It appears all three women who were tricked into marrying ambulatory man-wig Donald Trump were born without urethras, because America’s next president thinks it’s pretty gross that females have to purge their food waste somehow. Last night, Trump said presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s decision to use a ladies’ restroom at this weekend’s Democratic debate was “too disgusting” to talk about. He also said Clinton was “schlonged” by Barack Obama in the 2008 election. Never forget that Donald Trump is a classy gentleman who will decisively schlong Hillary Clinton next year. [ more › ]
Homeless Shelter Inspectors Overlook Rats, Mold, Nosebleed-Inducing Fire Damage
The city is still placing families into city-funded homeless shelters that are rat- and roach-infested and falling apart, an audit by Comptroller Scott Stringer’s office shows [pdf]. Of the 101 apartments investigators surveyed at “randomly selected” Department of Homeless Services shelters in the five boroughs, 88 contained one or more hazardous conditions. The audit also found that DHS staffers responsible for inspecting shelters seldom do so and instead rely on shelter operators to self-report problems. What’s more, the agency lacks a mechanism for following up to make sure flagged repairs have been made, meaning problems can persist for months or years, even as families move out and the city places new families in derelict apartments. [ more › ]
Chris Christie Loosens NJ Gun Restrictions To Show What A Great Republican He Is: Gothamist – The Blood from the Next Gun Murder Will Be on Governor Christie’s Hands
Permitting was found to have been “unevenly” applied across New Jersey’s townships, so regulations will be broadened to apply to more people who desire firearms for protection. The qualifications for “justifiable need” have also been expanded, and applications from victims of domestic violence will be expedited.In some cases, out-of-state residents passing through New Jersey with firearms legally owned in their home states will not be prosecuted. For instance, gun owners are required to go from point-to-point unless a stop is deemed “reasonably necessary,” the criteria for which does not currently exist.Lastly, the Attorney General will crack down on towns that fail to speedily process gun permit applications, and processing times will be collected and published in an effort to create greater transparency.”New Jersey citizens should be permitted to defend themselves and not encounter unlawful delays and impediments,” Christie said a statement released to media, adding that the commission provided “a set of recommendations that I am proud to wholeheartedly embrace. We will work through the Attorney General to put these changes into effect as quickly as possible.”
Source: Chris Christie Loosens NJ Gun Restrictions To Show What A Great Republican He Is: Gothamist
Greek parliament votes to officially recognize Palestine
All parliamentary parties in Greece have voted in favor of recognizing Palestine. Greek lawmakers adopted the resolution in a special session which was attended by Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas.
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Police union slams plan to strip refugee jewelry – The Local – Government theft planned from refugees
Denmark’s Minister for Integration has hit back at police criticism of the government’s highly controversial proposal to confiscate valuable items from refugees by saying “most people” can judge the value of jewelry.Outrage at Danish plan to strip refugee jewellery (17 Dec 15)The proposal to strip refugees of their valuables is contained in a draft bill which was submitted to the Danish parliament on December 10th and which is not expected debated by MPs until some time in January. But the furore over the plan is rumbling on with Police Union leader Claus Oxfeldt now entering the fray by going public with concerns about the practicality of the scheme.“I don’t have a good enough imagination to envisage us taking things like wedding rings from refugees coming to this country,” Oxfeldt was quoted by national broadcaster DR.Oxfeldt also stated his belief that estimation of specific values of items was outside of police jurisdiction.“It is not possible for us to judge whether a ring has a value of 1,000 (€134), 5,000 or 10,000 kroner,” Oxfeldt said. “If there is a large amount of cash, perhaps we should confiscate it,” he added.But integration minister Inger Støjberg stated her disagreement with Oxfeldt’s assessment.“I think most people can tell whether something is worth a thousand or 20,000 kroner, and if there is any doubt, you can have it valued or choose not to take it,” she said, also on DR.This does not mean that valuation experts would be brought in, according to Støjberg.“This is about very general principals in Denmark. If you can provide for yourself, you will provide for yourself. This also applies to refugees… The Police must see whether, for example, large amounts of money are being brought in. If they are, stays at asylum centers must be paid for [by the refugee] for as long as possible.“It is important to say that if anyone comes here with a wedding ring, we will not take it. I have said this from the start, when we presented the proposal.”Under the proposal, items needed for everyday use such as mobile telephones would also be exempt from confiscation, as well as items of sentimental value – unless these are of very high monetary value, in which case their confiscation can be considered “reasonable”.Refugees carrying the equivalent of over 3,000 kroner in cash would also see this confiscated.
