(Natural News) Aging takes a toll on the brain, affecting memory and the ability to focus. A study published in the journal Nature Human Behavior found that older people find it difficult to focus because they have a weaker locus coeruleus. This particular brain network is responsible for controlling the ability to focus while under stress or emotional arousal, but it weakens as people age.

In the study, researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) in the U.S., Takachiho University in Japan, and University of Reading in the U.K. used brain scans and the rate of pupil dilation in 28 younger adults and 24 older adults in order to monitor their physiological arousal and locus coeruleus activity.

As the brains of the participants were scanned, the research team presented pairs of pictures of a building and an object. They manipulated the photographs to make the building appear clear and highlighted while the other object was made to appear faint, or vice versa. For every pair, the participants had to identify which picture was highlighted. To induce physiological arousal, some trials began with a tone warning that they might get an electric shock at the end of the trial, while others began with a tone signaling that there would be no shock. Greater pupil dilation and sweat were seen among the participants during trials when they expected a shock.

Older adults exhibited less activity in the frontoparietal network when expecting a shock. The network did not seem to efficiently respond to the signals sent by the locus coeruleus. When anticipating a shock, they exhibited greater activity in the parahippocampal place area, which activates when a person is viewing images of places, although it did not matter whether the image was highlighted or not. As a result, they displayed more activity linked with images  highlighted or not  during emotional arousal. This meant that they were easily distracted when stressed or emotionally aroused.

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On the contrary, when anticipating a shock, younger adults had more activity in the place area when they saw the clear, highlighted image of the building. When they looked at a faint, non-highlighted image, brain activity in the place area diminished. Brain pathways that link the locus coeruleus, the place area, and the frontoparietal network remained uninterrupted. This allowed them to concentrate on more important things, even under arousal. These brain cortex regions help control focus and attention.

Trying hard to complete a task increases emotional arousal, so when younger adults try hard, this should increase their ability to ignore distracting information, explained Mara Mather of USC and senior author of the study. But for older adults, trying hard may make both what they are trying to focus on and other information stand out more.

Older adults can improve their ability to focus and concentrate with attention training, according to a study conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

In the study, the researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to record brain activity of participants aged between 65 and 75. During brain scans, participants accomplished a task that required them to search for target words or numbers while ignoring distracting sounds.

The researchers explained that the perception of information gathered by the eyes and ears change with age. In particular, older people mix information from the different senses more readily than younger people. As a result, they find it harder to block out distractions from what they see and hear while trying to focus on important information.

The scans showed brain activity in areas related to sight and sound. Follow-up brain scans revealed that those who received one-on-one training, the activity related to sight increased, while activity related to sound decreased compared to those who participated in a group brain exercise program. Moreover, the formers performance on the task improved. (Related: Ways to naturally improve your focus and concentration.)

The researchers concluded that attention training can help improve sensory processing by reducing older adults susceptibility to distracting stimuli.

Read more news stories and studies on older people by going to Longevity.news.

This is why older people have a harder time focusing under stress


Sister Jean Kenny, once known nationally as the Super Bowl Sister for her amazing NFL championship predictions, is not placing any bets these days.

Not when it comes to how long it will take the Catholic Church to return trust and transparency to its flock due to this weeks pedophile priest disclosures by a Pennsylvania grand jury  revelations dubbed a moral catastrophe.

Kenny, a Chicago native who was once a national TV regular due to her sports acumen, and now a semi-retired educator living in Indianapolis, tells Sneed:

Pennsylvania is the tip of the iceberg! So many coverups! We are beyond the embarrassed stage. Catholics are rightfully enraged.

The pray, pay and obey days are over. Father doesnt know best. We now have a very educated Catholic laity and the church leadership has been exposed.

We need justice for the victims and serious consequences from Rome for the enablers who permitted this crime to continue.

Thank goodness we now have the right Pope in Francis. Catholics want actions from the USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) and not more wordy charters!

Sneed is told Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas usually counts 450,000 hits a month on her website, especially when property taxes are due.

So why did visits to her website spike at nearly 750,000 in July, an all-time high?

Well, for lack of a more boring description, Pappas has become the bag lady!

 Backshot: Sneed tipped earlier this year Pappas had begun to pass out bags emblazoned with her name during election season.

 Upshot: Sneed now hears Pappas has passed out nearly 200,000 bags, which she stuffs with info not only urging homeowners to use the cookcountytreasurer.com to pay their taxes but to use it to search for $94 million in overpayments going back 20 years.

 Bank shot: Shes also alerting senior citizens they may be missing property tax exemptions worth $43 million going back four years.

People like bags, especially if they can go to a computer to see if they might get something more than a Pappas bag, said the crafty Pappas.

Its no secret Tesla, the electric car making company, is now dealing with turmoil stirred up by the bizarre behavior of Elon Musk, chairman and CEO of the company.

But Tesla has serious Chicago connections who now must deal with the firms mess: Board directors Linda Johnson Rice, who is not unfamiliar with turmoil in her own family businesses, and Antonio Gracias, who heads the Valor private equity firm.

Veteran TV newsman Peter Nolan has just written his second broadcast memoir. Titled News Stories, it chronicles Nolans many years in journalism in the latter half of the 20th century and includes a vignette on how Geraldo (gag me) Rivera scooped him.

Be still my tongue.

This & that from hither and yon.

Heres a few tips on tasty treats if you are planning dinner with Gov. Bruce Rauner and wife, Diana, anytime soon:

 To wit: Rauners State Fair purchase of honey and Brie cheese is a fav of the states first lady. And although the govs favorite food group is ice cream and he chose Grand Champion vanilla on the Fairgrounds this past week ... his fav flavor is chocolate chip.

Now arent you glad you read Sneed?

I spy: Rapper superstar Drake spotted sneaking in the back entrance of RPM Italian Thursday night with 13 friends. Hes in Chicago for his Aubrey & the Three Migos Tour. ... Across town, Brit singer Sam Smith dined on Abas patio while sipping on wine with friends following his United Center performance Thursday. ... Saturdays birthdays: Christian Slater, 49; Maia Mitchell, 25; and Mika, 35. ... Sundays birthdays: John Stamos, 55; Bill Clinton, 72; and Matthew Perry, 49.

No predictions from Super Bowl Sister just a plea for justice for the victims


Since the 2018 midterm election results have rolling in, Mr. Trumps mental stability is really being questioned at this point. Even his own officials are steering clear of him at the White House, especially since his trip to Paris last weekend where the whole world watched him make a complete idiot of himself.

On Friday, Trump went on Twitter  one of the few things he is still doing these days  and made a whiny attempt to make Republicans look good while continuing to discredit the media, claiming that at least the GOP is on track to pick up two Senate seats. He tweeted:

People are not being told that the Republican Party is on track to pick up two seats in the U.S. Senate, and epic victory: 53 to 47. The Fake News Media only wants to speak of the House, where the Midterm results were better than other sitting Presidents.

The president has sounded more and more like a petulant child this past week, and his continued efforts to Republicans and himself look good are only causing him to look worse. In addition to his anger about Democrats taking control of the House, Trump has turned his attention to Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation as he knows there is not much room to wiggle now.

Trump issued a tweet about Bob Mueller and his gang of Democrat thugs...destroy(ing) people. Winter is coming for Mr. Trump and its going to be a brutal one. Back in August, Vice President Mike Pence even voiced that Mr. Trump would be impeached if the Democrats take the House.

Twitter was quick to call Trump out on his stupidity:

Trump Tries To Brag About GOP Winning Senate On Twitter Gets Mocked Hard


WASHINGTON  Congress is starting to consider almost $1.7 billion in new money to aid recovery efforts from Florence.

Lawmakers already are facing a deadline this week to fund the government before the start of the new budget year Oct. 1, and members of Congress will try to act on the disaster relief along with separate legislation to fund the government.

The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee says the money would be available as grants to states to help rebuild housing and public works, and assist businesses as they recover from the storm.

GOP Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey says its a first round and that lawmakers are ready to act quickly if the federal disaster relief agency also needs more money.

Congress considers nearly 17B Florence relief package ahead of budget deadline


A pregnant woman was among six people who survived a lift plunging 84 floors
after its cables snapped.

The group, including two law students and two Mexican tourists, entered the
lift on the 95th floor of the former John Hancock Centre, one of Chicago's
tallest skyscrapers, in the early hours of Friday.

They had left the Signature Room restaurant and entered the express lift to
take them straight to the bottom of the building when it plummeted.

Mexican tourist Jaime Montemayor, who was in the lift, told CBS Chicago: "At
the beginning I believed we were going to die.

"We were going down and then I felt that we were falling down and then I heard
a noise-clack clack clack clack clack clack."

Friends who had come down in another lift quickly realised something was wrong
when the group did not appear after 20 minutes.

It took firefighters two hours to get to the group, who were in between the
12th and 11th floors, as there were few openings because it was an express
lift.

The firefighters broke through a concrete wall on the 11th floor's garage area
where the lift was dangling after two cables snapped.

Rescuers managed to prise the lift doors open and pull the group out.

Incredibly none of the group required hospital treatment.

Chicago fire department battalion chief Patrick Maloney, said: "It was a
pretty precarious situation, where we had the cables that were broke on top of
the elevator.

"We couldn't do an elevator-to-elevator rescue.

"We had to breach a wall on the 11th floor of the parking garage in order to
open up the elevator doors."

Lift plunges 84 floors as six people inside escape unhurt


(Natural News) The idea of nutrient loss is a common but troublesome problem that plagues all kinds of soils. Efforts have been made by a number of institutions to combat this issue, to varying degrees of success. Yet, as a team of researchers has demonstrated, the answer could very well lie in a tool widely used by poultry farmers: broiler litter.

