Category Archives: News to use

Useful news for all to advance knowledge of the world and how it works

US Crime Rate Drops to ‘Historic’ Lows With Murders, Rapes, and Robbery Plunging, New Statistics Show

The FBI released its latest Uniform Crime Reporting survey last week that revealed a notable positive trend continuing across the US—with violent and property crimes dropping by double digits.

Compared to January through March 2023, data from the first quarter of 2024 indicates that reported violent crime decreased by 15.2 percent.

Murder decreased by more than 26 percent.

Rape is down by 25.7 percent.

Robbery dropped by 17.8 percent.

Aggravated assault reports decreased by 12.5 percent.

Property crime also decreased by just over 15 percent.

The report includes data from more than 18,000 city, county, state, tribal, university and college, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Source: US Crime Rate Drops to ‘Historic’ Lows With Murders, Rapes, and Robbery Plunging, New Statistics Show

The murderer of Christina Lee pleads guilty – AsAmNews

via Go Fund Me

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced today that Assamad Nash has pleaded guilty to the murder of 35-year-old Christina Yuna Lee, who was fatally stabbed in her Chinatown apartment in New York on February 13, 2022.

Nash was charged with Murder in the Second Degree and Burglary in the First Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 30, 2024, and is expected to receive a sentence of 30 years to life in state prison.

Source: The murderer of Christina Lee pleads guilty – AsAmNews

Vote delayed for federal court appointee who Mitch McConnell calls ‘committed Marxist’ – UPI.com – (Me: Sen. McConnell…STFU!)

A Senate confirmation vote to make U.S. Magistrate Judge Mustafa Kasubhai a federal trial judge in Oregon was postponed Tuesday due to absences by members of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Photo by U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
A Senate confirmation vote to make U.S. Magistrate Judge Mustafa Kasubhai a federal trial judge in Oregon was postponed Tuesday due to absences by members of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Photo by U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee

Source: Vote delayed for federal court appointee who Mitch McConnell calls ‘committed Marxist’ – UPI.com

White House hits back at Israel’s claims of weapons delays

Getty Images  White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks at a press briefing at the White House on June 18, 2024 in Washington, DCGetty Images
The White Houses said only one shipment of weapons to Israel had been paused

The White House has pushed back against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claims that the US is withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel, hours after he lashed out at the Biden administration.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed an ongoing pause remained on one particular shipment of bombs, echoing comments from Secretary of State Antony Blinken hours beforehand, but she insisted no other weapons were being withheld.

“We genuinely do not know what he’s talking about,” Ms Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday.

Source: White House hits back at Israel’s claims of weapons delays

¿A la basura? – Santiago Galicia Rojon Serrallonga

santiagogaliciarojonserrallonga

Derechos reservados conforme a la ley/ Copyright

En la hora presente de nuestras existencias, cuando viajo, me traslado por la ciudad, consumo alimentos o café en algún restaurante, o me encuentro en una sala de espera, en una plaza comercial o en cualquier espacio público, incluidos los vestíbulos de los museos y de las galerías de arte, los auditorios en los que se presentan conferencias, las salas velatorias y los sanatorios, miro con preocupación a hombres y mujeres, principalmente jóvenes, inmersos en un mundo alterno que ellos, los dueños del poder global, han diseñado, a través de una ciencia servil y mercenaria, con la intención de mantener distraídas, inútiles, estúpidas e ignorantes a las multitudes.

Como escritor me pregunto, en el caso del arte, si tantos millones de personas, aquí y allá, en todo el mundo, se interesarán en la lectura de libros, en la ciencia, en las novelas y en los cuentos, e incluso en una pintura o en un concierto, reflejo de la inspiración, la sensibilidad y el talento de ciertos seres humanos irrepetibles y extraordinarios, cuando ya se dispone de equipos y sistemas artificiales que dan respuesta a las incógnitas y tienen capacidad de crear y responder acerca de todos los temas, aunque carezcan de esencia y sentimientos, ausencia que ya se identifica con las generaciones desposeídas de sí, con aquellos que han sido saqueados en su interior y no perciben que solo les queda una cáscara pasajera que hasta perforan y tatúan por simple moda pasajera.

