Friday, January 22, 2021

22 January - Blogs I'm Following - 4 of 5

 10:38 pm MST

Real change? You've got to be kidding....
Bruce K. Gagnon, Organizing Notes - 16 hours ago
Move on folks....nothing to believe in here. Just more of the same. I understand it is hard for some folks to recognize that we have corporate dominated government - no matter which party is in power. But as they say....a fact is a fact. Already the Washington Post had a headline yesterday that read: *Biden foreign policy begins with telling the world: ‘America’s back’*. Look out world here they come! Bruce *Graphics made by Nodutdol, a Korean-American Solidarity Group in New York City. Click on the images for a better view. *
If ‘Facebook is Private’ Why are They Feeding Private Messages of Its Users Directly to the FBI?
Matt Agorist, The Free Thought Project - 16 hours ago
[image: private]If you still think Facebook is a private company, perhaps this latest Faustian bargain with the feds will sway you in the direction of the truth.
America's Real Unemployment Crisis
A Political Junkie, Viable Opposition - 16 hours ago
A recent speech by Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard at the Canadian Association for Business Economics gives us a sense of just how severe the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the American labor force. Let's look at some key excerpts. The speech entitled "Full Employment in the New Monetary Policy Framework" opens by noting that the Federal Reserve began an in-depth review of its monetary policy framework two years ago, prompted by the following long-run economic features: *1.) price inflation is much less sensitive to labor market tightness than historically—that is, ...
WHO Finds These Covid Testing Edict Changes Interesting?
Penny, Penny for your thoughts - 14 hours ago
*While reading this morning...* *I stumbled across this from the WHO* "WHO guidance Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 states that careful interpretation of weak positive results is needed (*1*).* The cycle threshold (Ct) needed to detect virus is inversely proportional to the patient’s viral load*. Where test results do not correspond with the clinical presentation, a new specimen should be taken and retested using the same or different NAT technology. *The greater the number, the higher the CT's (cycle thresholds), the lower the viral load- All my readers know that!* *We've tal...
Underwater Suicide Drones Could Kill Chinese Submarines
Robert Farley, The National Interest - 15 hours ago
*Robert Farley* *Security, * Desperation offers strong motivation for innovation. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *With advances in communications and artificial intelligence, it’s not at all impossible to imagine scenarios in which SSN mothership deploy a lethal force of killer torpedoes, capable of remaining on station for days (or longer) while waiting for a victim. This requires a certain tolerance for risk, of course; even under the best of conditions operators sometimes lose control of their drones. Imagine a future in which nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) can deploy u...
French controllers of Nuevo Pudahuel, operator of the Santiago airport, initiate ICSID proceedings against Chile
bilaterals.org - 15 hours ago
22-Jan-2021 The controllers of Nuevo Pudahuel, made up of the French Aeroports de Paris, Vinci Airports, with 40%, and the Italian Astaldi will face off with the Chilean State before the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Heavy ashfall in Kozyrevsk after strong paroxysmal event at Klyuchevskoy volcano, Russia
A strong paroxysmal event took place at Klyuchevskoy volcano on January 18, 2021. Explosions sent ash up to 7.5 km (24 600 feet) a.s.l., with eruptive cloud drifting 500 km (310 miles) W of the volcano. According to Yury Demianchuk from Russia's volcanological...... Read more »
Marriage Equality and the Sex Discrimination Argument for LGBTQ+ Rights: The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Guest Blogger, Balkinization - 15 hours ago
For the Balkinization symposium on William N. Eskridge, Jr., and Christopher Riano, Marriage Equality: From Outlaws to In-Laws (Yale University Press, 2020). William N. Eskridge Jr. & Christopher R. Riano We are honored by the attention paid to our book, *Marriage Equality: From Outlaws to In-Laws *(Yale Press 2020). Jack Balkin has assembled a diverse array of learned and brilliant commentators who have approached the book from different angles: they situate the tome in the context of evolving American families and family law (Naomi Cahn, June Carbone, and Doug NeJaime), the l...
Opinion: Portugal Covid Management – Among the Worst in the World?
Iolanda Fonseca, The Rio Times - 15 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - (Opinion) In a statement on January 21st, in which he shamelessly blamed the population for the surge in Covid cases, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa draw a surprising conclusion, to say the least: "This is not the time to take advantage of the loopholes in the law and do what […] The post Opinion: Portugal Covid Management – Among the Worst in the World? appeared first on The Rio Times.
McConnell Seeks to Push Trump Impeachment Trial to February
AP News, Snopes.com - 15 hours ago
House Democrats who voted to impeach Trump last week for inciting the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot have signaled they want to move quickly to trial as President Joe Biden begins his term.
GOP Congressman: Give $1,400 stimulus checks to people who get the COVID-19 vaccine
Misty, From the Trenches World Report - 15 hours ago
Yahoo News One Republican Congressman says instead of sending stimulus checks to every qualifying American, direct payments should go to people who receive the coronavirus... The post GOP Congressman: Give $1,400 stimulus checks to people who get the COVID-19 vaccine appeared first on From the Trenches World Report.
Amid Cancellation Talk, Tokyo Olympics ‘Focused on Hosting’
AP News, Snopes.com - 15 hours ago
Now set to open July 23, the Tokyo Games were postponed 10 months ago at the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, and now the event appears threatened again.