For their study, the researchers followed an undisturbed soil column model using two types of soil. The first type was agricultural soil that had Bermuda grass planted onto it in 2014. The second type was reclaimed coal mine soil that had Bermuda grass as well but planted in 2016. As for the broiler litter, fresh and composted broiler litter were utilized. Some of the broiler litter had been amended with flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, a synthetic product derived from electrical power plant FGD systems.

The researchers began by applying fresh and composted broiler littler onto their soil columns. These columns underwent weekly leaching with 500 mL deionized water, to which they gradually added at 100 mL increments. Afterward, they extracted and measured the samples of leachate or the fluid that has passed through matter and absorbed some of its constituents. (Related: If you grow food in cinder blocks, you may be poisoning yourself with heavy metals)

All of the columns had received roughly the same amounts of nitrate from the fresh and composted broiler litter. However, the leachate from composted broiler litter-treated soil was found to have fewer nitrate leaching losses. The researchers calculated a loss of 6.61 kilograms per hectare (kg ha1) against 9.4 kg ha1 from fresh broiler littler-treated soil. Computing the carbon and phosphorus yielded remarkably similar results. Carbon loss was 5.6 against 11.7 kg ha1; phosphorus loss was 5.6 against 6.8 kg ha1. Based on these findings, the researchers stated that composted litter had great potential to decrease soil nutrient loss.

Furthermore, the researchers noted that the addition of FGD gypsum to fresh broiler litter was highly beneficial. Doing this curbed the losses of phosphorus, copper, and zinc by as much as 67, 73, and 84 percent, respectively. These reductions were constant in other leaching events.

Based on the results of their experiment, the researchers stated that composted broiler litter was a suitable management practice for agricultural and reclaimed coal mine soil alike. Compared to fresh broiler littler and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash (NPK) fertilizer, composted broiler litter was far better at creating a sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Also known as poultry litter, broiler litter is a byproduct of intensive poultry production. Its components tend to differ from region to region, but in most cases, broiler litter is usually made up of poultry excrement, bedding materials, feathers, and spilled feed.

This unique mixture tends to give broiler litter a broad spectrum of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and minerals. But the exact chemical and physical attributes of these compounds will depend largely on the diets of the birds, their species, and the bedding retention times. In general, however, broiler littler mainly contains nitrogen and phosphorus.

Broiler litter has numerous applications. One of the most widespread is in waste management since it calls for the recycling of poultry excrement. Other uses include acting as both a fertilizer and soil conditioner and as a fuel source for power plants.

Despite its usefulness, boiler litter can pose some issues. For some poultry-producing regions in Australia, using it has been expensive due to the rising cost of litter transportation and the strict restrictions regarding land availability.

Visit Harvest.news to read up on more news and studies concerning agriculture.

Organic fertilizer alternatives Composted chicken litter promotes sustainable agro-ecosystems with


To honour Armistice Day this year, a number of prominent artists have created a song and video put together from the letters of fallen soldiers, which will raise money for the Cancer Awareness trust.

Cillian Murphy, Ronnie Wood, Brian Eno, Sinead O'Connor, Imelda May and Nick Mason all teamed up for "One More Yard" by the Evamore project, which sees Murphy, the acclaimed actor from films including Dunkirk, reading spoken word poetry over beautiful, haunting instrumentation by Eno.

The track then moves into the song itself, which features O'Connor on lead vocals, Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood on guitars, and Nick Mason on drums.

Lyrics on "One More Yard" were inspired by letters written by Lieutenant Michael Thomas Wall, of the Royal Irish Regiment, to his mother in Dublin. The term "one more yard" was used frequently by soldiers in their letters and diaries, in a reference to the trek across no man's land.

Nick Mason describes it as a project that "allows people such as myself to pay tribute to the young men of 100 years ago who fought for our freedom but also to do something to help young people facing cancer today".

Ronnie Wood tells The Independent: "As someone who has had to deal with cancer, I am delighted to be part of this new awareness initiative  it's a great idea backed by some brilliant scientific people. I love the track 'One More Yard'  a sad true story set to a haunting melody. It was a pleasure playing on it. I hope everyone gets behind this charity, and there will be more to come."

"This project is something I'm glad to be a part of," Imeda May says. "I was called by producer John Reynolds and instantly knew it was something I had to be involved with. There is a strong connection for me, not just because I;m Irish like the soldier who wrote the letters that inspired the song, but also because of the importance of remembrance and tribute to those lost in WWI.

"Most importantly I feel using this opportunity to raise money for those affected by cancer through the Cancer Awareness trust. I'm immensely proud to say I contributed to this unique artistic and charitable endeavour."

The Evamore project was founded by Professor Sir Chris Evans, while he was conducting research on creating a new cancer awareness charity. He was struck by the similarities between the emotional struggle of young people confronted with cancer, and the fighting spirit and written expressions of the young soldiers in the trenches of the First World War.

"It was incredibly moving to see how the words of soldiers 100 years ago were so similar to those of young people suffering from cancer today," he says. "We can only now honour the sacrifice of those a century ago but there is so much to be done to help those who are locked into the greatest struggle of their lives as they confront cancer. We are very privileged that some of the greatest names in rock music and wonderful actors have chosen to get involved in our project."

The Evamore EP is out now  proceeds for the project will go to a new Cancer Awareness Trust which will provide expert clinical advice and guidance to cancer sufferers around the world.

Remembrance Day Music video with Sinead OaposConnor Ronnie Wood and Cillian Murphy pays tribute


Last week Creepy Porn Lawyer Michael Avenatti pararded out accuser Julie Swetnick who accused Judge Brett Kavanaugh of serial gang rape.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released a statement last night against Swetnick that was blatantly honest.

One Defamation Suit Filed Against Her Involving Sexual Harassment Allegations In Oregon

One Restraining Order Filed Against Her By Her Ex-Boyfriend In Florida

One Sexual Harassment Lawsuit, Where She Was Represented By Debra Katzs Law Firm

Two Tax Liens Filed Against Her, Totaling Over $100,000

Three More Court Cases In Maryland That She Was A Party To

Swetnick Was Sued For Defamation By An Oregon Company And A Woman For Unwelcome, Sexually Offensive Conduct And For Ma[king] False And Retaliatory Allegations Julie Swetnick, one of the women accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, faced allegations of her own misconduct during a short stint at a Portland tech company 18 years ago. (Julie Swetnick, A Brett Kavanaugh Accuser, Faced Misconduct Allegations At Portland Company, The Oregonian, 9/29/2018) Swetnick was sued for defamation in 2000 by Webtrends Corporation in Oregon and a woman named Margie Huetter who appears to have been their HR Director. (Webtrends Corporation vs. Julie Swetnick, Oregon Judicial Department, Case Number 001112165, 11/27/2000) The suit also alleges Swetnick engaged in unwelcome, sexually offensive conduct while at Webtrends and made false and retaliatory allegations that other co-workers had engaged in inappropriate conduct toward her.  The suit alleges Swetnick engaged in unwelcome sexual innuendo and inappropriate conduct directed at two male employees during a business lunch, with Webtrends customers present. Swetnick claimed two other employees had sexually harassed her, according to the suit.  Webtrends suit said it determined Swetnick had engaged in misconduct but could not find evidence to support her allegations against her colleagues. Later, the company alleged, Swetnick took medical leave and simultaneously claimed unemployment benefits in the District of Columbia.  (Julie Swetnick, A Brett Kavanaugh Accuser, Faced Misconduct Allegations At Portland Company, The Oregonian, 9/29/2018) Company officials later determined, the suit said, that Swetnick had provided false information on her employment application. The suit alleged that she had misrepresented the length of time she worked at a previous employer and falsely claimed that shed earned an undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry from Johns Hopkins University. (3rd Kavanaugh Accuser Has History Of Legal Disputes, The Associated Press, 9/30/2018) In the suit, Webtrends alleged Swetnick claimed to have graduated from Johns Hopkins University but the company said it subsequently learned the school had no record of her attendance. Webtrends said she also falsely described her work experience at a prior employer. (Julie Swetnick, A Brett Kavanaugh Accuser, Faced Misconduct Allegations At Portland Company, The Oregonian, 9/29/2018)

Swetnicks Ex-Boyfriend Filed A Restraining Order Against Her: Shes Not Credible At All. Not At All Swetnicks Ex-Boyfriend: I Have A Lot Of Facts, Evidence, That What Shes Saying Is Not True At All Julie Swetnick ... had a restraining order filed against her years later in Miami by her former boyfriend. A Miami-Dade County court docket shows a petition for injunction against Swetnick was filed March 1, 2001, by her former boyfriend, Richard Vinneccy, who told POLITICO Wednesday the two had dated for four years before they broke up. (Ex-boyfriend Filed Restraining Order Against Third Kavanaugh Accuser, Politico, 9/26/2018) According to Vinneccy, Swetnick threatened him after they broke up and even after he got married to his current wife and had a child. Right after I broke up with her, she was threatening my family, threatening my wife and threatening to do harm to my baby at that time, Vinneccy said in a telephone interview with POLITICO. I know a lot about her. Shes not credible at all, he said. Not at all. (Ex-boyfriend Filed Restraining Order Against Third Kavanaugh Accuser, Politico, 9/26/2018) Vinneccy, 63, is a registered Democrat, according to Miami-Dade County voting records. (Ex-boyfriend Filed Restraining Order Against Third Kavanaugh Accuser, Politico, 9/26/2018) Vinneccy made clear that he did not believe her story. I have a lot of facts, evidence, that what shes saying is not true at all, he said. I would rather speak to my attorney first before saying more. (Ex-boyfriend Filed Restraining Order Against Third Kavanaugh Accuser, Politico, 9/26/2018)

