What's in the news?

[Iniquitous]

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/30/trump-signs-right-to-try-legislation-on-experimental-medicines.html

So I'm a bit conflicted on this one.  On the one hand, you have drugs that haven't gone through their complete testing process which means there are likely to be side effects that may prove to be fatal.  But on the other hand, if they're in the terminal stage of a disease already, does it really matter if there's also a bit of hope that it will be able to help them?  In the end, I think some hope is better than no hope and if I were in that position I know I would sign on for the experimental treatment as fast as they could get me a pen.

So as much as I dislike having to say this (and will have to pour bleach on my fingers for typing it), I agree with Trump signing this bill.

As usual, 45 is trying to get credit for something that he really didn't do.  Found out that there are already laws, both federal and state level, that allow patients to chose experimental drugs.

Nothing to see here folks, just an idiot trying to make himself out to be more than he is.

[Lustful Bride]

Hmm....very interesting story of Russian reporter who fakes his own death. Ukrainian Security service staged a false murder to capture the real killers who wanted to kill him.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/arkady-babchenko-reported-killed-ukraine-appears-alive-180530144252785.html

[Lustful Bride]

Vogue Arabia spurs outrage by showing the princess driving in a car.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/whats-hot/vogue-arabia-sparks-online-backlash-following-cover-of-saudi-princess-driving-car/ar-AAy4YFp?ocid=spartandhp

[Formless]

Vogue Arabia spurs outrage by showing the princess driving in a car.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/whats-hot/vogue-arabia-sparks-online-backlash-following-cover-of-saudi-princess-driving-car/ar-AAy4YFp?ocid=spartandhp

Outrage even though women will start getting their driving licenses in less than a month?

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1705397/9-women-start-driving-saudi-arabia-june-24/

[Lustful Bride]

Outrage even though women will start getting their driving licenses in less than a month?

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1705397/9-women-start-driving-saudi-arabia-june-24/

Apparently. Though some are angry that she is on the cover while activists who protested for the right ot drive have been jailed. I dont know enough about the issue to have an oppinion, i just shared the news.

[Formless]

Apparently. Though some are angry that she is on the cover while activists who protested for the right ot drive have been jailed. I dont know enough about the issue to have an oppinion, i just shared the news.

I know. I wasn't trying to be negative. Just stating that women will drive soon in Saudi Arabia.

The activists whose been jailed are a huge can of worm.

Most of the female population in Saudi Arabia are excited to be driving. There hasn't been an 'outrage' over the article. There is however a selective minority who pretty much goes up in arms whenever someone from the royal family does something, regardless of what it is.

I hate to say this, but the western media prefers to follow these minorities on social media, and that's not wrong. What is wrong is when they think these minorities represent the opinions of 30+ million people.

[Lustful Bride]

I know. I wasn't trying to be negative. Just stating that women will drive soon in Saudi Arabia.

The activists whose been jailed are a huge can of worm.

Most of the female population in Saudi Arabia are excited to be driving. There hasn't been an 'outrage' over the article. There is however a selective minority who pretty much goes up in arms whenever someone from the royal family does something, regardless of what it is.

I hate to say this, but the western media prefers to follow these minorities on social media, and that's not wrong. What is wrong is when they think these minorities represent the opinions of 30+ million people.

I feel that happens with all news sources to some degree. So long as it sells, the publishers can overlook small details.

[Formless]

I feel that happens with all news sources to some degree. So long as it sells, the publishers can overlook small details.

Yeah. Its an inconvenient truth.

[Lustful Bride]

Another inconvenient truth, nothing will stop companies from drilling for resources.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/companies-take-first-steps-to-drill-for-oil-in-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge/ar-AAy3T5H?ocid=spartandhp

[gaggedLouise]

Hmm....very interesting story of Russian reporter who fakes his own death. Ukrainian Security service staged a false murder to capture the real killers who wanted to kill him.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/arkady-babchenko-reported-killed-ukraine-appears-alive-180530144252785.html

Yes, really unusual story. It's been high on the news here in Europe, first when he was reported killed and even more when he "came back from the dead". He may have become part of the propaganda war between Ukraine and Russia . the Ukrainian president was *very* quick to congratulate himself on all the attention the story had been getting, even as he admitted it was a ruse: "I knew all about it from the start". More fake news operations, with journalists conniving in it, really isn't what we need right now.

The danger to Babchenko may have been real, but he's also made it easier for other regimes (including Ukraine) to dismiss future disappearnaces and harassments of journalists and activists by saying "they're just faking it, remember that guy who was "killed" and then resurrected? Ha!"


OT: Trump decides to implement tariffs on steel and aluminium against Europe, Canada and Mexico, after holding off one month. The others promise to strike back with customs on some important US export goods. Is this the real start of a trade war between the US. Europe, Canada and China?

http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/31/news/economy/united-states-steel-aluminum-tariffs/index.html?adkey=bn

[gaggedLouise]

Five big cats escape from a German zoo - police have advised people in the small town to stay indoors and call the police if they see any trace of the felines.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44332699

I bet at least one or two of the  lions and tigers will head out into the forest - there is a great deal of woodland in the area.  Hope there won't be any need to shoot any of the animals dead. 

