the red and orange spectrum.

The effect can be intensified by strong winds, high air dust levels and the influx of dust masses, including from the Sahara Desert.

At the same time, the scientists recalled the existence of so-called "earthquake lights"—a rare geophysical phenomenon caused by electrical charges generated by the fracture and friction of quartz-containing rocks in the Earth's crust. The researchers emphasized that these light flashes have a different origin and are not related to changes in the color of the sky due to atmospheric dust.

Similar phenomena have previously been observed in other countries. In March, the skies over western Australia turned a deep red due to Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which kicked up dense clouds of dust. In April, a similar effect was recorded in Antalya, Turkey, after a powerful sandstorm moved in from North Africa.

Powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes struck Venezuela on the evening of June 24. A state of emergency was declared in the country. On June 30, National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez announced that the death toll had reached 1,943, with another 10,571 injured.

Posted by: badanov || 07/02/2026 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1804 views] Top|| File under:


-Land of the Free
Big Boy rolling again !
[CBS] Union Pacific Big Boy locomotive rolling into Philadelphia over Fourth of July weekend

Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 10:42 || Comments || Link || [1818 views] Top|| File under:

#1  If you've never seen it, it's worth the effort. It is MONSTROUS! I've seen it three times, and would crawl over broken glass for the opportunity to see it again.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 07/02/2026 14:15 Comments || Top||

#2  Now THAT'S the U.S.A.!!!
Posted by: Oregon Dave || 07/02/2026 15:40 Comments || Top||


Africa Horn
FANO Forces carried out an attack against Ethiopian Forces in Libo Kemekem, Amhara Region


The Amhara Fano National Movement was established in January by merging two Fano ethnic liberation groups in the Amhara region: Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) and Amhara Fano Peace Organization (AFPO) . They’ve tried unity before, but weren’t very good at it.

Posted by: badanov || 07/02/2026 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1828 views] Top|| File under:


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Russia unleashes biggest attack yet on Kyiv, killing at least 17 people, officials say
[CBS] Kyiv, Ukraine — Russia hit Ukraine's capital overnight with the biggest attack since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of the neighboring country more than four years ago, Kyiv's mayor said Thursday. The State Emergency Service said at least 17 people were killed in the capital.

Loud explosions rocked the city for hours and residents took shelter in metro stations and other shelters following a warning of an imminent attack by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials.

The attack with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones damaged buildings and civilian infrastructure across Kyiv. Russia used 74 missiles and 496 drones, Ukraine's air force said, according to the Reuters news service.

Some Russian soldiers last just minutes on front lines, military bloggers say

CBS News' Aidan Stretch emerged from a shelter Thursday morning in eastern Kyiv to see the remains of a nine-story apartment building brought down by the strikes. Emergency workers dug through the rubble as residents from the area lined up nearby for materials to start patching up their homes.

Damage was recorded in 30 locations across the city, mainly residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said 20 residential buildings were damaged.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 11:11 || Comments || Link || [1768 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: Politix
One-Third Of Americans Can Barely Read, But They Can Still Vote
[Federalist] As Americans gear up for our country’s 250th Independence Day, a shamefully small percentage of the rising generation truly understands what we’re celebrating. On the latest Nation’s Report Card, only 22 percent of eighth graders had a proficient understanding of civics. A measly 14 percent were proficient in U.S. history.

This cohort, which was tested as eighth graders in 2022, graduated from high school this year. In practice, this means that emerging adults are woefully unprepared to take on the responsibilities of citizenship.

Most of this cohort is now eligible to serve on juries; less than half knew that the Bill of Rights guarantees citizens the right to a jury trial. Almost all of them will be eligible to vote in this year’s midterm elections, yet only 34 percent knew the functions of the three branches of government. All of them will participate in civic life, whether as neighbors, citizens, taxpayers, parents, or perhaps all of those things. This makes it all the more concerning that 31 percent could not identify why freedom of expression is important for a healthy society.

Ten generations ago, a group of patriots — most of whom were young adults — laid the groundwork for the greatest country the world has ever known. They did a lot of writing, winning the war for public opinion through Common Sense and The Federalist Papers. There was no public school system at the time, but there was a public that was willing and eager to read these texts, which most young people cannot understand today.

Now, not only are the public schools failing to deliver a history and civics education, they are also failing to teach the reading skills students would need to educate themselves on these topics.