Swetnick Filed A Personal Injury Lawsuit In Maryland Against The Washington Metro (WMATA) Claiming She Lost More Than $420,000 In Earnings After She Hurt Her Nose In A Fall On A Train In 1992. Swetnick was on the other side of a civil case in 1994, as a plaintiff, when she filed a personal injury lawsuit in Maryland against the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. She claimed she lost more than $420,000 in earnings after she hurt her nose in a fall on a train in 1992. Swetnick, who described herself in court records as a model and actor, claimed she had numerous modeling commitments with several companies at the time of the accident but missed out them because of her injuries. (3rd Kavanaugh Accuser Has History Of Legal Disputes, The Associated Press, 9/30/2018) To support her claim for lost wages, Swetnick named Konam Studios as one of the companies promising to employ her. A court filing identified Nam Ko, a representative of Kunam Studios, as a possible plaintiffs witness for her case.  Ko, however, told AP on Friday that he was just a friend of Swetnicks and that he had never owned a company with a name spelled either way and had never agreed to pay her money for any work before she injured her nose. He said he first met Swetnick at a bar more than a year after her alleged accident. (3rd Kavanaugh Accuser Has History Of Legal Disputes, The Associated Press, 9/30/2018) I didnt have any money back then. I (was) broke as can be, Ko said.  Ko said he has a hazy memory of Swetnick asking to use him as a character reference but doesnt recall hearing about her lawsuit. I thought it was for a job application, he said. (3rd Kavanaugh Accuser Has History Of Legal Disputes, The Associated Press, 9/30/2018)

Swetnick Filed A Sexual-Harassment Complaint A Decade Ago In Which She Was Represented By Debra Katzs Law Firm Roughly a decade ago, Ms. Swetnick was involved in a dispute with her former employer, New York Life Insurance Co., over a sexual-harassment complaint she filed, according to people familiar with the matter. Representing her in the complaint was the firm run by Debra Katz, the lawyer currently representing Dr. Ford. (Third Woman, Julie Swetnick, Makes Allegations Against Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh, The Wall Street Journal, 9/26/2018) The company ultimately reached a financial settlement with Ms. Swetnick, the people said. A spokesman for New York Life confirmed that Ms. Swetnick worked there as an agent for less than two years, from 2006 to 2008. (Third Woman, Julie Swetnick, Makes Allegations Against Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh, The Wall Street Journal, 9/26/2018)

Brutal Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Releases Shocking Statement on Kavanaugh Accuser and Liar Ju


MOSCOW, August 27. /TASS/. FINOPOLIS 2018 Fintech Start-ups Contest concluded
accepting participation applications. More than 100 teams from more than 10
regions of Russia submitted applications. The main focus of start-ups is
biometric data processing, services for creating marketplaces, AI-based
digital profile creation, scoring solutions and others.

After moderation, the contest committee will consider the applications
received and select 10 teams that will participate in the finals of the
contest at FINOPOLIS 2018 in Sochi. The finalists will be announced in early
September.

The finals will take place on 18 October, the first day of FINOPOLIS 2018 in
Sochi. Participants will present their projects in the format of a seven-
minute pitching session, will tell about the projects concept, issues it
addresses and the proposed solution, and also present the business model of
the project and its team. Summarizing the results of the pitch sessions, the
panel of judges will choose three winners, who will receive grants of 1 to 3
million roubles for business development. The awards ceremony will take place
on the final day of the Forum, 19 October.

Also, during the days of FINOPOLIS 2018 the contest participants will have a
designated area at the FinTech Start-ups Alley for meetings with potential
customers. Start-ups representatives will have an opportunity to attend the
plenary and section meetings of the Forum.

The Bank of Russia with the support of the Roscongress Foundation is the
organizer of FINOPOLIS 2018.

**The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial
development** **institution and a major organizer of international
conventions, exhibition and public events.**

_The Roscongress Foundation was founded in 2007 with the aim of facilitating
the development of Russias economic potential and strengthening the countrys
image by organizing international __ conventions, exhibitions, and public
events._ _The Foundation develops substantive content for such events,
providing companies and organizations with advice, information, and expert
guidance, and offering comprehensive evaluation, analysis, and coverage of the
Russian and global economic agendas._ _It offers administrative services and
promotional support for business projects and helps to attract investment,
including in the form of public-private partnerships._

_Today, its annual programme includes events held from Montevideo to
Vladivostok, offering an opportunity to bring together global business
leaders, experts, the media, and government officials in one place, creating
favourable conditions for dialogue and the promotion of new ideas and
projects, and assisting in the creation of social enterprise and charity
projects._

www.roscongress.org

FINOPOLIS 2018 Start-ups Contest Finished Accepting Applications


(Natural News) In a Sunday post at Axios, co-founder Jim VandeHei implored his fellow Left-wing journalists to stop using Twitter because they demonstrate their liberal bias every day.

News organizations should ban their reporters from doing anything on social media  especially Twitter  beyond sharing stories. Snark, jokes and blatant opinion are showing your hand, and it always seems to be the left one. This makes it impossible to win back the skeptics, he wrote.

Well, its not likely that his colleagues would show anything but their Left-wing bias because thats who and what they are. And Twitter enables them by refusing to censor or ban any of them, no matter how repulsive their tweets.

Because thats what Twitter is.

As noted by The Daily Wire, Twitter recently banned some conservatives who called Bradley (Chelsea) Manning a traitor for leaking classified information (hint: he is), but if a noted Left-wing leader of the Nation of Islam  Louis Farrakhan  calls Jews termites, nothing happens.

Joe Bernstein, a reporter for Left-leaning Buzzfeed News, couldnt allow that slur  and Twitters obvious ethnic bias  to go unchallenged.

Just in from a @Twitter spokesperson: Louis Farrakhans tweet comparing Jews to termites is not in violation of the companys policies. The policy on dehumanizing language has not yet been implemented. So if you want to compare Jews to rats/insects  get it in while you can! he tweeted.

Okay, so Twitter did take some action: Farrakhans blue verification checkmark has been removed, but only after he tweeted, Thoroughly and completely unmasking the Satanic Jew and the Synagogue of Satan. The comparison to an insect, however, was still just fine with Twitters obviously biased content managers, even though the social media platforms rules state that no dehumanizing speech would be allowed.

Right. (Related:BUSTED: Undercover media sting reveals Twitter targeting conservatives and independent media for censorship via shadow bans.)

Buzzfeed News noted further that Twitter announced only three weeks ago that non-targeted dehumanizing speech would not be tolerated on the platform and would be banned. An example of such speech is, Statements along the lines of All members of protected group X are dogs or rats or whatever.

Twitter  which already has a policy against hateful conduct and prohibits attacking people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, and serious disease  says the new policy would expand on this.

Officials with Twitter claimed that they also considered user feedback when adopting the expanded policy.

We wanted to hear from the broadest array of people that we could come up with about what they like and what they hate, said Del Harvey, Twitters vice president of trust and safety, in an interview with BuzzFeed News. Getting feedback from people will give us the opportunity to bring people along with us into the considerations that go into making this policy.

That hasnt stopped Leftist media types who are trying to provoke the platform into banning its most high-profile user  POTUS Donald Trump  while pretending he tweets racist, provocative things like infest when hes talking about illegal aliens flooding into the country.

Meanwhile, the platform continues to ban conservatives. It banned Infowars and Alex Jones over what its content Nazis deemed a provocation in violation of abusive behavior rules.

Also, the platform banned GayPatriot, a popular account run by Bruce Carroll, last week even though he wasnt even given a reason other than being hateful  just that he had been banned and it would not be restored.

Twitters decision to unevenly enforce its rules has drawn a lot of criticism from tens of millions of Americans and even members of Congress, but none of it has mattered. The platform continues to treat conservatives and POTUS Trump supporters as lepers while giving racists and bigots like Farrakhan all the speech they want.

Read more about how the social media giants are biased against conservatives at Conservative.news.

Twitter wont ban Farrakhan for calling Jews termites but bans patriots for calling liberals mind


(Natural News) Alex Jones has been on a roll lately ever since his news outlet was de-platformed from social media. Hes really been driving home some powerful truths through other mediums, including the fact that Apple is basically now owned by communist China, and is being used as a tool of tech tyranny to silence American journalists.

During a recent segment of his show, available at Brighteon.com, Jones explained how the communist Chinese government recently threatened the United States, using Apple as the object of that threat in retaliation against President Donald Trumps efforts to establish new trade deals that benefit America.

While its been known for quite some time that Apple produces nearly all of its tech junk in China, most Americans probably assumed that the California-based company was still American. But according to Jones, thats no longer  and perhaps never was  the case.

Communist China openly announced ... that they would take over Apple and shut down production if Trump didnt submit to its demands to stop the trade war, Jones revealed, adding that the situation represents an internal embargo by a so-called U.S. company thats now Chinese state-run.

People say, well why did you even launch and app on iTunes and Android if theyre going to censor you? Because thats where the commerce is. Thats where the ideas are. Thats the open marketplace of ideas, Jones added.

Its no secret that Apple has long taken advantage of cheap Chinese slave labor to produce overpriced iPhones, MacBooks, and other top-dollar Apple gear. But what wasnt fully revealed at the time was that Apple has been working in lockstep with the communist Chinese government to subvert American interests.

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Its a major national security issue that Apple officially announced five months ago that theyre Chinese communist-run, and theyre helping to censor and control the Chinese people, and the main iCloud keys to the entire planet are now state-run by the Chicoms, Jones warns.

The communist Chinese own our national debt, they control all six of the major movie houses in Hollywood, its been all over the news that they run Hollywood now, they control most of the major universities with their infiltration, they control Silicon Valley.

Perhaps things werent this bad when Steve Jobs was at the helm. But the late founder of Apple has since been replaced by a homosexual tech tyrant, and an apparent American traitor, who has no qualms with selling American interests down the river in exchange for profit and power.

