Occupy Banksters & Crony Capitalism & GREED

Putin claims 15% of Ukraine is now part of Russia
Axios | Dave Lawler | 09/30/22

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in a major speech on Friday that Russia would annex four regions of Ukraine, a dramatic escalation that leaves no clear path to peace.

The big picture: Russia partially occupies the four Ukrainian oblasts - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - and held staged referendums over the past few days that most western governments labeled a "sham."

Putin called on Ukraine to negotiate, but said the annexations were final. "There is no turning back, Russia will not let them down." He added, "We shall defend our territory with all means available to us." ... Read more

Zelensky: Ukraine submits "accelerated" NATO application
Axios | Mark Robinson | 09/30/22

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Ukraine is making an "accelerated" bid to join NATO.

Driving the news: The announcement comes on the same day Russia annexed four Ukrainian territories after a series of referendums that most western governments have labeled a "sham."

At the outset of the invasion, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's aim to join the defensive alliance, which Finland and Sweden began the process of joining earlier this year. ... Read more

Florida death toll rises from Hurricane Ian
Axios | Jacob Knutson | 09/30/22

Ian made landfall as an "extremely dangerous" with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour on Florida's southwestern coast on Wednesday near Cayo Costa, an island to the west of Cape Coral, according to the National Hurricane Center.

It then shifted north-northeast and made landfall with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph on mainland Florida just south of the city of Punta Gorda before barreling northeast across the state and weakening into a tropical storm.

At least four people died after Hurricane Ian pummeled Florida's western coast with record storm surge flooding as high as 12 feet in some areas and intense winds on Wednesday, according to AP.

The big picture: More than 1.9 million customers were without power in Florida on Friday morning as the state began search and rescue and recovery efforts to deal with severe damage in the hurricane's aftermath.

What they're saying: "This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida's history," President Biden said at a briefing Thursday afternoon, adding that "we're hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life." ... Read more

Live updates: Fierce Hurricane Ian takes aim at Florida
Axios | Andrew Freedman | 09/27/22

Hurricane Ian rapidly intensified overnight, reaching Category 3 intensity, with a further ramp-up to a Category 4 forecast by this evening.

State of play: As of 8 a.m. ET, the storm was located over western Cuba, and had maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, which is 5 mph shy of Category 4 intensity. It was moving north at 12 mph.

The big picture: The storm's track, toward a major hurricane landfall in southwest Florida, near or potentially south of Tampa, and an anticipated slowdown in its forward speed during the next few days, make this an especially dangerous event. ... Read more

Bolsonaro: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | 09/26/22 | 19:362

Maddow: Endgame Of GOP Undermining Elections Is To Evade Accountability To Voters | MSNBC | 09/27/22 | 8:47

Florida on alert as Ian strengthens into hurricane
Axios | Andrew Freedman | 09/26/22

The National Hurricane Center said Monday that Tropical Storm Ian has strengthened into a hurricane - and warned it could rapidly intensify as it tracks toward Florida.

State of play: Ian - which could turn into a high-end Category 4 storm as early as midweek - was some 315 miles southeast of the western tip of Cuba at 5am ET.

Its maximum sustained winds had strengthened to 75 mph, up from 45 mph Sunday afternoon, according to the NHC. A storm is classified as a hurricane when its maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph. ... Read more

Trump and QAnon: The cult and the conspiracy | The Listening Post | 09/24/22 | 24:50

Burn: See MAGA-Era Science Lies Roasted And Debunked By Neil DeGrasse Tyson | MSNBC | 09/22/22 | 16:46

Top prosecutor offers brutal news for Trump | Brian Tyler Cohen | 09/26/22 | 19:23

Russian-controlled Ukraine regions vote on whether to join Russia
Axion | Rebecca Falconer | 09/23/22

Residents in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine began voting in referendums on joining Russia on Friday morning.

The big picture: Russian-installed leaders were holding votes in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions from Friday through Tuesday in what's been widely slammed by Ukrainian, Western and other world leaders as a sham that could lead to the annexation of nearly 15% of Ukraine. ... Read more

Donald Trump speaks out on the FBI's raid on Mar-a-Lago | Fox News | 09/21/22 | 19:41

T**** Confuses Hannity With Wild Mar-a-Lago Excuses | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert | 09/22/22 | 12:26

Abortion Searches falls as the Border Searches Rises
Axios | Stef W. Kight & Jacque Schrag | 09/22/22

Americans' Google searches and story interactions around crime and immigration are eclipsing abortion and the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, according to the Axios midterms dashboard powered by Google Trends, as well as new data from NewsWhip.

Why it matters: With elections seven weeks away, some topics more likely to favor Democrats have been losing ground to those that may favor Republicans.

