Occupy Banksters & Crony Capitalism & GREED

Inflation reached new 40-year high in February
Axios | author | 03/31/22

Inflation continued surging in February, according to new government data.

Driving the news: Prices for the goods and services Americans consume rose 6.4% in the 12 months ended in February, according to new government data, the highest since 1982 and up from 6% in January.

The personal consumption expenditures price index favored by the Federal Reserve showed 5.4% year-over-year inflation even when volatile food and energy were excluded, up from 5.2% and far above the 2% the Fed aims for.

By the numbers: For the month, prices were up 0.5%, or 0.4% excluding food and energy. ... Read more

How large is the discontent among Russia's political and security elite? | Conflict Zone | DW | 03/29/22 | 26:05

Susan Collins ?says she will vote to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson
Axios | Erin Doherty | 03/30/22

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said that she plans to vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.

Why it matters: The senator from Maine is the first Republican to announce her intent to back President Biden's nominee.

Driving the news: "After reviewing Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s extensive record, watching much of her hearing testimony, and meeting with her twice in person, I have concluded that she possesses the experience, qualifications, and integrity to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court," Collins said in a statement on Wednesday. "I will, therefore, vote to confirm her to this position," she added.

The big picture: Collins told the New York Times that she decided to support Jackson's confirmation after the pair met on Tuesday afternoon. ... Read more

Plot to Overturn the Election | FRONTLINE | 03/29/22 | 53:17

Russia claims it will scale back fighting near Kyiv to help peace talks
Axios | Zachary Basu | 03/29/22

Russia's defense ministry said Tuesday it would drastically scale back military operations near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv in order to "increase mutual trust" for a potential peace deal with Ukraine.

Why it matters: The announcement came after several hours of peace talks in Istanbul that both Russian and Ukrainian negotiators characterized as constructive, but there has yet to be a clear on-the-ground reduction in forces or shelling.

State of play: A senior U.S. defense official told reporters Monday that Russia has made no progress in its assaults on Kyiv and Chernihiv, and in some areas had established "defensive positions" as Ukrainian forces launched counteroffensives.

The big picture: Turkey's foreign minister, who helped mediate the talks, said Tuesday yielded the most significant progress to date. ... Read more

Biden's budget a 'peace offering' that could restart stalled economic agenda
Politico | Laura Barron-Lopez | 03/29/22

It's Joe Biden's budget - delivered with a Joe Manchin-style flourish.

The White House is boasting that the president’s budget contains major deficit reduction, a move that Democrats see as calculated to appeal to a handful of centrist lawmakers who hold the pre-midterms fate of the president's economic agenda in their hands.

Formally introduced on Monday, the budget proposal comes as Biden seeks to revive talks with Senate Democratic moderates such as West Virginia's Manchin on central elements of his now-defunct social spending bill. That includes universal pre-K, lowering prescription drug prices and combating climate change.

The White House's efforts to woo over those lawmakers with a deficit-reduction-focused message, not to mention more money for policing and the Pentagon, could risk alienating progressives in Biden's party. But, at first blush, the left appeared fine with the overture.

Though some progressive lawmakers criticized Biden's pitch to spend $813 billion on national security even as many of their priorities remain in limbo, most indicated they were willing to give him space to play to the party's centrists.

"I understand that people have sincerely held views about the deficit and in order to cobble together a coalition to enact a spending bill we have to reflect those concerns," Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said in an interview. "They're not what I wake up every day passionate about, but they're legitimate." ... Read more

Why did France Leave NATO? (Short Animated Documentary) | History Matters | 05/06/21 | 3:03

PBS NewsHour full episode, March 28, 2022 | PBS | 03/28/22 | 56:43

No clear pathway to peace in Ukraine
Axios | Dave Lawler | 03/28/22

The only clear path to peace in Ukraine is a deal between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, but the red lines drawn by the Russian and Ukrainian leaders do not intersect.

The big picture: The scope of the fighting is narrowing, and both sides have signaled some flexibility on Ukraine's post-war status, yet experts say this war is likely to keep raging, and may become even bloodier.