Thanks to decades of under-education, 28 percent of American adults rated at or below the lowest level of literacy on an international assessment. That number is likely to worsen over time. Long-term trend results released by the National Assessments Governing Board last month show that 42 percent of 13-year-olds cannot summarize main ideas of long passages, identify paraphrases of what they’ve read, or connect related ideas in longer texts.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 11:41 || Comments || Link || [1823 views] Top|| File under:

#1  By design, the use of this Gov't issued card requires minimal reading and comprehension skills.

Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 11:51 Comments || Top||

#2  US job growth slows in June; unemployment rate falls to 4.2% amid decline in labor force

WASHINGTON, July 2 (Reuters) - U.S. job growth slowed more than expected in June ​and payroll gains for the prior two months were revised lower, pointing to a cooling labor market and prompting financial ‌markets to dial back expectations for a near-term interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve.

While the Labor Department's closely watched employment report on Thursday showed the unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% last month, that was because about 720,000 people left the labor force, which pushed down the participation rate to the lowest level in more than five years. Some ​economists said the slowdown in job growth was probably a delayed reaction to the Middle East war.
Posted by: Skidmark || 07/02/2026 11:59 Comments || Top||

#3  ....previous barista experience.

I've had numerous "barista experiences," must they be consecutive ?


Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 13:05 Comments || Top||

#4  One-Third Of Americans Can Barely Read, But They Can Still Vote

IMO: the problem, and not just in US, are not these who can barely read - but these who think they're educated.
Posted by: Grom the Reflective || 07/02/2026 13:09 Comments || Top||

#5  One-Third Of Americans Can Barely Read

If you can't read a mortgage or rental agreement, you shouldn't sign. *Puff* the housing shortage just disappeared.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 07/02/2026 15:30 Comments || Top||

#6  Grom, you are exactly right!
Posted by: Glenmore || 07/02/2026 17:27 Comments || Top||

#7  Gracias. Gracias.
Posted by: Grom the Reflective || 07/02/2026 17:30 Comments || Top||


Supreme Court ruling sparks race to kill a multibillion-dollar loophole in Congress
[FoxNews] Scott says children born to foreign nationals on vacation visas should not automatically gain US citizenship

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., plans to introduce legislation to close a loophole in the 14th Amendment to end birth tourism following the Supreme Court's decision to allow birthright citizenship to continue.

Scott is one of several Republicans racing to ram birthright citizenship tweaks through Congress after the Supreme Court’s bombshell ruling blocking the Trump administration’s effort to limit the right and President Donald Trump’s call for lawmakers to quickly respond.

Despite an increasingly crowded field of legislation, Scott argued in an interview with Fox News Digital that his approach to halt birth tourism could work, even with Democrats.

"The whole concept of the 14th Amendment, that ‘under the jurisdiction thereof,’ if you are on vacation in America, you certainly should not have a child while you're here and think in any way, shape or form that kid is going to somehow, some way be an American citizen," Scott said.

"That's just illogical. I would just say look at it from the mirror perspective," he continued. "If you did that in any other country, would that child in that country become a citizen of that country? The answer is no."

Scott’s legislation, which is still being drafted, would target tourism visas and any child born in the U.S. to a woman with said visa from becoming an American citizen.

His legislation is "designed specifically to get to the president's desk to sign into law," a tacit acknowledgment that in the Senate, he will need Democratic support to put a dent into the issue.

"That means that Democrats cannot have any opposition to this notion that thousands of companies having hundreds of thousands of women come to this country to have a baby so that they leave with an American citizen," Scott said.

"We should break that whole cycle, destroy it in its infancy by not allowing it to exist at all," he continued. "And that to me is the best approach."

Trump said he would prefer legislation over a "long and unwieldy" constitutional amendment, which has been floated by a handful of Senate Republicans, including Sens. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., and Rand Paul, R-Ky.

Tackling the 14th Amendment completely is something Scott said he’d do, but he acknowledged that it’s not "possible in the current political environment."

"What is possible is for us to recognize that if you're here temporarily, and you know you're here temporarily, you should not leave with an American citizen as your child just because you gave birth on our soil," Scott said.

Meanwhile, in the House, there's another approach led by Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn.

Ogles, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, unveiled legislation Wednesday that would allow the government to bar pregnant foreigners from entering the United States.

The Tennessee Republican says the measure, dubbed the Anchors Away Act, is necessary to crack down on the birth tourism industry, in which foreigners give birth on U.S. soil so that their children obtain U.S. citizenship.

However, the legislation faces steep obstacles to clearing Congress, and it is unclear whether the bill would get a floor vote in the House amid Republicans’ razor-thin majority.

"This is a conversation that I'm starting that I'm a champion of," Ogles told Fox News Digital in an interview. "I’m working with the White House. And as long as it takes to get it done, I'll be here to fight for it."