Peeps are flocking to South Dakota for a taste of freedom and I can’t blame them
Galen, From the Trenches World Report - 16 hours ago
Not the Bee – by Joel Abbott South Dakota is dealing with a rapid influx of people looking to see each other’s faces, worship, earn... The post Peeps are flocking to South Dakota for a taste of freedom and I can’t blame them appeared first on From the Trenches World Report.
Tolstoy on the French Revolution
Unknown, The Conservative Socrates - 16 hours ago
All human actions, even the quest for reason, liberty, and atheism, have unintended consequences. The idealistic French philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment, who hectored their countrymen to fight for a utopia of reason, liberty, and atheism, were the intellectual architects of the bloody French Revolution. Therefore, I say, one must beware of the philosophers who talk about reason, liberty, and atheism—they might be the breeders of violence and chaos. Here’s Tolstoy’s description of the French Revolution and its aftermath (in the epilogue of his novel *War and Peace*): “At the ...
BBVA Research: Peru’s Economy to Expand 10% in 2021
The Rio Times Staff, The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - After closing 2020 with a contraction of around -11.5%, the Peruvian economy will expand 10% in 2021 largely supported by a "rebound effect" of 8 percentage points, BBVA Research projected on Thursday, January 21st. The Peruvian Ministry of Economy said on January 11th, it expected the world’s second largest copper […] The post BBVA Research: Peru’s Economy to Expand 10% in 2021 appeared first on The Rio Times.
Blinken’s Diplomatic Cart Will Have A Bumpy Ride
M. K. BHADRAKUMAR, OrientalReview.org - 16 hours ago
The confirmation of Antony Blinken as US secretary of state by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is a foregone conclusion. That makes his opening statement at the senate hearing Tuesday an important document. Blinken did not throw away the baby with the bathtub, as it were, when he marked a […]
Panama Begins Covid-19 Vaccinations
Latin America News, The Rio Times - 16 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Nurse Violeta Gaona on Wednesday, January 20th, received in her left arm the first dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 in Panama, the country which accumulates the highest number of infections in Central America. Dressed in her work uniform, mask and face shield, Gaona, 59, received the prick with a […] The post Panama Begins Covid-19 Vaccinations appeared first on The Rio Times .
Cannabis sales records smashed or set in 2020, and insiders expect the gains to continue
John Schroyer, Marijuana Business Daily - 18 hours ago
The COVID-19 outbreak that began about a year ago has proved devastating for many mainstream industries – including airlines and restaurants, for starters – but for those in the cannabis business, 2020 turned out to be a record-setter. Sales of medical and recreational marijuana products smashed former records set in mature markets such as Colorado […] Cannabis sales records smashed or set in 2020, and insiders expect the gains to continue is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
ISIS claims responsibility for twin suicide bombings in Iraq that killed over 30 civilians
[image: ISIS claims responsibility for twin suicide bombings in Iraq that killed over 30 civilians] BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:10 P.M.) – The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the twin suicide bombings in central Baghdad on Thursday that killed more than 30 civilians and wounded 100 more. In a statement released by their media wing, the terrorist group revealed that the two suicide bombers that targeted central Baghdad on Thursday were named Abu Yousif Al-Ansari and Mohammad Arif Al-Muhajir. The terrorist group boasted about killing the 3...
New images show aftermath of Israeli strikes on western Syria
[image: New images show aftermath of Israeli strikes on western Syria] BEIRUT, LEBANOON (12:00 P.M.) – On Friday morning, at approximately 4:00 A.M. (Damascus Time), the Israeli Air Force launched a powerful attack from Lebanon’s North Governorate on Syria’s Hama Governorate. The attack targeted a number of military sites along the administrative border of Hama and Tartous, resulting in heavy damage to several buildings inside this west Syria governorate. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), an entire family was killed during the attack, including two young children. Co...
Israeli warplanes strike western Syria from Lebanese territory
[image: Israeli warplanes strike western Syria from Lebanese territory] BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:20 A.M.) – The Israeli Air Force launched a new round of strikes on Syria, targeting the Hama Governorate for the second time in thirty days. According to a field report from the Tartous Governorate, the Israeli warplanes fired several missiles from Lebanese territory, prompting the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) to activate its coastal air defenses. The report said the Syrian air defenses managed to intercept some of the missiles; however, a number of them still hit their targets in the western cou...
Bomber Crisis: America Needs Its B-21 Raiders Now
David Axe, The National Interest - 16 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, * “America’s bomber force is now in crisis.” *Here's What You Need To Remember: *Indeed, it’s possible operational bomber numbers could fall below 140. The Air Force expects soon to cut a multi-billion-dollar contract to begin replacing the B-52’s TF33 engines with more efficient modern motors. “America’s bomber force is now in crisis.” That’s the stark warning from retired U.S. Air Force general John Michael Loh, who led the service’s Air Combat Command from 1992 to 1995. In an op-ed in *Defense News *earlier in the year, Loh clearly explained the mismat...
Should America Make Use of Israel's Iron Dome Defense System?
Sebastien Roblin, The National Interest - 16 hours ago
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, * Missile-defense systems are notoriously difficult to get right. So how has Israel done it? The answer: mathematics, and a lot of trial and error. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *No other existing air-defense system can claim the over one-thousands intercepts achieved by the Iron Dome. It just works. In January 2019, defense media reported that the U.S. Army plans to request funding from Congress to procure two advanced Iron Dome air-defense batteries from the Israeli firm Rafael. The $373 million deal would compromise 240 Tamir interceptor mis...