State of play: Russian officials now claim their objective is to "liberate" all of the eastern Donbas region, rather than take major cities like Kyiv. ... Read more

Generation Putin | DW Documentary | 08/23/20 | 42:26

Harm Reduction: Last Week Tonight | John Oliver | 03/28/22 | 17:56

WATCH: Sen. Tom Cotton questions Jackson in Supreme Court confirmation hearings | PBS | 03/22/22 | 31:35

Mary Mallon (September 23, 1869 - November 11, 1938), commonly known as Typhoid Mary, was an Irish-born American cook believed to have infected between 51 to 122 people with typhoid fever. The infections caused three confirmed deaths, with unconfirmed estimates of up to 50. She was the first person in the United States identified as an asymptomatic carrier of the pathogenic bacteria, Salmonella typhi. Because she persisted in working as a cook, thereby exposing others to the disease, she was twice forcibly quarantined by authorities, eventually for the final two decades of her life. Mallon died after a total of nearly 30 years in isolation.

The Senate's Supreme Court charade
Axios | Sam Baker | 03/25/22

The Supreme Court keeps getting more powerful, but confirmation hearings for new justices consistently fail to match the gravity of what's at stake.

Why it matters: Nine people have the final say on all the biggest and most controversial issues in America - abortion, marriage, health care, immigration, voting rights, the boundaries of free speech.

But what's supposed to be Congress' one chance to vet those people on their way to a lifetime appointment is instead usually an exercise in obfuscation, point-scoring and grandstanding.

Driving the news: Republicans pelted Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson this week with questions about culture-war issues that are a lot more relevant to the midterms than to the court's work. ... Read more

"These are Putin's sanctions": Understanding the economic sanctions against Russia | 60Minute | 03/24/22 | 14:06

Satellite data shows entire Conger ice shelf has collapsed in Antarctica
TheGuardian | Donna Lu | 03/24/22

An ice shelf about the size of Rome has completely collapsed in East Antarctica within days of record high temperatures, according to satellite data.

The Conger ice shelf, which had an approximate surface area of 1,200 sq km, collapsed around 15 March, scientists said on Friday.

East Antarctica saw unusually high temperatures last week, with Concordia station hitting a record temperature of -11.8C on 18 March, more than 40C warmer than seasonal norms. The record temperatures were the result of an atmospheric river that trapped heat over the continent.

Ice shelves are extensions of ice sheets that float over the ocean, playing an important role in restraining inland ice. Without them, inland ice flows faster into the ocean, resulting in sea level rise. ... Read more

Why Republicans Keep Accusing Ketanji Brown Jackson of Helping Child Predators
TheIntercept | Natasha Lennard | 03/23/22

Imaginary children have been a focal point of GOP attacks on the Supreme Court nominee. This strategy is hardly new.

ON TUESDAY, the second day of Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's Senate confirmation hearings, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, asked the esteemed jurist whether she believed that "babies are racist."

It was a low point that came early on in the contemptible GOP questioning.

Cruz displayed large printouts from a children’s book, "Antiracist Baby" by Ibram X. Kendi, which is taught in Georgetown Day School, where Jackson is on the board of trustees. Whether it is a good pedagogical tool or not, "Antiracist Baby" is not about babies being racists or being told that they are racists. Presumably, since Cruz can read, he knows this. Yet he nonetheless asked the judge, "Do you agree with this book that is being taught with kids that babies are racist?" She sighed, paused, and tilted her head, exasperated. ... Read more

Zelensky: "Never tell us again our army does not meet NATO standards"
Axios | Zachary Basu | 03/24/22

Exactly one month since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, the leaders of NATO, the G7 and the European Union have convened a trio of summits in Brussels to coordinate the next phase of the Western response.

The latest: All 30 NATO leaders issued a joint statement condemning Russia's invasion and committing to provide Ukraine with "assistance in such areas as cybersecurity and protection against threats of a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear nature." G7 leaders are now meeting behind closed doors.

