Cut to the News
Cut through the clutter to today's top news
April 20, 2021
Good morning
Welcome to today's top news.
Leading the News . . .
After Afghanistan, China and Russia will test Biden . . . The US administration may have to handle crises over Taiwan and Ukraine at the same time. President Biden has recently announced the withdrawal of all remaining American troops from the country. A 20-year war will end on the symbolic date of 9/11, 2021. Rival powers, in particular Russia and China, could now be emboldened to test the Biden administration’s resolve a
little further. The obvious flashpoints are Ukraine and Taiwan. In recent weeks, the Kremlin has assembled more troops on its border with Ukraine than at any time since 2014 when Russia grabbed Crimea. Last week, China sent a record number of military jets into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. Both countries are combining military muscle-flexing with warlike rhetoric. Financial Times
U.S. warns airlines on flights near Ukraine-Russian border . . . The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Monday urged airlines to exercise "extreme caution" when flying near the Ukraine-Russian border, citing potential flight safety risks due increased military activities and/or conflict." Since 2014, the FAA has prohibited U.S. civil aviation operations in regions around the Ukraine-Russian border. In 2014, Malaysia
Airlines flight MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down over eastern Ukraine by a missile fired from territory held by pro-Russian rebels during fighting with Ukrainian government troops, international investigators said. All 298 people on board were killed, two-thirds of them Dutch nationals. Reuters
Biden risks base in ignoring liberal wish list, Democrats warn . . . Democratic Party officials warn that President Biden’s reservoir of goodwill with the base would evaporate if he fails to make progress on voting rights, climate change and student debt — issues that animate grassroots activists who are key to keeping the party in power in next year’s midterm elections. For the moment, Mr. Biden is riding high among Democrats because of
his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and rapid moves to roll back former President Trump’s policies. “Certainly activists are pleased to see that Biden is sort of tacking everything head-on, and not waiting, or allowing things to be slowed down,” said Matthew Munsey, chairman of the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania’s Northampton County, where Mr. Biden bested Mr. Trump by less than 1% of the vote in the 2020 election. A recent Monmouth University poll found 95% of Democrats
approved of Mr. Biden’s job performance, compared to 11% of Republicans and 47% of independents. Washington Times
Biden bans use by US agencies of “alien,” “illegal alien,” and “assimilation” . . . The Biden administration has ordered U.S. immigration enforcement agencies to stop using terms such as “alien,” “illegal alien” and “assimilation” when referring to immigrants in the United States, a rebuke of terms widely used under the Trump administration. The Orwellian transformation of our society continues. “Alien” is now only to be used for
those flying saucers the Navy keeps seeing. Illegal is now “undocumented.” We wouldn’t want to insult people doing something illegal by calling it that. It’s time to start calling people who rob convenience stores “unreceipted shoppers.” And who knew that assimilate was a dirty word? It’s been changed to integrate. And perhaps those who have not yet been assimilated are now to be called “disintegrated.” White House Dossier
Biden to Increase Seasonal-Worker Visas by 22,000 . . . The Biden administration plans to make an additional 22,000 seasonal guest-worker visas available this year ahead of the summer season, according to people familiar with the decision. This is on top of the current 66,000 visas now available annually to seasonal employers, including landscapers, fisheries, resorts and county fairs, which look to add staff for their busy
seasons. The decision comes just weeks after the Biden administration lifted a ban on the guest-worker visas and other work visas imposed by the Trump administration last June amid the economic fallout of the COVID pandemic. Wall Street Journal
‘The Squad’ Pushes To ‘Defund The Police’ While Spending Thousands On Own Private Security . . . Members of the progressive-Democrat group in Congress called “the Squad” who have been pushing to defund the police, spent thousands of dollars on private security for themselves, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records. FEC reports show Democrats New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, Massachusetts
Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Missouri Rep. Cori Bush each spent thousands of dollars on their own security. The payments were described in the FEC filings as either “security” or “security services.” Daily Caller
Liberal think tank took $2M from Qatar while its future president pressed White House for Doha . . . General John Allen had detailed contacts with National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster during diplomatic crisis affecting Qatar. The Brookings Institution, one of the most influential think tanks in Washington, reported receiving $2 million from Qatar during the same period one of its leaders was advocating for Qatar with the White
House.
