Ugly Side Effects of Drinking Coffee Every Day, According to the Mayo Clinic | Eat This Not That

If you’re a coffee lover, you already know that drinking a fourth or fifth cup of coffee can leave you feeling jittery, restless, and wildly alert. But did you also know that doing so routinely over time can promote prolonged feelings of acute nervousness and anxiety? Or that you could partially lose control of your muscles? Or that it’s possible you’ll lose control over your ability to urinate? These are all very real side effects of drinking more than four cups of coffee (or 400 mg of caffeine, which you shouldn’t exceed if you’re following the recommendations of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines) per day, according to the health specialists at the Mayo Clinic. For all of the side effects of drinking too much coffee cited by the Mayo Clinic, read on, because we’ve listed them right here. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, know that it may be time to cut back on caffeine. And, to keep your health on track this year, make sure you avoid these 108 Most Popular Sodas Ranked By How Toxic They Are.

Source: Ugly Side Effects of Drinking Coffee Every Day, According to the Mayo Clinic | Eat This Not That

Rep. Paul Gosar: DC riot had ‘hallmarks of Antifa provocation’

In a tweet made to his personal Twitter page, Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar appears to suggest that Antifa provocateurs had a role in the riots at the United States Capitol in Washington D.C.

On Jan. 6, supporters of Donald Trump gathered in Washington D.C. for a protest over baseless claims of electoral fraud. Eventually, people stormed the U.S. Capitol Building as Congress was counting the electoral votes from November 2020’s election.

On his personal Twitter account, Rep. Paul Gosar, retweeted a video posted that claims some of the individuals who stormed the Capitol Building were “dressed up and had knee pads,” made a claim that the incident has “all the hallmarks of Antifa provocation,” without offering any evidence to support that claim.

Source: Rep. Paul Gosar: DC riot had ‘hallmarks of Antifa provocation’

Kim Jong Un Admits Failures In Rare Display Of Contrition : NPR

At a party congress gathering in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un acknowledged that policies of the past five years had been an abject failure.

“Mistakes were made.”

That’s according to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who in an address to a ruling party meeting made a frank admission — that the country’s policies in the past five years had ended in abject failure.

“Almost all sectors fell a long way short of the set objectives,” Kim told thousands of delegates to the Workers’ Party’s 8th Congress who were seated in a huge auditorium in Pyongyang.

The country should digest the “bitter lessons” of failure, Kim added, and “be bold enough to recognize the mistakes, which, if left unaddressed, will grow into bigger obstacles.”

Source: Kim Jong Un Admits Failures In Rare Display Of Contrition : NPR

U.S. officials report more severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines | Reuters

(Reuters) – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Wednesday it is carefully monitoring allergic reactions to the coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc and urged individuals who had a serious reaction not to get the second dose.

In a conference call with reporters, the U.S. public health agency said allergic reactions are occurring at a rate of 11.1 per 1 million vaccinations. That compared with flu vaccines, in which such reactions occur at a rate of 1.3 per 1 million shots.

The severe reactions are still “exceedingly rare,” they said, stressing the need for people to get vaccinated when the shots become available to them, given the threat of death and serious disease from the coronavirus that has already claimed more than 357,000 lives in the United States alone.

Source: U.S. officials report more severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines | Reuters

Earth is whipping around quicker than it has in a half-century | Live Science

It could mean a “negative” leap second.

The 28 fastest days on record (since 1960) all occurred in 2020, with Earth completing its revolutions around its axis milliseconds quicker than average. That’s not particularly alarming — the planet’s rotation varies slightly all the time, driven by variations in atmospheric pressure, winds, ocean currents and the movement of the core. But it is inconvenient for international timekeepers, who use ultra-accurate atomic clocks to meter out the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) by which everyone sets their clocks. When astronomical time, set by the time it takes the Earth to make one full rotation, deviates from UTC by more than 0.4 seconds, UTC gets an adjustment.

