Psaki Says Coal and Natural Gas – NOT Frozen Wind Turbines Caused Power Grid Failure in Texas Cold Snap

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday said coal and natural gas – NOT frozen wind turbines – caused the power grid failure in this week’s Texas cold snap.

Texas got hit with a rare cold snap that spanned to the southern part of the state and the power grids gave out.

Power outages were initiated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) early on Monday morning.

Millions of Texans went without electricity for days.

Temperatures fell into the teens near Dallas and 20s around Houston with wind chills near zero.

According to state authorities, nearly half of the wind turbines in Texas froze, hurting the power supplies.

Millions of Texans suffered blackouts partly due to the frozen wind turbines.

Psaki said reports suggesting renewables caused the power grid failure in Texas are inaccurate, rather it was renewables that came in to save the day.

“Numerous reports show that it was failure in coal and natural gas that contributed to the state’s power shortages,” Psaki said.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/02/psaki-says-coal-natural-gas-not-frozen-wind-turbines-caused-power-grid-failure-texas-cold-snap-video/

5.6-Magnitude Quake Rocks Southwest Iran, Seismologists Say

According to the seismic data, the epicenter of the earthquake was located 48 km from the city of Yasuj, the administrative center of the southern province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, at a depth of 10 km.

An earthquake tremor with a magnitude of 5.6 struck off the coast of the Middle Eastern country, according to the UAE National Seismic Network (NCM).

No casualties or specific damage have been reported yet. Iran's Tasnim agency reported that there is no electricity in the areas affected by the earthquake, and property damage is highly likely.

According to preliminary data, the earthquake was recorded at 22.05 local time on the border of two provinces - Isfahan and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad.

The earthquake was felt near the town of Sisakht, located approximately 10 kilometers from the epicenter, according to media reports. Rescue teams have been assigned to the area where the incident occurred.

According to data from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center, the earthquake was also felt in the central part of the country, along with the coast.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202102171082108759-56-magnitude-quake-rocks-southwest-iran-seismologists-say/

Thai Woman Extradited To U.S., Indicted For Role In International Sex Trafficking Conspiracy

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/thai-woman-extradited-us-indicted-role-international-sex-trafficking-conspiracy

Facebook to restrict sharing or viewing Australian and international news content

Facebook will restrict publishers and people in Australia from sharing or viewing Australian and international news content.

The announcement comes in response to proposed new laws in Australia that would force tech companies to negotiate with media companies over how much to pay them for news content.

The move would also prevent people overseas from sharing Australian content on the social media site.

In a statement, Facebook says the law fundamentally misunderstands the relationship between their platform and publishers who use it to share news content.

It says they face the stark choice between attempting to comply with a law, or to stop allowing news content on our services in Australia — and "with a heavy heart" they are choosing the latter.

The move comes a day after Nine and Seven West Media reportedly made multi-million-dollar deals with Google for use of content.

"We understand many will ask why the platforms may respond differently," the Facebook statement says.

"The answer is because our platforms have fundamentally different relationships with news.

"Google Search is inextricably intertwined with news and publishers do not voluntarily provide their content."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-18/facebook-to-restrict-sharing-or-viewing-news-in-australia/13166208

Washington Post Fact Checker Defends Biden Lie on Vaccines: ‘It Was a Verbal Stumble’

Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler defended President Joe Biden after he falsely claimed that vaccines were unavailable before he took office, dismissing it as “a verbal stumble, a typical Biden gaffe” while instructing critics to “cool the outrage meter” on the president’s outright falsehood.

Biden made the false claim during Tuesday evening’s town hall with CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

“There’s just not all of a sudden 600 million doses are going to appear,” Biden said regarding coronavirus vaccines. “What’s going to happen is it’s going to continue to increase as we move along, and we’ll have reached 400 million by the end of May and 600 million by the end of July.”

“The biggest thing, though, as you remember, when you and I— I shouldn’t say it that way as you remember— when you and I talked last we talked about, it’s one thing to have the vaccine, which we didn’t have when we came into office, but a vaccinator,” he continued, triggering an outcry from conservatives, including former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany.

“Biden says there was no vaccine when he came into office. That is abjectly FALSE. President Trump brought about the fastest vaccine for a novel pathogen in history. How does Joe get away with this?” McEnany asked on social media.

Her question prompted a dismissive response from Kessler. “It was a verbal stumble, a typical Biden gaffe, as he had already mentioned 50 million doses being available when he took office,” he said. “Ex Trump officials should especially cool the outrage meter, as it just looks silly.”

