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In The NEWS

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> Dallas Mavericks trade star Luka Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis in blockbuster deal also involving the Utah Jazz (More)

> Fay Vincent, former MLB commissioner, dies of cancer at age 86 (More) | Dick Button, two-time Olympic gold medalist in figure skating, dies at age 95 (More)

> "Atropia" wins top prize at 2025 Sundance Film Festival; see full list of winners (More) | Beyoncé reveals concert tour for her "Cowboy Carter" album (More)


Science & Technology
> OpenAI may reveal reasoning steps behind outputs from its AI models, will consider open source approach following success of China's DeepSeek (More) | What is DeepSeek? (More)

> Chemists develop AI model predicting the 3D structure of genetic material inside the cell; platform cuts computation time from days to minutes (More)

> Scientists make first analysis of how a healthy bacterial species in the gut breaks down sugars from intestinal mucus; study may lead to new ways to prevent stomach bugs (More)


Business & Markets
> US stock markets close down Friday (S&P 500 -0.5%, Dow -0.8%, Nasdaq -0.3%) in anticipation of tariff order (More) | Volkswagen sues India over $1.4B import tax; India alleges Volkswagen attempted to evade full levies by importing vehicles in separate components (More)

> Costco agrees to pay raises as company and Teamsters avoid a Friday night strike deadline; entry-level rate to increase to $20 per hour (More)

> X owner Elon Musk adds Lego, Shell, Nestlé, Pinterest, and others to lawsuit alleging illegal coordination of an advertising boycott against the social media network (More)


Politics & World Affairs
> Six Americans released from detention in Venezuela following diplomatic talks with senior Trump administration officials; President Nicolás Maduro reportedly agrees to receive unauthorized Venezuelan migrants deported from the US (More)

> Fire officials say deadly Eaton and Palisades wildfires in Los Angeles now 100% contained more than three weeks after blazes began; final death toll stands at 29, causes still under investigation (More)

> Aides to Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, gain access to $6T Treasury Department payment system (More) | Two US Agency for International Development security officials put on leave after reportedly refusing access to system with classified material to DOGE staff; pair say they were legally obligated to deny access, claim DOGE staff lacked appropriate credentials (More)

SOURCE:  1440 NEWS

Truth

Definition of Truth

1. the quality or state of being true.
2. that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality
3. a fact or belief that is accepted as true

Does not give us a very good definition does it?

• in accordance with fact or reality
• fact or belief
• state of being true

We read history books in school expecting that we are reading the truth only to find out later, that history truths are based upon who wins the wars and writes the truth.

We read the Bible expecting to read the truth only to find out later, that the Bible is full of inconsistencies like saying the universe is only 6000 years old.  The image of the Arab Jesus is Caucasian.

The closest that we come to truth is in a court of law where truth is only that which can be proven in a court of law.  Yet, here too, DNA testing proven that many males sent to prison were innocent.  That wasn't truth at all was it.

Or when OJ Simpson was found not guilty of committing murder in a criminal court but found guilty of murder in a civil court...

Which court ruling is an indication of TRUTH?

We believed our parents when they told us that Santa Clause, the Easter bunny, and the Tooth Fairy were truth.

Our govt denied the existence of UFOs for decades then admitted that they were TRUTH.

Politicians tell us they are telling us the truth all the time...  we later find out their comments were not truth at all.

And yet, our society revolves around truth and our perceptions of what truth really is or really is not.

Somewhat Political

 

Eerie Features on Mars

Dark shapes and bright spots on sand dunes in Mars’ North Pole region. (Harvard University's John A. Paulson School Of Engineering And Applied Sciences)

Though it's a cold, dead planet, Mars still has its own natural beauty about it. This image shows us something we'll never see on Earth.

Mars has only a thin, tenuous atmosphere, and most of it (95%) is carbon dioxide. When Martian winter arrives, CO2 freezes and forms a thick coating on the ground in the polar regions. It lies there dormant for months.


As spring approaches, temperatures gradually warm. Sunlight passes through the translucent frozen layer of CO2, warming the ground beneath it.     READ MORE...

The Beatles - Revolution

James White Space Telescope Images

 

What's Happening

 

Healthy

 

In The NEWS

Society & Culture
> How Van Gogh painted "Irises" in an asylum.
> The exile—and momentous return—of Charlie Chaplin.
> The Catholic influence on 1960s pop artist Andy Warhol.
> Were "Back to the Future" and "The Goonies" set on the same day?
> College football's highest-paid coaches.


World History
> Where every Roman emperor was buried.
> Seven things about the American Revolution most people get wrong.
> An interactive lesson on the limits of Mercator map projections.
> How to exercise like a 15th-century university student.
> Found photos of San Francisco in the 1980s.


Business & Finance
> The economics of unused gift cards.
> What McDonald's looks like in 55 countries.
> Why prices still feel high despite slowing inflation.
> Private vs. public schools in the US, visualized.
> Home insurance premiums are up, even as insurers move out.


Health & Medicine
> What happens inside your eyes?
> How to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
> Debunking myths around semaglutide, the ingredient in Ozempic.
> How to carry more than your own body weight.
> Why we struggle to remember our dreams.


Science & Technology
> Why people are stealing beehives.
> How companies track you around the internet, explained.
> The decline of the landline in the US.
> What happened to the artful screen saver?
> Could the world's largest solar storm happen again?

SOURCE:  1440 NEWS

USA Empire

 

Is the United States of America, a declining EMPIRE?

Some might say the answer to that question is YES...

Others might say NO...

Current Status of USA

• Weakened military
• Extreme political division
• Huge National Debt
• Infrastructure decay
• Declining education
• Declining healthcare
• Increasing drug addiction
• Increasing wealth gap
• Obesity and Poverty
• Worsening racism
• Global disrespect
• BRICS trying to destroy US $

EXAMPLE:  Our current President Donal Trump want to Make America Great Again (MAGA) however, the Democratic Party is doing everything in its power to keep that from happening.

Do the Democrats not want to make America great again, or do they just want to stop Trump from doing that, so they can do it?

Either way, that hurts this country.

We need to be on the same page, and we are not.

If you just look at the political fighting that is taking place between the Democrats and the Republicans, one might easily believe that the USA Empire is collapsing.

Somewhat Political

 

Mediterranean Diet Recipes

Photo:
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Midday hunger will be a thing of the past, thanks to these tasty lunch recipes! Each delicious meal is made lower in calories for something light yet satisfying. Plus, they are packed with ingredients like legumes, whole grains, vegetables, healthy fats and lean proteins, which are staples of the Mediterranean diet, one of the healthiest eating patterns you can follow. You’ll love options like our Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tostadas or our No-Cook White Bean & Spinach Caprese Salad for a nourishing lunch that will help you feel your best.
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Veggie Wraps


Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek

These wraps are packed with veggies, including zucchini, bell pepper and spinach. The vegetables cook quickly in a skillet, so you can pull together this easy lunch in no time. Hummus adds plant-based protein and keeps the wrap from getting dry.
View Recipe

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Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tostadas


Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

These sweet potato tostadas pack in plenty of plant-based protein, combining hearty black beans and nutrient-packed sweet potatoes for a satisfying and flavorful meal. Along with the protein, you’ll also get a boost of gut-healthy fiber and plenty of anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals from the sweet potatoes
View Recipe

TO READ MORE ABOUT THESE RECIPES...  CLICK HERE

Guns and Roses - Sweet Child of Mine

In The NEWS

Officials restrict helicopters near Reagan National Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration is allowing only medical and police helicopters between the Washington, DC-area airport and nearby bridges after Wednesday's tragic collision (see map) between an American Airlines regional commuter jet and an Army helicopter. As of this writing, at least 41 bodies of a total of 67 people have been found in the Potomac River. See a list of the victims here.



Hamas to release three hostages today, including an American.

In turn, Israel will release a batch of imprisoned Palestinians. Today's exchange between Hamas and Israel will mark the fourth such swap since the two sides agreed to a ceasefire deal last month. Around 80 hostages are still being held by Hamas militants in Gaza. See latest updates on the war here.



FDA approves first new non-opioid painkiller in over 20 years.

The Food and Drug Administration greenlighted Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Journavx, a new medication to treat short-term pain after surgeries or injuries. The drug offers a non-opioid alternative that aims to eliminate the risks of addiction and overdose associated with traditional opioid medications like OxyContin and Vicodin.



Federal appeals court strikes down ban on handgun sales to teens.

A federal appeals court struck down a longstanding federal ban that prevented handgun sales to Americans ages 18 to 20, ruling the restriction is inconsistent with the Second Amendment. The decision, which cites the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen opinion, is likely to be appealed to the high court and could have implications for gun control laws nationwide.



The 67th Grammy Awards show to be held tomorrow (8 pm ET, CBS).

Hosted by comedian Trevor Noah, the ceremony will feature performances by six of this year's best new artist nominees, including Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Teddy Swims, and Sabrina Carpenter. Other performers include Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, and Shakira. Beyoncé led this year's nominations with 11 nods, including album of the year. See how the Grammy Awards are made here.



Fed's key inflation gauge rises as expected in December.

The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which measures costs consumers pay across a wide swath of items, excluding food and energy, rose 2.8% year-over-year and 0.2% month-over-month. The index is the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure; the central bank targets 2% annual inflation.

SOURCE:  1440 NEWS

HATE

It has come to my attention, something quite disturbing, and that is the amount of HATE that exists on social media, exhibited by the liberals because they lost the election.

They claim that this HATE is directed totally towards Donald Trump, but then they also add MAGA supporters, anyone who supports MAGA, and any capitalist that operates a company that endorses some of his principles like DEI, WOKE, or no longer working from home.

And, if you dig a little deeper into their HATE it extends to those who are anti-trans, anti-trans in female restrooms, anti-trans in female sports, gay marriages, anti-abortion of any kind, building up the military, or removing any social program of which they want to participate.

In short, they HATE anyone who opposes what they believe.  Not only do they HATE the opposition but the wish the opposition was dead, and if that cannot happen, they want the opposition completely censored.

HATE is a strong word and the use of HATE to them is being kind.  They have no desire to compromise, no desire to listen to you, no desire to change their opinions, and no desire to try to reach a solution that will achieve UNITY.

This is a very scary movement and if it is not corrected or stopped, it will lay the foundation for a division that will cause us to collapse to the point that we are controlled by a foreign power.

Somewhat Political

 

Human VS Humanoids

China plans to host a groundbreaking race like no other — a “world’s first” half-marathon where humans will go head-to-head with their own creation: humanoid robots.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that t
he marathon is scheduled for April in Daxing district, Beijing.

The humanoid robots, developed by companies from around the globe, will take to the streets alongside 12,000 human runners. The robots will run the entire race for the very first time this year.

This unprecedented race reflects China’s ambitious push to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and robotics

Reportedly, this first-of-its-kind race will see humans and robots challenge themselves on a 13-mile (21km) route. The top three runners will receive prizes.     READ MORE...

The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up

American Politics

 

We have two parties in this country of ours, the Democratic party and the Republican party.  In the past, these two parties would disagree and argue until the cows came home but, in the end, they would always reach some sort of compromise, and we would more forward.

Today that no longer happens.  Let me give you an example.

From 2012-2015 Obama was president and when Trump began president from 2016-2019, he reversed everything that Obama had set into motion, creating his own version of those programs.  

From 2020-2024, Joe Biden was president, and he reversed everything that Donald Trump had done, creating his own version.  

In 2025, Donald Trump became president and reversed everything that Joe Biden had done putting in his own programs.   

In 2029, if a Democratic wins the presidency, they will reverse Trump's programs and put in their own.

Since we no longer have political parties that want to compromise, we simply reverse what was previously done, and start something else.  This accomplishes nothing, the country does not really move forward, and the US citizens are the ones who must pay the negative price to this to happen.

In The NEWS

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> The 67th Grammy Awards to be presented Sunday (8 pm ET, CBS); see nominations and predictions for all categories (More) | Marianne Faithfull, Grammy-nominated singer and actress, dies at age 78 (More)

> NFL Pro Bowl Games kick off, will continue Sunday (3 pm ET, ESPN) (More) | Miami Heat's Terry Rozier under federal investigation for alleged involvement in illegal sports betting scheme (More)

> Denver selected as National Women's Soccer League's 16th team (More) | 2025 Leagues Cup format, teams, and matchups announced (More)


Science & Technology
> Pair of astronauts stuck aboard the International Space Station take first spacewalk together since their arrival in June following a malfunction on their Boeing Starliner; return expected as soon as late March (More)

> Archaeologists discover 76-million-year-old fossil of a juvenile pterosaur with a puncture wound on its neck; researchers suggest the animal was killed by a prehistoric crocodile (More)

> Humans have herded sheep for at least 11,000 years, genetic analysis suggests; samples taken from locations ranging from Ireland to Mongolia shed light on role the domestication played in ancient human societies (More)


Business & Markets
> US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.5%, Dow +0.4%, Nasdaq +0.2%) as slew of companies report earnings (More) | US economy grew at 2.8% annualized pace in 2024, lower than 2.9% in 2023, per new data (More)

> UPS shares tumble 14% after the shipping giant issues weak full-year revenue guidance and plans to slash Amazon deliveries by more than half (More) | Apple reports Q4 revenue growth but misses iPhone sales estimates partly due to 11% drop in China sales (More) | Intel tops Q4 revenue and earnings forecasts (More)

> Justice Department files antitrust challenge to block Hewlett Packard Enterprise's proposed $14B acquisition of Juniper Networks (More)

SOURCE:  1440 NEWS

Politics & World Affairs > Senate confirmation hearings for Trump Cabinet continue, with FBI director pick Kash Patel and national intelligence director pick Tulsi Gabbard; health secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. begins second hearing (More) | See tracker (More) > Hamas releases eight hostages from Gaza and Israel releases 110 imprisoned Palestinians under ceasefire deal (More) | See war updates (More, w/maps) > Authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis launch investigation after 19 people found dead in vessel drifting at sea in the eastern Caribbean (More)

Changing

 

Life changes as we get older; we see things a little differently than we did as a child, a teenager, or even a young adult.  Most of the time, but not all of the time, we change from being liberal to being conservative in the way we think and act; however, the change hardly ever pertains to our political views and opinions.

This transformation is particular obvious in the way we spend our money.  When young, we borrow whatever we can, whenever we can, to have whatever we can.  That behavior typically puts us eyeballs deep in debt.  As we age, our desire is to remove/eliminate that debt and spend the rest of our lives only spending the money that we have.

Another example might be the clothes that we wear being more flamboyant and exotic when we are young and more sedate as we get older.  Same holds true for the vacations we take, the excursions we go on, or our desire to body surf in the ocean not too worried about the waves or riptides that might be present.

There is nothing wrong with being either liberal or conservative in the way we behave, it is just an observation that this is the transition through which must of us pass on our way to death.  It does not mean that once we are through this transition that we will soon die, it just means that we are close to death than we were before.