The big picture: Democrats have been laser focused on abortion as a winning issue, but the new data shows a waning interest nationally after the initial surge that followed the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. It remains high in some states and districts, including Indiana, which passed a near total ban last month. ... Read more

Joe Biden rips apart Putin's outrageous Ukraine invasion at UN | 09/21/22 | 8:23

I voted for Trump - twice. I was a right-wing pundit. I was dead wrong about all of it
Salon | Rich Logis | 09/18/22

I supported Donald Trump. I really did, and without much reservation. I believed the fallacy that a Hillary Clinton victory (and, then, four years later, a Joe Biden victory) would mean the end of America and the start of permanent Democrat rule over our nation. I was attracted to Trump because he incurred almost equal levels of ire, at least at first, from both of our major parties. My first-ever vote in a presidential election was in 2000, for Ralph Nader, and I saw in Trump some of those same maverick qualities.

During Trump's presidency, I adopted - and vigorously preached - the right-wing gospel: Democrats were importing foreigners to win elections forever; leftists were coming for our guns; nationalism was patriotism; there was a shadowy network of censors whose teleological purpose in life was to suppress Republican or conservative points of view; predatory men were using women's bathrooms everywhere; and, of course, Barack Obama was the worst president in history and made Jimmy Carter look like George Washington. ... Read more

Law & Order: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | 09/12/22 | 27:28

Climate change drives record North Atlantic marine heat wave
Axios | Rebecca Falconer | 09/21/22

The historic heat waves that roasted the U.S. and Europe over the summer may have subsided. But a record marine heat wave is gripping large expanses of the North Atlantic and northern Pacific oceans.

The big picture: It has implications for marine species and extreme weather events, including hurricanes, as climate change exacerbates the problem. NOAA scientists warn it shows no signs of immediately abating.

Driving the news: "Climate change is making every marine heatwave warmer than the last," research scientist Dillon Amaya, who studies marine heat waves at NOAA's Physical Sciences Laboratory, tells Axios. ... Read more

Putin announces partial military mobilization for Russian citizens
Axios | Rebecca Falconer | 09/21/22

The latest: Putin's veiled nuclear threat was "dangerous and reckless" but also not new, "as he has done it many times before," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with Reuters Wednesday.

"He knows very well that a nuclear war should never be fought and cannot be won and it will have unprecedented consequences for Russia," Stoltenberg added.

Details: "Only citizens who are currently in the reserve will be subject to conscription and, above all, those who served in the armed forces have a certain military specialty and relevant experience," Putin said in a televised address Wednesday during which he railed against the West, per an AP translation.

What he's saying: Putin accused Western nations of "nuclear blackmail" and claimed "high-ranking representatives of the leading NATO states" had spoken "about the possibility of using nuclear weapons of mass destruction" against Russia. ... Read more

Putin is at war with all of Europe, Spain's Pedro Sanchez says
Politico | Ryan Heath | 09/20/22

NEW YORK - Russia is at war not only with Ukraine, but with the whole EU - and it's losing, according to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is "using energy as a war tool" because he is threatened by the EU's values, Sánchez told POLITICO in New York, where more than 150 heads of state and government are gathering for the United Nations General Assembly.

But while Putin has succeeded in driving up the price of energy in Europe - forcing massive market interventions to reduce financial pain on households and companies, Sánchez insisted Moscow is actually pushing the EU closer together. ... Read more

President Joe Biden: The 2022 60 Minutes Interview | 60Minutes | 09/18/22 | 25:06

What's behind the collapse of "growth stocks"
Axios | Matt Phillips | 09/20/22

State of play: Tech-centric "growth" shares have gotten killed this year.

The Nasdaq composite index is down 26%, versus the S&P 500's 18% loss.

The Russell 1000 growth stock index is down 25%.

Goldman Sachs' custom basket of "growth" stocks is down about 28%.

So, what exactly are growth stocks? ... Read more

Three massive storms slam U.S. and Japan, each with climate change ties
Axios | Andrew Freedman | 09/19/22

Three blockbuster storms struck different coasts this weekend, causing widespread damage in Puerto Rico, Alaska and Japan.

The big picture: Each storm either exhibited unusual characteristics in its formation and intensification or in its interaction with built infrastructure. Their damage offers examples of what we can expect more of in a rapidly warming world.

In Alaska: The most intense storm ever recorded in the Bering Sea during the month of September blasted communities across a 1,000-mile stretch of Alaska's western coastline with hurricane-force winds and record storm surge flooding.

In Puerto Rico: Hurricane Fiona struck on Sunday, causing an island-wide blackout that illustrates the country's challenges with repairing its electrical grid in the wake of Hurricane Maria in 2017.

