17 October - Blogs I'm Following - 4 of 5

Police arrested four protesters who locked themselves to a controversial National Grid fracked gas pipeline construction site in Williamsburg on Thursday morning. Two environmental advocates fastened each other to the underground tube for three hours while two more activists secured themselves to the active building site at the corner of Manhattan and Montrose avenues at around 9 am, protesting the utility company’s seven-mile fossil fuel pipe. “They don’t care about us. They never asked for our consent to come in here so we need to stop it because no politician is doing it for us...

*National File* | Democrat Mark Kelly was forced to apologize for statements made by his staffer about law enforcement but not before the prevailing sentiment from his campaign was exposed.

*RT* | Five more people were taken into custody after the raid.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization is Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a veteran of the Ethiopian Marxist-Leninist League of Tigrai and a supporter of (the Chinese communists, obviously, but also) the dictator Robert Mugabe who "provided health care to all". I was rather persuaded by some videos claiming that he belongs to the Hague. One man is not the only problem. The whole organization seems to have a truly radical left-wing flavor and there have been good reasons to think that China has a disproportionate influence on the organization. I think it was a great decisi...

New seismic data collected by scientists at Stanford University and the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences suggests that two competing processes are simultaneously operating beneath a collision zone in Tibet. This research contributes to an ongoing debate over...... Read more »

Before we present this week’s Weekend Reads, a question: Do you enjoy our weekly roundup? If so, we could really use your help. Would you consider a tax-deductible donation to support Weekend Reads, and our daily work? Thanks in advance. The week at Retraction Watch featured: Researchers face disciplinary action as dozens of their studies fall … Continue reading Weekend reads: How retracted work continues to spread; claims of PhD thesis plagiarism in the wine industry; Brexit and research integrity

Part I Language Article 14 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania provides that the state language (the language in public use) shall be Lithuanian.[i] Nevertheless, the Law on Ethnic Minorities stipulates that in the regions densely populated by the minorities, other than Lithuanian language can be used in […]

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Some of the world’s top economies could see their credit ratings cut or put on downgrade warnings in the coming months in a second global wave of coronavirus-related revisions, S&P Global’s top sovereign analyst has warned. S&P’s sovereign group managing director Roberto Sifon-Arevalo told Reuters that the immense costs of […] The post Second Sovereign Downgrade Wave Coming, Major Nations at Risk – S&P Global appeared first on The Rio Times.

*Kris Osborn* *Security, * It sounds like sci-fi, but in fifteen years new technology could transform warfare as we know it. Robot armies on attack, self-driving tanks and massive, long-range, computer-enabled sensors and natural camouflage technology are just a few of the many dynamics expected to characterize warfare in 2035, a set of circumstances now under close and careful examination by teams of Army scientists looking to anticipate the wars of tomorrow. “Our core focus areas include AI, robotics and autonomy underpinned by network and data technologies,” Col. Stephanie Ah...

*Ivana Stradner* *Politics, World* Too many HRC candidates cannot demonstrate a positive record on human rights. Perhaps the most obvious case is the People’s Republic of China, with its ongoing mass detention, torture, and forced sterilizations of Uyghurs that many claim has reached genocidal proportions. On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly’s 193 member states filled fifteen seats on the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). China, Russia, Cuba, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan*—*well-known tribunes of human freedom*—*were elected following a secret ballot. In the face of this farce, European...

*Peter Suciu* *Security, Europe* According to an open-source intelligence report that appeared on the Russian Lenta website, the Russian Army has just a total of some 2,685 main battle tanks (MBT) in its active inventory. While that still is a significant number, reportedly only about 1,200 of those tanks – roughly 45 percent – are actually new or upgraded tanks produced in 2000 or after. It was almost two years ago that Moscow made a deal with the government of Laos to purchase some thirty World War II vintage T-34 tanks, which would be used in parades, films and displayed in mu...

*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, * During World War II, German factories churned out numerous turretless assault guns (Sturmgeschutz) and tank destroyers (Jagdpanzers) based on each major tank chassis. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *Jagdtigers could live up to their intimidating reputation on the rare occasions they were able to deploy into good ambush positions miles away from enemy forces, allowing them to take full advantage of their oversized guns and minimize exposure to flank attacks. But the reichsmarks and man-hours necessary to build a single Jagdtiger could have prod...

*Caleb Larson* *Security, * For the first time in nearly thirty years, the Army would like to field a new light tank. Here’s what we know. Since the M551 Sheridan light tank was retired in the mid-1990s, the United States has not had a light-tank platform. The Sheridan, first thrown into service during Vietnam, was the last of an era. Light, air-mobile, and able to support infantry against hardened targets and massed enemy infantry assaults, the Sheridan was imperfect but appreciated. Though retired without a replacement, two platforms are now contending to be the United States’...