Until now, these adjustments have consisted of adding a “leap second” to the year at the end of June or December, bringing astronomical time and atomic time back in line. These leap seconds were tacked on because the overall trend of Earth’s rotation has been slowing since accurate satellite measurement began in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Since 1972, scientists have added leap seconds about every year-and-a-half, on average, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The last addition came in 2016, when on New Year’s Eve at 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds, an extra “leap second” was added.

Source: Earth is whipping around quicker than it has in a half-century | Live Science

US Capitol: Pro-Trump mob storms as armed standoff takes place outside House chamber – CNNPolitics

(CNN)Supporters of President Donald Trump have breached the US Capitol and one woman has been shot as one of the most iconic American buildings is engulfed in chaos after Trump urged his supporters to fight against the ceremonial counting of the electoral votes that confirmed President-elect Joe Biden’s win.

Shortly after 1 p.m. ET hundreds of pro-Trump protesters pushed through barriers set up along the perimeter of the Capitol, where they tussled with officers in full riot gear, some calling the officers “traitors” for doing their jobs. About 90 minutes later, police said demonstrators got into the building and the doors to the House and Senate were being locked. Shortly after, the House floor was evacuated by police.
An armed standoff was taking place at the House front door as of 3 p.m. ET, and police officers had their guns drawn at someone who is trying to breach it. A Trump supporter was also pictured standing at the Senate dais.

A woman is in critical condition after being shot in the chest on the Capitol grounds, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The sources could not provide further details on the circumstances of the shooting.Vice President Mike Pence was also evacuated from Capitol, where he was to perform his role in the counting of electoral votes.Video from inside the Capitol showed Trump supporters marching through Statuary Hall. The US Capitol Police is asking for additional law enforcement for assistance, including federal authorities, per a source familiar.The source says there are several suspicious devices outside the Capitol building.House and Senate leadership is safe and in an undisclosed locations, according to a person familiar. A separate lawmaker said House members have been evacuated to a location that this source would not disclose.The US Capitol Police are working to secure the second floor of the Capitol first, and will then expand from there. Outside the Capitol, the DC Metropolitan Police Department continues to mass, but no major move has been made yet toward the crowd.The Capitol police officer in the House chamber told lawmakers that they may need to duck under their chairs and informed lawmakers that protesters were in the building’s Rotunda. Lots of House members were seen wearing gas masks as they move between Capitol buildings. Members were calling family to say they are OK.

Source: US Capitol: Pro-Trump mob storms as armed standoff takes place outside House chamber – CNNPolitics

Pennsylvania Senate Republicans refuse to seat Jim Brewster, take control from Lt. Gov. Fetterman – The Washington Post

Officials shouted and spoke over each other, at one point trying to conduct dueling sessions in a stark showcase of this year’s party divides over normally routine functions of democracy.

Source: Pennsylvania Senate Republicans refuse to seat Jim Brewster, take control from Lt. Gov. Fetterman – The Washington Post

Trump administration officially says huge hack was likely a Russian espionage operation

WASHINGTON — Nearly a month after reports emerged of a massive hack of U.S. government agencies and corporations, the Trump administration announced Tuesday that it had formed a task force to deal with the repercussions of what it officially acknowledged — for the first time — was likely a damaging Russian espionage operation.

“This is a serious compromise that will require a sustained and dedicated effort to remediate,” said a joint statement from the FBI, the National Security Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

The statement said that “fewer than 10” federal agencies had been compromised by “an intelligence gathering effort” that is “likely Russian in origin.”

The statement did not name the agencies that have been hacked, but NBC News has reported that among them are Treasury, Commerce, State and Energy.

The acknowledgement that the hack appeared to have been carried out by Russia — sources have told NBC News it was likely the SVR, Russia’s equivalent of the CIA — came despite President Donald Trump having cast doubt on that finding, saying last month it could have been China.

Source: Trump administration officially says huge hack was likely a Russian espionage operation

Georgia Senate elections results: Runoffs are too close to call

Both Senate runoff elections in Georgia are too close to call as Republicans and Democrats vie for control of the Senate.

