Inauguration protesters barred from National Mall, other sites

Washington (CNN) - Activists planning the "Women's March on Washington" and those protesting the inauguration of Donald Trump won't be able to do so near some of DC's most iconic monuments.

The National Park Service filed documents on behalf of the Presidential Inauguration Committee to secure large sections of Pennsylvania Avenue, as well as the Washington Monument, the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial for the inauguration festivities.

That means activists who were hoping to hold demonstrations at the Lincoln Memorial like many iconic marches and the other sites won't be able to do so.

The National Park Service requests permits for the inauguration a year in advance of the event, said Mike Litterst, spokesman for the agency.

Democrats' revolt threatens government funding bill

(CNN) - Senate approval of a must-pass short-term government spending bill was threatened late Thursday as West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and other Democrats worked to bolster miners' health insurance provisions in it.

They warned they might block the must-pass funding bill if their demands were not met, potentially leading to a government shutdown.

It was not clear if the Democrats could muster the 41 votes they need to block the Republican-authored bill. Adding more uncertainty to the situation, that procedural vote is currently scheduled for Saturday morning, hours after the Friday midnight deadline for when the government would run out of money.

Praying Mantis Looks Like a Flower—And Now We Know Why

The mantis orchid of Southeast Asia evolved in a way that's completely unique to insects.

An adult male Malaysian orchid mantis perches atop a female.

 
PHOTOGRAPH BY LIFE ON WHITE, ALAMY

When is an orchid not an orchid? When it's a female orchid praying mantis, a Southeast Asian insect that masquerades as a flower to attract prey.

With petal-like legs and a yellow or whitish pink color, females share little resemblance to males, which are about half the size and sport a dull, greenish brown color.

Boycotting Jews to prevent the boycott of Israel - Boycott

This week a German bank announced that it is closing the account of a Jewish human rights organisation because it supports BDS. What's next?

The German organisation Jewish Voice for Just Peace (JVJP) is a sister organisation of the US Jewish Voice for Peace and part of the coalition European Jews for a Just Peace (EJJP). It was founded in 2003.

Three weeks ago, the organisation - of which I am a board member - was shocked when it received a letter from its bank, the Bank for Social Economy based in Cologne, that it had decided to close JVJP’s account. No reason was given for the decision. 

This is the first time since World War Two that a German bank has closed the account of a Jewish organisation

But on Tuesday, the bank finally announced, in a second letter sent out by a spokesperson, the reason: JVJP supports the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Mother and son charged with incest are unapologetic and ‘madly in love’

Caleb Peterson, left, and Monica Mares, right, are charged with incest in New Mexico. The Associated Press

Monica Mares and Caleb Peterson say they are in love with each other.

She is his mother. He is her son.

The state of New Mexico, where they live, calls their sexual relationship incest and has charged both with the crime.

They face separate jury trials over the next few weeks — Peterson on Aug. 25, Mares on Sept. 16. They’ve been banned by the courts from having any more contact with each other.

But the two are unapologetic about their relationship and have been talking to the media to explain it.

They’ve been subject to scorn since their secret love became public in February. Mares says she’s been attacked outside her home and has received death threats. People call her “Incest.”

On Facebook, people have accused them of having a “disgusting” and “gross” relationship.

The prosecutor for the case says she has heard no sympathy for Mares and that people tend to see Peterson, 19, as a victim.