Tim Cook, who has the most debilitated, horrible factories in the world that he subcontracts with  Foxconn, suicide nets, all of it  he is literally moving to ban us, not just off of the iTunes streams where we were in the top 10, but now our app that we just launched ... off and on they dont even list it, Jones says.

China runs Apple ... the Chinese government is silencing American members of the press, he adds.

What this all illustrates is that President Trump really knows how to draw the rats out of the woodwork. By holding China accountable for abusing trade with the U.S. prior to this presidency, we now have this revelation that Apple is just another soulless, communist-sympathizing, greed-driven multinational corporation pushing the globalist agenda.

For more news about tech tyrants like Tim Cook and his Apple empire, be sure to check out Technocrats.news.

You can also keep up with the latest concerning Big Techs censorship of conservative voices in the run-up to the midterms by visiting Censorship.news.

Apple has officially come out of the closet as a communist Chinese-run tool of tech tyranny Watch


UK officials have pledged to meet a new goal to raise broadband speeds. By the year 2033, they promise to bring fiber broadband to every home in the UK. At the halfway point in 2025, fiber, which is faster than copper, will be available in 15 million households, the government claims.

Fiber connections are more consistent, faster, and more affordable than copper connections, but its also ineffective to have a hybrid mix of both fiber and copper. In order to attempt to accomplish this lofty goal, the government is ordering that new homes be built with fiber connections, and its also investing 3 billion to 5 billion to assist companies to bring fiber to rural parts.

If the government did nothing, it would take over 20 years for fiber connections to reach at most 75 percent of the UK

These goals, if achieved, would help bring the UK up to speed, compared to the other European countries it trails behind. Only 4 percent of the UK currently uses fiber, according to the press release, while Portugal and Spain lead the charge at 89 and 71 percent, respectively. The percentage is even greater in certain Asian countries: South Korea is at 99 percent and Japan is at 97 percent. A recent government study found that without more investment on a policy level, fiber connections in the UK would only be available for 75 percent of the population at most, and it would take over 20 years to achieve this.

Still, the UKs downward spiral toward being the developed country with the slowest internet speeds has gone on for a while, and the government has made similar promises before  and failed to keep them. Back in 2012, it pledged that the UK would have the fastest broadband in Europe by 2015, a promise that was clearly not fulfilled. This year in the global rankings, the UK came in 35th place for speeds, trailing behind the US and over a dozen other European countries.

The UK wants to bring fiber broadband to every home by 2033


Newly released emails show Gen. Jonathan Vance tried to arrange a discreet meeting with suspended Vice-Admiral Mark Norman to take stock and discuss the future just weeks before Norman was charged by the RCMP.

But while Norman was initially open to the idea of sitting down with the chief of the defence staff in February, the meeting did not happen and subsequent emails suggest it was Norman who called it off.

The correspondence between the militarys top two officers was obtained through access-to-information legislation and comes amid expectations that Norman will be shuffled out of his position as the militarys second-in-command.

Several other senior officers have served as the acting vice-chief of defence in Normans absence, but there have been concerns inside and outside the Forces about that arrangement.

In March, the RCMP charged Norman with one count of breach of trust for allegedly leaking cabinet secrets to a Quebec shipyard.

His case is working its way through the court system; Norman has denied any wrongdoing and plans to fight the charge.

Defence chief wanted discreet meeting with suspended vice admiral


The owner of a fish and chip shop called The Battered Wife has defended the name of her business after facing a ferocious backlash.

Carolyn Kerr said she was a former police officer and a domestic violence survivor herself.

The owner of the shop, which is in far north Queensland in Australia, posted a photo of herself with a black eye and said she had recently stepped in to protect a woman in a bad situation.

Domestic violence is not a joke, she wrote.

A slew of Facebook posts have branded the chippys name disgusting  saying it trivialises domestic violence.

Australian group the Womens Electoral Lobby (WEL) said the name of the shop in Wangan, on the outskirts of Innisfail, was not clever or funny.

This indicates the scope of things that need to change in Australia for us to really see societal and cultural change and a reduction in violence against women and children, the group said on Facebook.

The owner defends her choice of the name, and claims to have received a black eye from stepping in to defend a woman in danger, they later added. To be honest though, its probably time for her to just change the name and move on. WEL does not condone threats made to the owner or employees of the store. We support constructive change-making.

But speaking to the ABC, Ms Kerr said: Ive been around domestic violence  I was a copper way back when, and after that domestic violence liaison through courts, and then I found myself in a situation where I was in that as well and I just thought you know, its my little stand to try to make awareness.

The chippy owner said she had felt trapped in an abusive relationship.

Yeah, not as bad as a lot of people, but define the degree and define bad. At the end of the day, I found myself with my brain telling me what the devil are you doing, get out, why are you here? and the hearts going but I love him, hell change, and it just really mucks with your psyche.

Im certainly not a victim anymore and I look at what Ive built and Im so proud of myself for building what I have. And if I can make a difference and if people are listening to this  stop slapping your missus, stop belting your husband if thats the case. Look at your kids and work out what is best.

All these knockers in the last 24 hours saying that Im promoting domestic violence, its quite the opposite ... I batter fish, Im married to my business and I want to make a difference.

Yvette DAth, an Australian politician who is the attorney general of Queensland, said she was appalled by the shops name.

That business is completely out of step with what [the] communitys expectations are, she said.

Deb Frecklington, the leader of the Liberal National Party of Queensland, said the name was wholly inappropriate.

It is completely unacceptable in our community that we have anything that goes towards an encouragement of violence towards women, Ms Frecklington said.

Nick Dametto, a Katter Australian Party MP, said the name was clever marketing.

Has it got bad taste? Maybe. But has it got some media attention? Absolutely, he said. Right now, everyones either going to be looking at this store or walking in to check how good these fish and chips are.

aposThe Battered Wifeapos fish shop owner defends business name after being accused of trivialis


Great being at the @SenateGOP policy lunch today. Judge Brett Kavanaugh deserves the support of every member of the United States Senate. As I said last week, Democrats in the Senate have gone from "advice and consent" to "resist and obstruct"... https://t.co/qjcOUUH0Ve

...Justice Antonin Scalia was confirmed 98-0 and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg received support of 96 Senators. If we lived in a more respectful time, Judge Brett Kavanaugh would be overwhelmingly confirmed by the United States Senate. #ConfirmKavanaugh

The Veeps comments did not go over well. Many Twitter users reminded him of how Republicans denied a Supreme Court seat to Merrick Garland, former President Barack Obamas nominee. They also highlighted the lack of respect President Donald Trump shows to his rivals on an almost daily basis:

Mike Pences Wistful Tweet About A More Respectful Time Does Not Go Over Well


Arsenals Hector Bellerin is eager to learn from Stephan Lichtsteiner after the veteran Swiss defenders arrival from Juventus on a free transfer earlier this summer.

Lichtsteiner became the first signing of Unai Emerys reign when he joined following the expiry of his contract with the Italian champions, signing a one-year deal with the option for a further 12 months.

The 34-year-old has won the Serie A title in each of the last seven seasons and was viewed as a veteran presence who can both aid Bellerins development and raise standards throughout the first team.

I think its a great addition to the squad, Bellerin told reporters. Hes a player with loads of top level experience and he can only help us.

I cant wait to learn from him. I think hes a top defender, really solid and has a very good attacking sense as well.

As a young player, its good to have someone like that I can learn from.

Lichtsteiner joined his team-mates in training for the first time on Monday after his exerts with Switzerland at the World Cup, with Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka and Nacho Monreal also returning to London Colney.

Hector Bellerin eager to learn from new Arsenal signing Stephan Lichtsteiner


There was a shock for Strictly Come Dancing viewers on Saturday night, as one of the favourites crashed to the bottom of the leaderboard.  Danny John-Jules found himself with just 22 points out of a possible 40 after a performance the judges said was full of so many mistakes.

The actor and his partner Amy Dowden had performed a Quickstep to Freedom by Pharrell Williams, but after getting off on the wrong foot, they failed to pull it back.  Judge Craig Revel Horwood told them: Nerves and adrenaline took over in that performance, because it went completely out of wack. Better luck next time. Shirley Ballas added: You push your strengths and hide your weaknesses. It snowballed and then didnt recover. I really believe it was a misstep of nerves that couldnt be picked up. It was a huge fall from grace for Danny, who just two weeks ago, topped the leaderboard after scoring the first 10 of the series for his Jive.  Meanwhile, at the other end of this weeks leaderboard, Ashley Roberts found herself at the top again after an impressive Foxtrot.

The routine to Orange Coloured Sky by Natalie Cole earned her and partner Pasha Kovalev 39 points.  Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice were hot on their heels with 38 points for their Tango to Blondies Call Me.

Stacey Dooley also bounced back from injury to score 36 points for her street commercial dance to Alicia Keys Empire State Of Mind.  The documentary maker and partner Kevin Clifton were forced to miss two days of training earlier this week, after she tore a muscle in her rib.

Kate Silverton also suffered a rib injury leading up to Saturdays show, but did not have the same fortunes as Stacey when she took to the floor with Aljaz Skorjanec.  She scored just 23 points for the first Argentine Tango of the series, which was set to Assassins Tango.

Craig remarked: I felt it was stuck in the mud. I know the audience loved it, but for me it was too heavy, it needs to be a lot lighter. The next celebrity will leave Strictly Come Dancing during tonights results show, airing from 7.45pm on BBC One.

Strictly Come Dancing Danny John-Jules Crashes To Bottom Of Leaderboard Just Two Weeks After Topp


Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and its cash-strapped space agency
Roscosmos are in conflict over a $1bn contract to launch private satellites on
behalf of a US company.

The FSB reportedly intervened to demand the cancellation of the contract
between US firm OneWeb and state corporation Roscosmos to launch a
constellation of internet-connectivity satellites.