Kessler’s dismissal prompted further responses as others questioned his decision to dismiss Biden’s claim.

“That interpretation is not remotely accurate. ‘It’s one thing to have the vaccine – which we didn’t have when we came into office,'” Mark Bednar, spokesman for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), said as others joined in:

https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2021/02/17/washington-post-fact-checker-defends-biden-lie-on-vaccines-it-was-a-verbal-stumble/

Guided-missile destroyer Winston Churchill seizes thousands of illicit weapons from dhows off Somalia coast

The guided-missile destroyer Winston Churchill seized thousands of illicit weapons — including AK-47 assault rifles and heavy sniper rifles — from two dhows off the coast of Somalia last week.

The Churchill’s Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure team and embarked joint service Advanced Interdiction Team detected the weapons during a flag verification boarding and the weapons were subsequently seized from the stateless dhows during maritime security operations from Feb. 11-12.

“This joint team [Army, Navy and Coast Guard] on board Churchill came together to successfully execute this operation over the course of two days in the Indian Ocean. These operations prevent nefarious actors from illegally spreading their lethal aid,” Cmdr. Timothy Shanley, commanding officer of Churchill, said in a Navy news release.

In addition to AK-47 assault rifles and heavy sniper rifles, the tranche of weapons included light machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, crew served weapons, along with barrels, stocks, optical scopes and weapon systems. It’s unclear where the weapons came from.

Maritime security operations such as this one aim to promote free flow of commerce and obstruct illicit cargo from getting into the wrong hands, the Navy said.

“We are proud of the combined efforts of the AIT and Churchill crew members for executing dynamic and demanding boardings,” Lt. Travis Dopp, assistant Advanced Interdiction Team Leader on Churchill, said in a Navy news release. “We are proud to have a positive impact on the safety and security of coalition forces by interdicting shipments of lethal aid.”

The seizure comes about a month after the U.S. military finished relocating its troops from Somalia to other areas of the continent, in accordance with an order from former President Donald Trump.

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2021/02/16/guided-missile-destroyer-winston-churchill-seizes-thousands-of-illicit-weapons-from-dhows-off-somalia-coast/

Goodyear man sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual exploitation of minor following HSI investigation

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – A local area man was sentenced Feb. 3, to 20 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections for sexually exploiting a minor, as a result of a probe by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Jesse Anthony Garcia, 30, of Goodyear, had previously admitted to recording a video in which a minor victim was engaged in exploitive exhibition or other sexual conduct, and attempting to record a video in which a minor victim was engaged in exploitive exhibition or other sexual conduct in 2016. Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, and one count of Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.

“This investigation demonstrates HSI’s unwavering commitment to rid our community of child predators who seek to violate our most innocent population,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “HSI won’t ever relent when it comes to protecting children and prosecuting predators whose perverse behavior has no place in our society.”

Upon release from prison, Garcia is subject to special terms of probation for sex offenders, and will have computer usage restrictions. Garcia will also be required to register as a sex offender.

“Criminals who commit despicable acts against children cannot hide behind computer screens,” said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “Our partnerships with local, federal, and international authorities have helped lead to the arrest and conviction of individuals who abuse and exploit our youth.”

The case was investigated by HSI based upon an investigation initiated by the Queensland (Australia) State Police. Arizona Assistant Attorney General Todd Lawson prosecuted the case. More information on Garcia's criminal case.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.

HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 Special Agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/goodyear-man-sentenced-20-years-prison-sexual-exploitation-minor-following-hsi

Democrat House Members Break With Party over False DCCC Ads Alleging All Republicans Are QAnon

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) attacks against House Republicans for their alleged support for the QAnon conspiracy theory have received backlash from some Democrats themselves.

The DCCC launched over a half-million-dollar television and digital ad campaign accusing Republicans of standing “with Q and now with you.”

The ads targeted many swing district Republicans, such as Reps. Mike Garcia (R-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Michelle Steel (R-CA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Don Bacon (R-NE), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

Contrary to the ads’ messaging, 146 House Republicans voted in favor last October of a resolution condemning QAnon. This would suggest that the QAnon conspiracy theory is not in the mainstream of the Republican Party.

Now, multiple Democrats are concerned about the potential backlash the ad campaign might have, worrying the attacks stray away from “fact.”

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) told Politico, “I want to see the Democrats and DCCC hold ourselves to a higher standard relative to truth, relative to fact and relative to principle. And should we forget the consequences of misinformation, then we become culpable.”

Fitzpatrick even cosponsored an ad last year that condemned QAnon.

