News You Can Use

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'People aren't spending': stores close doors in 'oversaturated' US retail market | US news | The Guardian

Canal Street was never a high-end retail experience. But, like many streets in New York City and in cities across the US, it is becoming increasingly desolate.

Boarded-up stores line the thoroughfare that bisects much of lower Manhattan. Many stores that are still open for business also display signs that read “for lease” or “for rent”.

“It’s not Trump,” said one downcast store-owner recently. “It’s not the economy. Something else is happening. People aren’t spending.”

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Jing-Jin-Ji: China Planning Megalopolis the Size of New England - NBC News

TIANJIN, China — China's rulers are planning a megacity that would be home to 130 million people and cover an area the size of New England.

Sitting on the northeast coast of China, Jing-Jin-Ji — which stands for "Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei" — is a central plank of the country's economic development plan over the next century.

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Elon Musk’s Billion-Dollar Crusade to Stop the A.I. Apocalypse | Vanity Fair

Elon Musk is famous for his futuristic gambles, but Silicon Valley’s latest rush to embrace artificial intelligence scares him. And he thinks you should be frightened too. Inside his efforts to influence the rapidly advancing field and its proponents, and to save humanity from machine-learning overlords.

[Joel]

Senate Republicans Just Sold You Out to Advertisers

IN A 50-TO-48 VOTE along party lines, the U.S. Senate decided to kill FCC rules blocking your ISP from selling your browsing history to the advertising industry without permission. Should the change pass the House, as is expected, the likes of Comcast and Verizon will be able to make money disclosing what you buy, where you browse, and what you search from your own home, all without asking permission.

In an immediate signal that the vote will only benefit monied corporate interests and not the roughly 70 percent of Americans with a home broadband connection, the Internet & Television Association trade group gloated over their congressional victory

The 50 Senators that voted for S.J.Res 34 are (thanks to happyxpenguin):
Senator Roberts (R-KS)
Senator Lee (R-UT)
Senator Boozman (R-AR)
Senator Blunt (R-MO)
Senator Crapo (R-ID)
Senator Scott (R-SC)
Senator Cotton (R-AR)
Senator Hatch (R-UT)
Senator Capito (R-WV)
Senator Alexander (R-TN)
Senator Toomey (R-PA)
Senator Perdue (R-GA)
Senator Cochran (R-MS)
Senator Inhofe (R-OK)
Senator Ernst (R-IA)
Senator Lankford (R-OK)
Senator Collins (R-ME)
Senator Sullivan (R-AK)
Senator Thune (R-SD)
Senator McCain (R-AZ)
Senator Graham (R-SC)
Senator Wicker (R-MS)
Senator Grassley (R-IA)
Senator Burr (R-NC)
Senator Hoeven (R-ND)
Senator Tillis (R-NC)
Senator McConnell (R-KY)
Senator Heller (R-NV)
Senator Cruz (R-TX)
Senator Daines (R-MT)
Senator Portman (R-OH)
Senator Murkowsky (R-AK)
Senator Cassidy (R-LA)
Senator Flake (R-AZ)
Senator Johnson (R-WI)
Senator Rubio (R-FL)
Senator Corker (R-TN)
Senator Risch (R-ID)
Senator Gardner (R-CO)
Senator Young (R-IN)
Senator Barasso (R-WY)
Senator Moran (R-KS)
Senator Cornyn (R-TX)
Senator Enzi (R-WY)
Senator Kennedy (R-LA)
Senator Shelby (R-AL)
Senator Rounds (R-SD)

Absent:
Senator Paul (R-KY)
Senator Isakson (R-GA)


The EFF put it concisely: Senate Puts ISP Profits Over Your Privacy. Now, the only chance to maintain the hard earned FCC broadband privacy rules lies in defeating H.J.Res 86, the House version of this resolution, which will likely be voted on in the House of Representatives within the next month. It’s up to us to Save Broadband Privacy and make sure that we Don’t Let Congress Undermine Our Privacy.

A VPN provider (Private Internet Access) took out a full page ad in the Sunday New York Times to call out the 50 Senators who voted to let ISPs sell your data without your permission.

We can stop this assault on privacy in the House. Take action here: https://www.savebroadbandprivacy.org/

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Protecting your browsing history: Here's what you can do - Mar. 24, 2017

Federal regulations designed to give you more control over your web browsing history and other personal information may soon be eliminated.
There are steps you can take to protect yourself -- but you'll have to do more than set your browser to private mode. And there is no perfect solution, experts agree.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted Thursday to roll back rules that would have required internet service providers, such as Comcast or CenturyLink, to ask for permission before tracking and selling your information.

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Slavery claims as seasonal workers from Vanuatu paid nothing for months' work

Seasonal worker and father of six Silas Aru called it "slavery".

Federal Circuit Court Justice Michael Jarratt​ struggled to imagine a "more egregious" case of worker exploitation.