Ogles has also authored the Assimilation Act, legislation that would impose vast changes to the legal immigration system by ending birthright citizenship, requiring employers to implement E-Verify and scrapping the green-card lottery, among other provisions. The Tennessee lawmaker’s recently introduced Remigration Act would allow the government to denaturalize individuals convicted of certain crimes, including defrauding the government.

"What we've seen over the last several decades is that Congress, quite frankly, has delegated its right to legislate to the Supreme Court," Ogles said. "So this actually creates the opportunity for Congress to do its job. To define what it is to be a naturalized citizen, to define who can and cannot come into this country, because as the legislative body, we are the ones that are supposed to make those decisions.
Posted by: Skidmark || 07/02/2026 00:55 || Comments || Link || [1853 views] Top|| File under: Migrants/Illegal Immigrants

#1  I suppose the Roberts court thinks these so-called "birth tourists" actually PAY for their own hospital or birthing center maternity care? Not to mention the cost of complications, C-section, or prolonged recovery.

Care to take a guess as to how those costs are covered? Yes, they are likely covered by Uncle Sam and the taxpayers.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 4:10 Comments || Top||

#2  When an non-military American gets sick orneed serious health care in Europe, who pays for it?
Posted by: Seeking Cure For Ignorance || 07/02/2026 6:29 Comments || Top||

#3  /\ A military retiree cannot even get treated at LRMC (Landstuhl Regional Medical Center) in Ramstein, Germany. Been there, tried that.

* USAA does offer overseas travel insurance, but it’s provided through a partner rather than directly by USAA. The coverage is available worldwide and includes medical, evacuation, trip protection, and military‑specific benefits.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 7:07 Comments || Top||

#4  Our friends got stuck in Hamburg for ten days of Covid quarantine (2022) and such travel insurance was a big help. Eventually.
Posted by: Bobby || 07/02/2026 8:30 Comments || Top||

#5  I don't see a "loophole" in the wording of the 14A. A newborn in the U.S. is "under the jurisdiction" of the U.S. (diplomatic status being the only exception these days). Once you try to cvreate exceptions by law which are not in the 14A, you open a can of worms. The 14A is not a right for the parents but for the child.
Posted by: European Conservative || 07/02/2026 10:47 Comments || Top||

#6  ^E.C.: The word is "subject", not "under". The admin argued that "subject" meant something closer to a subject of a sovereign rather than a subject of a conversation, and that allegiance and residence were key to the intent of the authors of the 14th Amendment. SCOTUS decided otherwise, mainly due to the legal analog of the Law of Inertia -- stare decisis (imho).
Posted by: Melancholic || 07/02/2026 12:20 Comments || Top||

#7  Well I disagree, and so does my law student daughter in the U.S. (a U.S. citizen by birth). The status of the parents simply doesn't matter, only exception being diplomatic status which extends to the child born in the U.S.

It's as simple as that: If a child born in the U.S. is abused by its parents, it can be taken away from their parents. Only exception: the child of a parents with diplomatic status can't be taken away from its parents. Persons enjoying diplomatic status can only be declared persona non grata and be required to leave the U.S. (including the child as it is NOT protected).

The child protected by its diplomatic status is NOT subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. All others are.

If you want to change that, change the 14A. But you can't change this by EO.
Posted by: European Conservative || 07/02/2026 12:51 Comments || Top||

#8  I don't see a "loophole" in the wording of the 14A.

I'm afraid I must agree with you on this one and the US Constitution is extremely difficult to amend. So the solution is to keep those people out of here so they can have their babies somewhere else.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 07/02/2026 13:09 Comments || Top||

#9  I think the 14th Amendment was not intended to create the birthright situation but that is now the law. It should be amended- but won’t be. All the Administration can do is slow the damage.
Posted by: Glenmore || 07/02/2026 17:33 Comments || Top||

#10  After a quick review I'd be fine keeping the first 10 and rescinding the balance. If Congress wants to keep them they can simply pass a law - not amend the Constitution.
Posted by: Clem+Elmish4239 || 07/02/2026 18:31 Comments || Top||

#11  RE the 14th - a friend of mine posted a follow-up: Make them pay. The new 'citizens' have new obligations: Just because you live outside the US, you still pay income tax and file every year. (I did, for one year).

I'm sure there are exceptions in the law, but the point is, if they get the privileges, they also get the the obligations.

Now, enforce it.
Posted by: Bobby || 07/02/2026 18:40 Comments || Top||

#12  Including the draft, if that's re-instated? Drafting dual-citizenship Chinese might have its downsides...
Posted by: James the lesser || 07/02/2026 19:40 Comments || Top||


International-UN-NGOs
Assistant Secretary-General Ramanathan: The UN will run out of money after September
"see you in September..."

