Journalists as foreign agents? That’s what is being alleged by Russians, Chinese and the U.S., finds Grumpy Editor.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission calls for staff members of Chinese state-run media groups in the U.S. to register as foreign agents. The U.S.panel asserts journalists at some Chinese media organizations engage in spying activities, feeding information back to the Chinese government while China has increased restrictions on foreign journalists in China.
Meanwhile, The U.S. Justice Department says it would require the Russian state-owned RT channel to register as a foreign agent. U.S. intelligence agencies accuse RT of involvement in alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, but Russia has denied any meddling.
From the other side, the Russian Ministry of Justice warns the Moscow bureau of U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe should prepare to register as a foreign agent.
“We had been expecting something for a long time,” says Ivan Martynenko, a reporter for the news outlet’s Russian-language website, Radio Liberty, at Radio Free Europe’s newsroom in Moscow.
Russian politicians for months have been grumbling that Radio Free Europe’s programs and website spread false or negative reports in efforts to harm Russia.
The U.S. Justice Department’s action infuriated the Kremlin and left news outlets such as Radio Free Europe vulnerable to retaliation in what is called a diplomatic tit-for-tat between Moscow and Washington.
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SMOG CONTINUES TO BLANKET L.A. AREA --- Los Angeles area's air quality, which went south starting in the mid-1940s, remains the nation’s worst — and is not getting any better. Ozone, the harmful gas in smog that inflames the lungs and triggers asthma attacks and other health problems, has violated federal health standards 145 days this year through Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. That’s up from 132 ozone violation days last year and 113 in 2015.
LONGEVITY TIP: EAT RAW EGGS. A New York Times story on living past the century mark, includes these quotes on longevity: Goldie Michelson, of Worcester, Mass., divulged her secret to longevity countless times before dying last year at 113: “Morning walks and chocolate.” From Emma Morano of Verbania, Italy, who was still cooking her own pasta until a few years before she died last April at 117, her prescription: raw eggs — and no husband.
DOGS BOOST LIFE OF SINGLES, FINDS STUDY. People who have dogs are less likely to die from any cause during the 12 years covered by Uppsala University, Sweden research, according to the study published in Scientific Reports. The impact was greatest for single people, says Mwenya Mubanga, an author of the paper. "Dog ownership was especially prominent as a protective factor in persons living alone, which is a group reported previously to be at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death,” finds Mubanga.
CIA SAYS NO YULE PARTY THIS YEAR FOR PRESS. A frequent critic of the media, CIA Director Mike Pompeo declines to invite the press this year to the CIA's annual Washington holiday party, seen by news folks as an opportunity to meet officials in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE SET TO MOVE. The Chicago Tribune in next year’s second quarter will move from its long-time landmark headquarters on Michigan Ave. to One Prudential Plaza, a few blocks away, where it is leasing 137,000 square feet on five floors.
BRITISH MILITARY DOG DECORATED. Mali, a British military dog that saved the lives of troops in Afghanistan in 2012, is decorated for bravery at ceremonies on Friday. The eight-year-old Belgian Malinois twice was sent through direct fire in search of explosives. The dog also detected insurgents. He is fully recovered from grenade blasts that injured his chest, legs and ear.
N.Y. SUBWAY CONDUCTORS CHANGE ADDRESS. In another gender-neutral move, conductors on New York City subway trains will halt addressing riders as “ladies and gentlemen” when making announcements and instead use “passengers, riders or everyone.”
COMPANY EYES EX-MILITARY AS HIRES. Recognizing the talents of former military service personnel, Accenture — a global professional services company with 425,000 workers in more than 120 countries — is aiming to add more military hires. “Experiences of military men and women transfer seamlessly to the work we do,” says a top official, adding, “the hard skills acquired by military personnel” range from data analytics and logistical planning to engineering.
