Myanmar: Junta’s figurehead “president” dies

Source: Al Jazeera [Qatari state media]

“Myint Swe, who has served as Myanmar’s military-backed president, has died aged 74 after a long medical leave, according to state media. The news of his death was announced on Thursday in a statement from the government. … A former general, Myint Swe became president of Myanmar in 2021 when the military overthrew the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Before the military takeover, he held several senior leadership posts, including the post of first vice president during a period of semi-democratic rule that ended in 2021. The coup handed power to Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s military, with Myint Swe serving as a figurehead leader carrying out ceremonial duties.” (08/07/25)

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/7/figurehead-president-of-military-ruled-myanmar-dies-aged-74

Thomas L. Knapp

Kids Don’t Want Screens — They Want Freedom

Source: Reason
by Lenore Skenazy

“Kids love being on their phones and would rather do that than anything else. Right? New research finds that this is a myth. Children reported that what they really want to do is hang out with friends in real life—with no adults hovering and no screens. Kids go online because that’s generally the only place they can meet up and have fun without constant adult supervision. Being glued to screens is their default, not their desire. … Our kids are growing up on lockdown. Their childhoods are strangely adult when it comes to tech, and infantilized when it comes to real life.” (08/06/25)

https://reason.com/2025/08/06/kids-dont-want-screens-they-want-freedom/

Thomas L. Knapp

Poll: Majority Of Voters Believe Obama’s Deep State “Committed Crimes” In Russiagate

Source: The Federalist
by MD Kittle

“In the wake of bombshell declassified documents showing the Obama White House and deep state players manufacturing the intelligence report that jump-started the Russia collusion hoax, a new poll finds a majority of Americans believe President Barack Obama’s national security team ‘committed crimes.’ More than two-thirds (69%) of likely voters in a Rasmussen Report telephone and online survey said there must be consequences for crimes committed in the Russiagate scandal. The poll of 1,172 likely voters asked respondents, ‘Do you agree or disagree with this statement about the manipulation of intelligence in the Obama administration: “Accountability has to take place. … It is critical for the survival of our country that people who perpetrate such crimes are held accountable?”‘ And 54 percent believe it’s likely that members of former President Barack Obama’s national security team ‘committed crimes’ when they ‘manipulated and manufactured intelligence to promote a false narrative about Russia and President Donald Trump.'” (08/06/25)

https://thefederalist.com/2025/08/05/poll-majority-of-voters-believe-obamas-deep-state-committed-crimes-in-russiagate/

Steve Trinward

Haiti: Warlord “Barbecue” Threatens Rival Gang Leader’s Office as Violence Flares

Source: Bloomberg

“One of Haiti’s most powerful gang leaders is threatening to attack the prime minister’s office and other branches of government, as the troubled Caribbean nation prepares for a leadership transition.
In a video shared on social media, Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier of the ‘Viv Ansanm’ gang coalition, asked the nation to help him overthrow the transitional government and announced plans to seize government offices, including the building from which the executive branch is operating. The leadership of the Presidential Transitional Council is due to rotate Thursday. Fritz Alphonse Jean, who has held the office since March, is slated to hand over the helm to Laurent Saint-Cyr, a businessman who has led the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti and the country’s Chamber of Industry.” (08/07/25)

https://archive.is/k2Xq3

Thomas L. Knapp