The races will determine which party controls the Senate for the next two years. Democrats aim for unified control of Congress and the White House. Republicans want a check against President-elect Joe Biden’s agenda.

In one contest, 71-year-old Republican David Perdue runs against 33-year-old Democrat Jon Ossoff, who runs a documentary production company. Perdue seeks a second term in the Senate after his first ended Sunday.

The other special election pits 50-year-old Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler against 51-year-old Democrat Raphael Warnock, the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached. The seat, which opened up after former GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson retired early, will be up for reelection in 2022.

Source: Georgia Senate elections results: Runoffs are too close to call

Jim Brewster’s Pennsylvania Senate seat remains in doubt amid pending lawsuit from Nicole Ziccarelli

A day before Pennsylvania state lawmakers will be sworn in for a new two-year session, state Senate Democrats said Monday that the Republican majority is trying to “steal an election” by objecting to letting a Democratic member take his seat for a fourth term.

The dispute revolves around the election of Democratic Sen. Jim Brewster of Allegheny County and could leave the decision on who to install in the Senate district to a majority of senators.

The contest between Brewster and Republican challenger Nicole Ziccarelli hinged on court decisions that said mail-in ballots that lack a handwritten date on the ballot envelope is not a reason to disqualify someone’s vote.

Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, called the Republicans’ refusal to swear in Brewster during Tuesday’s ceremony “unlawful” and suggested that his caucus will go to court.

Republicans were trying to “steal an election” in what Costa framed as a continuation of “the Trump playbook. It’s about abusing the process that’s in place.”

Costa also pointed out that U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi swore in Rep.-elect Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, even as her Democratic opponent’s challenge to the election results remains under review by the House.

The Senate’s top Republican, President Pro Tempore-elect Jake Corman, R-Centre, called it a “fairly unique, if not unprecedented situation.”

Ziccarelli has filed a complaint with the Senate and a lawsuit in federal court in an “extremely close” election affected by court rulings, Corman said.

“I think this unique set of circumstances dictates that the Senate review it and take very seriously the contest,” Corman said.

He did not say how long the Senate will need to review Ziccarelli’s filing before voting, or how long the Senate is willing to leave the seat vacant.

Brewster beat Ziccarelli by 69 votes in the Nov. 3 election, according to state-certified returns last month.

Source: Jim Brewster’s Pennsylvania Senate seat remains in doubt amid pending lawsuit from Nicole Ziccarelli

Uncounted ballots discovered among Westmoreland County voting equipment | TribLIVE.com

Westmoreland County elections officials disclosed Monday that 21 uncounted provisional ballots submitted at a North Huntingdon voting precinct on Election Day were discovered last week among computer equipment used at the polls in November.

Elections bureau staffers found the unopened ballots during a routine inspection of voting machines stored at the department’s Greensburg warehouse on Dec. 28.

JoAnn Sebastiani, the county’s elections director, said additional precautions had been enacted ahead of the Nov. 3 election that were designed to prevent the misfiling of ballots returned to the courthouse from the precincts, but those measures were unsuccessful.

“Unfortunately, the judge of elections did not follow instructions,” Sebastiani said.

Source: Uncounted ballots discovered among Westmoreland County voting equipment | TribLIVE.com

On eve of Georgia Senate vote, Biden says races will ‘chart course’ of ‘next generation’

President-elect Joe Biden made his final pitch Monday to Georgia voters to give him a Democratic Senate to work with in Washington, asking them to elect Democrats Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock in Tuesday’s runoff elections.

“Folks, this is it, it’s a year new, and tomorrow can be a new day for Atlanta, for Georgia and for America,” Biden said a drive-in rally in Atlanta.”

Referring to the fact that his own victory in Georgia was the first time a Democrat carried the state in a presidential race since 1992, Biden told voters that “we need you to vote again in record numbers.

