CIRCLE WITH A DOT

Father of killed US military member disputes Hegseth’s claim he said to ‘finish’ the job in Iran

Defense secretary had said relatives of service members killed in refueling tanker crash told him ‘do not stop until the job is done’

the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)

Father of killed US military member disputes Hegseth’s claim he said to ‘finish’ the job in Iran

“What I heard through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve, was the same from family after family. They said, ‘Finish this. Honor their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done,’” Hegseth said.

However, on Thursday night, Charles Simmons, the father of Tech Sgt Tyler Simmons, 28, from Ohio, said he had no such conversation.

“I can’t speak for the other families. When he spoke to me, that was not something we talked about,” he told NBC News.

#trump #resist #hegseth #iran #lies

Easy-to-use solar panels are coming, but utilities are trying to delay them

Utilities are convincing lawmakers around the U.S. to delay bills that would allow people to buy solar panels, plug them into an outlet and begin generating electricity.

NPR (www.npr.org)

Easy-to-use solar panels are coming, but utilities are trying to delay them

Easy-to-install solar panels that plug into a regular outlet are getting attention just as Americans are worried about rising energy costs. That's because these plug-in or balcony solar panels start shaving off part of a homeowner's or renter's utility bill right away.

Plug-in solar advocates say that safety concerns about the new technology have been addressed and that utilities are really just worried about losing business, because every kilowatt-hour generated by a plug-in solar panel is one less the utility sells to a customer.

#solar #energy #utilities #environment

nytimes.com

(www.nytimes.com)

Trump Removes Sanctions on Russia to Help Oil Flow Amid Iran Conflict

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it was “unfortunate” that the move could benefit Russia, but maintained that it was only for the short term.

yes, it's 'unfortunate' that trump is boosting russia's oil sales which will help putin continue paying for the invasion of ukraine and his unending attacks on civilian targets.

#oil #trump #resist #russia #ukraine #sanctions

‘A few beatings won’t kill you’: judge rejects divorce request of woman abused by husband in Afghanistan

Under new Taliban laws, a husband is allowed to beat his wife as long as it is not done with ‘obscene force’, which the woman must prove in court

the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)

‘A few beatings won’t kill you’: judge rejects divorce request of woman abused by husband in Afghanistan

Under new Taliban laws, a husband is allowed to beat his wife as long as it is not done with ‘obscene force’, which the woman must prove in court

The shocking level of physical violence against women permitted under the Taliban’s new laws has been revealed this week by the case of a woman in northern Afghanistan, who said she was beaten with a cable wire by her husband and told by a judge: “You want a divorce just because of that? … A little anger and a few beatings won’t kill you.”

#islam #afghanistan #womensrights #religion

nytimes.com

(www.nytimes.com)

The Scale of Billionaires’ Campaign Donations is Overwhelming U.S. Politics

The Times analysis found that 300 billionaires and their immediate family members donated more than $3 billion — 19 percent of all contributions — in federal elections in 2024, either directly or through political action committees.

The billionaire families gave an average total of $10 million each in 2024, an amount roughly equal to what 100,000 typical political donors gave, combined. And that does not count money that billionaires contributed through dark money groups that do not have to disclose their donors.

#trump #resist #billionaires #donations #elections

Trump officials move to kill system that protects US from chemical disasters

EPA rolls back rules as chemical firms claim provisions in RMP protection system too expensive to implement

the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)

Trump officials move to kill system that protects US from chemical disasters

In 2024, the Biden administration finalized a rule 12 years in the making that meaningfully strengthened protections. However, industry in early 2025 asked the incoming Donald Trump EPA to undo it because, chemical companies claim, its provisions are too expensive to implement.

The Trump EPA is now moving to kill most of the 2024 rules after it eliminated a public website that informs communities and first responders which chemicals are in use at facilities.

#trump #resist #safety #disasters #rules

Trump suggests US could carry out ‘friendly takeover’ of Cuba

As tensions between two countries reach new highs, US president says regime is ‘talking with us’

the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)

Trump suggests US could carry out ‘friendly takeover’ of Cuba
Trump said on Friday: “They have no money, they have no anything right now. But they’re talking with us and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba.”

cubans will never allow a 'friendly' takeover.

#trump #resist #cuba #imperialism