Los descubro tan enajenados y distraídos en tantas estupideces que, finalmente, la basura acumulada a una hora, otra y muchas más, repercute en sus sentimientos, ideales, raciocinio y conductas, al grado de que me pregunto qué será de la humanidad dentro de un lustro o una década. No soy de los que acostumbran a expresar que todo, en el pasado, fue mejor, porque reconozco que la historia de la humanidad es compleja, más por ella que por causas externas; sin embargo, al examinar, construir y analizar los escenarios de los próximos años, defino un panorama complejo que, definitivamente, no resulta alentador.

Estoy seguro de que, intoxicados de tanta pereza mental, innumerables personas deambularán por los parajes del mundo como parias, mutilados racionalmente e incapaces de hablar correctamente, alejados del aprendizaje, carentes de sentimientos e ideales, ausentes de familia y vacíos de sí, con los únicos deseos de satisfacer necesidades biológicas, apetitos primarios e impulsos brutos.

Entre el ocaso de la década los 80 y la aurora de la de los 90, en el inolvidable, complejo e irrepetible siglo XX, escribí acerca de quienes llamé la generación perdida. Lamentablemente, los acontecimientos y la realidad me concedieron la razón. Ahora, tres décadas más tarde, ¿qué puedo manifestar ante muchedumbres que parecen no experimentar sentimientos nobles y son incapaces de pensar, crecer y aportar para bien de la humanidad, la naturaleza y el planeta?

Al hablar con ellos, resulta un fastidio entablar una comunicación en la que parecen no entender ni interesarse en los temas que se les trata, con un lenguaje totalmente ridículo y actitudes de molestia, desdén, ignorancia, desinterés, monotonía y pereza. Me pregunto, entonces, ¿será esa clase de gente la que aporte lo mejor de sí al mundo? ¿Tendrán capacidad de leer un breve relato literario, admirar la belleza y profundidad de una obra pictórica o escuchar un concierto magistral y sublime?

En este caso, es deplorable conceder la razón a quienes, desde las instituciones y las organizaciones económicas, sociales y financieras del mundo, argumentan que la humanidad ha producido mucha basura inútil que solo consume, motivo por el que es preciso, en consecuencia, eliminar a la mayor parte de la gente. Parece cruel y desgarrador, pero las sociedades de rebaño -acaudalados y pobres, académicos y analfabetos- están propiciando su destrucción y la de otros.

La televisión, el internet y las redes sociales, entre otros medios masivos de comunicación, enseñan a la gente a no esforzarse, a normalizar el mal, a deformar el lenguaje, a rechazar a la familia, a perder sueños e ideales, a no luchar por sus proyectos, a consumir, a sentirse realizada con modas y cosas materiales, a exigir derechos y a desdeñar las obligaciones y las responsabilidades. No se trata de las personas que nosotros, los artistas, intelectuales y científicos honestos, necesitamos para difundir nuestras obras y, juntos, participar en la construcción de sociedades más justas, nobles y prósperas.

No obstante, renacen mis esperanzas, como escritor, cuando en las rutas de mi existencia coincido con hombres y mujeres jóvenes interesados en el arte, en el conocimiento, en el aprendizaje. Es gente que, a pesar del remolino que parece afectar a todos para tragarlos y procesarlos, tiene esperanzas e ilusiones, sueños e ideales, motivos y proyectos.

En contraparte, en diferentes lugares del planeta, coexisten jóvenes honestos e íntegros, educados con valores, dedicados al estudio y al trabajo, con proyectos, ideales, sueños e ilusiones, quienes forman una minoría, un grupo que, sin duda, coadyuvará a restaurar un mundo que cada día luce más desgarrado, con una humanidad mutilada espiritual, menta y físicamente. Ellos son nuestra esperanza y es un orgullo cuando se interesan en algún libro, en el aprendizaje, en la productividad, en el bien colectivo, en la familia, en la naturaleza. No todo está perdido ni irá a la basura.