“Georgia, the whole nation is looking to you,” he said. “One state can chart the course not just for the next four years, but for the next generation.President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Dalton on Monday night to boost support for incumbent Republican Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue.The dueling speeches come a day after audio of an hour-long phone call between Trump and Georgia’s secretary of state surfaced in which the president unsuccessfully pressured the official to overturn his state’s election results, which Biden won by just under 12,000 votes.

Source: On eve of Georgia Senate vote, Biden says races will ‘chart course’ of ‘next generation’

Tucker Carlson: Forget Trump phone call, here’s what really matters about Georgia Senate runoffs | Fox News

A year ago at this time, the biggest story in the world was getting almost no attention in our country.

A terrifying new form of the coronavirus was spreading through central China. From the very first moments of the outbreak, it was clear to many scientists it may have been engineered by the Chinese government and escaped from a lab in Wuhan.

For a variety of reasons, the people in charge of this country didn’t want to talk about it. So instead, they told us that the biggest thing happening on Jan. 4, 2020, was the impeachment of Donald Trump, and nothing was more important than removing him from office. Trump’s crime, you may remember, was a 30-minute phone call with the president of Ukraine. In that call, Trump suggested there might be something corrupt about Joe Biden’s son making $40,000 a month from Ukrainian energy company, despite having no relevant work history in either Ukraine or the energy business.

Fast-forward a year later and the people in charge are saying pretty much the same thing:  Donald Trump must be impeached over a phone call, this time one one that took place over the weekend.

GUTFELD ON THE MEDIA UPROAR OVER TRUMP’S GEORGIA PHONE CALL

On Saturday, the president spoke by telephone to the secretary of state of Georgia for about an hour. They talked about vote counting in Georgia. The president, as you may have heard, believes the election was stolen from him. Georgia’s secretary of state, whose job it is to oversee elections, disagrees. You ought to listen to the call yourself, and you can make up your own mind about who’s right on that question.

No matter what you conclude about vote counting in Georgia, we’re willing to bet that you won’t decide Donald Trump’s latest phone call is the single most important thing happening in the world right now, probably not even close. And yet CNN is claiming that it is. Why are they doing that? Here’s one guess.

On Tuesday there are two U.S. Senate elections in Georgia, and the outcome of those races will determine who controls the entire U.S. government. If the Democrats win both races — and at this point, that is entirely possible, even likely — the Democratic Party will run everything in Washington and they will be able to do whatever they want.

It’s hard to remember the last time that more power was at stake in a single day, and if you thought about that long enough, you might decide to get involved. The Democratic Party and its marionettes in the news media would rather you didn’t get involved, and so they’re encouraging you to think about Trump’s phone call instead. If they didn’t at some point, you might start asking bigger, more disruptive questions.

Source: Tucker Carlson: Forget Trump phone call, here’s what really matters about Georgia Senate runoffs | Fox News

Iran plans 20 percent uranium enrichment ‘as soon as possible’ | Fox News

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran said Saturday it plans to enrich uranium up to 20% at its underground Fordo nuclear facility “as soon as possible,” pushing its program a technical step away from weapons-grade levels as it increases pressure on the West over the tattered atomic deal.

Source: Iran plans 20 percent uranium enrichment ‘as soon as possible’ | Fox News

Pelosi re-elected as House speaker | Fox News

Earlier, 427 members announced themselves as present — 220 Democrats and 207 Republicans. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., needed a majority, or 214 votes, to return as speaker, meaning that she could only afford to lose just six Democratic votes. The vote was 216  for Pelosi and 209 for McCarthy (R).

Follow for the latest updates on the House speaker election. Mobile users click here.

Source: Live Updates: Pelosi re-elected as House speaker with slim Democratic majority | Fox News

Top NSA Official Tells British: China Leaked COVID | Newsmax.com

An aerial view shows the P4 laboratory (C) at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province on April 17, 2020. ( Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

A whistleblower from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China has given the United States the “most credible” intelligence yet the global coronavirus pandemic was a “leak or an accident” in the lab.

“There is a growing body of evidence that the lab is likely the most credible source of the virus,” Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger told British parliamentarians in a Zoom call, the U.K.’s Daily Mail reported.

