It’s Getting Hot in Here

Apparently being a mouth breather isn’t just gross, it’s also not the best way to breathe. A new study shows that taking a deep breath in “will help you be more emotionally aware but only if you inhale specifically through your nostrils.”

The Iraqi Army Seeks to Retake All of Mosul: The Iraqi Army resumed military operations against ISIS in Mosul this past weekend. The timing is not too surprising given that many have been waiting for operations to resume. The Iraqi Army has already captured the eastern half of Mosul and is now focused on recapturing the more densely populated western half of the city. Fighting to take the rest of the city could be a grueling battle of wills that will proceed from street to street. In the western part of the city, narrow streets and dense neighborhoods provide insurgents with excellent cover and concealment and thus the ability to establish positions where they can support one another.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the US military commander in charge of operations against ISIS, said the operation in “Mosul would be a tough fight for any army in the world.” He would know. Townsend was a brigade commander of US military forces in that exact part of Mosul from 2004-2005.

Bad News for North Korean Coal Mines: China has suspended all North Korean coal imports, a ban that will last until December 31. Coal is North Korea’s main export and an important source of foreign currency. A majority of coal exports go to China, North Korea’s only major international ally and its largest trading partner. China voiced strong opposition to North Korea’s  February 12 missile launch, and relations between the two countries have been strained since Kim Jong-un took power in 2011.  

US Alarmed as Number of Fake Terrorist Attacks Increases: First it was the Bowling Green Massacre, then the attacks in Atlanta. Now it’s that shocking incident in Sweden. At a Florida rally on Saturday night, Trump defended his travel ban and stated:

“You look at what’s happening in Germany. You look at what’s happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this? Sweden. They took in large numbers. They’re having problems like they never thought possible. You look at what’s happening in Brussels. You look at what’s happening all over the world. Take a look at Nice. Take a look at Paris.”

However, there was no incident of terrorist violence in Sweden the prior night. On Sunday, Trump took to Twitter to clarify that he was referencing a Fox News broadcast on Friday night “concerning immigrants & Sweden,” in which Tucker Carlson interviewed a filmmaker who claims that Sweden’s acceptance of asylum seekers is linked to increased crime in the country. Taken by surprise and confused, the Swedish Embassy in Washington responded to Trump’s remarks by asking the State Department for an explanation.

Australia and the Effects of Climate Change: The Land Down Under has been experiencing a rough summer–from forest fires to extremely hot weather to worsening conditions in the Great Barrier Reef. During last week’s heatwave, parts of Sydney reached 46.9 degrees Celsius (116.42 degrees Fahrenheit). This extreme heat has contributed to many fires in southern Australia.

Because of significantly warmer conditions in the ocean, it is highly likely that additional portions of the Great Barrier Reef will die. This is very bad news given that last year was the worst-ever for the Reef where it saw large die-offs of coral. It is estimated that 22 percent of the Great Barrier Reef’s coral is dead.

A Dutch Trump: Geert Wilders, the current front runner to be next prime minister of the Netherlands, labeled young Moroccan immigrants in the country “scum.” If elected, Wilders has vowed to have the Netherlands leave the European Union.

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More Reads:

• Breathe slowly and view your health and fitness compassionately
• Being a member of Trump’s club at Mar-a-Lago will cost you $200,000 up front, but with membership you might be able to listen in on a cabinet interview or observe discussions about North Korea’s missile tests
• In honor of President’s day here are 10 productivity tips from former presidents
• Some people find Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook ambitions to be a bit too political,  dystopian, and unfettered power without responsibilities
• As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, the very rich are different from you and me. Here’s how the rich invest their billions