But the space agency's chief executive, former deputy prime minister Dimitry
Rogozin, has been bullish about the project according to Russian news agency
Interfax.

In a press conference on Monday, Mr Rogozin said he had sent Roscosmos'
opinion on the intervention to the government, stressing the contract was
"extremely important" and hadn't been cancelled.

The contract involves launching 21 Soyuz rockets over 2019 and 2020 as part of
a project by OneWeb to launch a constellation of satellites which would offer
global broadband coverage.

According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, the FSB intervened in the
project over fears satellite internet access in Russia would allow people to
route around the agency's internet monitoring abilities.

Image: A promotional image for OneWeb's satellite constellation

The FSB is the successor organisation to the KGB and is headquartered in the
same building at Lubyanka Square in Moscow.

Vladimir Putin was made the agency's director a year before he became the
country's premier.

Its duties include conducting counter-espionage in Russia and Kommersant cited
sources who claimed security officials feared that OneWeb's satellites could
be used to spy on military locations.

According to Kommersant, an FSB representative stated there was no guarantee
the "system is not of intelligence nature and will not be able to harm the
interests of the individual and society of the Russian Federation".

Neither the FSB nor Roscosmos commented on the matter when contacted by Sky
News.

OneWeb, which was founded by American internet communications entrepreneur and
former Google executive Greg Wyler, also declined to comment.

Kommersant reported that a final decision will be made on the launches before
the end of 2018.

Image: The FSB reportedly intervened in a $1bn Roscosmos contract

Whether the company could find a new launch partner if the FSB succeeds in
demanding the cancellation is unclear.

Elon Musk's SpaceX may potentially provide the launch capacity, but SpaceX is
currently developing its own rival satellite constellation.

Other constellation projects are being developed by companies such as Kepler,
Telesat, and Leosat, and industry sources told Sky News they believed all of
these services were generally capable of complying with jurisdictional
requirements in Russia.

The loss of the estimated $1bn contract would be a significant blow for
Roscosmos, which has faced consistent funding issues in recent years.

The recent **[failure of a Soyuz rocket](https://news.sky.com/story/emergency-
landing-for-astronauts-as-rocket-fails-11523326)** transporting astronauts to
the International Space Station has also posed risks to its income, although
NASA stated it would not be cancelling its contracts.

Image: Former deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin (R) now heads Roscosmos

Professor Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian security affairs, told Sky News:
"It's an interesting story that additionally implies the FSB doesn't realise
that OneWeb could also use ground stations outside Russia to provide service
across the country.

"This may be driven by ignorance - after all, the FSB is very exercised about
the question of internet control - but also potentially politics.

"Roscosmos is pretty vulnerable at present given a string of corruption cases
and the recent Soyuz accident, and it, or its new director general, former
deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin, might be the target.

"But an additional possibility is that this is also a clumsy case of the
'counter-sanction syndrome' of simply wanting to deny a US company something,
however self-harming it may be."

Although the FSB's reported concerns have not accompanied by a written risk
assessment, OneWeb's satellites are being manufactured in the US - which may
have prompted supply-chain concerns for the FSB.

Supply-chain concerns regarding business processes based in Russia have been
raised in the US by the Department for Homeland Security, recently prompting
cyber security company Kaspersky Lab to **[relocate some of these
processes](https://news.sky.com/story/kaspersky-lab-cyber-security-firm-
leaves-moscow-over-fears-of-russian-hacking-11553562)** to Zurich in
Switzerland.

Russian agencies fight over private US satellites


Finney, a teacher at Childrens Community Charter School in Paradise, California, is one of the lucky ones. Most of her school burned down, but her house is still standing, which is more than many of her students and co-workers can say.

In the morning, students sit around her kitchen table, practicing math problems on a whiteboard that Finney borrowed from a neighbor. In the afternoon, they go outside for recess on her front lawn, wearing plastic masks to protect against the polluted air as they play basketball.

For teachers in Butte County, Nov. 8 could have been any other day filled with backpacks and blackboards, until the sky became dark and students were ordered to evacuate. Now, after the smoke has cleared, many will never be able to return to their classrooms, after the fire destroyed at least three schools and damaged five more in the Paradise area. County schools have been closed since the fire, with the hope to start up again Dec. 3. But its unclear where classrooms will be housed and how many students will be coming back to the area. Students and teachers will work together on reading, writing and arithmetic, but also on finding on shelter and rebuilding their lives.

For the past few days, about a dozen students have come to Finneys house, as her husband, a firefighter, has gone out to sift through rubble for missing persons. Only about two of her students still have their homes. Those that are still in the area come to her from temporary trailers and the homes of friends and family members. The structure and sense of normalcy  at least for a few hours a day  has been helping them cope with all the ways in which their typical routine has come crashing down.

Most students from Paradise Unified School District who have been reached by teachers say they hope to stay in the district, according to Marc Kessler, a seventh-grade teacher at Paradise Intermediate School. Kessler has been working with other teachers to try and track down every student in the days since the fires. Students also communicate with teachers and each other through a website that was set up for them to share their experiences.

Kessler spends about three hours a day making calls, in addition to delivering gift cards to families in need and trying to track down supplies for the makeshift school that students will eventually return to. Teachers at his school are working to create a school for thousands of students in two weeks. They need computers, chairs and desks.

Aldersons school burned down, along with her house. Before the fire reached the school, she spent the morning trying to occupy her students in her classroom, keep them calm with games and tasks that would mask the chaos of the day.

But eventually, the fire made its way to the back door of her home, and she was sent to collect whatever she could salvage. For her students, the situation only got worse. When a bus came to evacuate students who hadnt been retrieved my parents, it left without taking all the schools kids. Teachers were told to stuff children in their cars and drive for their lives, embers flying all around them.

Shafer has been helping at a shelter for those who have been displaced as he works to track down his students, who are spread out between shelters, tents, trailers and houses of family members and friends in other communities. Many of Shafers students  who he treated in schools around the county  already technically fit the definition of homeless before the fires started. He can only imagine how tenuous their already fragile routines must feel.

In California A County Of Children Without Schools


Diplomats from India and Pakistan aired their differences over the disputed region of Kashmir at the UN this week, in what was supposed to be a general session on the merits of mediation at the organisations headquarters in New York.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres opened the Security Council debate by saying that mediating peace had become increasingly complex in the modern world - and so it proved, as bitter rivals India and Pakistan used the session to trade barbs.

Nestled in the Himalayas, the broader region of Kashmir is split by the line of control between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming it in full. The pair have fought two wars over the Muslim-majority region since the partition of India in 1947, and it remains among the most highly-militarised zones in the world.

Pakistans ambassador to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi, used Wednesdays debate to push for India to accept a UN Security Council resolution suggesting Kashmirs fate be decided by a UN-administered referendum on sovereignty.

Ms Lodhi said UN mediation in peace disputes was doomed to fail if the Security Councils own resolutions are held in abeyance, by some - a not-so-subtle reference to India.

Both the Councils credibility as well as the objective of durable peace in our region is at stake, Ms Lodhi said, adding: We must not fail these tests.

Indias ambassador to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin, hit back more directly, calling Pakistan out by name as the one isolated delegation that made unwarranted references to an integral part of India.

India has repeatedly taken issue with UN resolutions and reports on its portion of Kashmir, the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and Mr Akbaruddin said again on Wednesday that the international body was ill-suited to perform mediation... in every circumstance.

Pakistan, he said, was regurgitating a failed approach, which has long been rejected, rather than showing willingness to work towards peace.

And in a reference to the election of former cricket star Imran Khan as prime minister of Pakistan, Mr Akbaruddin added: We hope that the new government of Pakistan will, rather than indulge in polemics, work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure and developed South Asian region, free of terror and violence.

Since coming to power, Mr Khan has mentioned Kashmir in a number of different speeches as a foreign policy priority, while emphasising the importance of improving relations with India to Pakistans economic prospects. "If India takes one step towards us, we will take two," he said in his first address after winning Julys election.

For his part, Indias prime minister Narendra Modi has expressed willingness to pursue "meaningful" and "constructive" engagement with Mr Khan, in a letter on 18 August congratulating the latter on his inauguration.

Relations between India and Pakistan improved substantially during Mr Modis first two years in power, but plummeted in 2016 following a spate of attacks on Indian diplomatic and military assets that was blamed, by India, on a militant group with close links to the Pakistani security services.

India and Pakistan engage in war of words at UN over Kashmir


After five hours and four playoff holes, Phil Mickelson finally got his one-up on Tiger Woods at floodlit Shadow Creek to take home The Matchs $9m grand prize.

Even if the cameras closed to the scene of Mickelson standing in front of boulders of Benjamin bills, at its the end, once the inane vulgarity of stacks and side-bets were forgotten, the pair produced a compelling finish to stifle the staunchest of critics.

Yet after a turgid beginning, beyond even the most scathing premonitions, The Match remained on course to become a heist even the nearby strip would envy. After all, it was the promise of entertaining trash-talk between the two golfing greats, alongside their banknote infatuation, which was supposed to entice people to the pay-per-view event.

In reality, Woods and Mickelsons opening verbal spar down the first fairway aptly set the tone for a tepid three hours to come. Promised gnaw and nibbles, fans instead found themselves eavesdropping on the pair praising the courses conditions, noting the joy of their children watching, and soaking in the serene Nevada weather like two middle-aged dads at a school gate.

It was so awkward that, at one point, they would even come to an uncomfortable roadblock where the pressure to create conversation resulted in total malfunction. Im trying to be more talkative, but Im just not, Mickelson said.

Lets just get back into our own moods. Try and beat each others brains out.

Except the problem was those batterings had never begun. The hysteria over a headline-grabbing $200,000 bet on birdieing the first hole was nullified by two missed putts. The first drawing of blood, to Mickelson at the second, came by way of Woods missing a tiddler. And gasps of surprise soon turned to humming sighs as the pair produced the worst highlights of their form in Paris two months ago.