Source: Top NSA Official Tells British: China Leaked COVID | Newsmax.com

Where do you get your news? — Peritus Public Relations

By MARY ELIZABETH ROBERSON

With the increased availability of 24-hour news from a variety of outlets, and the rise of social media and “fake news,” there is no shortage of ways to consume news. We work hand-in-hand with the media in the field of public relations, so it’s paramount that we stay on top of current trends through reliable news sources.

Like many, I grew up watching the local news with my parents every night, scanning the newspaper (oftentimes the comics) with my dad on Saturday mornings and discussing recent headlines at the family dinner table. Growing a passion for keeping up with current events, I naturally gravitated towards an industry driven by the news.

As PR practitioners, it’s our responsibility to stay informed on global, national and local happenings and identify how these trends impact our clients or their industries. Since we are constantly identifying opportunities to build trust and client rapport through the media, we must create a natural pulse on digesting and analyzing credible news.

But where do public relations practitioners get their news? The short answer is everywhere.

We are constantly on the go, but that can’t be an excuse for not keeping up with industry and market news. Thankfully, we have more ways than ever to access it. From social media, local community newspapers and iPhone apps, to witty e-newsletters, online outlets and video – we have a variety of trusted, go-to news outlets that provide a well-rounded perspective, even when we are running 90-nothing.

Source: Where do you get your news? — Peritus Public Relations

Second stimulus check: IRS says the $600 payments are now on their way. But how soon is now? – CBS News

The tax agency said it began distributing direct deposits Tuesday night, and will start mailing paper checks December 30.Millions of Americans are eagerly awaiting their second stimulus checks of $600 for each eligible adult and child. The IRS on Tuesday said it had started to distribute the checks via direct deposit that evening, a process that will extend into next week.

Source: Second stimulus check: IRS says the $600 payments are now on their way. But how soon is now? – CBS News

GOP senator to object to Electoral College results, forcing Congress to vote on overturning Biden’s win

Sen. Josh Hawley’s move means Republicans will have to go on record about whether they support voter fraud claims.

While numerous Republican House members are expected to object to the Electoral College results from several swing states during Congress’ certification of the votes next week, Hawley is the first senator to commit to doing so. The announcement is significant because under congressional rules, a written objection that is endorsed by both a House member and a senator is needed to force Congress to consider an objection.

Source: GOP senator to object to Electoral College results, forcing Congress to vote on overturning Biden’s win

Newt Gingrich: My predictions for next 10 years — I expect these big changes | Fox News

The 2020s will be the time when China truly emerges as a great power directly competing with America for global supremacy. Because of this, alliances will start to take shape such that some countries, especially in Africa and maybe Latin America, decide their futures are with China.

Indeed, the single biggest story of the 2020s will be the rise of China and the countervailing responses of other countries.

The other big question aboard is the potential of a black swan event, such as the coronavirus pandemic was this year. And speaking of the virus, people who think life will get back to normal by the summer are sorely mistaken.

I fear the economic repercussions of a government strategy of closing down and destroying businesses will be felt at least for the first half of the decade. People underestimate how easily governments can destroy economies and how hard it is to restart those economies.

Technological changes over the next decade will be monumental and transformative. From developments in oil and gas to getting potentially safer nuclear reactor systems, we could see a revolution in energy that would have massive economic implications.

We will see unprecedented advances in computers and artificial intelligence that will play a growing role in our health care system. Robotics and the right artificial intelligence can already learn more about a patient and perform surgery better than human doctors.

We should also expect to see a revolution in military technology, such as drones, which will dramatically affect how we plan for military contingencies.

Some of these developments, bolstered by a surge in computational power, are going to enable relatively small countries like Iran and Venezuela to pose more of a threat than most people would have thought possible 20 or 30 years ago.

The gray world will also expand, and by gray world I mean all of the illegal criminal actions and behaviors that are the underside of the global economy — human trafficking, drugs, weapons and illegal finance.