Source: Police union slams plan to strip refugee jewellery – The Local
Brazil: Suspected Microcephalic Cases Reaches 2782
#10,827
In a normal week Brazil would be expected to report 3 – perhaps 4 – cases of Microcephalic birth defects – always totalling under 200 each year. Starting in October, Brazil began to see a sharp rise in these births, and for the past five weeks the MOH has released increasingly grim epidemiological reports.
Today’s update represents an increase of 381 cases microcephalic cases over the previous week, or roughly the number of cases Brazil would expect over a period of two years.
While the MOH has yet to post the full epidemiological report, earlier today the MOH held a press conference to announce the latest numbers, and has posted the following summary on their webpage, along with detailed reporting and advice on mosquito control measures.
MICROCEPHALY – On Tuesday (22), the Ministry of Health updated the microcephaly data related to infection by Zika virus. According to the new Epidemiological Bulletin have been reported 2,782 suspected cases of the disease and 40 deaths by 19 December. These cases are distributed in 618 municipalities of 20 units of the Federation.
The investigation of cases of microcephaly related to Zika virus is done in conjunction with Health managers of states and municipalities. Technical teams from the health ministry’s field research are working in the states of Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraiba, Sergipe and Ceará. Currently, the movement of the Zika is confirmed by PCR with molecular biology technology. From the confirmation in a particular locality, the other diagnoses are made clinically, for medical assessment of symptoms.
The Ministry of Health trained over 11 public laboratories to perform the diagnosis of Zika. Relying on the five reference units in Brazil for this type of examination, there are already 16 centers with the knowledge to take the test. In the next two months, the technology will be transferred to 11 more laboratories, totaling 27 units prepared to analyze 400 samples a month from suspected cases of Zika across the country.
The suspected link between microcephalic birth defects and maternal infection with the virus remains unproven, but based on the available data appears a plausible explanation for the huge jump in birth defects reported in Brazil over the past few weeks.
For more you may wish to revisit:
Brazil: MOH Announces Federal Plan To Combat Microcephaly
ECDC Risk Assessment: Microcephaly In Brazil Potentially Linked To The Zika Virus Epidemic
Microcephaly In Brazil – Background & WHO Statement
Zika outbreak expands in West Africa, Americas
Cape Verde reported its first Zika illnesses, while Panama and Honduras confirmed additional cases.
Michael Moore on New Wave of Gun Violence: “The NRA Is Actually Half Right” (Guest Column)
The ‘Where to Invade Next’ filmmaker argues that even if the U.S. banned guns, its lack of a social safety net would still turn many toward violence: “We just need to modify [the NRA’s slogan] to, ‘Guns don’t kill people — Americans kill people.'”
Muslim Teacher Fired for Mentioning Islam in Class
In case anyone was still wondering whether American Islamophobia is an emergency: Recently, a Muslim-American high school history teacher of Palestinian descent, Sireen Hashem, was fired from her job at Hunterdon Central High School in New Jersey after being banned from mentioning Islam in class.As if that wasn’t enough, Hashem and her attorney report that soon after she was dismissed, she received a knock on the door from… Jesus Christ, the FBI.Hashem’s apparent offense? Using the same teaching materials as everyone else.Hashem had shown a video about Malala Yousafzai in class — a pedagogical move apparently unoffensive in the classrooms of other, non-Muslim teachers. Hashem also used a writing prompt touching on Osama bin Ladin. Both pedagogical moves, reads the suit contesting the dismissal, were considered acceptable from other (non-Muslim) teachers. According to the suit, Hashem was told that “she could not teach current events in the same manner as her non-Arab, non-Palesinian, and non-Muslim colleagues.”Racism in the age of Trump is not the territory of ignorant people totally unlike “us,” but fundamental to everywhere from our most prestigious universities to the places we grew up.This incident — Hashem’s firing — literally happened in the place I grew up. Hunterdon County, New Jersey is the sixth richest county in the United States. According to the 2010 census, It is 91 percent percent white. It is not the abstract working class white Trump middle America of wealthy liberal fantasies. It is a place full of nice, white college graduates who smile at each other in the grocery store. I am ashamed, but not surprised, that this has happened at home.

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