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US Aims to ‘Crack the Code’ on Tapping Geothermal Energy (Maria)

The author writes, “A limitless supply of heat exists beneath our feet within the Earth’s crust, but harnessing it at scale has proved challenging. Now, a combination of new techniques, government support and the pressing need to secure continuous clean power in an era of climate crisis means that geothermal energy is finally having its moment in the US. Until recently, geothermal has only been viable where the Earth’s inner heat simmers near the surface. … But this could change dramatically, offering the promise of endless, 24/7 clean energy that can fill in the gaps of intermittent solar and wind generation in the electricity grid.”

IDF Drone Bombed World Central Kitchen Aid Convoy Three Times, Targeting Armed Hamas Member Who Wasn’t There (Dana)

From Haaretz: “The third car in the convoy approached, and the passengers began to transfer to it the wounded who had survived the second strike — in order to get them out of danger. But then a third missile struck them. All seven World Central Kitchen volunteers were killed in the strike. On Tuesday morning, World Central Kitchen executives announced a temporary halt to its operations in Gaza, and that the ship that had departed to Gaza with aid shipments would return to Cyprus.”

Bird Flu Outbreaks Are Popping up Across the US Should You Be Concerned? (Sean)

The author writes, “Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, told Salon that although most people are at a ‘very low risk’ of getting infected unless they work around sick animals, ‘the best way to reduce your risk in general from respiratory diseases is to get your annual flu shot, cover of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands frequently.’”

Who Is Don Hankey, the L.A. Billionaire Who Financed Donald Trump’s Appeal Bond? (Reader Steve)

From the Los Angeles Times: “When news broke that former president Donald Trump had managed to post a $175-million bond to prevent an asset seizure while he appeals a New York judgment that he lied about his wealth, a surprising figure turned out to be his rescuer. It was none other than Los Angeles billionaire Don Hankey, 80, a hard-money lender who has made a fortune in financing vehicle sales to subprime borrowers — but has expanded far beyond that industry to other businesses where there is a sure profit to be made.”

Meet Some of the Violent Jan. 6 Rioters Donald Trump Keeps Calling ‘Hostages’ (Gerry)

The author writes, “The way former President Donald Trump tells it, the men and women who stormed the Capitol because they believed his lies about the 2020 presidential election are ‘hostages’ and ‘unbelieveable patriots’ who are being mistreated by the justice system. But an NBC News review of hundreds of cases against Jan. 6 defendants found that just 15 people charged in connection with the Capitol attack are currently being held pretrial at the order of federal judges. That number of pretrial detainees has decreased in recent months, as more and more Jan. 6 defendants have taken plea deals or been found guilty, and as federal judges have been hesitant to hold new arrestees in pre-trial custody more than three years after the attack.”

Apple Wouldn’t Let Jon Stewart Interview FTC Chair Lina Khan, TV Host Claims (DonkeyHotey)

From Ars Technica: “Before the cancellation of The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+, Apple forbade the inclusion of Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan as a guest and steered the show away from confronting issues related to artificial intelligence, according to Jon Stewart. This isn’t the first we’ve heard of this rift between Apple and Stewart. When the Apple TV+ show was canceled last October, reports circulated that he told his staff that creative differences over guests and topics were a factor in the decision.”

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