[Beorning]

Hey, what do you know? In spite of all the trouble, the Trump - Kim meeting did take place, after all!

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/30/politics/kim-kardashian-jared-kushner-white-house/index.html

[Oniya]

Hey, what do you know? In spite of all the trouble, the Trump - Kim meeting did take place, after all!

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/30/politics/kim-kardashian-jared-kushner-white-house/index.html

Jokes aside, I hope that something comes from that meeting.  She went in to discuss prison reform, and to attempt to get clemency for a 63-year-old woman who has served 20 years for a first-time, non-violent drug offense.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a20968667/who-is-alice-marie-johnson-kim-kardashian-prison-reform/

The woman literally never handled the drugs or the money.  She was only involved in delivering coded phone messages.  She was sentenced to life without parole.

[Beguile's Mistress]

President Trump has made 3,251 false or misleading claims in 497 days.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/06/01/president-trump-has-made-3251-false-or-misleading-claims-in-497-days/?utm_term=.3ea7237af83f&wpisrc=nl_fact&wpmm=1

[Beguile's Mistress]

President Trump has made 3,251 false or misleading claims in 497 days.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/06/01/president-trump-has-made-3251-false-or-misleading-claims-in-497-days/?utm_term=.3ea7237af83f&wpisrc=nl_fact&wpmm=1

President Trump is lying more now than he was at the beginning of his presidency.

http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-lying-more-now-he-was-beginning-his-presidency-908358

[gaggedLouise]

President Trump is lying more now than he was at the beginning of his presidency.

http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-lying-more-now-he-was-beginning-his-presidency-908358

Typical behaviour of a sociopath.

[Beorning]

Jokes aside, I hope that something comes from that meeting.  She went in to discuss prison reform, and to attempt to get clemency for a 63-year-old woman who has served 20 years for a first-time, non-violent drug offense.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a20968667/who-is-alice-marie-johnson-kim-kardashian-prison-reform/

The woman literally never handled the drugs or the money.  She was only involved in delivering coded phone messages.  She was sentenced to life without parole.

Oh, definitely not bashing the subjects raised during that meeting... I just found it funny: Trump cancelled a meeting with Kim and met with... the other Kim

As for Ms. Johnson... Brrr. I never understood the way American justice system treats drug offenses...

[gaggedLouise]

Apparently there is going to be a real Trump - Kim summit, on the date and place settled before. I won't be holding my breath for any serious results though...

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/01/politics/trump-north-korea-letter/index.html

[Lustful Bride]

Some see hints that Russians may be up to the same tricks they were alleged to be up to in the elections.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/new-internet-accounts-are-russian-ops-designed-to-sway-us-voters-experts-say/ar-AAy82rE?ocid=spartandhp

[Blythe]

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nathan-larson-congressional-candidate-pedophile_us_5b10916de4b0d5e89e1e4824

I do not have words. I really don't.

(Trigger warning: Larson is a reprehensible human being. The article covers not even a fraction of it. Assume that you need to have some serious mental fortitude to stomach the reality of Nathan Larson before reading that article)

[Oniya]

(Trigger warning: Larson is a reprehensible human being. The article covers not even a fraction of it. Assume that you need to have some serious mental fortitude to stomach the reality of Nathan Larson before reading that article)

(Seriously - have a paper bag handy.  This guy is vile.)

[gaggedLouise]

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nathan-larson-congressional-candidate-pedophile_us_5b10916de4b0d5e89e1e4824

I do not have words. I really don't.

(Trigger warning: Larson is a reprehensible human being. The article covers not even a fraction of it. Assume that you need to have some serious mental fortitude to stomach the reality of Nathan Larson before reading that article)

Phew - very troubling, but at least I'm relieved it's not the other Nathan Larson, the musician and composer married to Nina Persson of the Cardigans. He and wifey are living in my neck of the woods these days. :)

[gaggedLouise]

A hotel on Svalbard, in the high Arctic, has had its pantry broken into and robbed by a polar bear, for the second time in just a few weeks. The back door at the Ice Fjord Radio Hotel had been strengthened and locked after an earlier quadripede attack, but this didn't help - the bear just broke it down at night with his paws and then stayed for a few hours rummaging through stacks of food and bags of food trash under the midnight sun... 

[Lustful Bride]

I shouldn't be surprised that Sex cults are a thing.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-‘sex-cult’-that-preached-empowerment/ar-AAy0Ir7?ocid=spartandhp

[gaggedLouise]

I shouldn't be surprised that Sex cults are a thing.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-‘sex-cult’-that-preached-empowerment/ar-AAy0Ir7?ocid=spartandhp

*Trigger warning: mention of bondage and a r/l pre-teen incident*

Over here, "the sex sect" is the long-standing news media name of a cult around an old man (he's now in his nineties) with a striking interest in "old-style education of women", spanking and chains, etc. The group became notorious after a "summer camp" of theirs was found to include three pre-teen girls (aged between 11 and 13 at the time) who escaped from the camp after they had been spanked and sexually harassed...The leader of the group and his women were sentenced to jail. but he was also talking to the news media several times about the virtues of spanking and sort of mixing it with quasi-religious ideas... ^_^