“Brian is a friend of mine. He’s a man of principle, a man of decency and the furthest from QAnon supporter,” Phillips said.

Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) said, “It’s totally fair to say House Republicans stood with QAnon after the majority of them voted with a QAnon-inspired mob against certifying the election. I have zero sympathy for groups like NRCC complaining about this ad, given how they’ve used the actual QAnon messaging in their own ads.”

“But Congressman Fitzpatrick was one of just three Republicans who stuck his neck out to sponsor my resolution condemning QAnon last year,” the New Jersey Democrat said.

“It really made me uncomfortable when I saw that ad,” a third Democrat said. “This idea that we can we should just contribute to an atmosphere where facts are just not even relevant — I don’t want to be the party that does that.”

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/02/17/democrat-house-members-break-with-party-over-false-dccc-ads-alleging-all-republicans-are-qanon/

About a third of troops have turned down the COVID-19 vaccine

The Defense Department has been reluctant to publicly announce how many troops have received a COVID-19 vaccination and how many have refused to get it, but senior Pentagon officials came prepared for questions to a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday.

Of about 916,000 doses administered to DoD personnel, 359,000 have received at least one dose, and 147,000 are fully vaccinated, according to Bob Salesses, who is performing the duties of assistant defense secretary for homeland defense and global security.

About a third of those offered the vaccine have turned it down, according to Maj. Gen. Jeff Taliaferro, the Joint Staff’s vice director for operations.

That’s worrying to lawmakers.

“With new variants popping up across the globe, I’m not sure we can wait two years,” for full Food and Drug Administration approval, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said. “It’s critical for our national security that every service member, as well as DoD civilian personnel and contractors, receive vaccines as soon as possible.”

Previously, the Pentagon had declined to detail how many troops had received vaccines and the overall take rate. A defense official told Military Times in early February that DoD’s general counsel made that call.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are under an emergency use authorization, which means they haven’t completed all of the multiple rounds of rigorous testing required before the FDA clears them.

Because it is federal law, department policy is that a vaccine under that authorization won’t be mandatory, though service members are required to receive myriad other inoculations in order to serve.

The suspicion among service members closely mirrors that of the general U.S. public, according to a recent poll from the Associated Press.

“What we’re seeing right now is similar to what we’re seeing across the entire United States, in that there’s … a higher percentage of people who are older who are opting to have the vaccine, and it trends down with age,” Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Friedrichs, the Joint Staff surgeon, told reporters Jan. 29.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/02/17/about-a-third-of-troops-have-turned-down-the-covid-19-vaccine/

FF?

At Least Seven People Shot in Mass Shooting Near Transit Station in North Philadelphia

At least seven people were shot in a mass shooting near the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) station in North Philadelphia's Olney neighborhood at 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, multiple sources reported.

Authorities have revealed that one suspect is already in custody and two guns have been recovered from the scene.

According to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, the victims' ages range from 17 to 70. Six victims were transported to the Albert Einstein Medical Center while the seventh victim was taken to Temple University Hospital, NBC Philadelphia reported.

One of the victims is in critical condition while the other six sustained non-life-threatening injuries, ABC 6 reported.

https://sputniknews.com/us/202102171082109882-at-least-seven-peopleshot-near-transit-station-in-north-philadelphia/

Large Cache of Terrorist Weapons Discovered in Syria's Homs Province, Russian Military Says

A large cache of weapons used by militants of the Daesh* terrorist group in the southern Syrian provinces of Homs and Deir ez-Zor was discovered by the country's government troops with the support of Russian Aerospace Forces drones, a spokesman for the Russian Armed Forces group in Syria told reporters.

"As a result of reconnaissance and search operations of the Syrian government forces with the support of unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the desert area in the east of the province of Homs, a large cache was discovered, used by Daesh militants to conduct terrorist activities in the provinces of Homs and Deir ez-Zor," the spokesman said.

"Four militants in two pickup trucks with heavy machine guns, who were discovered near ​​the cache and apparently guarded it, were killed during the operation," he said.

Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry's Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria reported that terrorists from the Jabhat al-Nusra* terrorist group carried out 35 attacks in the Idlib de-escalation zone over the past 24 hours. On Sunday, it said that the Russian Defence Ministry had evidence that the controversial White Helmets militant group has arrived in northwestern Syria to stage a new "provocation."

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202102171082109924-large-cache-of-terrorist-weapons-discovered-in-syrias-homs-province-russian-military-says/

>>12975759

depends on depth etc… but i posted as it's Iran