Darren Clarke, hauled out on commentary duties, even at one stage declared it the match of mistakes, while Charles Barkley started ranting about how even he could beat the combined 19 major, 123-time PGA Tour winners as they sliced their way from woodland to bunker.

And then there was the needless crass of the much-hyped side-bets, created to add sauce to the watery broth. $600,000 wagered over three closest to the pin competitions  all won by Mickelson  while probability measures were promptly and persistently provided on screen by MGM as though it were a poker contest. The commentary team, with ever-fading subtlety, encouraging viewers to get in on the action, at one point even saying: If I was a bookie, or maybe betting at MGM, I would be really enjoying these Tiger bets right now.

It was everything feared and worse. A monstrous vessel of hucksterism so laboured Skys broadcast interludes were reduced to merely apologising for Woods pitter-patter monosyllabic swearing that followed him missing umpteen putts on the low side of the hole as if stuck at the summit of a mountain

The problem wasnt only that The Match was failing to live up to its box office billing, but that it was simply a poor spectacle of sport

Until finally, as the last ounces of expectation that this could be anything but a complete shill oozed away, Woods seized on a Mickelson mistake to tie the match, before taking the lead at the eleventh with a pin-point pitching wedge approach. It was the shot of adrenaline the match desperately needed and the surge continued as Mickelson immediately responded with a birdie of his own at the par-3 13th. There came the first real clench of a fist and at that moment, back on even keel with five holes to play, the exhibition seemed to finally verge on becoming something genuine.

Woods gifted back the lead on the 15th with a dire chip and dribbled short to make amends at the following hole so by the time Mickelsons tee shot on the par-3 17th settled below the hole it felt as though he was on the brink of victory. But at that moment, with the match ebbing away into the man-made waterfall behind the green, Woods produced magic of old for the minuscule crowd, chipping in from just off the fringe.

Suddenly the pair were heading down the 18th all-square as Mickelson amusingly muttered: Youve been doing that crap to me for 20 years, not sure why Im surprised now.

And as ridiculously impossible as the event was, in that surreal second you couldnt help but be suckered in by the prospect of $9m being contested over a single hole. Or so we thought.

As the last rays of Vegas sunshine set behind the creek, Woods and Mickelson halved the 18th, and then again in the conventional playoff hole.

Then, in a last barmy twist, the match was transformed into a unique 93-yard sudden death shootout. Woods and Mickelson teeing off in the pitch-black Vegas night, illuminated only by floodlights trained on the practice putting green turned tee box. They halved the mini-hole twice  Mickelson missing another makeable match-winning putt  and it seemed as though The Match might never end.

Finally though, to everyones relief, Mickelson found the birdie at the fourth whirl to clinch the obscene prize.

And with that, The Match was consigned to a hopefully permanent death. But its undeniable that in its denouement it was inescapably exciting as it finally became an exhibition of enthralling golf rather than repulsive gambling.

One of the most bizarre moments in golfs history, one which shouldnt be repeated, yet one which, admittedly, might have somehow proved worthy of its pay-per-view price

Follow the Independent Sport on Instagram here, for all of the best images, videos and stories from around the sporting world.

The Match Phil Mickelson defeats Tiger Woods on fourth playoff hole in Las Vegas to win 9 million


Over 2700 law professors and professionals signed a letter urging the Senate to vote against confirming then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court (SCOTUS). The Senate ignored them. Law students did not accept that and took action.

New York University (NYU) School of Law students and those from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law walked out of class to protest Kavanaughs appointment. Students from other schools joined them.

Justine Medina, who is a second-year Brooklyn Law School student, was one of the organizers for the New York demonstrators. She spoke to The Washington Post:

The student organizers worked with the National Lawyers Guild advocacy group. The walk-out was to occur on three consecutive days. In the students announcement letter, they wrote:

We are in the middle of a national emergency We do not recognize Kavanaugh as a legitimate member of the United States Supreme Court. We demand that anyone seeking to be elected to Congress in November commits to impeaching Kavanaugh to protect any semblance of rule of law and the people of our communities.

Twitter world went crazy. Check out some of our favorite tweets below:

BREAKING Law Students Stage Massive Walkout Over Kavanaugh


Congressman Devin Nunes (R-CA) said in an interview with The Hill that the House Intel Panel is investigating whether informants gathered information on Trump and Russia before they were authorized to do so in July of 2016.

Its one of the outstanding questions that we have for the Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Weve had that question out to them for pretty much three months now. They have not answered it yet, Nunes told The Hills Buck Sexton.

Is it your belief it is likely that there was activity going on in advance of the start of that official FBI investigation? Sexton asked. I will just tell you we wouldnt be asking those questions if we didnt think we had some suspicion of that, Nunes responded. The problem with this is, running informants into political campaigns, or political campaign actors on the counterintelligence side especially, is a major problem. Its because we give special powers to our counterintelligence officials because really a lot of Americans basic rights are taken away through that process because its dealing with national security, its usually high level, he continued. So there should be a very high bar before you open up a counterintelligence investigation. So, if you are running informants into campaigns before or after you open an official investigation, most Americans, when you sit them down and talk to them, they know that thats something really bad and that only happens in third world countries, he said.

Chairman Nunes also told Buck Sexton in the same interview that the redacted portions of the Carter Page FISA docs are worse than what Americans have already seen.

Obamas FBI and DOJ were incredibly corrupt, of course they were using informants to spy on Trumps camp before the July 2016 launch of the probe.

So far we know Stefan Halper was paid a total of $411,575 in 2016 and 2017 for work with the US government that included spying on the Trump campaign.

According to Trumps former aide, Michael Caputo, there was more than one informant spying on Trumps camp.

Text messages from Peter Strzok going back to 2015 have people speculating the FBI may have initiated multiple spies in the Trump campaign going back to December of 2015.

Chairman Nunes House Intel Panel Investigating Whether Informants Gathered Info on Trump Russia


With so many digital distractions to keep your kids entertained for hours indoors, persuading them to play outside can can be challenging.

But invest wisely in the right mix of engaging, durable outdoor toys, and your only problem will be getting the kids back indoors at bed time.

Toys for outdoor use can be pricey theres no denying it, but factor in the price per use of each item over several summers, and go for toys made from the best quality materials, and you should find you get what you pay for.

These are the outdoor toys that most impressed us and kept our troops entertained outside for the longest period of time.

Climb inside one of these inflatable bubbles, and you and a pal can collide into each other in perfect safety, thanks to durable vinyl and multiple air chambers.

Theres an inbuilt safety harness to prevent falls and injury so you really can go wild without getting hurt. The whole family had enormous fun with these and kept gravitating towards them long after the novelty of other items had worn off.

But be warned; they sustained a few holes pretty quickly and have been patched multiple times, so dont expect them to last forever.

A seesaw never goes out of fashion and now you dont even have to trek to the park to play on one.

This easy-to-assemble seesaw has a 360 bounce and spin action, so itll entertain kids from 3-8 years for longer than the average garden seesaw.

Its also good for encouraging co-ordination and balance skills, so you can tell yourself theyre learning whilst they play.

This comes with absolutely everything you need to build a den, all packed in a neat little bag with a handy shoulder strap.

As well as a camouflage tarpaulin and waterproof groundsheet, theres also a rope, wooden mallet, and eight tent pegs. Oh, and a camping mug and a tube of camouflage face paint, which no self-respecting adventurer should be without.

Our testers' gang disappeared off to the end of the garden with this the moment they clapped eyes on it, they almost had to send out a search party at tea time.

Whats not to love about a mini version of the iconic Vespa scooter? Suitable for children aged three and over, this electric motorbike comes with a 12 Volt rechargeable battery and charger.

The stabilisers are removable so your little style icon can take off on two wheels once theyve mastered balancing on it. Granted, we never had outdoor toys like this back in our day, but this has literally created hours of fun.

And yes, it even withstood a little light testing by the grown ups! Thats probably not to be encouraged though.

This is so easy to assemble that our tester's 13-year-old son managed to do most of it by himself, including reassembling all the bits his parents messed up first time round.

Its the perfect size for a good-sized garden as it doesnt take up loads of space, but theres still ample room for all sorts of athletic showing off.

The internal enclosure net design keeps the springs out of each and means no collisions with the poles. It even folds away, although weve yet to attempt that.

Its difficult to convey what a glorious bit of outdoor play kit this is. Yes, its expensive but the hours of imaginative play it has inspired make it seem worth every penny, and our tester could see many years' worth of potential in this product.

Weve posted secret notes through the real letterbox, planted strawberries in the window box, made mud pies in the outdoor kitchen and even produced masterpieces on the painting screen.

Our very own eco hideaway has fast become the favourite spot for lunch, making mealtimes fun and hassle-free.

This versatile swing can convert from a glider for two (age 3+) into an all-age hammock with a headrest.

The ergonomic design means it fits traditional swing sets so its easy to assemble. Our tester was surprised by how much interest this gets from family members  of all ages!

Everyone went straight for this over the standard garden swing which has long since been abandoned, and this seems to get played with for much longer periods of time than the swing ever did.

Who needs to visit the water park when you can bring the fun of a splashing good time to your own back garden?

This was fiddly and time consuming to assemble but its worth it in the end  the waterfall was a welcome feature in a heatwave and seemed to keep little ones entertained for much longer than a standard paddling pool.

And when grey skies resumed, our tester brought this inside and the fun continued, albeit with the balls rather than the water. Even the cat joined in at that point.

Sometimes you just cant beat the classics when it comes to outdoor toys, and this rounders set was a definite hit.

It comes with a bat and ball plus four base markers, we love that it all packs away into a handy drawstring bag  none of the pieces got lost or left in the car, and its perfect for hanging in the under stairs cupboard until we need it again.