New Year Resolution: Train Like a Fighter Pilot
Justin Lee, The National Interest - 16 hours ago
*Justin Lee* *military, * This mindset helped me to do well in pilot training and has helped me as a fighter pilot. My take on goal setting is different from what most experts recommend. The start of a new year is a time when many of us reflect on the previous year, and what we’d like to improve going forward. Growing up, I did what most of us are taught: Make SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based) goals that I’d like to accomplish by the end of the year. This usually involved me guessing at something I’d like to reach—like a certain GPA, run time, o...
Earthquake swarm in the vicinity of El Chichon volcano, Mexico
Mexico's National Seismological Service (SSN) has registered a total of 22 earthquakes within 35 km (22 miles) of El Chichon (El Chichonal) volcano from December 24, 2020, to January 19, 2021. The last eruption of this volcano took place in 1982 (VEI 5). More...... Read more »
Is Migrant Caravan Headed for US Because of Biden’s Immigration Policies?
Jessica Lee, Snopes.com - 16 hours ago
Biden's critics were quick to conflate immigration policies and misrepresent facts about a caravan of Honduras migrants.
In Mexico, Archaeologists Reveal a Story of Cannibalism and Conquest
Latin America News, The Rio Times - 17 hours ago
By Livia Gershon, Smithsonianmag RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - During the Spanish Conquest of Mexico, interactions between the Aztecs and the European colonizers were often marked by horrifying atrocities. Now, reports the Associated Press, archaeologists have unearthed a nightmarish new chapter in that story. In early 1521, the year after the Aztecs captured and cannibalized a […] The post In Mexico, Archaeologists Reveal a Story of Cannibalism and Conquest appeared first on The Rio Times.
How Dangerous is Iran’s New Attack Drone?
David Axe, The National Interest - 17 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, * With its simple shape and apparent fiberglass fuselage, the new UAV probably is unsophisticated. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *Iran around a decade ago began arming some of its drone types with missiles and bombs. Iran Aviation Industries Organization in 2014 revealed a Mohajer variant that Iranian media claimed could shoot down other aircraft. Iran has revealed a new attack drone. The Kian jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicle appears to be around 10 feet in length. With its simple shape and apparent fiberglass fuselage, the new UAV probably is uns...
If the Cold War Had Turned Hot, Who Would Have Won in the Atlantic?
Robert Farley, The National Interest - 17 hours ago
*Robert Farley* *History, Atlantic Ocean* Shipping routes would matter for transporting American troops and in keeping NATO supplied. Could the Soviets have succeeded where the Germans twice failed in World War I and II? *Key point: *Despite possessing a massive number of ships and aircraft, the Soviet Navy during the 1970s was still decisively inferior to the combined forces of NATO. Over the course of the Cold War, the balance of forces between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Soviet Union changed dramatically. At different points, a war would have played ...
Mexico Posts new Daily Highs for Pandemic Cases and Deaths
Latin America News, The Rio Times - 17 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Mexico posted new one-day highs for the pandemic Thursday, January 21st, with 22,339 newly confirmed coronavirus infections and 1,803 deaths from COVID-19 recorded for the previous 24 hours. The recent surge in cases has swamped hospitals. Mexico City is the country’s epicenter of the pandemic, and its hospitals are at […] The post Mexico Posts new Daily Highs for Pandemic Cases and Deaths appeared first on The Rio Times.
Children of Incan Nobles Found Entombed in Peru After 500 Years
Latin America News, The Rio Times - 17 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Tombs containing the remains of two children thought to have belonged to the Incan societal elite have been discovered by a group of experts in northern Peru in the boundaries of a 500-year-old archaeological site, the leader of the team that carried out the excavations said on Thursday, January 21st. […] The post Children of Incan Nobles Found Entombed in Peru After 500 Years appeared first on The Rio Times.
Argentina Hails German Falklands Travel Request as Support for Sovereignty Claim
Latin America News, The Rio Times - 17 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The German airline Lufthansa has asked the Argentine government for permission to overfly its country en route to the Falklands, Argentina said on Thursday, adding that the request implies recognition of Falklands “as part of Argentine territory,” the Foreign Ministry said. Lufthansa, separately, said it made the request for two […] The post Argentina Hails German Falklands Travel Request as Support for Sovereignty Claim appeared first on The Rio Times.
Neither Company Earnings Nor Data: Vaccines Now Steering Investor Sentiment
Latin America News, The Rio Times - 17 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - (Reuters) Forget economic data releases and corporate trading statements -- vaccine rollout progress is what fund managers and analysts are watching to gauge which markets may recover quickest from the COVID-19 devastation and to guide their investment decisions. Consensus is for world economic growth to rebound this year above 5%, […] The post Neither Company Earnings Nor Data: Vaccines Now Steering Investor Sentiment appeared first on The Rio Times.
Stirring the pot: more Canadians cooking with cannabis during pandemic
Yvette d'Entremont, Halifax Examiner - 18 hours ago
The pandemic has housebound Canadians spending more time in their kitchens, and it turns out an increasing number aren’t just baking bread. They’re baking with bud. A recent poll conducted by Dalhousie University suggests that since the start of the pandemic, 11.2% of Canadians have made their own cannabis edibles for the first time. Sylvain […]
Peruvian President Says Elections to be Held Despite COVID-19
Letter to the Editor, The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Peru's general elections will be held despite a second wave of COVID-19 infections, Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti said on Thursday, January 21st. The April 11th elections, which will choose his successor, are within an established legal framework and the government is working on implementing health protocols to protect voters, the […] The post Peruvian President Says Elections to be Held Despite COVID-19 appeared first on The Rio Times.