Derechos reservados conforme a la ley/ Copyright

 

Source: ¿A la basura? – Santiago Galicia Rojon Serrallonga

New protection for undocumented families applauded – AsAmNews

President Biden’s decision to make it easier for undocumented spouses and children of legal residents to stay in this country is being applauded by immigration advocates.

The White House announced two new measures today that temporarily lifts the threat of deportation.

“These necessary steps ensure that our community members can gain legal status, access essential health benefits, and lead more complete lives,” Sung Yeon Choimorrow, Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum said in a statement sent to AsAmNews. “Undocumented spouses and DACA-mented youth, have for too long lived in the shadows and borne the brunt of our broken immigration system.”

The order would allow them to legally work and apply for citizenship without having to leave the country. To be eligible, they must have lived in the U.S. for 10 or more years and have been legally married for that long. They also must not be on parole or pose a public safety threat. DREAMERS who have a college degree from a U.S. university and have an offer of employment, will be able to more quickly receive a work visa…

Source: New protection for undocumented families applauded – AsAmNews

L.A. school district approves strict student cellphone ban – Los Angeles Times (Me: duh, dumb… safety issues in school, on way to school and getting home)

…One elementary principal noted on the Facebook group Parents Supporting Teachers that she does not “see the need for Apple watches and cellphones on our young students. Now, as a parent of an LAUSD high school student who sometimes walks home, I DO see the need. It is a safety issue. All in all, I think they cause a lot of unnecessary drama on campuses, but need my HS student to have hers.”

AnneMarie Fulton noted on the Facebook group that her daughter will be starting middle school “10 miles from our home. I don’t want her to not have access to call me if needed. I’m strict on phone usage anyway, but taking that ability to contact away from a child doesn’t exactly seem right.”

Anti-police activists have concerns.

“In the past, some students have used phones to capture criminalization or police violence like incidents of arrest or pepper-spraying of students at schools, or [to] connect with their parents or lawyers/advocates when their rights were being violated,” said Joseph Williams, the director of Students Deserve, which recruits and assists student activists.

Source: L.A. school district approves strict student cellphone ban – Los Angeles Times

Mental Health Check ~June 18~ – Belladonna’s Flashlight

We all have our favorite seasons, and that one season that gives us the icks!

The arrival of Fall always seems to throw me off balance, and I’m certain many of you can empathize with this struggle. Despite my earnest attempts to maintain a healthy lifestyle and find solace in my faith, this season holds a unique sway over me. My sleep patterns are disrupted, leaving me feeling irritable and ready to ‘step on necks ‘.

Perhaps, in a lighthearted way, I should dub this period my ‘steppin’ on necks season. ‘

Life is rough, and one major crisis can have us throwing away the whole season for the rest of our lives. No questions are asked; just throw away the season and look forward to the next.

But think about how much time we are losing if we continue to do that for the rest of our lives. Life is already as shorter than we would like, and here we are making it shorter by not loving and respecting either a whole season or part of it.

We don’t have days to waste!

We live in a world of folks who would love for you to bend their ear. If you don’t have that person, you do now. Remember, seeking support is not a sign of weakness, but a brave step towards better mental health.

The significance of mental health evaluations is often overlooked until we see the effects that they can cause. Constantly feeling depressed or down and not being able to put your finger on the cause is real and affects 280 million people worldwide. And a whopping 39% of those suffer in silence. That’s not okay!

So today, tomorrow, and forever, I’ll ask everyone that I come into contact with…How are you? 

Wishing you all a beautiful summer!

You could have chosen any blog to read, but you chose mine, and I’m honored!

Source: Mental Health Check ~June 18~ – Belladonna’s Flashlight