What they're saying: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the NATO summit via video link, telling the alliance: "Never, please, never tell us again that our army does not meet NATO standards. We have shown what our standards are capable of. And how much we can give to the common security in Europe and the world." ... Read more

How the Ukraine war could go nuclear
Politico | Bryan Bender | 03/24/22

Not since the Cold War has the specter of nuclear war hung so heavily over a president's crisis diplomacy.

As President Joe Biden meets with fellow NATO leaders, calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine are growing more urgent than ever — to alleviate the widespread human suffering but also to dial back what veterans of nuclear planning consider an alarming potential for it to spiral into a clash of atomic superpowers.

The nuclear brinkmanship from Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks is unprecedented: He ordered a snap nuclear war game before the invasion and days later put his nuclear forces on high alert. And the Kremlin has repeatedly signaled it could resort to nuclear weapons - an option explicitly reserved in Russian military doctrine - if it determines the West's intervention in the conflict goes too far. ... Read more

NATO to agree to "major increases" of troops on eastern flank
Axios | author | 03/23/22

NATO will agree at a summit on Thursday to significantly bolster its troop presence on its eastern flank, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.

State of play: The deployment will consist of four new battle groups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. Stoltenberg said he expects leaders at the emergency summit in Brussels Thursday - which Biden will attend - to OK strengthening "NATO's posture in all domains."

The backdrop: Since Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's border began in October, the U.S. and NATO have deployed thousands of troops to eastern-flank countries like Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria and Romania, Axios' Zach Basu reports.

The troops are supported by 130 allied aircrafts and 140 allied ships at sea, in addition to sophisticated air defense systems. What he's saying: "We face a new reality for our security so we must reset our deterrence and defense for the longer-term," Stoltenberg said. ... Read more

Would you nuke the US? 100 Russians. | 1420 | current | 2:59

Do Russians want Ukraine? | 1420 | current | 4:06

1420 | https://www.youtube.com/c/1420channel/videos

Putin's Plan B | Russian invasion of Ukraine, as of March 21
Axios | Dave Lawler | 03/22/22

Russian forces planned to storm Ukraine's major cities in a matter of days. After nearly four weeks, they're instead bombarding those cities from a distance.

The big picture: As Russia's military adjusts its tactics to a new battlefield reality, analysts are watching for signs that Vladimir Putin is shifting his end game as well.

Driving the news: The Pentagon believes the Russians are increasing their missiles and airstrikes because, having failed to achieve their objectives on the ground, they are "flummoxed," "frustrated" and desperate to gain some momentum, spokesperson John Kirby said Monday.

Russia's advance on Kyiv has been stalled for over a week, and Russian forces that had seemed poised to move on Odessa have been repulsed. The front lines are largely frozen, with Russian forces consolidating the positions they already hold. ... Read more

The Rather Pathetic Economy of Russia | MSNBC | 03/18/22 | 18:57

Biden to speak with China's Xi Jinping about Russia
Axios | Jacob Knutson | 03/17/22

President Biden will speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday as "part of our ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication between the United States and the PRC," press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement Thursday.

Why it matters: Biden and Xi will in part discuss Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine after reports indicated that Moscow had asked China's government for military equipment and other assistance to support its war.

Chinese officials said they were unaware of any request from Russian officials, though U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan this week warned China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi of "consequences" if Beijing materially supports the war.

What they're saying: "The two Leaders will discuss managing the competition between our two countries as well as Russia's war against Ukraine and other issues of mutual concern," Psaki said.

The big picture: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi have forged deeper economic and military ties over the past several years as tensions with the U.S. have soared. ... Read more

Putin's Road to War | PBS Frontline | 03/15/22 | 53:18

Trump White House Aide was Secret Author of Report Used to Push 'Big Lie'
TheGuardian | Hugo Lowell | 03/17/22

The publicly available version of the Dominion report, which first surfaced in early December 2020 on the conservative outlet the Gateway Pundit, names on the cover and in metadata as its author Katherine Friess, a volunteer on the Trump post-election legal team.