Seasonal workers from Vanuatu who were exploited on Queensland farms. Photo: Supplied
For six months, Aru, 53, picked fruit at farms dotted across Queensland as part of a federal government low-skilled Seasonal Worker Program. He was paid less than $150 in total.

Some days, he ate no food, save for some of the tomatoes he picked. 

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Utah drops legal minimum age for concealed carry permit to 18

Republican Gov. Gary Herbert last week signed a proposal into law that will allow 18-20 year olds in Utah to apply to carry a concealed handgun.

The new law, which passed as HB 198 with broad support, establishes a provisional permit system that those at least 18 but not yet 21 can use to carry a concealed handgun. In a press conference prior to the signing, Hebert compared it to military service.

“Juxtapose that over people we put in the military to carry M16s and other weapons with the intent of defending our freedoms and killing people,” said the Governor. “If they’re old enough to do that they’re probably old enough to get some training and carry a concealed weapon.”

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Italy Could Soon Offer Women Paid 'Menstrual Leave'

The proposed law is currently being debated in the country’s parliament. If passed, it would mandate that companies enforce a “menstrual leave” policy and offer three paid days off each month to working women who experience painful periods.

Health experts and local media outlets have praised the proposal, saying it was a step in the right direction and would shed light on the silent plight of women suffering from debilitating cramps that can sometimes affect their ability to work.

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Facial recognition database used by FBI is out of control, House committee hears | Technology | The Guardian

Database contains photos of half of US adults without consent, and algorithm is wrong nearly 15% of time and is more likely to misidentify black people

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Armed Antifa Communists March In Response to Arizona Trump Rally » Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

An Antifa group calling itself the “Brown Berets” organized a call-to-arms this weekend in response to a “peaceful, family-friendly” march in support of President Donald Trump, veterans, and the needy in Phoenix, Arizona.
According to local reports, the crew of approximately 40 also marched, with rifles in hand, in the region of the pro-Trump rally, handing out flyers promoting the “John Brown Gun Club” and “Redneck Revolt,” which aims to “put the red back in redneck.”
Many in the group were unironically wearing brown shirts, as well as black bandanas across their faces.

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Students Share Their Sins At 'Masculinity Confession Booth' | The Daily Caller

A university will be hosting a “Masculinity Confession Booth” along with a number of other workshops and screenings to combat “hypermasculinity.”

“We have all reinforced hypermasculinity one way or another regardless of our gender!!” explains the University of Regina event description. “Come and share your sins so we can begin to discuss how to identify and change our ways !!!”

The “Man Up Against Violence” initiative will be hosting these events at the University of Regina in Canada during the present week.

The Masculinity Confession Booth will be making its debut Monday, but is also listed on the schedule for Tuesday through Thursday — days on which students can also attend a “Healthy Relationships and Healthy Masculinity Workshop.” Yet another event will seek to redefine the phrase, “man up.”

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Brooklyn Prosecutor Charged with Faking Judges' Signatures for Illegal Wiretaps | NBC New York

A supervising prosecutor from the Brooklyn district attorney's office forged judges' signatures in order to obtain illegal wiretaps and then used those wiretaps to illegally monitor cell phone calls and text messages, federal prosecutors alleged in an indictment Monday. 

Tara Lenich, 41, who was an assistant district attorney with the Kings County District Attorney's Office, allegedly created those fake judicial orders for more than a year -- from June 2015 to November 2016 -- in order to get the wiretaps. 

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River of needles: Group seeks support as number of syringes in Merrimack soars | Haverhill news | eagletribune.com

Rocky Morrison, president of the nonprofit Clean River Project, said he didn't give it much thought until last year, when his volunteers saw a huge increase in the number of syringes they were finding. They collected more than 1,000 last year, and he said there are more out there.

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Russia Joins US in Race to Field Gun-Launched Swarmbots - Defense One

A pair of Russian programs hastens the day that drone swarms may meet each other over the battlefield.

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$540,701,000,000: U.S. Property Taxes Hit Record in 2016

(CNSNews.com) - Americans paid a record $540,701,000,000 in property taxes to state and local governments in fiscal 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

That was up $16,748,620,000—or about 3.2 percent--from $523,952,380,000 in property taxes (in constant 2016 dollars) that state and local governments collected in fiscal 2015.

The prior national record for property taxes was set in fiscal 2009, when they hit $527,850,500,000 in constant 2016 dollars. Fiscal 2016's record total of $540,701,000,000 was up $12,850,000,000—or about 2.4 percent—from that previous record.

The nationwide state and local property tax receipts for fiscal 2016 were released last week with the Census Bureau’s “Quarterly Summary of State and Local Government Tax Revenue for 2016: Q4.”

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Rep. Mo Brooks files bill to repeal Obamacare | AL.com

In a simple two-page document, an Alabama congressman has filed a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal Obamacare.

Or, as it is stated in the bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, introduced the bill Friday.

"This Act may be cited as the 'Obamacare Repeal Act,'" the bill states.

And the bill uses just one sentence to do it.