Older children might want a more robust ball but this was perfect for introducing the youngest family member to the basics of rounders for the first time.

A Wendy house is one of those garden toys that we're not ever sure will be worth the money  an old sheet can often hold more thrall. But this is a playhouse in a league of its own.

The fabric quality and craftmanship are second to none and our testers' daughter literally played with it for hours from the moment they set it up.

Best of all, it packs neatly away in a cloth bag so you really can take it to the beach, where it provides the perfect windbreak and picnic spot.

No arsenal of outdoor toys would be complete without a set of wheels, and this is the perfect starter bike.

We shopped around and plumped for this because its lightweight with a size-specific alloy frame and perfectly proportioned parts  you choose the right bike for your child based on their exact measurements.

After years of flying around on a balance bike, our testers' daughter has been reluctant to a make the transition to pedals but she took to this like a duck to water and has to be prised off it.

If money is no object (or relatives are clubbing together to treat someone to a big birthday present), the Discovery Nature Play Hideaway is like nothing else weve seen and presents limitless opportunities for imaginative outdoor play in all weathers.

But for all-age family fun, you just cant beat the Body Bubble Balls. We might start solving family disputes whilst wearing these because youre literally guaranteed to end up in fits of laughter.

10 best outdoor toys


Oil prices declined slightly Friday due to a stronger dollar and U.S.-China trade worries but remained on track for a second straight weekly increase, as crude supplies seem to be tightening.

Light, sweet crude for October delivery was 0.3% lower at $70.03 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 0.2% to $77.90 a barrel.

U.S. oil prices had fallen on a weekly basis for seven straight weeks until rebounding strongly last week. That upward momentum has been mostly maintained this week, helped by declining U.S. oil inventories and indications Washingtons sanctions on Iran are already curtailing Tehrans crude exports.

Oil Prices Fall as Trade Tensions Ramp Up and Dollar Strengthens


(Natural News) Much of the anxiety, depression, and mental illness that plague people today can be traced back to the biochemical changes that take place after repeated exposure to toxic elements such as mercury (Hg).

Mercury is one of the most potent neurotoxins, yet it is routinely used in medicine. Millions of people are suffering from mercury poisoning because dentists still insert mercury-based dental amalgams in peoples teeth. Over time this mercury leeches into the mouth and into the blood stream. On average, a person will absorb 100 mg  of mercury daily if they have just one dental amalgam. During an operation, mercury is also inhaled.

Once inside the body, mercury readily binds to molecules, tissues, and cells, disrupting cellular cycles, causing oxidative stress, mitochondria dysfunction, and harming homeostasis. Exposure to mercury incites behavioral issues, neurological disorders, mood disorders, and mental illness. This is because mercury hinders the production and function of various neurotransmitters. One of the neurotransmitters affected is GABA, a crucial pathway for keeping a person calm and steady. Mercury causes anxiety because it interferes with GABA, causes zinc imbalance, and destroys the protective myelin sheath that blankets the nerves.

Mercury not only causes oxidative stress, but it also binds to sulfur and selenium, blocking the therapeutic effect of these minerals. Selenium and sulfur help the immune system identify unwanted cells. By competing with these crucial minerals, mercury allows cancerous cells to survive in the body. If mercury is bound to these important elements, the bodys immune system may turn on itself, causing autoimmune conditions. Mercury also binds to the bodys master antioxidantglutathione. If glutathione cannot do its job effectively, then any toxic substances that enter the body can rapidly damage nerve and immune cells. (Related: Modern dentistry dangers exposed by a dentist.)

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One of the main problems with the coal industry is mercury emissions. Coal-fired power plants emit toxic mercury into the air, where it rain downs and poisons the water. Over time, mercury accumulates in seafood. The FDA cautions against overconsumption of tuna and other seafood products for this reason. The gastrointestinal system of the human body helps eliminate and dispose of toxic mercury. Certain foods bind with mercury to efficiently eliminate it from the body. Foods such as peanut butter, strawberries, and chlorella are chelating. These foods help remove toxic elements, especially mercury, from the body.

Injected mercury, through vaccination, is a different story. This mercury, along with other neurotoxins found in vaccines, is inserted into the muscle tissue, into immune cells, and into the blood. This mercury bypasses the gastrointestinal system, contaminating the organs more rapidly.

Repeated inhalation and ingestion of mercury, through mercury-based dental amalgams also poses significant harm to people over the long haul. Chronic mercury exposure oxidizes blood vessels and disrupts insulin, leading to chronic high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and high levels of unhealthy LDL cholesterol.

If you have been a victim of mercury-based dental amalgams, consult a holistic dentist. Chronic exposure to mercury is not worth the risk and will strain many important functions of the human body. To restore any  damage inflicted by mercury, consider a diet full of high quality fats, organic olive oil, and bone broth. Consume foods high in selenium, magnesium, and zinc to restore the balance of these elements in the body. Help the body chelate mercury by consuming foods such as strawberries, hemp protein, cilantro, chlorella, raspberries, and other fruit fibers.

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For more helpful information for avoiding mercury exposure, visit HolisticDentistry.News.

The under-recognized epidemic Millions of people are suffering from mercury poisoning


A new book by renowned Watergate journalist Bob Woodward has painted an unflattering picture of Donald Trumps White House, depicting his administration as being in a state of nervous breakdown.

Fear: Trump in the White House suggests that senior aides worry about an erratic president who they fear poses a danger to national security.

Excerpts published by The Washington Post paint also allege that some of Mr Trumps key advisers resorted to acting behind his back to prevent him damaging international relations and the US economy.

The White House has dismissed the book as nothing more than fabricated stories, many by former disgruntled employees, told to make the president look bad.

Here are seven key claims made in the book, published on 11 September.

After Bashar al-Assad launched a chemical attack on civilians in April 2017, Mr Trump is reported to have told his defence secretary he wanted the Syrian president assassinated.

Mr Woodward's alleges that the US leader called James Mattis and said: Lets f***ing kill him! Lets go in. Lets kill the f***ing lot of them.

Mr Mattis told Mr Trump he would get right on it, but after hanging up the phone he told a senior aide: Were not going to do any of that. Were going to be much more measured.

The administrations national security team instead drew up plans for limited airstrikes which did not threaten the Syrian president personally.

Lawyer was convinced the president would commit perjury if he spoke to Russia probe leader Robert Mueller

Mr Trumps former personal lawyer John Dowd is said to have told the president that he would probably end up in prison if he testified to special counsel Robert Muellers probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

To illustrate his point he reportedly staged a practice interrogation with the president, who responded to questions with stumbles, contradictions and lies before losing his cool.

Dont testify, Mr Dowd allegedly told him. Its either that or an orange jumpsuit.

But Mr Trump is said to have been convinced he could handle Mr Muellers questions, declaring: Ill be a real good witness.

You are not a good witness, Mr Dowd replied. Mr President, Im afraid I just cant help you.

He resigned the next morning.

A frequent target of Mr Trumps Twitter attacks, according to the book, the president is even more scathing about attorney general Jeff Sessions behind closed doors.

Speaking to then staff secretary Rob Porter, he is said to have described Mr Sessions as a traitor for recusing himself from the Russia probe.

Mocking the attorney generals accent, he reportedly added: This guy is mentally retarded. Hes this dumb Southerner... He couldnt even be a one-person country lawyer down in Alabama.

James Mattis said Trump acted like a fifth- or sixth-grader

Some of the presidents closest advisers are depicted in the book as being exasperated by his ignorance about key issues.

During a National Security Council meeting, Mr Trump is said to have asked why the US was spending resources on maintaining a military presence in the Korean peninsula.

Were doing this in order to prevent World War III, his defence secretary told him.

Mr Woodward recounts: Mattis was particularly exasperated and alarmed, telling close associates that the president acted like - and had the understanding of - a fifth- or sixth-grader.

White House chief of staff John Kelly said on Mr Trump: We're in Crazytown

White House chief of staff John F Kelly frequently vented his fury about Mr Trump and told colleagues he thought the president was unhinged, the book claims.

In one small group meeting, Mr Kelly is reported to have said: Hes an idiot. Its pointless to try to convince him of anything. Hes gone off the rails. Were in Crazytown. I dont even know why any of us are here. This is the worst job Ive ever had.

Faced with Mr Trumps rage and unpredictability, the presidents cabinet members and other senior officials learned to learned to act discreetly to foil his most dangerous impulses, Fear claims.

In one instance, Gary Cohn, the presidents former top adviser, stole a letter off Trumps desk to prevent the president signing it. Had he done so, it would have formally withdrawn the US from a trade agreement with South Korea.

Mr Cohn later told an associate he swiped the letter to protect national security and that the president did not notice it was missing.

He is said to have used similar tactics to prevent Mr Trump taking the country out of the North American Free Trade Agreement last year.

Facing intense criticism for saying both sides were to blame for deadly neo-nazi violence in Charlottesville in August 2017, Mr Trump was convinced by aides to publicly condemn white supremacists and the Ku Klux Klan.

Almost immediately after issuing the statement he reportedly told aides it was the biggest f***ing mistake Ive made and the worst speech Ive ever given.

Fear Trump in the White House Seven most explosive passages from aposretardapos insults to ext


On Saturday, Democratic members of the House Intelligence Committee released their rebuttal to the Nunes memo. The counter-memo claims FBI and DOJ officials did not abuse the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) process, omit material information, or subvert this vital tool to spy on the Trump campaign.

Adam Schiff just couldnt help himself and responded to President Trump with more lies.

Trump: The Democrat memo response on government surveillance abuses is a total political and legal BUST. Just confirms all of the terrible things that were done. SO ILLEGAL!

POTUS then tweeted, Dem memo: FBI did not disclose who the clients were  the Clinton Campaign and the DNC, Wow!