101 things to do today. Blogging will return later this evening.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - After being the most commented topic of the day on social media, Robinho used Instagram's stories to announce the suspension of his contract with Santos, the club that revealed him and was willing to repatriate him despite having been convicted in an Italian court for rape. "With great sadness in […] The post Santos and Robinho Announce Suspension of Player’s Contract after Rape Conviction in Italy appeared first on The Rio Times.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Brazilian iron ore exports increased by 18.5 percent in September compared to the same period last year, to 37.86 million tons, after Vale increased the pace of production. The volume shipped last month is the biggest since December 2015, when Brazil exported a monthly record of 39.5 million tons, according […] The post Brazilian September Iron Ore Exports Increased 18.5 Percent Over Last Year appeared first on The Rio Times.

By Paul Homewood. . . This really is quite blatant propaganda from the Met Office: “The UK’s set of climate projections are the best window we have on how climate change is likely to affect us out to the end of the century,” said Professor Jason Lowe OBE*, the lead for […]

From Jenna Orkin China Forces 'On High Alert' after U.S. Warship Sails near Taiwan Nearly 4,000 Syrian and Libyan militants in Azerbaijan: ex-Armenian ambassador A rare COVID-19 complication was reported in children. Now, it's showing up in adults. Covid: York self-isolating students told 'wait behind in fire' At Trump Townhall, Guthrie Steps In as Debate OpponentTeacher decapitated in Paris suburb, France's anti-terror prosecutor says ‘The next Bernie Madoff’: Towson millionaire sentenced to 22 years for massive Ponzi scheme Europe's COVID-19 outbreak is cascading out of control, ...

Oakland, CA -This World Food Day (October 16) amidst the ongoing pandemic and the devastating impact of the climate crisis, a Food Systems Summit is being planned a year from now by the United Nations, to fulfil the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. As the Summit takes shape, it is obvious that it does not intend to trigger the deep systemic changes necessary to address the massive challenges that we face. The Summit will do more of the same – green and poor wash – to preserve and perpetuate interests of agribusiness and agro-chemical corporations at the expense of...

The Halifax Examiner is providing all COVID-19 coverage for free. For the first time in Nova Scotia, two eldercare advocacy groups have joined forces with unionized healthcare workers to push the provincial government to address chronic labour shortages and underfunding affecting thousands of seniors requiring nursing home care. Below is the coalition’s call to action: […]

* The BlackLivesMattering of Higher Ed: Some Notes from the Field* When the University of Chicago English Department announced over the summer that, in response to the protests after the death of George Floyd, they would only admit graduate students willing to work in Black Studies (a proclamation that, after media attention brought criticism, they recently removed from their webpage), observers of the increasing dominance of extremist ideas on race and race relations in higher education were not surprised. Indeed, as things go ever crazier inside American universities with respect...

* Rep. Westerman Hopes to Steer GOP in Right Direction on Conservation Issues* Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) stands out in Congress as the lone registered forester. The third-term congressman representing Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District has emerged as a leading conservative voice on conservation issues. And for good reason. He recently told me his thoughts on forest management, why he supports market-based conservation, why conservatism isn’t at odds with conservation, and more. Forestry: A Calling Congressman Westerman said his love of the Great Outdoors greatly influenced ...

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Just 186 miles (300 km) from the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, the province of Guarayos in Bolivia’s Santa Cruz department is at the center of some 5,000 wildfires raging in the country. In valleys and hills behind a mountain is the Ambue Ari Wildlife Sanctuary of Comunidad Inti Wara […] The post Bolivian Wildlife Sanctuary in Desperate Search for Aerial Firefighting Help appeared first on The Rio Times.

[image: proud boys]In an inspirational show of unity, Proud Boys and BLM have been working together for months on police reform and denouncing racism.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - São Paulo-based J&F Investimentos, the controlling shareholder of JBS SA, pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to one count of conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). As part of the settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, it must pay fines of US$ 256 million […] The post Brazilian Controller of World’s Largest Meatpacker JBS Pleads Guilty to FCPA Charges appeared first on The Rio Times.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Argentina’s ruling coalition is showing signs of strain just 10 months into power, further complicating the nation’s challenge to climb out of a deep recession, while President Alberto Fernandez’s popularity dives. There are multiple rifts between different factions within the Peronist grouping coming to light, including Fernandez’s more centrist bloc […] The post Argentine President Confident of Ruling Coalition Unity, Despite Signs of Rifts appeared first on The Rio Times.