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited

[REGNUM.RU] To continue the UN's work, contributions from its members are required; otherwise, funds will only last for the next two to three months. Chandramouli Ramanathan, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Programming, Finance, and Budget, announced this at a briefing on July 1.

"We won't have any funds left after August and September. The money will simply run out.
Long past due. Starve the beast.
The UN is now waiting for contributions from its members to survive beyond September," the official noted.

Ramanathan clarified that the UN will be able to make ends meet until 2027, but this will require significant budget cuts. The Assistant Secretary-General added that the financial problems will not be resolved even if the US and China pay their dues.

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the UN was on the brink of bankruptcy due to the US and China's failure to pay their dues. US President Donald Trump suspended billions of dollars in dues, deeming these expenses unnecessary.

Commenting on the situation, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova recalled a line from the Soviet film "Office Romance" by actress Nemolayeva: "Do you remember how you ordered everything in a restaurant, and then you ran out of money?" Zakharova also noted that the total debt of member states to the UN budget is $2.6 billion, of which $2 billion is owed by the United States.

Posted by: badanov || 07/02/2026 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1829 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Maybe UN employees should get a second job?
No. Wait. That's not an answer - most UN employees in Gaza hold second job with Hamas.
Posted by: Grom the Reflective || 07/02/2026 3:07 Comments || Top||

#2  More good news! Starve, you bastards. Stop mucking up the world.
Posted by: Whiskey Mike || 07/02/2026 3:55 Comments || Top||

#3  Could this financial crunch mean the closure of the UN lobby cocktail bar ?
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/02/2026 4:19 Comments || Top||

#4 

Let it run out.
Then maybe those abusing their positions for other than UN's intended created reasons. Like constantly biting the hand (USA) that feeds them, will return to their assigned duties and roles.

Until then I support Trump withholding the $2B.
Posted by: NN2N1 || 07/02/2026 5:50 Comments || Top||

#5  Hit the Chinese up.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 07/02/2026 6:56 Comments || Top||

#6  Coming up. Trump Tower at Turtle Bay.
Posted by: EMS Artifact || 07/02/2026 10:11 Comments || Top||

#7  So Mamdani can convert the UN building to government owned, rent controlled housing.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 07/02/2026 13:11 Comments || Top||

#8  ^ Think of the de-lousing bill!
Posted by: Frank G || 07/02/2026 14:18 Comments || Top||

#9  But think of the impact the UN closing will have on Michelin 3-star restaurants in Manhattan!
Posted by: Matt || 07/02/2026 14:51 Comments || Top||


Science & Technology
Cardiologist Kondrakhin warned about the harm of swearing to heart health
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[REGNUM.RU] Moscow, July 1, 2026, 6:00 PM — Regnum News Agency. Swearing in anger triggers stress, causing vascular spasms, which can lead to circulatory problems. This was stated by cardiologist, therapist, and functional diagnostics specialist Andrei Kondrakhin in an interview with Regnum News Agency on Wednesday, July 1.
The F*** you say!
According to him, a person experiences stress not only when he hears swearing, but also when he directs swearing at other people, falling into an acute emotional state.
Shit rolls downhill...
"From a psychological standpoint, swear words are objectively helpful. A person releases negative energy through these words. On the other hand, these words themselves are stressful, meaning the person who utters them also receives negative energy in return and experiences stress, and stress affects blood vessels," Kondrakhin explained.

The doctor explained that stress causes blood vessels to spasm, disrupting circulation. This tension can lead to impaired blood supply to the organs.

"Using swear words is actually stressful for your health, because these words are spoken precisely when you're stressed, when you're unhappy. You curse, but you hear what you're saying, and to your body, it sounds the same as if someone were cursing at you. This also causes stress," Kondrakhin added.

In December 2025, psychologist Radmila Strigunova explained to Regnum News Agency that using swear words during moments of intense stress and frustration is one way to vent one's emotions. She added that in some cultures, using swear words in everyday speech is practically the norm.

Earlier, Kondrakhin warned in an interview with Regnum News Agency that loneliness also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. He explained that single people experience chronic stress. High cortisol levels are particularly detrimental to heart health.

Posted by: badanov || 07/02/2026 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1787 views] Top|| File under:

#1  There's only one way to answer that in Russian:
пошел нахуй.
Posted by: Grom the Reflective || 07/02/2026 3:02 Comments || Top||


The world's ocean surface temperature reached a record 20.98 degrees Celsius in June
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[REGNUM.RU] The average sea surface temperature in June reached a record 20.98 degrees Celsius, the European monitoring service Copernicus Marine reported on July 1.

