Washington, DC....Judge Brett Kavanaugh is sworn in and delivers his opening statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing. Full video here: https://cs.pn/2PBFYdf
RSF Appalled by Jail Terms for Two Myanmar Journalists
Posted by: thepinetree on 09/03/2018 07:51 AM
Yangon, Myanmar.....Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the iniquity of the seven-year prison sentences that two Reuters reporters received in Yangon today at the end of a sham trial, and reiterates its call for their immediate release. On what was a dark day for press freedom in Myanmar, Kyaw Soe Ooand Wa Lone were convicted of violating the country’s Official Secrets Act for investigating a massacre of ten Rohingya civilians by soldiers exactly a year and a day ago in Inn Dinn, a village in the north of Rakhine state.
Governor Brown Signs Legislation to Revamp California’s Bail System & Eliminate Cash Bail
Posted by: thepinetree on 08/29/2018 08:53 AM
Sacramento, CA...Taking action to revamp California’s bail system, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed Senate Bill 10, the California Money Bail Reform Act, which preserves the rights of the accused, while prioritizing public safety. The new law – which will take effect on October 1, 2019 – establishes a new system for determining a defendant’s custody status while they await trial based on an assessment of risk to public safety and probability of missing a court date rather than their ability to pay cash bail. “Today, California reforms its bail system so that rich and poor alike are treated fairly,” said Governor Brown.
State Water Resources Control Board Continues Meeting to Consider Updated Flow Objectives
Posted by: thepinetree on 08/29/2018 10:56 AM
Sacramento, CA...Recognizing the complexity and sensitivity of its work to update flow requirements for the Lower San Joaquin River and its tributaries—the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers – the State Water Resources Control Board announced it will continue its meeting until Nov. 7. After receiving extensive written comments and hearing many hours of testimony from a wide range of perspectives over the past two days, the Board formally continued the meeting to Nov. 7. Testimony was heard from more than 150 individuals and groups.
Gross Domestic Product: Second Quarter Revised Up to 4.2% as Economy Rolls On
Posted by: thepinetree on 08/29/2018 11:21 AM
Washington, DC...Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 4.2 percent in the second quarter of 2018 (table 1), according to the "second" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real GDP increased 2.2 percent. The GDP estimate released today is based on more complete source data than were available for the "advance" estimate issued last month. In the advance estimate, the increase in real GDP was 4.1 percent. With this second estimate for the second quarter, the general picture of economic growth remains the same; the revision primarily reflected upward revisions to nonresidential fixed investment and private inventory investment that were partly offset by a downward revision to personal consumption expenditures (PCE). Imports which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, were revised down. (see "Updates to GDP" on page 2).
President Trump in Phone Call with President Peña Nieto of Mexico on the United States-Mexico Trade Agreement
Posted by: thepinetree on 08/27/2018 01:58 PM
Washington, DC... Hello everybody. It’s a big day for trade, a big day for our country. A lot of people thought we’d never get here because we all negotiate tough. We do, and so does Mexico. And this is a tremendous thing. This has to do — they used to call it NAFTA. We’re going to call it the United States-Mexico Trade Agreement, and we’ll get rid of the name NAFTA. It has a bad connotation because the United States was hurt very badly by NAFTA for many years. And now it’s a really good deal for both countries, and we look very much forward to it.
Washington, DC...Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment. I have asked Vice President Mike Pence to offer an address at the ceremony honoring Senator McCain at the United States Capitol this Friday.
Presidential Proclamation on the Death of Senator John Sidney McCain III
Posted by: thepinetree on 08/27/2018 02:12 PM
Washington, DC...As a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding service of Senator John Sidney McCain III, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half‑staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
Phoenix, AZ...A final statement from Sen. John McCain as read by his spokesman Rick Davis: My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for 60 years, and especially my fellow Arizonians, thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. I've tried to serve our country honorably. I've made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them. I've often observed that I am the luckiest person on Earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my life. I've loved my life, all of it.
The VA Health Van Clinic Will Visit West Point on August 30th
Posted by: thepinetree on 08/27/2018 10:58 PM
West Point, CA...VA Health Van Clinic, August 30th , 2018, 10 am- 2 pm, VFW #3322 West Point, 202 Spink Rd. West Point, Ca, 95255. Local Agencies Represented: VA Health Care Enrollment, Calaveras County Veterans Service Office, Common Ground Senior Services, VA Medical Provider, VHA Vet Center Rep. If you are NOT currently in the VA system, bring an copy of your DD214 (discharge papers) to attach to your enrollment form. If you do not have a copy of your DD214, we may be able to obtain one for you.