POTUS then hammered Schiff and called him a phony.

Adam Schiff responded to President Trump shortly after his mini tweetstorm and once again spread lies about Papadopoulos April 2016 conversation about Hillarys emails. Papadopoulos had a conversation with a Russian about Hillarys missing emails way before the Podesta emails were given to Wikileaks.

Papadopoulos was referring to Hillary Clintons missing emails, not Podestas campaign emails. Schiff always conflates the two in order to spread misinformation. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has called Schiff out about these lies before.

Schiff tweeted, Wrong again, Mr. President. It confirms the FBI acted appropriately and that Russian agents approached two of your advisors, and informed your campaign that Russia was prepared to help you by disseminating stolen Clinton emails.

Chairman Nunes also lit up Adam Schiff after the junk memo was released.

To this date, the FBI has not inspected the DNCs servers nor have they interviewed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Assange has said many times the Russians DID NOT give him the Podesta emails, yet the Democrats continue to push the lie without providing evidence.

Adam Schiff Goes Into Spin Mode After POTUS Trump Slams Dem Junk Memo


Britons have been confronted with the prospect of transport chaos by road, rail and air after a no-deal Brexit, with the release of the latest government advice papers.

Ministers admitted that driving licences may no longer be valid in the EU if Britain crashes out without an agreement  forcing drivers to obtain permits for the countries they visit.

Meanwhile, No 10 did not deny a warning by Frances Europe minister that Eurostar trains would be turned back from the continent, as well as British planes.

The no-deal documents also revealed that vehicles made and approved in the UK would no longer be valid for sale in the EU after a no-deal Brexit, threatening the vital car industry.

They were issued just two days after the boss of Jaguar Land Rover attacked Theresa Mays Brexit strategy, warning that tens of thousands of jobs were being put at risk.

The publication of 28 technical notices triggered fresh criticism from the Confederation of British Industry that firms would be hit with a sledgehammer in the event of no deal.

The AA leapt on the implications for holidaymakers, who would need to obtain two separate permits to drive to some countries, including France and Spain.

This will be an extra burden for UK drivers wanting to take a holiday abroad, said Edmund King, the AAs president.

The advice papers, published by the Brexit Department, also warned that:

* British passport holders will not be allowed into the EUs Schengen area if they have under six months left on their passport.

 * The EU-wide ban on roaming charges would disappear  although the government said it would cap fees at 45 a month.

 * Operators of ferries and cargo ships may have to supply EU ports with details of their last 10 ports of call, crew list, and full passenger list.

 * Civil legal cases are at risk because certain countries may not recognise judgments from UK courts.

 * The UK would potentially get less warning about plummeting space debris, after departure from the EUs tracking programme.

Keir Starmer, Labours shadow Brexit secretary, said: The only reason the government is talking about no deal is because the Tory civil war on Europe prevents the prime minister from negotiating a good deal.

With the clock ticking, ministers should drop the irresponsible rhetoric and start putting jobs and the economy first.

The threat to the Eurostar was revealed by Nathalie Loiseau, Frances minister for European affairs, who said it was correct that both trains and planes from the UK would be barred.

If we reach no agreement this is what will happen, among other things, she told an event in London.

The warning came one week after a secret Treasury document acknowledged there were questions about rail access to the EU if there is a no-deal Brexit.

But No 10 refused to discuss what was meant by the reference on the Operation Yellowhammer document, photographed as a minister carried it into a Whitehall meeting.

The government has previously acknowledged that planes would be grounded without a post-Brexit agreement, while insisting the prospect was remote.

Asked about the risk to Eurostar services, the prime ministers spokesman said: Its in everybodys interest that that should not happen.

Dominic Raab, the Brexit secretary, speaking after a three-hour cabinet meeting, said: We have agreed all of that plan of action with unanimity.

I think we need to be honest about this. In the event of a no-deal scenario, which is not what we want, we would face short-term risks and short-term disruption.

 The Independent has launched its #FinalSay campaign to demand that voters are given a voice on the final Brexit deal.

 Sign our petition here

No-deal Brexit Britons face wide-ranging travel chaos latest government advice papers reveal


Baroness Tonge has been accused of antisemitism over a social media post in which she blamed the Israeli government for the hatred behind the mass shooting in Pittsburgh that claimed the lives of 11 people.

The independent peer  who resigned from the Liberal Democrats in 2016  criticised the country on Facebook in the immediate aftermath of the attack on the Tree of Life synagogue.

She wrote: Absolutely appalling and a criminal act, but does it ever occur to Bibi and the present Israeli government that its actions against Palestinians may be reigniting antisemitism?

I suppose someone will say that it is antisemitic to say so?

Plenty of people on social media did say so, condemning her remarks and urging fellow peers to remove her from the House of Lords.

More than 3,000 people have signed a change.org petition demanding her expulsion from the chamber.

The politician was a Liberal Democrat MP between 1997 and 2005. After standing down from her seat in Richmond Park, the party made her a life peer.

But in 2016 she was suspended over allegations of antisemitism, leading her to quit the party.

The charity Campaign Against Antisemitism said the Liberal Democrats, having secured her seat in the Lords, should now actively campaign for her removal.

James Cox, the Lib Dems parliamentary candidate for Bristol West, also tweeted: If there is a way to remove her from the Lords it should be pursued immediately.

The historian and screenwriter Alex von Tunzelmann said her remarks following the Pittsburgh tragedy were outrageous, antisemitic and deeply stupid.

Michael Dickson, executive director of educational organisation Stand With Us, told The Jewish Chronicle: The rock cold heart of Baroness Jenny Tonge was on display for all see. Following the slaying of Jews in synagogue at prayer, she excuses the motivation of the murder, never missing an opportunity to defame the worlds only Jewish country.

Labour MP Jess Phillips said she was appalled by the blatant propaganda and antisemitism on display.

In 2016 Baroness Tonge chaired an event in parliament at which speakers reportedly compared Israel to Isis, and suggested Jewish people were to blame for the Holocaust.

The same year the independent peer claimed Israels treatment of Palestinians was a major cause behind the rise of Isis.

She said Israel was creating a generation of terrorists.

 The Independent has launched its #FinalSay campaign to demand that voters are given a voice on the final Brexit deal.

 Sign our petition here

Former Lib Dem peer faces calls to be removed from Lords over aposantisemiticapos post about Pit


A former doorman at Trump World Tower has been released from a contract that prohibited him from speaking about his knowledge of an alleged affair between Donald Trump and his housekeeper that resulted in a child.

Dino Sajudin signed a source agreement with AMI, the parent company of the National Enquirer, in 2015 which effectively bought the rights to the story but never published it, reports CNN.

Sajudins attorney, Marc Held, said his client had not been able to discuss the contract or the alleged affair without incurring a significant financial penalty but he had been recently released from the deal by AMI.

The Chief Executive of AMI is David Pecker, who was this week granted immunity as part of a probe into Trumps former lawyer, Michael Cohen.

As part of the deal, Pecker agreed to provide information to prosecutors related to payments made to two alleged one-time sexual partners of President Donald Trump  former Playboy model Karen McDougal and porn actress Stephanie Clifford, known professionally as Stormy Daniels  in the lead up to the 2016 presidential election.

Dino Sajudin Releases Catch And Kill Contract About Donald Trumps Illegitimate Child


Mueller Probe Is 1 Year Old - and It Must Continue

Mike Pence, Rudy Giuliani and other Donald Trump proxies want to kill Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. But it's moving rapidly and producing tangible results.


Criminals are increasingly using drones in illegal activity and as a way to counter surveil and disrupt the FBI and other law enforcement agents, according to a report by Defense One.

The publication cites one instance where an FBI hostage rescue team set up a raised observation post to monitor a situation. A so-called swarm of small drones appeared and assailed the FBI in a series of high-speed low passes at the agents in the observation post to flush them. That incident was shared by Joe Mazel, head of the agencys operational technology law unit at the AUVSI Xponential conference in Denver. Mazel said the FBI agents lost situational awareness. We were then blind. It definitely presented some challenges. Swarms of drones were also used to surveil the FBI agents and send video back to other gang members. Mazel declined to elaborate on where or when that incident took place, but said the suspects packed the drones in backpacks and brought them to the area, anticipating the arrival of the FBI.

That activity has effectively been replaced by drones.

The incidents illustrate how organized crime groups are increasingly using small consumer drones in support of their activities. Other notable uses include identifying witnesses by surveilling police departments to see who comes and goes from those facilities, and in support of robberies by observing gaps in security patrols and other vulnerabilities at target locations. Mazel also said that drones were being used in smuggling schemes in Australia to monitor port authority workers. The crime groups would force distractions like a false alarm if border guards get too close to a container that contains smuggled goods. Unauthorized drones have also been known to smuggle contraband into prisons.

Associate chief of US Customs and Border Protection Andrew Scharnweber told Defense One drones are also being deployed as scouts to spot their officers. We have struggled with scouts, human scouts that come across the border. Theyre stationed on various mountaintops near the border and they would scout... to spot law enforcement and radio down to their counterparts to go around us. That activity has effectively been replaced by drones, he said.

Defense One notes there is some recourse in battling criminal use of drones. Drone jamming equipment has been deployed by the US military in Syria and Iraq, though those techniques would likely not be appropriate for use in cities given the risk of interference with mobile phone and airplane signals. There are legal options, like requiring drones to broadcast their operators identity, or to make weaponized consumer drones illegal. There are also anti-drone guns that jam all possible radio frequencies a drone can use to communicate with the operator, forcing it to land or return home. They remain illegal under FCC laws, though.

Government officials who spoke at the conference noted that the use of drones in criminal endeavors would likely get worse before it got better.

Criminals used a swarm of drones to surveil and disrupt an FBI hostage operation