But the Dominion report was in fact produced by the senior Trump White House policy aide Joanna Miller, according to the original version of the document reviewed by the Guardian and a source familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The original version of the Dominion report named Miller - who worked for the senior Trump adviser Peter Navarro ... Read more

Every nuclear bomb explosion in history | 2015 | 2:32

The Terrifying True Scale of Nuclear Weapons |2016 | 5:56

This Concrete Dome Holds A Leaking Toxic Timebomb | Foreign Correspondent | 2017 | 41:34

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U.S. intelligence agency chiefs testify about worldwide threats | full video | 03/10/22 | 2:20:29

Reports: Russia asks China for military and economic aid to help in Ukraine
Axios | Rebecca Falconer | 03/13/22

The Kremlin has asked China's government for military equipment and other assistance to support the Russian invasion of Ukraine, per multiple reports citing U.S. officials on Sunday.

It was not immediately clear what types of arms Russian officials had requested, or whether U.S. officials knew of how China's government has responded, per the Washington Post.

Meanwhile, national security adviser Jake Sullivan is due to travel to Rome on Monday for a meeting with senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi to discuss Russia's invasion.

What they're saying: Sullivan told CNN earlier on Sunday that U.S. officials were "communicating directly, privately to Beijing that there will absolutely be consequences for large-scale sanctions evasion efforts or support to Russia to backfill them."

He added that the U.S. "will not allow that to go forward and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country anywhere in the world." ... Read more

Meet The Press Broadcast (Full) - March 13 | 03/13/22 | 47:34

Top 10 Countries by Military Spending (1870-2020) | 9:45

Top 15 Countries By GDP (1600-2019) | 9:03

UN: Over 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees have fled since Russian invasion began
Axios | Erin Doherty | 03/11/22

More than 2.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion, according to UN refugee agency data on Friday.

The big picture: UNHCR has labeled the exodus the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

Approximately two million more people are displaced inside Ukraine, Grandi wrote in a tweet.

"Peace is the only way to halt this tragedy," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has said.

Driving the news: "Access to conflict-affected communities in hard-hit areas like Mariupol and Kharkiv remains very restricted due to the ongoing military activities and increased presence of landmines, exacerbating humanitarian needs by the day," UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo said in a statement. ... Read more

Watch Rachel Maddow Highlights: March 9 | MSNBC | 03/10/22 | 20:24

"No Fly Zone" Is A Euphemism For A Declaration Of War - Amb. Michael McFaul | 03/10/22 | 7:55

China's Economy Problem Just Got Worse: Population Collapse | Business Basics | 3/02/22 | 13:12

U.S. to ban Russian energy imports
Axios | Zachary Basu | 03/08/22

President Biden will announce Tuesday that the U.S. will ban all imports of Russian oil, natural gas and coal in response to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, according to a source familiar with the decision.

Why it matters: Biden had come under growing pressure from Congress and Ukraine to sanction Russia's most important industry, but hesitated due to concerns about rising energy prices and opposition by U.S. allies in Europe.

The U.K., which imports most of its energy from Norway, is expected to announce its own phased ban on Russian oil — but not natural gas — shortly after Biden's remarks, according to Bloomberg, which was first to report the expected announcement.

The big picture: The European Commission released a plan to reduce EU demand for Russian gas by two-thirds before the end of 2022, and completely phase out dependence on Russian fossil fuels "well before" 2030. ... Read more

Exclusive: World's largest Christian broadcaster pivots to news
Axios | Sara Fischer | 03/08/22

Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), which calls itself the world's largest Christian television broadcaster, is launching a news show called “Centerpoint” with Fox News alums.

Why it matters: TBN is looking to build a "Christian lifestyle brand" rather than just "preaching and teaching," TBN VP of Marketing Nate Daniels told Axios.

Details: "Centerpoint" will air at 7:30 p.m. ET on weekdays and will be replayed at 10:30 p.m. ET so that West Coast audiences get it at 7:30 p.m. their time. In the fall, TBN plans to add another half hour to the show.

It will be anchored by former Fox News Washington correspondent Doug McKelway and produced by Michael Clemente, former Newsmax CEO and Fox News EVP of News. ... Read more

Russia lays out Ukraine demands as third round of peace talks begin
Axios | staffr | 03/07/22

Ukraine on Monday criticized the Kremlin's announcement of new humanitarian corridors to transport civilians to Russia and Belarus as an "immoral" stunt ahead of a third round of peace talks.