A new shooter's toy - and sticker shock
Peter, Bayou Renaissance Man - 18 hours ago
As I get older, my hands and wrists aren't what they used to be. Loading lots of rounds into multiple magazines gets old quickly, even using stripper clips, because of the repetitive motions necessary and the force needing to be exerted. Literally, it's a pain. Last year I started looking for some sort of automated solution. I haven't found one that'll work for all magazines across the range of what I need, but I did find one very ingenious product from Butler Creek: their ASAP Electronic Magazine Loader for the AR-15 rifle. It's available exclusively from Midway USA. W...
After Billion-reais Investment, Brazilian Unicorn C6 Bank Faces First Image Challenge
Richard Mann, The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - It was still 2020, early December, when a group of 40 investors, led by Credit Suisse, invested R$1.3 billion (US$240 million) in C6 Bank. Another Brazilian unicorn was born. A Unicorn is a company in the startups world that is worth more than US$1 billion. There is a reason for […] The post After Billion-reais Investment, Brazilian Unicorn C6 Bank Faces First Image Challenge appeared first on The Rio Times.
Zara to Close Smaller Stores in Brazil, Focus on Online Sales
Dorah Feliciano, The Rio Times - 18 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Fashion retailer Zara, from Spanish group Inditex, will close seven stores in Brazil. The number represents a little over 10% of the total number of physical stores the company operates in Brazil. People linked to the company, who asked to remain anonymous, say that the move is not linked to […] The post Zara to Close Smaller Stores in Brazil, Focus on Online Sales appeared first on The Rio Times.
The mill and the loss: Journal up to 39 retractions from paper mill articles
Adam Marcus, Retraction Watch - 18 hours ago
We’re rounding out the week with a third post about paper mills: A Taylor & Francis journal is up to 39 retractions of papers that appear to have been the work of one such mill. Last March, The publication, “Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology,” issued an expression of concern for 13 of the articles, after … Continue reading The mill and the loss: Journal up to 39 retractions from paper mill articles
Stand Tall All - Some Words of Encouragement by M.N. Hopkins
Stranger in a Strange Land, Stranger in a Strange Land - 18 hours ago
*Tip: Read the **23rd Psalm, 91st Psalm and 37th Psalm.*
Mongolia suffering “most extreme winter on record” + Animals Freeze Solid in neighboring Kazakhstan
Cap Allon, Electroverse - 19 hours ago
Following the stark global temperature drop at the end of 2020, record cold is persisting across much of the Northern Hemisphere. The post Mongolia suffering “most extreme winter on record” + Animals Freeze Solid in neighboring Kazakhstan appeared first on Electroverse.
Links 1/22/2021
Yves Smith, naked capitalism - 17 hours ago
California Demonstrates a Paucity of Caution Allowing Moderna Vaccine Back into Citizens
Age of Autism, AGE OF AUTISM - 17 hours ago
Well jump into your Pinto and get your shots! California has opted to allow the Moderna vaccine that was temporarily halted due to severe adverse reactions back into the Covid game. Suit up, kid! If a bag of lettuce sickened...
No Land Force Can Beat These 5 Armies
Robert Farley, The National Interest - 18 hours ago
*Robert Farley* *Security, * What will the balance of ground combat power look like in 2030? *Here's What You Need To Remember: *The US Army continues to have access to a formidable system of military innovation. It shares the pie with the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, but notwithstanding sluggish growth in the last decade, the pie remains very large. The focus of ground combat operations has shifted dramatically since the end of the Cold War. Relatively few operations now involve the defeat of a technologically and doctrinally similar force, leading to the conquest or libe...
The U.S.-British War of 1921 That Never Happened
Robert Farley, The National Interest - 18 hours ago
*Robert Farley* *History, * The often forgotten story of how Britain and America narrowly avoided war in 1921. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *Canada would have been invaded and taken, while Japan would have been free to control the entirety of the Western Pacific. The end of a war only rarely settles the central questions that started the conflict. Indeed, many wars do not “end” in the traditional sense; World War II, for example, stretched on for years in parts of Eastern Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Even as the guns fell silent along the Western Front in 1918, the United...
Why Japan's Leaders Clinging to Their Olympic Hopes
Craig Mark, The National Interest - 18 hours ago
*Craig Mark* *Politics, Asia Pacific* Unless the Suga government can quickly tackle the pandemic more effectively, it may soon find hosting the games has slipped beyond its control — and its political fate along with it. With the spread of COVID-19 steadily worsening in Japan since the onset of winter — daily records for infections and deaths continue to be broken — the fate of the Tokyo Summer Olympics is again very much in doubt. This week, former International Olympic Committee vice-president Kevan Gosper caused consternation in Japan when he suggested the United Nations migh...
How America’s Gulf War Victory Over Iraq Shocked the Chinese Military
Robert Farley, The National Interest - 18 hours ago
*Robert Farley* *Security, World* The was led to some soul searching *Here's What You Need To Remember: *The Gulf War provided Chinese military and civilian decision makers with a ready example of what modern war looked like, and gave some lessons about how to fight (and how not to fight) in the future. The PLA has become a radically more sophisticated organization—with much more effective learning capacity—than it was in 1991. In 1991, Chinese military officers watched as the United States dismantled the Iraqi Army, a force with more battle experience and somewhat greater techn...
