Author: Derrick Howell

The USDA is investing over $600,000 in clean energy projects across Montana to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs for local farms and small businesses. This funding is part of the Inflation Reduction Act, supporting climate action initiatives. The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is distributing $256 million nationwide for 1,100 renewable energy projects in 40 states. In Montana, 15 projects will receive support for solar arrays, energy-efficient heating systems, and other energy-saving improvements. For example, CM Property Management LLC in Hot Springs will receive $31,000 to install a 20-kW solar array, saving $4,909 annually. Similarly, Jordan Homestead LLC…

A potential bomb cyclone is intensifying over the Pacific Ocean, set to impact the Pacific Northwest this week. While Washington and Oregon will bear the brunt, Idaho will feel some effects, particularly wind, rain, and snow. Korri Anderson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boise, noted that the storm’s main energy will stay off the Pacific Northwest coast. Idaho will experience wind and some precipitation, but not the storm’s full intensity. The storm is expected to reach Washington on Tuesday, November 19, with a low-pressure system moving south from the Gulf of Alaska. This will strengthen as it…

London (20/5 – 20)One academic was asked about the internet eating their young. This triggered a heated debate about the use of the internet the freedom in presents, the dangers of unfettered go for it all to the public, the rise of the left, the response by the right, and AI, or Artificial Intelligence. The seriousness of the debate can be seen at the UK sponsored conference on AI at Bletchley Park. Following this was the adaptation of the European law on Artificial Intelligence. 28 countries at the summit, including the United States, China, and the European Union, have issued…

BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia’s new government will include a former intelligence chief who has fostered close ties with Russia and is sanctioned by the United States, the country’s prime minister-designate said Tuesday. Aleksandar Vulin will serve as one of several vice-premiers, said Milos Vucevic as he announced the composition of his future Cabinet, which is expected to be voted into office in the coming days in Serbia’s parliament. Serbia is formally seeking European Union membership but has maintained friendly relations with Russia and refused to join Western sanctions against Moscow over its war in Ukraine. The inclusion of Vulin into the new…

Sri Lanka has told hundreds of thousands of Russians and some Ukrainians staying in the country to escape the war that they must leave in the next two weeks, immigration officers said. The immigration controller issued a notice to the tourism ministry asking Russian and Ukrainian people staying on extended tourist visas to leave Sri Lanka within two weeks from 23 February. Just over 288,000 Russians and nearly 20,000 Ukrainians have traveled to Sri Lanka in the last two years since the war began, according to official data. Commissioner-General of Immigration said the “government is not granting further visa extensions” as the “flight situation has…

Moscow (28/2). Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that non-governmental organizations in Central Asia have stepped up their anti-Russian activities amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army. Shoigu said this at the board of the Russian Ministry of Defense on February 27. According to him, there are more than 100 “large pro-Western non-governmental organisations” operating in Central Asia, which have more than 16,000 representative offices and branches. “Against the backdrop of the special military operation, these NGOs have significantly increased their anti-Russian activities in order to reduce military-technical, economic and cultural cooperation between the Central Asian states and Russia.…

The U.S. military should reassess its force posture in Europe and reduce its reliance on revolving door-style unit rotations, a major think tank’s analysts concluded in a Monday report. The Center for Strategic and International Studies’ transnational threat team based their study on official documents, open-source materials and interviews with subject-matter experts. The report’s authors recommend that the Army abandon the rotational armor brigade deployment model that “eats up … the Army’s force structure and long-term readiness.” Currently, two armor brigades are deployed to Europe. Instead, the report said, the service should permanently station an Armored Brigade Combat Team in Poland to…

The United States supports the people of Bangladesh and their aspirations for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression. The United States notes the Awami League party won a majority of seats in the January 7, 2024 parliamentary elections. The United States remains concerned by the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on elections day. The United States shares the view with other observers that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated. The United States condemns violence that took place during elections and in…

The supreme nature of Montana sets the stage for a holiday full of unforgettable childhood experiences and encounters. Wide-open landscapes let the imagination run free, and the Western spirit evokes a sense of adventure far from home. Between the scenery, wildlife, adventures and activities, Montana will leave kids with core memories for life. Is Montana good for kids? Any adult would be lucky to experience Montana through the eyes of a child. Between the free-flowing nature and the friendly communities that value early education, kids stand to have a transformative experience in the Treasure State. That same Western intrigue that has attracted…

One of Congress’ leading proponents for using military force against Mexican drug cartels said he’d consider restricting armed action until Mexico approves of it — all to get Democrats more comfortable with the aggressive messaging. In January, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), chair of the Republican-led Task Force to Combat Mexican Drug Cartels, alongside Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) introduced a bill seeking authorization for the use of military force to “put us at war with the cartels.” But Crenshaw said in an interview that the idea has been “misconstrued” and that the task force will likely outline a different approach before year’s end. He wants…