In Japan: Typhoon Nanmadol, the country's fourth-most intense typhoon to make landfall, struck the island of Kyushu on Sunday morning eastern time. ... Read more

The World's Suppliers Thru the Years | 09/19/22 | 1:32

Trump embraces QAnon at rally by playing music similar to its anthem
TheGuardian | Richard Luscombe | 09/19/22

Donald Trump made one of his highest-profile embraces to date of the extremist conspiracy group QAnon at a political rally in Ohio on Saturday, making the apparently deliberate choice to play music that is virtually indistinguishable from the cult organization's adopted anthem.

Wwg1wga's title reflects the QAnon slogan "where we go one, we go all", adopted by members of the antisemetic group who have convinced themselves that Trump is a messianic figure who is single-handedly battling the dark, pedophilic forces of satanism and who will return to the White House in glory having vanquished his enemies. ... Read more

Why "zero-down" mortgages are gaining ground
Axios | Emily Peck | 09/08/22

You can expect more banks to start offering mortgages that don't require some first-time buyers to save up a large down payment - part of an effort to close the racial and ethnic homeownership gap, which is a big piece of the racial wealth gap.

Driving the news: Bank of America's recently announced "zero down payment" loans for first-time homebuyers in predominately Black and Hispanic neighborhoods who meet certain income requirements.

Two other banks, JPMorgan Chase and TD Bank, offer similar programs. If they were adopted widely in both the public and private sector, programs like these could truly make a dent in the racial homeownership gap - but so far they haven't been.

Details: Bank of America's "zero down payment" loans are a bit of a misnomer. They do technically require a down payment, but the bank is offering grants of as much as $15,000 to cover it. ... Read more

Famine at Somalia's door | A lot of peoples door!!
Axios | Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath | 09/09/22

In Appeal, DOJ Explains Judge Cannon's Error In Pausing Trump Documents Investigation | 09/09/22 | 8:54

European Central Bank unveils super-sized interest rate hike
Axios | ourtenay Brown | 09/08/22

The European Central Bank announced the largest interest rate hike in the central bank's 24-year history on Thursday as the eurozone battles record inflation stoked by an energy crisis.

Details: The ECB said it would hike rates by three-quarters of a percentage point, following a smaller - though still historically large - half-point increase in July.

Why it matters: The ECB's super-sized interest rate hike underscores the central bank's intense fight against inflation.

It's raising borrowing costs during a staggering moment for the eurozone economy: there's a high risk of a recession as Russia crimps Europe's energy supply, a problem that may get worse in the months ahead. ... Read more

The premiere of the new Hunter Biden film was as wild as you'd think
Politico | author | 09/06/22

LOS ANGELES - "My Son Hunter" is not your prototypical Hollywood movie - and it did not get a typical Hollywood premiere.

The new film distributed by the conservative media empire Breitbart and released Tuesday had its first public viewing last Wednesday night at a small screening room inside a nondescript office building on South Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles.

It was miles away from Tinseltown's red carpets, literally and figuratively. In place of cocktails and expensive hors d'oeuvres were bottled water and pre-bagged "Corn Pop," a wink at a story Joe Biden has often told about this youth in Delaware intermingling with the city's Black population. "Corn Pop" was a real person, but sometimes, the president recounts it in ways that have drawn mockery. ... Read more

Steve Bannon surrenders to prosecutors in New York
Axios | Ivana Saric | 09/08/22

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon surrendered to prosecutors in New York on Thursday to face charges that he defrauded donors to a group aimed at building a wall along the U.S.- Mexico border.

Driving the news: Bannon entered the Manhattan district attorney's office around 9 a.m., AP reports. Prosecutors haven't released the exact charges but said they would announce an indictment involving Bannon and the group, We Build the Wall, later Thursday. ... Read more

Senate Republicans' same-sex marriage poker face
Axios | Andrew Solender | 09/07/22

Senators who are whipping Republican support for a bill to codify marriage equality are bullish on its chances of passing - but some supporters' names may not be known until the vote occurs, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: With the House passing the bill in July and President Biden expected to sign it if it reaches his desk, the Senate stands as the primary hurdle.

State of play: Democrats need the votes of 10 Republicans in order to break a filibuster, but only a handful have come out publicly in support of the bill so far.