The IR absorptive characteristics of “greenhouse” gases– Addendum -David Coe
Paul Homewood, NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT - 18 hours ago
By Paul Homewood David Coe, who presented his paper on the IR absorptive characteristics of “greenhouse” gases last week, has now written an Addendum, addressing some of the issues raised: The full addendum, including tables, can be found here:
COVID-19 Is Pushing Migrants Back to Their Home Countries
Yves Smith, naked capitalism - 18 hours ago
With Covid-19 driving many migrants to return to their countries of origin, governments need to implement better reintegration plans.
Time’s Up, Matt!!
Paul Homewood, NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT - 19 hours ago
By Paul Homewood h/t Joe Public/Robin Guenier Time’s up Matt!!! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48964736 Now, of course, the absurd Matt McGrath has his new white hope! US Special Envoy on climate change John Kerry has said the country will now push for rapid action after four years of "reckless behaviour" under Donald Trump. Mr […]
VM – Oracle of Blogs
Larry-Lambert, Virtual Mirage - 19 hours ago
The first thing that Creepy Joe did was remove the military flags from the Oval Office. Of course. Being an oracle isn’t all that tough. And of course, it reflects on how the donkeys treated the 25,000 national guard troops who arrived for the Nuremburg-style rally at the capitol. Recreation When you play […] The post VM – Oracle of Blogs appeared first on Virtual Mirage.
With a War-Mongering President Gone, is the World Safe from Nuclear Brinkmanship?
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 22 (IPS) - A war-mongering president, with his finger on the nuclear trigger--- and who threatened to attack North Korea and Iran-- was unceremoniously drummed out of office on January 20. Read the full story, “With a War-Mongering President Gone, is the World Safe from Nuclear Brinkmanship?”, on globalissues.org →
Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on the Worlds Forests
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 21 (IPS) - The COVID-19 Pandemic has affected every sector of society and a global assessment by the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) confirms that its shocks have extended to forests on every region on earth. Impact severity varies across the Regions; Latin America and the Caribbean, Western Europe and other states, North America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific, but they range from an increase in illegal harvesting of forest products to loss of critical funding for forest protection agencies. Read the full story, “Measuring the Impact of COVID-...
63 Bolivian Municipalities at “High Risk” Level for COVID-19 Infections
Latin America News, The Rio Times - 19 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The number of Bolivian municipalities considered at "high risk" of COVID-19 contagion rose from 24 to 63 out of a total of 339 in two weeks, leading authorities to recommend the strengthening of preventive measures, the Ministry of Health and Sports said Thursday, January 21st. Vice Minister of Health System […] The post 63 Bolivian Municipalities at “High Risk” Level for COVID-19 Infections appeared first on The Rio Times.
Venezuela Warns Foreign Oil Companies: Increase Production or Leave the Country
Juan Martinez, The Rio Times - 19 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Venezuela has warned foreign oil companies like Chevron and Repsol that their licenses are at risk unless they help the country, a member of OPEC, reverse the historic decline in production, according to people familiar with the subject. State-owned Petroleos de Venezuela and the Ministry of Petroleum in Caracas last […] The post Venezuela Warns Foreign Oil Companies: Increase Production or Leave the Country appeared first on The Rio Times.
Ecuador Begins Coronavirus Vaccination Campaign
Juan Martinez, The Rio Times - 19 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Ecuador began its vaccination against Covid-19 on Thursday, January 21st, with the administration of doses at the Pablo Arturo Suarez Hospital in northern Quito, after the country received the first shipment from Pfizer. A total of 138 people were vaccinated at this medical center in the Ecuadorian capital, according to […] The post Ecuador Begins Coronavirus Vaccination Campaign appeared first on The Rio Times.
São Paulo State Will Remain in Red Phase Every Night and Over Weekends
Xiu Ying, The Rio Times - 19 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The State of São Paulo is expected to have stricter social isolation rules over weekends and nights from Monday through Friday, January 22nd: the plan is that starting this Friday night, January 22nd, the whole State will enter the red phase. The announcement is scheduled to take place in a […] The post São Paulo State Will Remain in Red Phase Every Night and Over Weekends appeared first on The Rio Times.
Scandal in Chile: Clinic Sold Negative Covid Tests for US$85
Juan Martinez, The Rio Times - 19 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - A medical center located in the district of Las Condes, in the capital of Chile, falsified purportedly performed test results in exchange for US$85, particularly for travelers who needed to prove that they were not infected. Under the name Care Full Home, the laboratory specialized in providing home care services […] The post Scandal in Chile: Clinic Sold Negative Covid Tests for US$85 appeared first on The Rio Times.
Ivermectin May Reduce Risk of Covid-19 Death by Up to 75%, Study Says
Oliver Mason, The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - A study, not yet peer-reviewed, conducted by researchers from 12 countries suggests that the antiparasitic could play an important role in reducing Covid-19 deaths. The group conducted a study known as meta-analysis, which consists of a review of scientific articles already published on the subject worldwide. It included 18 clinical […] The post Ivermectin May Reduce Risk of Covid-19 Death by Up to 75%, Study Says appeared first on The Rio Times.
The REDs are DEAD
arclein, Terra Forming Terra - 21 hours ago
You are surely disconcerted watching the inaguration of Joe Biden. I truly expected another approach that prevented that drama. Understand thst I had never heard of the laws enacted during the Red Scare in the fifties. I could not imagine them. Understand that Trump's mentor was the lawyer who likely drafted those laws. Trump was possibly the only person alive who was properly briefed. And here we are folks. Trump turned over control at 12.00 am on the 20th January to the military as per those laws. Biden got to perform a sham swearing in as a result. Surely all those arres...