Just the News obtained June 2017 emails between retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John Allen, who led a Brookings program at the time, and then-National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster. They show Allen, the former commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force, requesting that McMaster take specific actions beneficial to Qatar. The national security advisor later responds that he has taken some of those actions. Just the News
Website Will Allow Parents and Teachers to Expose Classroom Radicalism . . . Education First Alliance launched its Schoolhouse Shock watchdog site on Monday to help parents and teachers call attention to radicalism in the classroom. Users can anonymously upload videos, photos, and documents from their child’s class to catalog critical race theory-based lessons being taught in schools. "Our new statewide whistleblower program, Schoolhouse
Shock, will add to our toolbox in the fight against the onslaught of racially inflammatory and sexualized curriculums that children are being immersed in all over North Carolina," Sloan Rachmuth, Education First Alliance president, said in a statement.
The North Carolina Board of Education in February adopted radical curriculum standards built around critical race theory—the idea that American economic and political systems are inherently racist. Washington Free Beacon
Trump ‘Very Seriously’ Considering 2024 Run, Plans to Help GOP in 2022 . . . Former President Donald Trump is focused on helping Republicans flip the House of Representatives in 2022 but is also mulling another presidential run two years later, he said in an interview broadcast late Monday. “We are going to help with the House. I think we have a really good chance. I’m working with everybody, including [House Republican Leader] Kevin
McCarthy, in taking back the House. I think we have a really good chance,” Trump said during an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
Wresting back control of the Senate will be harder, but Trump and his team plan on helping with that as well. “If they need a rally, we’ll do a rally. We’ll do calls, we’ll do all sorts of things. No, no—we’re all in,” Trump told Hannity. Epoch Times
|
|
DC requests National Guard presence ahead of Chauvin verdict . . . Officials in Washington, D.C., have requested National Guard support as they prepare for potential protests surrounding the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer on trial for killing George Floyd last summer. Christopher Rodriguez, director of the D.C. government’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, sent an April 8
letter to the D.C. National Guard requesting the assistance, but it has yet to be approved by the Army. Officials requested that members of the National Guard be activated to support the D.C. police department to manage crowds, block vehicles at traffic posts and provide a “quick response force.” The guardsmen would not be armed. The Hill
Brilliant idea to deploy the guardsmen potentially in harms' way, and disarmed.
Minneapolis Braces for Derek Chauvin Verdict and Potential Unrest . . . Armed troops and military vehicles stood posted near the Saks Off Fifth store a few blocks down on 6th, and several more lined the way to the already-boarded-up Target on 9th.“It’s like we’re getting ready for war or something,” said a resident of the city’s preparations for a verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged
in the death of Black man George Floyd last May. The jury began deliberating following closing arguments on Monday. Without knowing how quickly a verdict could arrive—and whether that decision will reignite the looting and arson that damaged swaths of the city last summer—Minneapolis has spent the past several days tightening security, including bolstering temporary barricades around government buildings. Wall Street Journal
|
|
Women turning out more than men for COVID-19 vaccines . . . Women across the country are turning out more than men to get their COVID-19 vaccine, suggesting women are overcoming any potential hesitancy surrounding immunization in greater numbers than men. CDC Data shows that more than 65 million American women, or 54.4 percent, have gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, despite making up 50.8 percent of the U.S. population. In
the meantime, almost 55 million men, or 45.6 percent, have received at least one dose, while men make up 49.2 percent of the total population. The trend is relatively consistent across states. The Hill
|
|
EU warns 'a spark' could ignite confrontation on Russia, Ukraine border . . . The European Union's (EU) top foreign policy minister warned Monday that tensions on the Ukraine-Russia border were at an all-time high, adding that "a spark" could set off a war between the two countries. Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign policy, called on Russia to "diffuse" tensions. ". . . The Russian military build-up at the
Ukrainian border is very concerning. There are more than 150,000 Russian troops amassing at the Ukrainian borders and in Crimea. The risk of further escalation is evident," he said, though the figure was revised down to 100,000 in an official transcript of his remarks. The
Hill
In Putin’s Standoff With Navalny, Many Russians Put Faith in President . . . Thousands of demonstrators are expected to take to the streets in many Russian cities Wednesday in support of Alexei Navalny, the jailed opposition leader who has galvanized popular discontent with the long rule of President Vladimir Putin. But even as the opposition leader stirs dissent, Mr. Putin can count on the support of many Russians who either trust in his
leadership, fear the uncertainties of political change or disapprove of Mr. Navalny and his protest movement. Mr. Putin continues to enjoy enviable approval ratings. Sociologists say while few may feel deep support for Mr. Putin, the Kremlin can continue to count on approval ratings of around 60%. Wall
Street Journal
MI5 warns of spy threat from professional networking sites . . . More than 10,000 British nationals have been targeted online in the past five years by hostile states such as China, as foreign spies increasingly manipulate professional networking sites to recruit new agents and steal secrets. In a campaign being launched this week, UK security agencies will warn 450,000 civil servants and partners in industry and academia that Britain’s
adversaries are creating fake online accounts to ensnare people who are privy to classified information. Posing as recruiters, foreign spies lure their targets to meetings in person where they may be subjected to bribery or blackmail in order to obtain intelligence. Financial Times
The same applies to the US - foreign intelligence services routinely use social media sites like LinkedIn and others to target Americans for recruitment, etc. Be careful to whom you link on these sites.
