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Join the Malaami Project weekend

https://www.newsofthearea.com.au/join-the-malaami-project-weekend
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 09:35

THE Malaami Project will be held at the Bellingen Showgrounds over the weekend of 25 and 26 March. The Project was developed through a close collaboration between Gumbaynggirr elders and leaders and the Bellingen-based Centre for Ecological Learning. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us...

The post Join the Malaami Project weekend appeared first on News Of The Area.

Living Well Expo a huge success

https://www.newsofthearea.com.au/living-well-expo-a-huge-success
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 09:32

A THOUSAND-PLUS people attended the Living Well Expo, held at C.ex Coffs on Wednesday 8 March, with the organisers declaring the event a huge success. The driving purpose of the event, led by Blue Sky Community Services and Lifetime Connect, was to promote social inclusion and healthy living. Advertise with News of The Area today....

The post Living Well Expo a huge success appeared first on News Of The Area.

Fox is not news

https://digbysblog.net/2023/03/19/fox-is-not-news/
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 09:30
It’s part entertainment and part GOP activism. But it’s not news. Margaret Sullivan notes that they are knowingly misinforming their audience while claiming to be protected by the first amendment: As it tries to defend itself against the accusation that it knowingly spread lies about the 2020 presidential election, Fox News has touted some lofty notions about the role of journalism in a democratic society. “There will be a lot of noise and confusion generated by Dominion and their opportunistic private equity owners,” said a recent company statement, “but the core of this case remains about freedom of the press and freedom of speech, which are fundamental rights afforded by the Constitution and protected by New York Times v Sullivan.” The background, of course, is that Dominion Voting Systems is seeking $1.6bn in damages from the media giant, arguing that Fox News spread damaging falsehoods purporting that the voting machine company rigged the election to defeat Donald Trump.

Coffs counts down to local celebrations for centenary of Legacy

https://www.newsofthearea.com.au/coffs-counts-down-to-local-celebrations-for-ce…
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 09:28

WEDNESDAY 22 March marks the 100-day countdown to the arrival in Coffs Harbour of The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health. Travelling for six months on a journey that started in Pozieres, France in the lead-up to ANZAC Day in 2023, the Torch Relay is the flagship event marking 100 years of...

The post Coffs counts down to local celebrations for centenary of Legacy appeared first on News Of The Area.

Sandpit

https://johnquiggin.com/2023/03/20/sandpit-199/
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 09:01
A new sandpit for long side discussions, conspiracy theories, idees fixes and so on. To be clear, the sandpit is for regular commenters to pursue points that distract from regular discussion, including conspiracy-theoretic takes on the issues at hand. It’s not meant as a forum for visiting conspiracy theorists, or trolls posing as such.

Monday Message Board

https://johnquiggin.com/2023/03/20/monday-message-board-592/
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 09:00
Another Message Board Post comments on any topic. Civil discussion and no coarse language please. Side discussions and idees fixes to the sandpits, please. I’ve moved my irregular email news from Mailchimp to Substack. You can read it here. You can also follow me on Mastodon here I’m also trying out Substack as a blogging […]

On Missing Dr. Strangelove

https://tomdispatch.com/on-missing-dr-strangelove/
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 08:54

Bosley Crowther, chief film critic for the New York Times, didn’t quite know what to make of Dr. Strangelove at the time of its release in January 1964. Stanley Kubrick’s dark antiwar satire was “beyond any question the most shattering sick joke I’ve ever come across,” he wrote. But if the film had its hilarious moments, Crowther found its overall effect distinctly unnerving. What exactly was Kubrick’s point? “When virtually everybody turns up stupid or insane — or, what is worse, psychopathic — I want to know what this picture proves.” We may find it odd for an influential critic to expect a movie to “prove” anything. Kubrick’s aim was manifestly not to prove, but to subvert and discomfit. With feature-length hyperbole... Read more

You love to see it

https://digbysblog.net/2023/03/19/you-love-to-see-it-2/
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 08:00
Huckleberry hoist by his own petard He created this monster and now it’s trying to destroy him. I guess Lindsey is banking on the idea that Republicans are so racist that they’ll rally behind moves to go to war with China. And he may be right. But he’s on the wrong side of the argument when it comes to Russia and Ukraine. They support Vladimir Putin, an anti-gay, authoritarian, white nationalist and they don’t give a damn about Ukrainian children. They don’t give a damn about any American children who aren’t the spawn of right wing bigots. And Lindsey, they don’t really care about family values. They’re Trump voters. Think about it.

The GOP House is investigating Hunter Biden’s activities from 8 years ago

https://digbysblog.net/2023/03/19/the-gop-house-is-investigating-hunter-bidens-…
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 06:30
Meanwhile, this was happening just last year Just don’t suggest that there was collusion. That would be a witch hunt: Federal prosecutors in New York involved in the criminal investigation into Donald Trump’s social media company last year started examining whether it violated money laundering statutes in connection with the acceptance of $8m with suspected Russian ties, according to sources familiar with the matter. The company – Trump Media, which owns Trump’s Truth Social platform – initially came under criminal investigation over its preparations for a potential merger with a blank check company called Digital World (DWAC) that was also the subject of an earlier investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Towards the end of last year, federal prosecutors started examining two loans totaling $8m wired to Trump Media, through the Caribbean, from two obscure entities that both appear to be controlled in part by the relation of an ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, the sources said.

Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – March 19, 2023

https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/niyBMplQItAVCUiI0V6vkjHgrmwRGUK6
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 05:18
Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – March 19, 2023

Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – March 19, 2023

by Tony Wikrent

 

Global power shift

China Leads A Successful Middle East Summit

Ian Welsh, March 16, 2023

Something which has slipped past most people’s radar is that China recently acted as the intermediary for peace talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The two countries have been at each other’s throats for decades, funding and running operations and proxies against each other….

Two decades on, history should condemn the real ‘butchers of Baghdad’

https://johnmenadue.com/two-decades-on-history-should-condemn-the-real-butchers…
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 04:57
The warmongers in the Anglophone countries of Britain, the USA and Australia today cause great concern with their AUKUS treaty and the not very subtle stirring of frenzy against China. It was similar in 2003 except that Iraq was the country being demonised. In 2003 rallies against the invasion of Iraq were held around Australia. Continue reading »

To all who care about humanity’s and the planet’s future

https://johnmenadue.com/to-all-who-care-about-humanitys-and-the-planets-future-…
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 04:54
Humanity has reached a tipping point. It is time for governments, international institutions and people everywhere to take stock and act with renewed urgency. RESTORE HOPE: AN APPEAL to all who care about Humanity’s and the Planet‘s future Much depends on how well we support this appeal. Professor Richard Falk, Dr Chandra Muzaffar and I Continue reading »

Diplomacy in Beijing, war pact in San Diego – who’s the belligerent?

https://johnmenadue.com/diplomacy-in-beijing-war-pact-in-san-diego-whos-the-bel…
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 04:51
Under the Aukus military accord, Australia and Britain are committing serious self-harm to defend the American empire in the Indo-Pacific. The symbolism and timing could not be more striking. After Beijing brokered a deal to help Iran and Saudi Arabia resume diplomatic relations, Washington hosted the leaders of Britain and Australia at the Point Loma Continue reading »

Lightwork

https://www.davidrevoy.com/article956/lightwork
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 04:37

A speedpainting inspired by Devin Townsend's 2022 music album. I'll go to his concert tomorrow in Toulouse! Lightwork Tour. I listen to his music since 2000. I can't wait!

Update after the concert:

🤩🤩🤩 The concert was G R E A T!

He really played a lot of song from my youth around the Infinity period: Bad Devil, Truth... or from the start of 2000s, like The Fluke, Deadhead, Kingdom, it was so cool!

China and Russia capitals connected on New Silk Road for first time — Chengfan Zhao

http://mikenormaneconomics.blogspot.com/2023/03/china-and-russia-capitals-conne…
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 04:13
A total of 55 40-foot containers were loaded on the new China-Europe train. The route chosen is to exit China at the Manzhouli border crossing to enter Russia, and then go west all the way to Moscow. The goods transported are auto parts, building materials, home appliances, fabrics, clothing, home furnishing, etc. The entire route of this operation is about 9,000 kilometers, and the estimated transit time is about 18 days.
Linking Moscow and Beijing is of symbolic value, but the symbolism says a lot. The big news is that Sino-Russia trade is increasing and it is not just energy that formerly went to Europe heading East. China as "the factory of the world" is now supplying Russia directly with its output, further eroding the effect of sanctions. And the trade is being settled in RIB and CYN. Time to keep an eye on the CYN/RUB rate?

Rail Freight
China and Russia capitals connected on New Silk Road for first time
Chengfan Zhao
h/t Naked Capitalism

Taiwan Separatists Lose Key Ally, Honduras Recognizes China—Just 12 Small Countries Remain

https://scheerpost.com/2023/03/19/taiwan-separatists-lose-key-ally-honduras-rec…
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 03:48

Honduras’ leftist President Xiomara Castro announced her government will recognize China. Now only 12 UN member states have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan separatists. They have a combined population of less than 39 million, or 0.49% of the planet.

The post Taiwan Separatists Lose Key Ally, Honduras Recognizes China—Just 12 Small Countries Remain appeared first on scheerpost.com.

Trump and his Mini Me

https://digbysblog.net/2023/03/19/trump-and-his-mini-me-2/
Created
Mon, 20/03/2023 - 03:30
Again, I have to ask, if the GOP base wants someone who owns the libs, nobody does it better than Donald Trump. And if they want more moderate policies, Ron DeSantis certainly isn’t offering any. So what’s DeSantis doing by trying to out Trump Trump? Politico: Gov. Ron DeSantis is often called “Trump 2.0” for his embrace of conservative policies and his take-no-prisoners style of politics. And ahead of the 2024 presidential election — as both Florida men vie to lead the party and ultimately the nation — they have openly feuded over Covid-19 and vaccines and whether DeSantis is truly loyal to the former president, whose 2018 endorsement helped the Florida governor win election. But the men are also very similar in their approach to issues like critical race theory, China and especially their criticism of Democrats and President Joe Biden. How similar? POLITICO collected some of Trump’s and DeSantis’ quotes. See if you can tell who said it. 1.(On fellow Republicans) “Some of these Republicans, they just sit back like potted plants, and they let the media define the terms of the debate.