Homes on world's first floating city go on sale
arclein, Terra Forming Terra - 21 hours ago
Why not. We have already posted on the potential of large floating cities. They will have to clear their engineering through Lloyds of London. Particularly for this locale. It is been built with concrete modules and that is the right way. I would like to see a robust tower build out though but that is likely too much of a problem for a smaller module design. This will still be good enough for a first build out. Again even a smaller approach can be used to bridge the Salish Sea as well while we save the towers until much later and perhaps in parallel.. The key recognition is ...
How Biden Can Transform the U.S. into a Global Humanitarian Leader
Edward R. Carr, The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Edward R. Carr* *Humanitarian Aid, * The U.S. hasn’t coordinated its disaster aid and development spending, until now. Even after the Trump administration’s repeated efforts to slash foreign aid and global partnerships, the United States remains the world’s largest source of official development assistance for low-income countries. Still, based on what I’ve learned during a career straddling academia and government service in jobs that involved international development and climate change, I believe that the United States lost prestige, influence and capacity during President D...
The Next Neoliberal President…
Yves Smith, naked capitalism - 19 hours ago
A clear eyed and therefore not cheery look at where President Biden is set to take the US.
What Can Sanders Do as Budget Chair? – Rob Johnson
Yves Smith, naked capitalism - 19 hours ago
Sanders is about to have considerable influence on spending priorities. Where and how does he have leverage?
Tech tycoons cancel half of America
Larry Bell, CFACT - 19 hours ago
Actions by Twitter and other giant tech monopolists to block a sitting president along with a fledgling competitor from their platforms put us all on notice that they answer to no higher power, warning that we better not dare to disagree. The post Tech tycoons cancel half of America appeared first on CFACT.
AMS camera system detects meteor outburst of unknown origin
The American Meteor Society (AMS) camera system captured a swarm of 7 bright meteors of unknown origin within just 3 seconds of one another at 11:50 UTC on January 18, 2021. Five of the seven meteor paths intersected in an area just east of the 3rd magnitude star...... Read more »
Biden Has a Shortcut to Reverse Trump's Regulatory Rollbacks, but it's Risky
Daniel Farber, The National Interest - 20 hours ago
*Daniel Farber* *Politics, The Americas* Biden could take a leaf from the Republicans’ 2017 playbook, when congressional Republicans used a shortcut based on an obscure federal law called the Congressional Review Act to wipe out several Obama administration regulations. The Trump administration dedicated itself to deregulation with unprecedented fervor. It rolled back scores of regulations across government agencies, including more than 80 environmental rules. The Biden administration can reverse some of those actions quickly – for instance, as president, Joe Biden can undo Dona...
Biden Seeks Extension of Nuclear Arms Pact with Russia
US President Joe Biden will ask Russia to agree to extend until 2026 the soon-to-expire New START treaty, the last remaining arms control agreement between the two nations that together account for 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons, the White House said on Thursday.
Biden Warns That US Will Exceed 500,000 COVID Deaths in February
New President Joe Biden warned on Thursday that the number of COVID-19 deaths in the US will probably exceed 500,000 in February and he acknowledged that it will take months to “turn things around” in terms of improving the much-faulted response to the pandemic by the administration of his predecessor, Donald Trump.
Atletico Goes Seven Points Clear Atop LaLiga with Win over Eibar
Atletico Madrid eked out a 2-1 victory on Thursday over 15th-place Eibar to extend its lead at the top of LaLiga to seven points over cross-town rival Real Madrid.
Liverpool Suffers 1st Premier League Home Loss in Nearly 4 Years
Burnley stunned Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Thursday to prolong the Reds’ dismal stretch in the Premier League and hand the defending champion its first home loss in that competition in nearly four years.
Suicide Attack Leaves 32 Dead in Central Baghdad
At least 32 people died and another 110 were wounded on Thursday in a double suicide bombing at a street market in downtown Baghdad, the worst attack of its kind in the Iraqi capital in recent years.
Hungary ready to sanction Big Tech for 'systemic abuses’ of free speech
Alex Christoforou, The Duran - 20 hours ago
Hungary ready to sanction Big Tech for ‘systemic abuses’ of free speech ****News Topic 258***** Hungary Weighs Big Tech Sanctions Over ‘Systemic Abuses’ Of Free Speech Hungary Weighs Big Tech Sanctions Over ‘Systemic Abuses’ Of Free Speech Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga said Monday that Hungary is considering sanctions against big tech firms over alleged […]
Portugal Closes Schools and Universities After Record Covid-19 Deaths
Iolanda Fonseca, The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Portuguese government has ordered the closure of schools and universities for at least 15 days as the country breaks the record for Covid-19 deaths for the fourth consecutive day, Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced on Thursday, January 21st. "Despite the extraordinary effort of schools, given this new strain and […] The post Portugal Closes Schools and Universities After Record Covid-19 Deaths appeared first on The Rio Times.
Who is União Química, Which Intends to Produce the Sputnik V Vaccine in Brazil and Export it to Latin America?
Lise Alves, The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Although it has yet to get approval from Brazil’s federal health agency, Brazilian pharmaceutical firm and the only manufacturer in the country of Russia’s Sputnik V against Covid19, União Quimica, is already producing doses, stated the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) on Thursday (21), Kirill Dmitriev. The Russian […] The post Who is União Química, Which Intends to Produce the Sputnik V Vaccine in Brazil and Export it to Latin America? appeared first on The Rio Times.
