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demmiblue
demmiblue's Journal
demmiblue's Journal
October 18, 2019
BREAKING: To win Rudy Giuliani's help with a legal fight, associates of a Ukrainian oligarch pursued
BREAKING: To win Rudy Giuliani's help with a legal fight, associates of a Ukrainian oligarch pursued dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden last summer https://bloom.bg/2oKseW7
https://twitter.com/bpolitics/status/1185285389814304770
https://twitter.com/bpolitics/status/1185285389814304770
Associates of a Ukrainian oligarch fighting extradition to the U.S. were working to dig up dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden last summer in an effort to get Rudy Giuliani’s help in the oligarch’s legal case, according to three people familiar with the exchanges, Bloomberg News reports.
Dmitry Firtash, charged with conspiracy by the U.S. and living in Vienna, shuffled lawyers in July to add Joe diGenova and Victoria Toensing, vocal supporters of President Donald Trump who had worked with Giuliani. Around that time, some of Firtash’s associates began to use his broad network of Ukraine contacts to get damaging information on Biden, the people said.
Dmitry Firtash, charged with conspiracy by the U.S. and living in Vienna, shuffled lawyers in July to add Joe diGenova and Victoria Toensing, vocal supporters of President Donald Trump who had worked with Giuliani. Around that time, some of Firtash’s associates began to use his broad network of Ukraine contacts to get damaging information on Biden, the people said.
October 18, 2019
“NASA celebrates women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) with recording artist Grace Potter performing the song, “Look What We’ve Become.” Using scenes of Potter performing as the thread between several stories, the video recognizes the power of women at NASA--past, present and future--and the important role of each in human spaceflight.
A song to celebrate today's historic event in women's history:
“NASA celebrates women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) with recording artist Grace Potter performing the song, “Look What We’ve Become.” Using scenes of Potter performing as the thread between several stories, the video recognizes the power of women at NASA--past, present and future--and the important role of each in human spaceflight.
October 18, 2019
Secret Service dog Hurricane just won a medal for protecting the Obamas during a White House...
https://twitter.com/nowthisnews/status/1185183246360989696
October 18, 2019
(CNN)Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops and Frosted Mini Wheats in the same box?
The new concoction isn't just a kid's breakfast dream -- it's an anti-bullying campaign.
Kellogg's is partnering with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) to release a cereal called "All Together," mixing cereals and their mascots to support anti-bullying and LGBTQ advocacy work.
"We all belong together," the company said in a statement. "So for the first time in history, our famous mascots and cereals are offered exclusively together in the same box for All Together Cereal. It's a symbol of acceptance no matter how you look, where you're from or who you love."
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/18/us/kellogg-glaad-anti-bullying-trnd/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_term=link&utm_source=twCNN&utm_content=2019-10-18T10%3A50%3A03
Kellogg joins GLAAD for anti-bullying campaign with All Together cereal
(CNN)Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops and Frosted Mini Wheats in the same box?
The new concoction isn't just a kid's breakfast dream -- it's an anti-bullying campaign.
Kellogg's is partnering with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) to release a cereal called "All Together," mixing cereals and their mascots to support anti-bullying and LGBTQ advocacy work.
"We all belong together," the company said in a statement. "So for the first time in history, our famous mascots and cereals are offered exclusively together in the same box for All Together Cereal. It's a symbol of acceptance no matter how you look, where you're from or who you love."
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/18/us/kellogg-glaad-anti-bullying-trnd/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_term=link&utm_source=twCNN&utm_content=2019-10-18T10%3A50%3A03
October 18, 2019
NOAA's 2019 winter forecast shows it will likely be warmer
(CNN)Much of the United States will be warmer than normal this winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday.
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center said in its Winter Outlook that the South, New England, Alaska and Hawaii can expect milder than normal temperatures.
The Northern Plains and Midwest have an equal chance of being warmer or cooler than usual.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/17/weather/2019-winter-forecast-noaa-outlook/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_term=link&utm_source=twCNN&utm_content=2019-10-17T18%3A30%3A02
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center said in its Winter Outlook that the South, New England, Alaska and Hawaii can expect milder than normal temperatures.
