news

Not necessarily news but relevant given the LA fires and other recent natural disasters in the USA alone. There is some kind of poetic justice here that the empire that threatens the environment of the only home that humans have, should receive the worst of its wrath when it isn't respected (of course most of the people don't deserve this). Also curious that what gives the USA a geopolitical advantage (being between two very large oceans etc) also creates for more varied and possibly violent climate.

Blame geography for the U.S. getting hit by stronger, costlier, more varied and frequent extreme weather than anywhere on the planet, several experts said. Two oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, the Rocky Mountains, jutting peninsulas like Florida, clashing storm fronts and the jet stream combine to naturally brew the nastiest of weather.

Tornadoes. Hurricanes. Flash floods. Droughts. Wildfires. Blizzards. Ice storms. Nor’easters. Lake-effect snow. Heat waves. Severe thunderstorms. Hail. Lightning. Atmospheric rivers. Derechos. Dust storms. Monsoons. Bomb cyclones. And the dreaded polar vortex.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/why-the-u-s-is-leading-the-world-in-extreme-weather-catastrophes>

Los Angeles is facing the worst fires in its history. More than 100,000 people have evacuated the region, while strong winds are making it difficult to fight the flames. Malibu and Hollywood Hills celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal have lost their homes.

Six major active blazes in the city hit landmarks such as Mulholland Drive and the 101 Freeway. The Sunset fire, near Hollywood Boulevard, is consuming luxury and tourist areas, leaving a scene of destruction. More than 6,000 hectares have been devastated so far. Residents seek shelter in community centers, while volunteers help with food and supplies. “War zone” is how witnesses describe the scene, with giant flames and gas explosions. Los Angeles is trying to contain the tragedy that has already left 5 dead.

The fires in Los Angeles have disrupted Hollywood productions, the awards season and local TV programming. In the awards season, the Critics Choice was postponed by two weeks, a BAFTA event was postponed, the announcement of the Oscar nominees was rescheduled for February 19 and the SAG Awards announcement event was canceled (and published online without a ceremony).

Films such as Unstoppable, Better Man and The Last Showgirl had their premieres canceled. So did Emilia Pérez and A Complete Unknown. On TV, Hacks, Grey's Anatomy, NCIS and Ted have been suspended. The Jimmy Kimmel Live! show has been canceled.

More terrible numbers out of Germany

https://archive.is/lU1j3

Demand fell 5.4% in November from the previous month, far worse than the 0.2% decline economists had predicted in a Bloomberg survey.

The opposition takes to the streets in an empty march in Caracas on the eve of Maduro's inauguration.

María Corina said that this Friday will be the 'final sentence of the regime'; her alleged arrest has been denied by the government. The opposition has tried to create a climate to interfere with Nicolás Maduro's inauguration. Videos on social networks, calls for marches and an international tour of countries governed by the right were the main tricks used by the extreme right that questions the result of the July 28 elections. But what was seen on Thursday (9) was a demonstration that brought together around 3,000 people in eastern Caracas.

Ultra-liberal María Corina Machado called on opponents to hold what she called a “march for freedom” on the eve of the presidential inauguration. The group claims that the former Unity Platform candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, will be sworn in on Friday (10) in a move that has not been detailed by the opposition.

Requesting a quick @LargePenis@hexbear.net summary of what to expect out of the Joseph Aoun presidency, if you're in a good place and have the time, please and thank you.

Russia's ambassador to Denmark has made a statement in opposition American schemes for an annexation of Greenland. He said to corporate newspaper Berlingske:

The question of Greenland's future must be decided on the basis of the Greenlanders' own will, within the framework of Danish law and without outside interference.

Russia has called for strengthening stability in the Arctic region. The ambassador warns that unilateral attempts by the US to strengthen its presence in Greenland would worsen the situation in the Arctic which Russia will need to take into account in its military planning.

~~Unconfirmed reports that far-right opposition leader, María Corina Machado, has been arrested in Caracas after her caravan was "intercepted". More updates as it develops.~~

Update: Well, much ado about nothing. Far-right Machado herself denies the reports that she was "intercepted" or "kidnapped." Someone tell the White House press office to scrap that statement

The president of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, demanded the freedom of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and held the government of Nicolas Maduro responsible for her personal integrity.

President Mulino should explain why his running mate is still hiding inside the Nicaraguan Embassy. It would be pretty funny if Trump reestablished relations with Venezuela, and at the same time invaded Panama. These people are such puppets of the US, that even when the US goverment openly says they hate Panama and wants to invade, they still obey the orders the CIA gives them.

such a chaotic moist-boy

Trump shares a video of Sachs where he talks shit about Netanyahu. Netanyahu will come groveling and Trump will give in and help with genocide. It's a tragic and horrific spectacle. The kayfabe is impressive.

Has anyone proposed using MOABs yet?

thinking about what we're seeing about America's disaster response capabilities and remembering that the Pacific Northwest is seventy years overdue on a two hundred and fifty year cycle for a 9.0 megathrust earthquake, where the expected damage is "everything west of highway 5 is gone"

It's funny that so many news outlets are talking about the property values of the homes burnt down. But don't those values also include land itself?

And in most cities, land is more expensive than the house itself. It's not like your claim to the land is gone, only the house is.

Pepe Mujica said that his cancer has spread to his liver: “I am dying”. - La Nacion

I really get the sense that there's some kind of directive out to downplay natural disasters in the media in the US in recent years. It used to be something like the LA fires or Hurricane Helene destroying parts of NC would get days-long media extravaganzas - it was a good way to boost viewership and grab attention. Now the reporting is present, but kind of pushed off below the fold. I think maybe whoever does the soft censorship when it comes to geopolitics etc.. is suppressing US natural disaster coverage, maybe to prevent people from freaking out over climate change? Maybe to combat the general feeling of malaise and dysfunction settling in?

Am I crazy or do any of you get the same impression?

I'm already bored of news of the fires. Back to nothing ever happens hours