When the inmates are running the asylum

Trump layoffs hit key 'air traffic control for space' unit

Roughly a third of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 25-person Office of Space Commerce, a little-known body relied heavily upon by the space industry, were given a few hours' notice of their termination on Thursday by acting NOAA chief Nancy Hann and were forced out of the office by the end of the day, two of the sources said.

Also booted, maintainence people who keep the weather radars running, 

When does tornado season start?

Is it too much to ask, really?

Donald Trump Freezes Credit Cards of Federal Workers: What To Know

DOGE has got its math wrong before. For example, this week it said it had saved $8 billion from slashing a contract with ICE. That contract was actually $8 million.

Counting zeros is a simple skill. 

 

Exactly so

How Donald Trump Is Bending America's News Media

"This is not just a Trump problem. It's a media problem."

When the press covers events by sitting in a stuffy room while the current government spox instructs them the day has been lost and ignorance spreads.

Can't wait to see his plan for Ukraine

Trump shares AI video of his vision for Gaza — featuring giant gold statue and him lounging poolside with Netanyahu

Scenes of destruction suddenly morph into a sunny beach resort destination, as a lively dance track with the lyrics “Donald Trump will set you free, bringing the life for all to see, no more tunnels, no more fear, Trump Gaza is finally here” starts to play.

Dancing in the streets. And more. 

Forget the payroll, we want the shoes?

Thieves targeting freight trains in California and Arizona deserts make off with $2M worth of Nikes

It was one of at least 10 heists targeting BNSF trains in remote areas of the Mojave Desert since last March that authorities are investigating, the Los Angeles Timesreported. All but one resulted in the theft of Nike sneakers, according to investigators.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid would be ashamed. 

It was a lot more fun to blow the door off the safe in the mail car than to purloin a passel of Air Jordan 11 Retro Legend Blue sneakers.

Moreover, who'd want to watch the movie?

Meanwhile in the fun house

Trump Selects Dan Bongino as Deputy FBI Director

The announcement sent shock waves through the FBI, whose new director Kash Patel had offered Republican senators private assurances that he would name a special agent with bureau experience to be his deputy, rather than a political outsider. Patel was sworn in at the White House on Friday.

The new guy, Bongino, has never worked for the FBI, although he has worked for the NYPD and the Secret Service and is a…wait for it…podcaster. Who once proclaimed, “my entire life right now is about owning the libs.”

Retirement living in Cyprus

Retired hens revitalise Cyprus olive groves

"We provide them with an old hens' home, they come here and retire," said Christoforos, surrounded by clucking chickens while emptying bins of food waste donated by schoolchildren.

Let's try to write a headline nobody will understand

Walmart drops bag of fear into trolley of greed

Good one, Reuters.

On springing up and falling back

Daylight saving time 2025: These states are trying to ‘lock the clocks’

Some people seem to hate it, some people seem to love it, and me, I don't care. Daylight Saving Time. It starts on March 9.

In the US it's established – the springing up and falling back – by federal law. States can opt out of the plan but they can't change it. It's either do it or don't.

Some states do want to opt out – stay on Standard Time year round, no more springing up. California is one. California claims it's healthier. Massachusetts is another, but only "if two or more of the following states: New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York or Maine" agree. The state that claims to have started the American revolution is not going it alone this time.

Some states want to stay on DST and never fall back again, but can only do that if Congress approves. 

I don't care. I have spent my entire life unhealthy springing up and falling back annually, and sometimes day by day – living in a place in one time zone, working in another zone, and driving through a state that couldn't make up its mind – looking at you, Indiana. I have never so much as noticed that extra hour of sleep one is supposed to get at one end or the other, nor felt deprived by the hour I was supposed to miss.

I do enjoy those long, summer evenings, though.