The intrigue: Don't expect to find out all the Republican senators supporting the legislation until the actual vote, a source close to the negotiations told Axios. ... Read more

Nuclear secrets reportedly found at Mar-a-Lago are 'gamechanger', experts say - live
The Guardian | staff | 09/07/22

Report appears to confirm security officials' worst fears about the nature of the material Trump refused to hand back

Teflon Don: How Trump keeps getting away with it all - even top secret nuclear documents
Salon | Heather Digby Parton | 09/07/22

Trump pooh-poohed the report, of course, posting on his social media site, "nuclear weapons issue is a Hoax, just like Russia, Russia, Russia was a Hoax, two Impeachments were a Hoax, the Mueller investigation was a Hoax, and much more. Same sleazy people involved." Of course, this was hardly reassuring since none of those were hoaxes. But not much more was said about the issue - until Tuesday night when the Washington Post reported that the FBI had, in fact, found "a document describing a foreign government's military defenses, including its nuclear capabilities." This would be one of the nation's most tightly kept secrets.

As of this writing, Trump has not responded to that story. Instead, he's posted yet another rant about the stolen election and a former FBI agent he blames for failing to indict Hunter Biden. He signed off with "they spy on my campaign, Rigged & Stole the Election, and go after me for doing nothing wrong. Only in America!!!" ... Read more

Heat wave in West breaks records, threatens California grid
Axios | Andrew Freedman | 09/06/22

A historic heat wave is affecting the West, breaking all-time, monthly and daily records and putting the California electricity grid to test. The heat is relentless, potentially peaking today but sticking around straight through the upcoming weekend.

The big picture: The immediate cause of the heat wave is an unusually strong area of high pressure, or heat dome, that is parked over the western U.S., causing air to sink and dry out, stifling any widespread rainfall.

As of Tuesday morning, about 52 million people were under extreme heat warnings and advisories in six states. ... Read more

Heat dome roasts the West, with brutal record-breaking temperatures
Axios | Andrew Freedman | 09/01/22

An intense, sprawling heat dome is causing the most intense, long-lasting heat wave of the summer in parts of the West.

The big picture: This heat wave will be a record-breaking event lasting into next week in California and surrounding states. It brings with it serious public health dangers, electric grid challenges and wildfire risks, officials warn.

As of Thursday morning, about 40 million were under heat warnings, advisories and watches across a five-state region in the West.

In California, excessive heat warnings, the most urgent hot weather alert in the National Weather Service's (NWS) arsenal, are in effect from San Diego all the way north to Mount Shasta through at least Tuesday, and in some cases longer. ... Read more

Having "The Talk" With Trump Supporters About The Police | Jordan Kemmper | 06/12/22 | 2:21

U.S. pressure drives Russia, China and Iran closer together
Axios | Dave Lawler | 09/01/22

America's biggest adversaries - China, Russia and Iran - are increasingly teaming up in ways that could undermine U.S. objectives.

Driving the news: Russian and Chinese forces began major military exercises Thursday in Russia's far east. Meanwhile, Russia has received an initial batch of drones from Iran to deploy on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Those are just the latest examples of America's top geopolitical foes finding common cause.

Referring to relations with countries like Iran and Russia, a Chinese diplomat tells Axios it's "only natural" that countries facing sanctions and pressure from the U.S. would move closer together. ... Read more

AI Images: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | John Oliver | 08/28/22 | 10:40

46 large fires burn across 8 states as heat wave grips U.S. West
Axios | Rebecca Falconer | 09/02/22

Massive wildfires are now burning across California, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Montana, Washington state, Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming as a "dangerous" heat wave expands across much of the U.S. West.

Threat level: "Critical fire weather, including low relative humidity and gusty winds, is forecast from northern California into Montana Friday," the National Weather Service warned Friday morning.

"Heat-related warnings, and advisories extend across most of California and Nevada into the interior Northwest," the NWS said.

New large blazes ignited in California, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming on Wednesday, as firefighters face "hot and dry conditions," per the National Interagency Fire Center, the nation's support center for wildland firefighting.

By the numbers: More than 10,200 firefighters and support personnel are responding to wildfires across the U.S. - with 46 large fires now burning, according to the NIFC. ... Read more

"Zombie Ice": Greenland's Melting Glacier to Raise Sea Nearly 1 Foot, Double Previous Estimate | DN | 09/01/22 | 8:41

Study: Climate change main cause of wildfire weather in U.S. West
Axios | Rebecca Falconer | 11/02/21

Human-caused climate change is the main driver behind increased wildfire risk in the U.S. West, according to a study published Monday.

Why it matters: Researchers hadn't expected human-caused global warming to take over from natural climate variability as the main contributor to fire weather until much later this century, around 2080, per the Los Angeles Times.

Rong Fu, a climate researcher at UCLA who led the study, noted to the L.A. Times that "now, we're seeing even in the first 20 years of the 21st century, the greenhouse-gas-induced fire weather has already surpassed natural variability."

Climate change's role in wildfires is a key part of the agenda at COP26, the United Nations conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where dozens of world leaders meet are trying to set new emissions reduction goals. ... Read more