The previous record for June was 20.89 degrees Celsius, set in 2024. This year's increase is due to the combined effects of global warming and the El Niño climate phenomenon.

"Given these ocean temperature readings and the approaching El Niño event, we are likely to see new records in the coming months," said the service's director, Carlo Buontempo.

El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that causes abnormally warm surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. It alters global weather patterns, causing droughts in some regions and floods in others, and also leads to a significant increase in global temperatures.

Earlier, Mikhail Leus, a specialist at the Phobos weather center, also warned that the upcoming El Niño could be the strongest in the last 10 years. Among the possible consequences, he cited rising global temperatures, an impact on the intensity of Atlantic hurricanes, coral bleaching, and an increased likelihood of blocking anticyclones over the European part of Russia.

Meanwhile, Tatyana Pozdnyakova, chief specialist at the Meteonovosti center, noted in an interview with Regnum News Agency that El Niño's impact on weather in Russia is usually limited. She predicted no significant changes for most of the country, only predicting increased precipitation in the southeastern Far East, including Primorsky Krai and the outer island territories.

Posted by: badanov || 07/02/2026 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1844 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Oh No! It's the highest it's ever been in 12 months!

Woo is we...
Posted by: Seeking Cure For Ignorance || 07/02/2026 0:54 Comments || Top||

#2 

Emergency!
Quick call Greta and get her ship and crew ready.

OH! Wait! it's Summer, and we are starting a periodic El Niño weather cycle. A well studied and abused for $$$$/fame weather cycle. Which occurs every few years. An affects global weather patterns as it has for eons.

All snides aside.
Yes, it is very serious and we need to get ready for it.
Even here in the Southern US we are expecting to see 105F this week.
A bit higher than the usual 99 to 102F in July.

NOTE: The highest temperature ever recorded in Georgia is 112°F, which occurred on July 24, 1952, in Louisville, GA.


BUT! Cheer-up
In a few years we'll be reading about the incoming La Niña causing the usual Cat 5+ severe hurricane cycle.

OBTW:
20.98 °C = 69.764 °F
(depending on location taken.)
Vs. typical Ocean Temps.
Posted by: NN2N1 || 07/02/2026 6:32 Comments || Top||

#3  With all that said.
We and many others around here buy the Wally World 40 count packages of 16oz water bottles. We Freeze them and then hand them out free to those working or living on the streets.

Posted by: NN2N1 || 07/02/2026 6:41 Comments || Top||

#4  1.5 billion years ago during the Archeon Eon the temps were (allegedly) 131-185F or 55-85C.
Posted by: Clem+Elmish4239 || 07/02/2026 20:38 Comments || Top||

#5  ^ Due to SUVs, no doubt!
Posted by: Frank G || 07/02/2026 21:04 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Thu 2026-07-02
  A US helicopter made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea, leaving one person missing
Wed 2026-07-01
  2 IRGC members shot dead at home in Iran, in what state media calls ‘terrorism’
Tue 2026-06-30
  Katz: Israel has 'no territorial ambitions' in Lebanon, will stay until Hezbollah disarmed; IDF struck more Hezbollah targets overnight
Mon 2026-06-29
  The US attacked Iran again
Sun 2026-06-28
  Fox News liveblog: US launches new round of strikes on Iran after fresh Strait of Hormuz attack
Sat 2026-06-27
  US military strikes Iran — in payback for ‘unwarranted’ drone attack on cargo ship
Fri 2026-06-26
  Mali: 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 48 Malian soldiers were killed in Tinzawatene
Thu 2026-06-25
  Iraqi forces carry out airstrikes targeting ISIS hideout in Anbar desert
Tue 2026-06-23
  Likely terrorist shooting in Montreal Jewish area - several dead; dead gunman’s manifesto supported incel movement
Mon 2026-06-22
  Emirati "Aram News:" Cells established by Iran's IRGC in Iraq during Operation Roaring Lion.
Sun 2026-06-21
  IDF strikes in Gaza said to kill at least 11, including Al Jazeera cameraman who was Hamas sniper
Sat 2026-06-20
  Police charge 3rd suspect in 2024 Melbourne synagogue arson allegedly directed by Iran
Fri 2026-06-19
  Child recruitment persists despite SDF-Damascus integration agreement
Thu 2026-06-18
  Colombian military neutralizes five terrorists accused in bus bombing that killed 20, injured 45 civilians


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