Mainstream News

Trump’s Electronics Ban Is Ineffective, Says International Air Transport Association Chief

"Speaking to the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations, Alexandre de Juniac, director general and chief executive of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), questioned the efficacy of the ban, which prohibits electronics larger than a cellphone on direct flights to the United States from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa. The regulations, prompted by reports that militant groups want to smuggle explosive devices in electronic gadgets, require that electronics larger than a cellphone, including laptops and tablets, must be stowed with checked baggage on U.S.-bound passenger flights." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTrump’s Electronics Ban Is Ineffective, Says International Air Transport Association Chief

Trump on Collision Course With South Korean Leader on Dealing With North

"Mr. Moon’s strategy is the opposite: to offer an outstretched hand to the North Koreans first, in the hope of reducing tensions with the promise of economic integration. Just because that effort failed the last time it was tried, he argued during a hard-fought campaign, does not mean it will fail again as he deals with an erratic, 33-year-old leader in Pyongyang whose main interest is remaining in power." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTrump on Collision Course With South Korean Leader on Dealing With North

Two pints of beer better for pain relief than Tylenol: study

"By elevating your blood alcohol content to approximately 0.08 per cent, you’ll give your body 'a small elevation of pain threshold' and thus a 'moderate to large reduction in pain intensity ratings'. The researchers explained: 'Findings suggest that alcohol is an effective analgesic that delivers clinically-relevant reductions in ratings of pain intensity, which could explain alcohol misuse in those with persistent pain, despite its potential consequences for long-term health.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTwo pints of beer better for pain relief than Tylenol: study

FBI’s Comey: Americans Should Not Expect ‘Absolute Privacy’

"FBI Director James Comey has put to rest any hope of achieving privacy in the United States. Speaking at a cybersecurity conference at Boston College on Wednesday, Comey said that 'there is no such thing as absolute privacy in America.' He added that everything Americans engage in, including conversations with members of the clergy and their attorneys, live within 'judicial reach.' 'In appropriate circumstances, a judge can compel any one of us to testify in court about those very private communications,' Comey said, according to CNN, which obtained a video of his remarks." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFBI’s Comey: Americans Should Not Expect ‘Absolute Privacy’

Trump administration is looking at 50- and 100-year bonds

"The Treasury disclosed that it is studying the possibility of ultra-long bonds, with maturities greater than 30 years, currently the bond with the longest maturity. It also said it is preparing for the time when the Fed begins to reduce its giant $4.5 trillion balance sheet — by buying fewer Treasurys and mortgage securities, and perhaps ultimately even unloading the ones it holds." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTrump administration is looking at 50- and 100-year bonds

As Inventor of Subprime Car Loans Exits, Critics Smell a Lemon

"In January [Foss] stepped down as chairman of Credit Acceptance Corp., the company he started in 1972 that pioneered extending auto loans to customers with rock-bottom credit scores or none at all. A month after he left, he sold a big chunk of his Credit Acceptance shares for $128 million. The company didn’t say why Foss sold his shares and declined to comment. Foss didn’t respond to requests for comment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAs Inventor of Subprime Car Loans Exits, Critics Smell a Lemon

Trump announces trade war with Canada, retroactive 20% tax on lumber

"Claiming the U.S. has been 'taken advantage of' under the Clinton-era NAFTA trade deal, President Trump Monday night opened a trade war with Canada, announcing a retroactive 20 percent 'tax' on lumber imports, and promising a similar tax on Canadian milk. 'Canada has treated us very unfairly,' the president said in impromptu remarks at a reception for conservative journalists. 'We have been taken so advantage of,' he said, speaking it the Roosevelt Room. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who accompanied the president into the reception, said that the 'countervailing duty' would be retroactive 90 days." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTrump announces trade war with Canada, retroactive 20% tax on lumber

U.S. chooses Afghanistan for first “mother of all bombs” drop

"The Afghanistan strike had been in the works for a number of months, Martin reports. The weapon was brought into Afghanistan specifically for this mission. General John Nicholson, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, was required to get permission to use the weapon, but it’s unclear how far up the chain of command his request traveled." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. chooses Afghanistan for first “mother of all bombs” drop

British visitors to US to be ‘asked’ for passwords and phone contacts at airports

"British visitors to the US may be asked for social media usernames and passwords and their phone’s address book under new border checks being considered at US airports. The Trump administration is considering 'extreme vetting' scenarios in which even tourists from US allies such as the UK, France and Germany are subject to intense security checks, according to the Wall Street Journal. 'We will do it when we think there’s a reason to do it,' US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told a US Senate committee hearing last week." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBritish visitors to US to be ‘asked’ for passwords and phone contacts at airports