Smh

Why did U.S. bombings cause 'acid rain' to fall in Iran? An atmospheric scientist explains This article originally appeared on The Conversation. Reports are emerging of black rain falling over parts of Iran in the hours after U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on oil depots on the weekend, with some o...

Iranian residents have reported headaches, difficulty breathing, and oil-contaminated rain settling on buildings and cars. Iran's Red Crescent Society warned rainfall following the strikes could be "highly dangerous and acidic."(From @us.theconversation.com) https://to.pbs.org/4lnS361

Iran defence minister, Guards commander killed in Israeli attacks, three sources say Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in Israeli attacks, two sources familiar with Israel's military operations ...

www.reuters.com/world/middle...

Chef killed after diving headfirst into deep fryer in horrific 'suicide' AN Olive Garden chef has died after jumping headfirst into a searing hot deep fat fryer in an apparent suicide attempt, police have said. The worker, who has not been identified, stripped naked bef…

www.thesun.co.uk/news/3813980...

Nobody from Louisiana is wholesome let's cut the shit

Not opening the door to ICE may no longer stop officers Law enforcement and legal experts warn if more agents barge into homes, everyone could be put at greater risk.

Law enforcement and legal experts warn if more agents barge into homes, everyone could be put at greater risk.
https://to.pbs.org/4k0nvqn

The City of Philadelphia is suing the Trump administration after the National Park Service removed a long-standing exhibit on slavery in the city's Independence National Historical Park. https://cnn.it/4jSDTZQ

Three people who denounced federal immigration agents in a protest at a St. Paul church on Sunday were arrested on federal charges and kept in custody Wednesday — and more arrests could be coming. https://cnn.it/3YQOJGe

www.wfla.com/news/florida...

A new U.S. Postal Service rule for how your mail is handled could affect your ballot, taxes and more.

The rule, which went into effect on Christmas Eve, redefines the meaning of a postmark, the date mark printed on most mailed items.

Tim McPhillips has more.

I've been fighting along side many to defend ourselves online, keeping our privacy and having freedom to organize events. We are the adults that need to step up!

If you want to be safe online, consider the following. These bills will NOT protect kids online.

Corporation For Public Broadcasting Is Dissolved After 58 Years Of Service

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been dissolved, ending its 58 years as the primary funder for PBS, NPR and local TV and radio stations

Trump administration cuts number of vaccines it recommends for every child Medical experts are slamming the move, saying it could lead to reduced uptake of important vaccinations and increase disease.

The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of dropping the number of vaccines it recommends for every child -- leaving other immunizations, such as flu shots, open to families to choose but without clear guidance. https://to.pbs.org/3N3Zq5E

Less than five hours before nighttime explosions rocked the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, an unknown trader doubled down on bets that Nicolás Maduro would soon be out as the country’s leader. The wagers on Polymarket, a popular crypto-based betting platform, netted the trader more than $400,000, a 12-fold return on investment—and fueled suspicions that someone used inside knowledge of the closely held U.S. operation to make a quick profit.

The anonymous user created an account last month and placed an initial bet on Dec. 27, buying $96 worth of contracts that would pay off if the U.S. invaded Venezuela by Jan. 31, Polymarket data shows. The person ramped up bets over the next week, sticking to a handful of similar contracts, as tensions mounted between Washington and Caracas. The trader focused bets on contracts that would pay out if Maduro would no longer be Venezuela’s leader by Jan. 31, when that still seemed like a long shot.

The trader’s final bet came at 9:58 p.m. ET on Friday, shortly before President Trump ordered the military to move forward. Such contracts were priced at just 8 cents apiece, implying that Polymarket users saw only an 8% probability of the Venezuelan strongman losing power this month, the platform’s data shows.  Several hours later, news broke of the U.S. operation to capture Maduro and the contracts shot up in value. In the end, the trader earned nearly $410,000 in profit on about $34,000 worth of wagers. More than half the value of the total wager was placed the evening before the attack. 

MADURO BETTING TIMELINE Dec. 27: Trader makes first bet, $96 on U.S. invasion of Venezuela Dec. 31 to Jan. 2: Trader bets thousands more on U.S. attack and Maduro losing power Jan. 2, 8:38 p.m. to 9:58 p.m.: In final spree, trader bets over $20,000 on Maduro’s downfall Jan. 2, 10:46 p.m.: President Trump orders military to strike Jan. 3, 1:00 a.m.: Explosions rock Caracas Jan. 3, 8:41 a.m.: Trader starts to cash bets for nearly $410,000 in profit

A mystery trader made $400,000 on bets that Nicolás Maduro would soon be out as Venezuela’s leader apple.news/AgJ76d0bCR9-...

Flu continues to visit misery across the US, with all but four states showing high or very high levels of activity as a new virus strain called subclade K continues to spread. https://cnn.it/3LbBOvj

How this new mail rule could affect your ballot, your tax return and more The rule, which went into effect on Christmas Eve, defines the meaning of a postmark, the date printed or stamped on most mailed items.

The rule defines the meaning of a postmark, the date printed or stamped on most mailed items. In the past, the postmark generally indicated the date the USPS received the item. Now, it will explicitly mean the date that the USPS processes the item. https://to.pbs.org/4qiBkTa

peek = 🫣

peak = 🗻

pique = 👀

‘SINNERS’ has won 4 awards at the Critics Choice Awards

• Best Original Score
• Best Cast and Ensemble
• Best Original Screenplay
• Best Young Actor/Actress (Miles Caton)

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on the political fallout from military action in Venezuela NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including lawmakers returning to Washington to face the fallout fro...

"MAGA and America First isn't necessarily an ideology. It's not a set of really clear principles or policies. It is what Donald Trump makes it to be. He is America first. America First is him," says Amy Walter. https://to.pbs.org/3L0TQAr

"President Donald Trump says he expects to nominate a new Federal Reserve chair this month," writes David Goldman. "When that happens, Trump will have run out of excuses: This will officially become his economy, for better or worse." https://cnn.it/3Na5utb

China says it hopes firms seek lawful, balanced solutions over TikTok deal The Chinese government would like to see companies reach solutions that comply with Chinese laws and regulations and balance the interests of all parties, a commerce ministry spokesperson said on Thur...

www.reuters.com/world/china/...

The Mother Of Kwanzaa Today we acknowledge you

nicolecoop.medium.com/the-mother-o...

ICE detainee found hanging by neck in detention facility, agency says An ICE detainee has died in custody after he was found hanging by the neck, according to officials.

abcnews.go.com/US/ice-detai...

Trump administration accuses U.S. Virgin Islands of violating Second Amendment The U.S. government sued the U.S. territory, its police department and Police Commissioner. It accuses them of obstructing and systematically denying American citizens the right to possess and carry g...

The U.S. government sued the U.S. territory, its police department and Police Commissioner Mario Brooks on Tuesday, accusing them of obstructing and systematically denying American citizens the right to possess and carry guns.
https://to.pbs.org/48L8jcN

The US government has collected $1 billion in de minimis tariff revenue since rolling back the exemption on low-value packages this spring, according to new data that Customs and Border Protection shared exclusively with CNN. https://cnn.it/4s4a649

I see you Washington.....

A federal judge in Florida ordered the unsealing of grand jury transcripts and other records in the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, paving the way for the public release of those documents.
https://cnn.it/44a2qTG

Norway fund divests from US firm Caterpillar over Gaza, West Bank abuses Fund says move against Caterpillar, five Israeli banks due to their contribution 'to serious violations of rights'.

www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/...