This Week in History (1813)
Larry-Lambert, Virtual Mirage - 20 hours ago
The Battle of Frenchtown took place in and around the Frenchtown Settlement, founded in 1784 on the River Raisin River in the Michigan Territory. The overall conflict – a series of engagements – took place from January 18 through 22. The heaviest fighting took place on January 22 and may have continued for several days […] The post This Week in History (1813) appeared first on Virtual Mirage.
Janet Yellen Says GO BIG So Expect MASSIVE Money Flow! What About the Debt?
Dewey Fernfield, The Duran - 21 hours ago
source / The Money GPS The U.S. has been able to pursue unlimited deficit spending, unlimited debt expansion simply because of both domestic and foreign purchases of U.S. debt. It’s seen in the financial industry to be as good as gold. It will never fail. As Alan Greenspan said, they can always print money to […]
Abuse of Power By Toronto Police in Trudeau’s Totalitarian State!
FreeSpeechFan, The Duran - 21 hours ago
POLICE STATE: Toronto cops, lockdown protesters clash at Yonge-Dundas Square The Lockdown Lords (namely, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory) set their sights on Yahoo Nation this past Saturday. And things got ugly – assuming you’re a fan of silly little civil liberties such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. […]
Double standards as a way to make America great again
Face_Smiley, The Duran - 21 hours ago
2021 has just begun, but it has already managed to surprise us with difficult horrible events. In the early days of the new year, several incidents happened, in which people died. The most outstanding one was Capitol rally in Washington D.C. On the 6thof January, Trump’s followers had a meeting in Washington. Later protesters occupied […]
Ginkgo Trees Were Going Extinct on Their Own
arclein, Terra Forming Terra - 21 hours ago
Who would have thought and yes we need to start growing them commercially for their nuts. It is obviously not impossible. The foul smelling flesh may surprise us in a commercial processing environment. However the green nuts are easily separated and then roasted to produce a valuable highly useful nut. The leaves also have value to chew on as some form of low level stimulant for mental cognition. However, we need to properly investigate all this. It happens to be unique and obviously productive. It is a good place to discover surprises. Remember the peanut for crazy produc...
Doctors Begin to Crack Covid’s Mysterious Long-Term Effects
arclein, Terra Forming Terra - 21 hours ago
So far they are identifying long term damage. My sense is that this is all associated with gastrointestinal involvement. Facing all that I would go for long fasts and strong vitamin C therapy along with a strongly biased diet to see if anything changes. That could be eating vegetarian for four days three off. You get the idea. However, we need to discover if we can shake all this. Remember that we have other ailments behaving in this manner as well. The victims often never shake what is slowly doing them in. The whole field of chronic sickness is poorly researched and our s...
Baile Funk Hit Becomes Anthem of Brazil’s Vaccination Drive
Baile funk, a musical genre that originated in the favelas, or slums, of Rio de Janeiro more than two decades ago, reached audiences far beyond Brazil’s borders in 2017 thanks to the smash hit “Bum bum, tam tam,” a song whose risque lyrics and catchy beat made it the first music video from that country to hit 1 billion views on YouTube.
Rio de Janeiro City Government Cancels This Year’s Carnival
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes announced on Thursday the cancellation of Carnival this year due to fact that the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 has only just begun in Brazil but also because organizers have relatively little time left to organize the celebration for next July, as had been scheduled.
Lopez Obrador Applauds Biden’s Immigration Plan, Halt in Building Wall
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Thursday that he considers newly-inaugurated US President Joe Biden’s immigration plan “very good” and hailed his suspension of construction on former President Donald Trump’s controversial and much criticized border wall.
Mexico Looking to Turn Ayotzinapa Suspects into State Witnesses
Mexican authorities are offering protection and reduced sentences to some of the perpetrators in the interest of learning the truth about the 2014 abduction of 43 students at Ayotzinapa teachers college in the southern state of Guerrero, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Thursday.
US Political Change Offers Fresh Hope for Migrants Stranded in Mexico
Migrants stranded in the northern border city of Matamoros while awaiting resolution of their asylum cases in the United States are hoping the ascendancy of Joe Biden to the presidency will bring an end to their plight.
EU Leaders to Discuss Border Closures, Vaccine Passports at EU Summit
The heads of state and government of the European Union were meeting via video conference on Thursday to discuss potential internal EU border closures and the introduction of vaccine certificates for travelers amid a widespread spike in coronavirus infections.
Qatari Deputy Foreign Minister: Blockade Did Not Affect 2022 World Cup Projects
Preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup projects were not affected by the blockade imposed on Qatar by four Arab countries more than three years ago that ended this month, Qatari deputy Foreign Minister Lolwah al-Khater said on Thursday.
The Perpetual Wound
Maria Elena Carbajal was sterilized on Sept. 18, 1996, after giving birth to her fourth child, amid pain and lies and under pressure from doctors who told that she might lose her newborn.
Five Dead in Fire at Indian Vaccine Maker, Covishield Production Not Hit
At least five people were killed after a massive fire broke out on Thursday at the Serum Institute of India, producing the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in the country, officials said.
Sri Lanka Welcomes Back Tourists with Tough Coronavirus Restrictions
Sri Lanka reopened its borders on Thursday for tourists after almost 10 months of closure due to the pandemic, but travelers will have to follow tough COVID-19 safety protocols.