|
|
Sanders, AOC unveil 'Green New Deal' proposal to overhaul public housing . . . Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced sweeping legislation to overhaul the nation's public housing stock that would cost up to $172 billion. The duo has dubbed the legislation the “ Green New Deal for Public Housing Act” and unveiled the proposal on Monday. The plan by the two self-described socialists seeks to transition the public
housing system “as swiftly and seamlessly as possible” to zero-carbon communities that produce on-site renewable energy, according to a news release about the proposal. Washington Examiner
US banks deploy AI to monitor customers, workers amid tech backlash . . . Several US banks have started deploying camera software that can analyze customer preferences, monitor workers and spot people sleeping near ATMs, even as they remain wary about possible backlash over increased surveillance, more than a dozen banking and technology sources told Reuters. Previously unreported trials at City National Bank of Florida and JPMorgan Chase
& Co as well as earlier rollouts at banks such as Wells Fargo & Co offer a rare view into the potential US financial institutions see in facial recognition and related artificial intelligence systems. Widespread deployment of such visual AI tools in the heavily regulated banking sector would be a significant step toward their becoming mainstream in corporate America. New York Post
|
|
Maxine Waters still active on social media after inciting protests . . . Former President Trump was removed from Twitter and Facebook following the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters is still active on social media after telling protesters in Minnesota to "get more confrontational" over the Derek Chauvin trial involving the death of George Floyd. Protests and riots involving looting,
burning buildings and violent attacks against police officers took place in Minneapolis and other major cities after Floyd's death last summer. In an interview in the midst of a protest, on Saturday, Waters said "We're looking for a guilty verdict." Just the News
'Abhorrent': Chauvin Trial Judge Slams Maxine Waters's Call for Civil Unrest . . . Hennepin County judge Peter Cahill reproached Rep. Maxine Waters (D., Calif.) on Monday for interfering in the trial of Derek Chauvin and encouraging civil unrest in Minneapolis, saying the congresswoman's rhetoric violated her oath of office and disrespected the rule of law. "I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a
manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch and our function," said Cahill, who is presiding over the trial. The judge said Waters, who said protesters should get "confrontational" if the jury finds Chauvin not guilty, violated her oath to the Constitution—a failure he called "abhorrent." Washington Free Beacon
Apple reinstates Parler App after review . . . Apple confirmed Monday that it will allow the conservative-friendly social network Parler back on its app store after it was temporarily forced offline following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The decision, included in the letter sent to Congressman Ken Buck (R-Colo.) and Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), was obtained by FOX Business. Parler’s Interim CEO Mark Meckler thanked the two
legislators for their efforts, helping to facilitate Parler’s re-launch on the App Store. Fox Business
|
|
Minneapolis Target Holds Semi-Annual 'Everything Is Free' Sale . . . All the Targets in the greater Minneapolis area are planning a big "everything is free" sale in celebration of the end of the Derek Chauvin trial. Held several times a year, the sale is a greatly anticipated event among residents, with many holding off on their largest purchases until the start of the promotion. If the promotion proves successful, the store
may expand the promotion to Target locations across the country. Stores in urban areas are much more likely to hold the sale, according to a spokesperson for the retail establishment.
"Look out for our exciting 'everything is free' sale coming soon to your area!" said the PR rep nervously. "Just come in and do some shopping, browse around, throw some bricks. It's a real event around here. A local custom, you might say." "Also, please don't hurt me, I'm on your side. Justice!" Financial advisers say this is a great chance to get some fantastic deals and also that it's the only time your wife will be able to leave a Target while spending less than $100. Babylon Bee
|
|
Do you love Cut to the News? Let your family and friends know about it! They'll thank you for it. Spread the word . . .
By Email - use the message that pops up or write your own. On Facebook - On FB, write your own message
Thank you for doing it.
Have a great day.
Rebekah
Rebekah Koffler
Got this from a friend? Subscribe here and get Cut to the News sent to your Inbox every morning.
|
|
|