The Northern Plains and Midwest have an equal chance of being warmer or cooler than usual.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/17/weather/2019-winter-forecast-noaa-outlook/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_term=link&utm_source=twCNN&utm_content=2019-10-17T18%3A30%3A02
October 18, 2019
REMINDER: Trump's prized Doral resort is in steep decline, according to company documents...
Trump’s prized Doral resort is in steep decline, according to company documents, showing his business problems are mounting
By David A. Fahrenthold and Jonathan O'Connell
May 15, 2019 at 6:00 AM EDT
Late last year, in a Miami conference room, a consultant for President Trump’s company said business at his prized 643-room Doral resort was in sharp decline.
At Doral, which Trump has listed in federal disclosures as his biggest moneymaker hotel, room rates, banquets, golf and overall revenue were all down since 2015. In two years, the resort’s net operating income — a key figure, representing the amount left over after expenses are paid — had fallen by 69 percent.
Even in a vigorous economy, the property was missing the Trump Organization’s internal business targets; for instance, the club expected to take in $85 million in revenue in 2017 but took in just $75 million.
“They are severely underperforming” other resorts in the area, tax consultant Jessica Vachiratevanurak told a Miami-Dade County official in a bid to lower the property’s tax bill. The reason, she said: “There is some negative connotation that is associated with the brand.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-prized-doral-resort-is-in-steep-decline-according-to-company-documents-showing-his-business-problems-are-mounting/2019/05/14/03cc701a-6b54-11e9-be3a-33217240a539_story.html
By David A. Fahrenthold and Jonathan O'Connell
May 15, 2019 at 6:00 AM EDT
Late last year, in a Miami conference room, a consultant for President Trump’s company said business at his prized 643-room Doral resort was in sharp decline.
At Doral, which Trump has listed in federal disclosures as his biggest moneymaker hotel, room rates, banquets, golf and overall revenue were all down since 2015. In two years, the resort’s net operating income — a key figure, representing the amount left over after expenses are paid — had fallen by 69 percent.
Even in a vigorous economy, the property was missing the Trump Organization’s internal business targets; for instance, the club expected to take in $85 million in revenue in 2017 but took in just $75 million.
“They are severely underperforming” other resorts in the area, tax consultant Jessica Vachiratevanurak told a Miami-Dade County official in a bid to lower the property’s tax bill. The reason, she said: “There is some negative connotation that is associated with the brand.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-prized-doral-resort-is-in-steep-decline-according-to-company-documents-showing-his-business-problems-are-mounting/2019/05/14/03cc701a-6b54-11e9-be3a-33217240a539_story.html
October 17, 2019
Question: "Is President Erdogan still coming next month to the White House?"
https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1184915935976665088
October 17, 2019
Updated White House schedule now includes this, which should be, uh, interesting: Press Briefing...
Updated White House schedule now includes this, which should be, uh, interesting: Press Briefing with White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney at 12:30PM in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.
https://twitter.com/jeneps/status/1184856917505724419
https://twitter.com/jeneps/status/1184856917505724419
October 17, 2019
Kitten Rescue Sanctuary LIVE in Los Angeles courtesy of @exploreorg
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1OwxWdvmYwDKQ
October 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/MrJonCryer/status/1184841534455402501
Putin Pulls Russia Out of Convention on War-Crime Probes
Source: Bloomberg
President Vladimir Putin is pulling Russia out of a key element of the Geneva Conventions that authorizes investigations into alleged war crimes against civilians.
Putin issued a decree dated Wednesday to withdraw from Protocol 1 of the 1949 convention “relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts,” citing “exceptional circumstances affecting the interests of the Russian Federation and requiring urgent action.”
The protocol authorizes the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission to investigate alleged war crimes and other “grave breaches” against civilians caught up in armed conflicts. The commission, established in 1991, comprises 15 independent experts elected by the 77 states including Russia that have recognized the body, according to its website.
It carried out a 2017 probe into the death of a paramedic working for the Organization for Security and Cooperation’s monitoring mission in eastern Ukraine during the conflict between government forces and Russian-backed separatists. It also discussed the wars in Syria and Yemen at its annual meeting in Geneva in April.
Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-17/putin-pulls-russia-out-of-convention-on-war-crime-probes
https://twitter.com/MrJonCryer/status/1184841534455402501
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