China Criticizes Twitter for Locking the Handle of Its US Embassy
China criticized social network Twitter on Thursday for locking the access of its embassy in the United States to its account on the platform after a tweet defending Chinese policies for Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang province.
The Venezuelan Strain? – Extreme Anomaly Cited as Two Infants Die from COVID-19 in 72 Hours
The Nicolás Maduro regime reported two infants dying of COVID-19 only 72 hours apart, an extreme statistical anomaly, since babies so young are believed by the scientific community to be almost totally impervious to the deadly disease, which mostly preys on the elder and infirm.
Hyperinflation in Venezuela Gains Momentum, May Close 2021 Around 2,000%
After showing some signs of improvement in December, hyperinflation in Venezuela started to gain momentum early this month.
Qatar Ready to Mediate between US, Iran, Deputy Foreign Minister Says
Qatar is ready to mediate between the United States and Iran, as US President Joe Biden takes over in the White House after the turbulent years of Donald Trump’s administration, according to Qatari deputy foreign minister Lolwah al-Khater.
China’s Moon Mission Gathers Steam as Probe Returns with Samples
China Chang’e lunar mission, named after a mythological moon goddess, took a big step in December after landing on the moon and bringing back samples of lunar rock, with authorities promising to share them with scientists from other countries.
Japanese Court Exempts Government from Fukushima Incident Responsibility
A Japanese court ruled on Thursday that the Japanese Government cannot be held liable for the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe in 2011, reversing a lower court decision.
Bangladesh, Nepal Receive Coronavirus Vaccine Shipments from India
Bangladesh and Nepal received on Thursday millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines from India under grant assistance as part of New Delhi’s “neighborhood first” foreign policy.
China Urges Biden to Rebuild Bridges Trump Burned during His Rule
China congratulated Joe Biden on Thursday on his inauguration as the new United States president, urging him to reset bilateral ties after years of contentious relationships during Donald Trump’s government.
Thailand Uses Lèse-Majesté to Quell Criticism, Former Opposition Leader Says
Former Thai opposition leader Thanathorn Juangroonruangkit, accused on Wednesday of lèse-majesté, said on Thursday that the Thai government is using this controversial article to silence criticism with the excuse of protecting the monarchy.
Strict Measures Reduce Australia’s New COVID-19 Cases to Zero
Australia has managed this week to bring new COVID-19 infections in the country to zero, paving the way for the possibility of launching a travel bubble with the Pacific islands, officials said on Thursday.
China Demands Home Quarantine for Domestic New Year Travel
China will require negative coronavirus tests and home quarantines for those who want to return to rural areas during the lunar new year holiday period between Feb. 11-17, to stop the outbreaks of COVID-19 that plague the country.
Biden Gets to Work, Rolling Back Trump Policies
United States President Joe Biden returned the country to the Paris Agreement, stopped it from leaving the World Health Organization (WHO), enacted protections for immigrants and urged the use of the masks to curb the COVID-19 epidemic on Wednesday, reversing many policies of former leader Donald Trump.
Japan’s Central Bank Improves Growth Forecast for 2021 Fiscal Year
Japan’s central bank improved on Thursday its growth forecast for the Japanese economy for the next fiscal year.
Triumph, Tragedy Mark Historic Winter First on K2 by Nepali Climbers
A group of 10 Nepali climbers made the first winter ascent of K2, the world’s second-tallest mountain, pulling off one of the “last remaining great prizes” in mountaineering history.
China Sanctions Pompeo, Former US Staff for ‘Violating’ Its Sovereignty
China imposed sanctions on outgoing United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other officials of the administration of former US President Donald Trump for “violating” its sovereignty, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
One of 22 Workers Trapped in China Mine Explosion Dies
One of the workers trapped in a Chinese gold mine for more than 10 days following an explosion has died, state media reported on Thursday.
US Actors, Musicians Celebrate Biden-Harris Inauguration
Hollywood and the United States’ entertainment world rolled out the red carpet on Wednesday to celebrate the country’s new president, Joe Biden.
Harris Urges US to ‘See Beyond Crisis’ in 1st Address as Vice President
In her first public address since taking office on Wednesday, the United States’ new Vice President Kamala Harris called on Americans to “see beyond crisis.”
Japan Records Trade Surplus of $6.51 Billion in 2020
Japan recorded a trade surplus of 674.73 billion yen ($6.51 billion) in 2020, the Japanese government announced on Thursday.
Hopeful Australasian Leaders Congratulate Biden, Harris
The governments of Australia and New Zealand congratulated Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on Thursday for their inaugurations as president and vice president of the United States, while that of Fiji highlighted potential for progress in the fight against climate change.
Researchers reconstruct 11-year solar cycles all the way back to year 969
An international team of researchers reconstructed the Sun's 11-year cycles all the way back to year 969 using measurements of radioactive carbon in tree rings. The findings help scientists better understand the dynamics of the Sun, enabling more accurate dating...... Read more »
Funny Friday
Terry, 'Nox & Friends - 20 hours ago
Assuming we would still be uncensored, I have once again gathered the best humor from around the globe, and now present it to you in our very own…. ‘Slideshow-O-Ramo®’ Shitz & Gigglez…..pt.1 …part 2… This week in D.C. For the deep thinkers…. A man is sent to prison for the first time. The first night there, after the lights in the cell block are turned off, he immediately sees his cellmate going over to the bars and yelling, “twelve!” The whole cell block breaks out laughing. A few minutes later, somebody else in the cell block yells, “four!” Again, the … Continue reading →

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