"Effective as of Dec. 31, 2017, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is repealed, and the provisions of law amended or repealed by such Act are restored or revived as if such Act had not been enacted," the bill states.

And that's it - one sentence.

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Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" Speech : The Colonial Williamsburg Official History & Citizenship Site

Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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[Sunain]

Liberals to announce marijuana will be legal by July 1, 2018

Provinces will have right to decide how marijuana is distributed and sold, CBC News has learned
By David Cochrane, CBC News Posted: Mar 26, 2017 9:00 PM ET Last Updated: Mar 27, 2017 12:54 PM ET



The Liberal government will announce legislation next month that will legalize marijuana in Canada by July 1, 2018.

CBC News has learned that the legislation will be announced during the week of April 10 and will broadly follow the recommendation of a federally appointed task force that was chaired by former liberal Justice Minister Anne McLellan.

That flag is a disgrace to Canada. X( And to legalize it next Canada Day, our country is literally going to pot!
God keep our land glorious and free! Between the drunk drivers and the stoners, it's going to be even worse on the roads now.

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NoHo school budget cuts due to high white student percentage sparks outrage | abc7.com

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Outrage has grown at Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood, as the school faces layoffs and increased class sizes due to a law limiting funds for schools with a higher white student body.

The Los Angeles Unified School District provides more funding for schools where the white population is below 30 percent.

In a letter to parents, the district noted the highly regarded middle school had been above the percentage for the past couple years.

The racial formula was a condition imposed by court decisions dealing with desegregation in the 1970s.

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Nebraska Dems include voter registration form in 'refugee welcome baskets' - The American MirrorThe American Mirror

Nebraska Democrats want to turn their state blue — one non-citizen at a time. Conservative Review published a selfie video of Nebraska Democratic Party chairwoman Jane Kleeb giving an insider’s glimpse into what the party is doing to woo refugees into supporting them.

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NYC vows to fight for sanctuary status - Story | WNYW

Municipal leaders nationwide vowed to defy any crackdown on sanctuary cities after a warning from Attorney General Jeff Sessions that they could lose federal money for refusing to cooperate with immigration authorities and suggested the government would come after grand money that has already been awarded if they don't comply.

"We are going to become this administration's worst nightmare," said New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who was among officials gathered in New York for a small conference that attracted officials from cities including San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia and New York.

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Russia warns US could trigger 'nuclear war' unless missile systems are pulled from Europe | Daily Star

Pentagon missiles in Europe and warships patrolling Russia's borders could lead to nuclear war, warned Vladimir Putin's military bosses.

The anti-ballistic missile system (ABM) is provoking a "new arms race" and scuppers Russia's ability to defend itself from a nuke strike, they said.

Russian military bosses warned the ABM "lowers the threshold for use of nuclear weapons" and increases the risk of "sudden nuclear attack".

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Schumer loses cool with Trump supporter at swanky restaurant | Page Six

One witness said of the restaurant rant, “They are a highly respected couple, and Schumer made a scene, yelling, ‘She voted for Trump!’ The Califanos left the restaurant, but Schumer followed them outside.” On the sidewalk, Schumer carried on with his fantastical filibuster: “ ‘How could you vote for Trump? He’s a liar!’ He kept repeating, ‘He’s a liar!’ ”

Hilary confirmed the confrontation, telling Page Six, “Sen. Schumer was really rude . . . He’s our senator, and I don’t really like him. Yes, I voted for Trump. Schumer joined us outside and he told me Trump was a liar. I should have told him that Hillary Clinton was a liar, but I was so surprised I didn’t say anything.”

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Maxine Waters questions patriotism of Trump supporters from House floor - The American MirrorThe American Mirror

“Mr. Speaker, my position against this president and his administration is clear. I oppose this president. I do not honor this president. I do not respect this president,” Waters said during a nearly 9-minute speech. “African-Americans have struggled and fought historically, many African-Americans have paid a huge price fighting for justice and equality in this country, have died for it. I don’t have to call the names of Martin Luther King and all the others. We have paid a price, we have fought. “But guess what? Despite the fact that America has not always been there for us, we’ve always been there for America. We have fought in America’s wars. We have suffered discrimination, we have suffered isolation and undermining. But we stand up for America, oftentimes when others who think they are more patriotic, who say they are more patriotic, do not,” Waters said. “When we fight against this president, and we point out how dangerous he is for this society and for this country, we’re fighting for the democracy. We’re fighting for America. We’re saying to those who say they’re patriotic but they’ve turned a blind eye to the destruction that he’s about to cause this country, ‘You’re not nearly as patriotic as we are.’” Waters made it clear her mission is not to represent her constituents, but destroy Trump. The president “is not good for America,” she said. “African-Americans know this. The Black Caucus understands this. And for those members of the Black Caucus representing our leadership, who went to meet with him, they have laid out to him all of this, what our care and concerns are all about. But in the final analysis, we really don’t expect anything from him. “And my mission and my goal is to make sure that he does not remain president of the United States of America,” Water said.