Katie 😷 and Allegra 😼

BBC Verify live page graphic showing (left) the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, seen by satellite, from Sentinel-2, Copernicus, on 27 February; (right) a map of the Middle East with Crete, Israel and Iran marked, as well as the location of the Ford.

THREAD
A long first week of the Iran conflict and a team effort by BBC Verify to supply news outlets.

Here's my contribution explained with how-to examples.

First, 24 hours' wait, we finally saw the USS Gerald R Ford after it left Crete. My piece with Barbara Metzler:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cx...

Too bad certain people don't read or listen to experts or folks with practical experience.

Just absolutely bonkers details in this article. Edward Coristine was a member of several Telegram chat rooms that were being tracked by the FBI, including Kiwi Farms (known for harassment campaigns). Coristine was apparently on the FBI's radar for his prior contacts with an alleged criminal hacker.

I know a grandma raising her 2 grandsons alone and they are on SNAP because rent, utilities, and food are so high. She’s a middle school teacher.

DHS Ousts CBP Privacy Officers Who Questioned ‘Illegal’ Orders Department of Homeland Security leaders removed top privacy officers who objected to mislabeling government records to block their public release, WIRED has learned.

Scoop: DHS ousted multiple privacy officers at CBP after they questioned orders to purposely mislabel records about government surveillance to prevent their release under FOIA.

Boy, 7, dies of brain condition caused by world’s most contagious disease — years after he had it as a baby Even those who make a full recovery from the initial infection face a lurking threat: a deadly disease that remains latent until striking — and killing — years later.

California boy dies of SSPE (measles complication) after being infected at age 7 months, when he was too young to be vaccinated.

Drone hits U.S. diplomatic facility in Iraq as Mideast violence deepens The attack on a major U.S. diplomatic facility in Baghdad was a suspected retaliation to the U.S.- and Israeli-led war on Iran by pro-Tehran militias.

Drone strike hits the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, a sprawling logistical hub for American diplomats near the Baghdad airport.

www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

JUST IN: Democrats have flipped a Trump+9 seat in the New Hampshire House, per reporter Kevin Landrigan.

Republicans outspent Dems by a considerable margin.

This is now the 10th special election flip for Ds in Trump's second term, versus zero for the GOP. sos.tn.gov/elections/20...

Video Refutes ICE Claim That Ruben Ray Martinez “Ran Over” Federal Agent Before Fatal Shooting In Texas, newly released body-camera and surveillance footage casts doubt on an ICE official’s claims about the killing of Ruben Ray Martinez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen who was fatally shot by a fede...

The officer who killed Ruben Ray Martinez has been identified as Homeland Security Investigations agent Jack Stevens.

A cat's head laying on its side. Most of it is in shadow, but there's a light behind and to the left which is illuminating one set of whiskers.

Trying something different for this #WhiskersWednesday

Wordle Puzzle Created By KatieCat Choose a word for friends to guess, then share your own puzzle.

You're invited to play a puzzle created by KatieCat.
The clue is: "Can be found in hats or looking for eggs"
www.nytimes.com/games/create...

Wordle Puzzle Created By KatieCat Choose a word for friends to guess, then share your own puzzle.

You're invited to play a puzzle created by KatieCat.
The clue is: "Noun or verb. Word of all trades. Card. Lift. Etc"
www.nytimes.com/games/create...

Per Carol Leonnig: 300 FBI agents whose specialty was national security "have left" since beginning of Trump's 2nd administration. Moreover, the DOJ's counter-espionage unit has been reduced by 50%.

Trump claims to prioritize national security, yet his actions are inviting major attacks on US soil.

I Was a US Intelligence Analyst. Here's What a Ground Invasion of Iran Could Look Like The Trump admin has floated three possible ground operation plans it claims would be 'small.' But in reality, Harrison Mann writes, they all risk dragging the US into a forever war in Iran.

“I Was a US Intelligence Analyst. Here's What a Ground Invasion of Iran Could Look Like”

The Trump admin has 3 possible ground operation plans but, @harrisonmann.bsky.social writes for Zeteo, they all risk dragging the US into a forever war in Iran.

I’m so excited that Democrat Shawn Harris is going to a runoff against Republican Clay Fuller in MTG’s district in Georgia!

Time to flip the seat blue!

🥳

I know you are surprised to find out it’s a clown show.

My cat Allegra approves of this tweet - when she's in her box. When she's out of the box, well ... she doesn't.

For Trump, it's probably the latter.

The stupidity makes your blood boil.

LOL

Pun of the week award.

Tweet of the week award.

Love this pix.

Chris Murphy: "I Just came from a two hour, closed door classified briefing on the war. It just confirmed to me it's totally incoherent. We are not gonna be able to achieve any of our stated objectives ... this is a disaster of epic proportions, a 10 day debacle"

US Navy tells shipping industry Hormuz escorts not possible for now The U.S. Navy has refused near-daily requests from the shipping industry for military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz since ​the start of the war on Iran, saying the risk of attacks is too high f...

Whoa. This is big. "The U.S. Navy has refused near-daily requests from the shipping industry for military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war on Iran, saying the risk of attacks is too high for now." www.reuters.com/world/middle...

Possibly because he was overworked due to the office being short-staffed (firings/resignations) while the office's caseload was increasing as a result of actions taken by this administration.

You made me laugh out loud.

Did he get any for Susie Wiles and Karoline Leavitt?

Her two very young children recently lost their father. Is she spending ANY time with them and helping them process their grief?