[image: election]The sad truth is that it doesn’t matter who wins the White House, because they all work for the same boss: Corporate America.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Unemployment in the pandemic triggered by the novel coronavirus hit a record in the penultimate week of September, affecting over 14 million Brazilians. This is pointed out by the results released on Friday, October 16th, by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). According to the study report, between […] The post IBGE: Unemployment in Pandemic Breaks Record, Affects Over 14 Million Brazilians appeared first on The Rio Times.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Shark Allies, an organization dedicated to the conservation of sharks, said that up to three million specimens are caught every year simply to extract the aforementioned substance. It is estimated that around half a million specimens would be required to obtain a sufficient quantity to produce the necessary vaccines that […] The post COVID-19 Vaccine Could Kill Half a Million Sharks, Says Shark Allies Organization appeared first on The Rio Times.

“Crazy-paving” pattern: A characteristic presentation of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and a review of the literature from India https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4857576/

Rapid screening and early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-rapid-screening-early-diagnosis-diabetic.html

No, Your Face Mask Does Not Limit Oxygen Intake | Mental Floss https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/626036/your-coronavirus-face-mask-does-not-limit-oxygen-intake?a_aid=46171

How to be Active in the Morning >> 4 Tips for a Natural Energy Boost https://www.runtastic.com/blog/en/how-to-become-a-morning-person-5-easy-tips-for-getting-a-jump-on-the-day/?utm_content=in.morning-person-tips&utm_source=runtastic&utm_medium=facebook.en&utm_campaign=daily_habits&utm_term=paid&&fbclid=IwAR33wblGsI4Gej0hGJks1U2tnyKgHMNsz9Bhq90JlXYkSo-YWu9hqEAqGc0

11 Things You Should Remind Yourself Daily — Purpose Fairy https://www.purposefairy.com/77291/remind-yourself-daily/

While ever the LNP/ALP duopoly which kowtows to China stays in power Australia will flounder until drowned AS Australia’s biggest anti-free trade advocate, Bob Katter, Federal Member for Kennedy has weighed in on the escalating trade tensions with China, slamming successive government free trade policies and warning that unless Australia breaks the “iron ball of […]

[image: Armenian forces destroy attacking Azerbaijani military vehicles in Karabakh: video] BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:15 A.M.) – The Armenian Ministry of Defense released more footage on Thursday of the Artsakh Defense Army (ADA) destroying enemy vehicles inside the Karabakh region. In the first video released by the Armenian Ministry of Defense, the Artsakh Defense Army can be seen scoring direct hits on the attacking Azerbaijani forces in the Karabakh region this week. The Armenian Ministry of Defense reported on Thursday that the Azerbaijani forces resumed their artillery attacks a...

[image: Iran will respond to attacks on its country from Karabakh conflict] BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:45 A.M.) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said that Tehran is concerned about missiles falling inside Iranian territory as a result of the fighting in Karabakh. The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson denied some rumors of retaliation by Iranian border forces in response to the fall of the missiles inside the Islamic Republic. Furthermore, Khatibzadeh said that Iran is “maintaining the security and safety of Iranian citizens residing in the border areas, which is a r...

[image: Syria allocates 2 billion pounds to help areas affected by fires] BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:00 A.M.) – The Syrian government has allocated more than two billion pounds to the Latakia and Tartous governorates to implement projects in the areas affected by the fires, under the direction of President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted the Minister of Local Administration and Environment Hussein Makhlouf as saying that Assad had directed to allocate 10 million pounds to each affected village “in order to help mitigate the effects of what befell them as a result...

[image: Turkish-supplied drones destroyed $1 billion worth of Armenian military equipment: Aliyev] BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:30 A.M.) – The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, declared that “military equipment of the Armenian armed forces worth $1 billion was destroyed by the use of drones purchased from Turkey.” Aliyev said in an interview with France 24 that these drones caused significant damage to the Armenian military’s equipment, but he also pointed out that his country uses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from other sources as well. The Azerbaijani President refused to announce t...

[image: Iran issues stern warning to Europe about sending forces to Strait of Hormuz] BEIRUT, LEBANON – Iran’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araghchi, confirmed said on Wednesday, Tehran’s rejection of any foreign military presence – including European countries – in the Persian Gulf. According to the Fars News Agency, Araghchi said that instead of sending troops, military equipment and selling weapons to some countries in the region, Denmark and all European countries should address “wrong American policies.” This rejection came during Araghji’s meeting ...

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Ana Paula Scheffer, ex-athlete of the Brazilian rhythmic gymnastics team, was found dead at home on Friday, October 16th, in Toledo, western Paraná. The ex-gymnast was 31 years old and worked as a technician in Cascavel, Paraná. According to her family, it is suspected that she suffered a heart attack. […] The post Brazilian Ana Paula Scheffer, Former Pan-American Games Medalist, Found Dead in Paraná appeared first on The Rio Times.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Within just 24 hours, Rio's Civil Police killed at least 17 suspected members of the 'Bonde do Ecko', considered one of the country's largest illegal militias, in two operations in municipalities of the Baixada Fluminense area bordering the city of Rio. The second of these occurred on Thursday night, October […] The post Police Kill 17 in Two Operations Against Militias in Rio de Janeiro appeared first on The Rio Times.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - São Paulo Governor João Doria said on Friday, October 16th, that the Covid-19 vaccine will be mandatory throughout the state if approved by the National Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA). Doria had been repeating in recent weeks that he thought it was appropriate to make it obligatory, but had not yet […] The post Governor Doria Says Covid-19 Vaccine, If Approved, Will Be Compulsory in São Paulo appeared first on The Rio Times.