In America, our educational system is in crisis and will reach a boiling point. Our system of enormously expensive colleges and universities is fundamentally flawed. The student loan program essentially indebts the future to the present.

Source: Newt Gingrich: My predictions for next 10 years — I expect these big changes | Fox News

Side Effects of Smoking Marijuana Every Day, According to Science

Marijuana is now legal in more states than ever before, with medical marijuana proving an essential tool to relieve symptoms caused by chemotherapy and AIDS, or for those in chronic pain. Others just use it to relax, especially during stressful times (like the ones we’re going through now). But it’s important to note that smoking marijuana doesn’t come without risks, particularly if you do it every day. Here is what could possibly happen, so you can be aware of the risks as well as the rewards. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had Coronavirus.  1 You Might Impair Your Senses&Have Mood and Behavior Changes Daily marijuana use can lead to “feelings of fatigue or apathy; feelings of anxiety, paranoia, or panic; temporary hallucinations,” says Dr. Jenna Liphart Rhoads. As well as, “trouble taking care of oneself and lack of hygiene practices; disconnecting from activities or people they once enjoyed; impaired memory and confusion.” 2 You Put Yourself at Risk for Respiratory Diseases “Chronically inflamed airways that result in a chronic cough, sore throat, or runny nose, and put the user at a higher risk for respiratory diseases or illnesses,” says Dr. Rhoads.  3 You Might Develop Marijuana Use Disorder “Make no mistake about it, smoking marijuana daily carries with it very real potential for addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that between 9% and 30% of those who use regularly will develop marijuana use disorder,” says Dr. Mary Gay. “I have observed significant negative effects on clients who habitually use marijuana including reduced academic performance, job loss, legal consequences, depression, anxiety, and in several cases, psychotic symptoms requiring hospitalization.” 4 You May Have an Increased Risk of Heart Issues “Compared with placebo, marijuana cigarettes cause increases in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and forearm blood flow via increased sympathetic nervous system activity,” says Dr. Kim Langdon. “In addition, marijuana has been associated with triggering heart attacks in young male patients. Smoking marijuana has been shown to increase the risk of MI onset by a factor of 4.8 for the 60 minutes after marijuana consumption, and to increase the annual risk of MI in the daily cannabis user from 1.5% to 3% per year.” 5 You Might Cause Functional and Structural Changes in Your Brain “Functional MRI studies have also revealed functional and structural changes in brain areas involved in reward processing after chronic cannabis use and in the processing of emotion,” says Dr. Langdon. “Some studies show a higher incidence of schizophrenia in chronic adolescent and teenage use of marijuana.” 6 You Might Have Changes in the Homeostasis in Your Body “Daily use of cannabis can desensitize the endocannabinoid system and override its natural capacity to maintain homeostasis. In layman’s terms, using medical marijuana too frequently can knock your endocannabinoid system out of whack a bit, which can have an effect (though not always a negative one) on some of your body’s natural processes, like your sleeping habits, mood, appetite, memory, and fertility,” says Dr. Daniel Whitelocke, M.D., Founder of AR MMJ Cards. “Because the endocannabinoid system was only identified as recently as the 1990s, experts are still working toward fully understanding it.” 7 You Might Have Pregnancy Issues “Marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful to your baby’s health. The chemicals in marijuana (in particular, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) pass through your system to your baby and can harm your baby’s development,” says the CDC. “Some research shows that using marijuana while you are pregnant can cause health problems in newborns— including low birth weight.” 8 You May Have Fertility Issues Smoking daily increases the chances of having “problems with decreased fertility in both males and females,” says Dr. Rhoads. It can also be a factor in erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.  RELATED: What Taking Ibuprofen Every Day Does to Your Body 9 What About Withdrawal? “Withdrawal from cannabis seems to induce a lack of motivation. Cognitive dysfunction and memory problems are other potential problems such as abnormal response to stress,” says Dr. Langdon. “A clinical diagnosis of cannabis withdrawal includes irritability, anger or aggression, nervousness or anxiety, sleep difficulty, decreased appetite or weight loss, restlessness, depressed mood, and physical symptoms causing significant discomfort such as shakiness or tremors, sweating, fever, chills, and headaches.” 10 On the Other Hand…  “Marijuana is said to be a fantastic muscle relaxant, and people swear by its ability to lessen tremors in Parkinson’s disease.

