Putin and Biden File Photo SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Thanks very much.  And thanks, everybody.  So while this call took place at the government of Russia’s request, it’s consistent with our view that head of state engagements, particularly between these two countries, and particularly going into the intensive period of diplomacy that is to come, not next week but the week after, is appropriate and the best way of moving forward on the very serious situation that we face. The tone of the conversation between the two presidents was serious and substantive.  They each framed their positions as they’ve done in previous calls and also as they have done publicly. President Biden laid out two paths, two aspects of the U.S. approach that will really depend on Russia’s actions in the period ahead.  One is a path of diplomacy leading toward a de-escalation of the situation, and the other is a path that’s more focused on deterrence, including serious costs and conse...

Air Plane Gold Coast Airport Photo Blow the Truth  After its worst two years since the second world war, 2022 is looking brighter for the global airline industry. For passengers, though, the chance to travel at low cost again may prove short-lived. In 2020 international passenger demand was less than 25% that of 2019, according to the International Air Transport Association. 2021 data isn’t yet available, but the hiccups of the Delta and Omicron variants make the association’s forecasts of 50% of 2019 levels look optimistic. With international and domestic routes reopening, airlines are offering a range of special deals on airfares. These deals are partly to entice back uncertain travellers and partly to compensate passengers for costs required to travel internationally, such as fees for COVID tests. But don’t expect the cheap fares to last. They are likely to have a brief lifespan, as the industry come to grips with post-pandemic realities minus the government support th...

Homeless Person Queenslanders experiencing financial or emotional hardship, or housing stress, are being encouraged to reach out, talk to their friends and family and to seek assistance from support services over the Christmas and New Year period. Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch said the festive season could be a challenging time for many people, particularly those experiencing financial challenges, those who may be feeling lonely or socially isolated, and experiencing housing stress or homelessness. “In the lead up to Christmas, Queenslanders can seek support from their local neighbourhood or community centre, which may be able to assist them with information, services and referrals to other support services,” Ms Enoch said. “Many neighbourhood and community centres can provide emergency relief in the lead up to Christmas, including food, vouchers and financial assistance. “I also encourage people who are doing it tough financially not to go to predatory payday lend...

Vladimir Putin took part in the annual expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board at the National Defence Control Centre. Apart from the Armed Forces leadership, representatives of bodies of state power and public organisations, the meeting was attended by command officials from military districts, fleets and flotillas, military formations and units, as well as cadets and students of the Russian Defence Ministry’s higher education institutions, who have been invited to attend for the first time. Following the meeting, the President toured a theme exhibition dedicated to the Defence Ministry Board’s final meeting in 2021. Accompanied by Defence Minister  Sergei Shoigu , the President inspected promising samples of weapons and logistical support of the Russian army – advanced models of armaments, equipm...

Tucker Carlson Covers The “Pedo Outbreak” At CNN by  Steve Watson Tucker Carlson noted Monday night that “There are more accused pedophiles at CNN than Americans who have died of the so-called Omicron variant,” in a scathing segment devoted to what he described as a “pedo outbreak” at the network. “There’s something very strange going on at CNN right now. In just the past week or two, two separate CNN producers have been accused of child molestation,” Carlson began. “One of them was a man named John Griffin who was just indicted by a federal grand jury for attempting to ‘induce minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity,’ we’re not going to get into  the details . They’re horrifying,” Carlson continued. “He’s been fired. Griffin  used to work for Chris Cuomo , he bragged about working shoulder to shoulder. We’ll leave it there,” the host added. Carlson continued, “Then just days after that story,  Project Veritas exposed another creep at CNN , apparently at CNN, th...

Grinch who stole Christmas Anthony Fauci did his best to play the grinch who stole Christmas once again Sunday by declaring that Americans should refrain from attending any gatherings where they don’t know everyone’s vaccination status. Presumably, Fauci means that if someone in the family isn’t vaccinated then don’t let them into the gathering, for if you merely know they are not vaccinated what’s the point? Fauci told ABC‘s This Week “Don’t do things like go to gatherings with people you do not know what their vaccination status is.” Fauci also said that it would be even better if people conducted tests at their family gatherings. “Some people are actually going the extra step and the extra mile of maybe even being tested when you have people coming over to the house,” he declared, adding “We now have much wider availability of point of care tests where you can get a result in about 15 minutes. So you might want to do that.” Dr. Anthony Fauci says those vaccinated and boosted can “f...