The latest: The talks near the Belarus border got underway at 4pm Kyiv time, as the Kremlin outlined the most explicit set of demands Moscow has given so far for ending the war.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine should amend its constitution to "reject any aims to enter any bloc," likely in reference to NATO and the European Union.

Peskov also called for Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian and the pro-Moscow separatist republics in eastern Ukraine as independent — but appeared to stop short of demanding regime change. "[T]hat's it," Peskov said. "It will stop in a moment." ... Read more

Vital News! Musk just HUMILIATED Russia's insane decision to STOP supplying rocket engines to the US | Tech Fans | 03/05/22 | 8:09

Russia lays siege to major cities as Ukraine seeks safe passage for civilians
Axios | Zachary Basu & Dave Lawler | 03/04/22

Russian forces seized Europe's largest nuclear plant in an overnight assault that caused a fire at a nearby training facility, briefly raising fears of a nuclear disaster on top of the devastating humanitarian crisis already unfolding across Ukraine.

Driving the news: The fire has been extinguished and there are no signs of a radiation spike, according to Ukrainian and U.N. officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday will be a test of whether Russia is serious about establishing the "humanitarian corridors" that the two sides agreed to in Thursday's peace talks.

The latest: Ukraine and Russia plan to hold a third round of peace talks this weekend, according to a Zelensky adviser.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg once again rebuffed calls from Ukraine to set up a "no-fly" zone on Friday, and said Russia has used "cluster bombs" in violation of international law. ... Read more

AP: Russian Troops Shelling Europe’s Largest Nuclear Power Station In Ukraine | All-In with Chris Hayes MSNBC | 03/03/22 | 7:39

Russian forces take control over Europe's largest nuclear power plant | DW News | 03/04/22 | 40:22

Why Russia is Invading Ukraine | RealLifeLore | 02/26/22 | 31:55

Ukraine Confirms World's Largest Plane Has Been Destroyed | | 02/283/22 | 4:20

Second round of Ukraine talks begin as Russia bombards key cities
Axios | Dave Lawler & Zachary Basu | 03/03/22

Russian forces stepped up their assault on major Ukrainian population centers on Thursday, appearing to capture the strategic southern port city of Kherson while turning to siege tactics elsewhere in the face of fierce resistance.

The latest: A second round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were set to begin at 9am ET. An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Axios Ukraine's initial goals were a moderate ceasefire and an agreement to establish a humanitarian corridor.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told French President Emmanuel Macron during a 90-minute phone call Thursday that his goals — demilitarization and "denazification" of Ukraine — would be achieved no matter what, according to the Kremlin. ... Read more

Russia: An Economy at War | DW Business | 03/01/22 | 25:26

How likely are nuclear disasters and cyber warfare in Ukraine? | DW News | 03/02/22 | 10:29

Nuclear weapons expert: The likelihood of nuclear war is rising | DW News | 03/01/22 | 14:23

The War in Ukraine | Glenn Greenwald | 02/25/22 | 1:25:20

Putin's Wartime Fans In The GOP: U.S. Republicans On Defense After Idealizing 'Red State' Russia | MSNBC | 03/02/22 | 8:52

2022 State Of The Union | NBC News | 03/01/22 | 5:59:05

Recapping Biden's State Of The Union Address | NBC News | 03/02/22 | 7:45

Ukraine says 2,000 civilians killed since Russian invasion
Axios | Dave Lawler, Zachary Basu | 03/02/22

Ukraine's State Emergency Service said Wednesday that more than 2,000 civilians have been killed since Russia invaded on Feb. 24. Attacks on civilian areas have increased in the last 48 hours, but the casualty number is impossible to verify.

The big picture: The Russian plan to sprint to Kyiv and force a swift capitulation has faltered under stout Ukrainian resistance. But Russian forces are taking towns and cities, particularly in the south, intensifying their bombardments of cities like Kharkiv in the east, and continuing to funnel forces toward the capital. ... Read more