Source: Side Effects of Smoking Marijuana Every Day, According to Science

A Harvard professor says an alien visited in 2017

A Harvard professor says we were visited by an alien life form in 2017 — and we should be ready for more.

When the first sign of intelligent life first visits us from space, it won’t be a giant saucer hovering over New York. More likely, it will be an alien civilization’s trash.

Avi Loeb, the chair of Harvard’s Department of Astronomy, believes he’s already found some of that garbage.

In his upcoming book, “Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), out Jan. 26, the professor lays out a compelling case for why an object that recently wandered into our solar system was not just another rock but actually a piece of alien technology.

The object in question traveled toward our solar system from the direction of Vega, a nearby star 25 light-years away, and intercepted our solar system’s orbital plane on Sept. 6, 2017.

On Sept. 9, its trajectory brought it closest to the sun. At the end of September, it blasted at about 58,900 miles per hour past Venus’ orbital distance, and then, on Oct. 7, it shot past Earth’s before “moving swiftly toward the constellation Pegasus and the blackness beyond,” Loeb writes in the book.

The object was first spotted by an observatory in Hawaii containing the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) — the highest definition telescope on earth.

The space object was dubbed ‘Oumuamua (pronounced “oh moo ah moo ah”), which is Hawaiian for — roughly — “scout.”

As space travelers go, it was relatively small at just about 100 yards long, but it was a big deal in the scientific community.

For starters, it was the first interstellar object ever detected inside our solar system. Judging from the object’s trajectory, astronomers concluded it was not bound by the sun’s gravity — which suggested it was just traveling through.

Source: A Harvard professor says an alien visited in 2017

Mitch McConnell’s Louisville home vandalized with graffiti – CBS News

The graffiti appears to be in response to McConnell’s refusal to increase stimulus checks.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s home in Louisville, Kentucky, was vandalized early Saturday morning. Spray-painted messages over the Republican leader’s front door appear to be in response to his opposition to increasing coronavirus relief checks to Americans from $600 to $2,000.

Source: Mitch McConnell’s Louisville home vandalized with graffiti – CBS News

NY GOP congresswomen blast Nancy Pelosi’s new House gender rules

Some of New York’s most prominent female Republicans derided and mocked Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Some of New York’s most prominent female Republicans derided and mocked Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s proposal to eliminate gendered language from the official House rules.

“Instead of reviving the economy, restoring our Constitutional freedoms and delivering results for the American people, Speaker Pelosi has chosen her debut legislation — which would ban words like mother, sister and daughter,” upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik told The Post. “Obviously she is triggered by the historic number of GOP women elected to Congress who will fire Nancy Pelosi once and for all in 2022.”

Source: NY GOP congresswomen blast Nancy Pelosi’s new House gender rules

Minimum wage increase, new sick leave law in effect in NY

ALBANY, N.Y. — The minimum wage is going up in New York in 2021, and a new sick leave law is coming into effect.

Employees at most businesses can start using sick days that the new law allowed them to start accruing in September.

The rate is one hour for every 30 hours worked. Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office says about 1.3 million New Yorkers didn’t have access to paid sick leave before the law.

Also, the hourly minimum wage is now $14 an hour in Long Island and Westchester and $12.50 in the rest of the state.

Source: Minimum wage increase, new sick leave law in effect in NY

GOP senators, led by Cruz, to object to Electoral College certification, demand emergency audit

A group of GOP senators led by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, will object to the Jan. 6 certification of the presidential election results next week unless there is an emergency 10-day audit of the results by an electoral commission.

Source: GOP senators, led by Cruz, to object to Electoral College certification, demand emergency audit

%d bloggers like this: