mastodon 4.6.8Anarchist, Buddhist, trans rights supporter. I am an elderly failed violinist with significant hearing loss, so the background photo is certainly not me.
Interests: history, literature, Python programming, Database programming. OS: Linux Mint 22.3. From DC, self exiled to Thailand since 2014
Communities across the U.S. are cutting ties with #Flock Safety, one of the country’s leading producers of license plate readers and other surveillance systems, over concerns around mass surveillance and data privacy — and fears over how data could be used in immigration crackdowns. There is bipartisan support for terminating Flock contracts. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/09/flock-cameras-backlash-cancellations-01026242
#Trump said grocery prices are 'way down'. This fact checking article shows the reverse is true. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-said-grocery-prices-are-way-down-this-fact-check-is-a-rude-awakening-g_l_6a748e18e4b04fcbf74d763d
#Bangkok police have ordered legal action against a group of students from a well-known school, St Gabriel's College, in the Samsen area after they allegedly assaulted a schoolmate and threatened him with a firearm https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2026/08/08/police-probe-after-students-threatened-schoolmate-with-firearm/
Rookie lead #Republican federal prosecutor, who brought the charges of #Comey's sea shell 8647 picture, has bailed on the case https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/lead-federal-prosecutor-james-comey-seashells-photo-case-steps-rcna345342
Most musical performers drop out of the so-called Freedom 250 project (whether invited to perform or not), Kid Rock was willing but the White House said 'nah'. So instead of a musical celebration of US liberty, anyone foolhardy enough to be in the audience will be treated to 3 hours of #Trump. Officials are cagey about where donations for the event are coming from https://www.npr.org/2026/05/31/nx-s1-5841889/trump-america-250-state-fair-artists-rally https://www.npr.org/2026/05/31/nx-s1-5841889/trump-america-250-state-fair-artists-rally
Puerto Rico introduces water rationing caused by extreme drought and outdated water infrastructure. Many households on the Caribbean island have been split into two groups - with each having their water supply shut off for 48 hours on a rotating basis. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqlxgk7r2vwo
Moderate (2-3 cups) of coffee or tea daily limit risk of dementia. Unfortunately for my US friends, high levels of consumption of diet coke has the opposite effect. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/study-caffeine-coffee-tea-dementia-risk-goog_l_6a186580e4b062ca52d99e68
The #Trumpista officials expected #Iran to quickly recapitulate. Instead (or perhaps we should say, as expected) #Iran has toughened its conditions for ending the war and opening the Strait of #Hormuz https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/09/middleeast/hormuz-iran-us-demands-analysis
#Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said his country rejects the latest US-backed peace plan for #Gaza, demanding the full disarmament of Hamas before any Israeli forces withdraw.
The comments come more than a week after Trump announced a breakthrough in negotiations, with his Board of Peace (BoP) issuing a new 15-point plan aimed at securing lasting peace in the territory https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/09/middleeast/israel-gaza-trump-netanyahu-plan-intl
#Typhoon Dolphin makes landfall in eastern #China, and is the strongest storm this year. #Shanghai cancels 1500 flights and evacuates over 30000 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/09/typhoon-dolphin-makes-landfall-in-china-as-its-strongest-storm-this-year
US measure to deepen #Israel military cooperation, as Israel is on a land grabbing mission, faces bipartisant pushback https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/31/us-measure-to-deepen-israel-military-cooperation-faces-bipartisan-pushback
US Envoy sends draft of a report to #Thailand, which appears to take a pro- #Cambodia position in regards to the ongoing conflict between the 2 South East Asian nations. The Envoy stated650000 Cambodians have been displaced by the border conflict. Thailand did not respond. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2026/08/08/un-envoy-says-thailand-received-draft-but-did-not-respond/
#Dublin, #Ireland: Alleged cartel boss Daniel Kinahan, of an multinationational organized crime group , charged in Ireland amid heavy security. He was extradited to Ireland from the #UAE. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/9/uae-extradites-alleged-international-crime-boss-daniel-kinahan-to-ireland
#AOC has stated that she has not ruled out the possibility of running for President or Senate in 2028. "Anything is possible at this juncture" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2028-election/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-potential-run-president-senate-rcna591590
#Israel has seized a ancient castle, dating back to the Crusader period and raised its flag on it. Israel wants to annex all #Lebanon territory south of the Latani river https://www.npr.org/2026/05/31/g-s1-125056/israel-seizes-medieval-beaufort-castle-southern-lebanon