*Peter Suciu* *Tu-160, Europe* Recent operations over the North Sea prove that this old bomber can learn some new tricks. A pair of Russian Tu-160 “White Swan” strategic bombers, which are the fastest and largest bombers ever built, took part in a twelve-hour-long patrol flight over the northern seas off the coast of Russia earlier this week. The two bombers flew over the neutral waters of the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas; during which time the aircraft were escorted by MiG-31 jet fighters from the Russian naval air force along certain sections of their route, while at othe...

*Joshua Alley* *Security, Asia* And should the United States try to create such an organization? On August 31, Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun told an Indian audience that the “Indo-Pacific region is actually lacking in strong multilateral structures. They don’t have anything of the fortitude of NATO or the European Union. … there is certainly an invitation there at some point to formalize a structure like this.” This statement raises an important question: should the United States try to create an organization like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the ...

Who Decides When Vaccine Studies Are Done? Internal Documents Show Fauci Plays a Key Role. Dr. Anthony Fauci will see data from government-funded vaccine trials before the FDA does. One caveat: Pfizer’s study, which is ahead of the others, isn’t...

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL - São Paulo Governor João Doria announced on Friday, October 16th, a plan with 19 concessions, privatizations and partnerships with the private sector for the state over the next two years. Called 'Retomada 21/22', the project is committed to R$36 (US$6.4) billion in investments and the generation of two million jobs over […] The post São Paulo City and the City of Campinas are to Receive a Low Speed Train Connection appeared first on The Rio Times.

*Warfare History Network* *History, World* [image: Wikimedia Commons] This extensive service record comes despite the fact that the 37mm was effectively obsolescent as soon as America entered the war in December 1941. The men of Lieutenant Edwin K. Smith’s antitank platoon, 2nd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division peered over the gun shields of their 37mm cannon at the column of Vichy French armored cars approaching their roadblock. It was 9 am on November 8, 1942. The platoon had been ordered to man a roadblock near the town of El Ancor, protecting the flank ...

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The first half of October registered yet another retraction in the numbers of cases and deaths of the novel coronavirus in Brazil. In all, 16 of 27 states saw a drop in the number of new infections and the situation was even better with respect to deaths: 19 states saw […] The post Covid-19 Cases and Deaths Start to Retreat in Most Brazilian States appeared first on The Rio Times.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Brazil has reached 153,214 deaths caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. In 24 hours, 754 deaths were recorded. The data are in the Ministry of Health's daily update, released on Friday evening, October 16th. On Thursday, the health authorities had recorded a cumulative 152,460 deaths from Covid-19. There are still […] The post Covid-19: Brazil Counts Cumulative 153,000 Deaths, 5.2 Million Cases (October 16th) appeared first on The Rio Times.

Cuba has one of Latin America's oldest populations, which means more people at risk of COVID-19. 'Corona Voluntarios Cuba' is a group of young people dedicated to supporting Havana's elderly by delivering food.

Can individual freedom survive the culture wars? The post A review of Evan Sayet’s “The Woke Supremacy” appeared first on CFACT.

[image: Turkey is using its army and Pakistani special forces in Karabakh: Armenian PM] BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:40 A.M.) – Amenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday, in a special statement to Russia’s Sputnik Agency, that Turkey is not only using its army in Karabakh, but also, according to some reports, special forces from the Pakistani army. In his statement, Pashinyan said: “Turkish forces not only participate in leading military actions, but also special units directly from the Turkish army (on the ground).” The Armenian Prime Minister added: “According to some informa...

*Kris Osborn* *Security, Americas* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2014%3Anewsml_GM1EAB40P2R01&share=true] The fighter will come with many new technologies. *Key point: *The F-35 was a fifth-generation stealth plane. However, the new jet will be a sixth-generation platform. It is a huge development. It could even be called somewhat shocking. The U.S. Air Force has already built and flown a new, sixth-generation stealth fighter jet. An early prototype has secretly flown, according to the Air Force’s Acquisition Executive Dr. William Roper. Previo...

Unfortunately, conditions in Slovakia aren't expected to improve anytime soon, with addition Arctic blasts forecast to batter the landlocked central European country. The post Cold, Snow, and Epic Flooding: “the weather in Slovakia is reminiscent of the apocalypse” appeared first on Electroverse.

*Tom Tabler* *Environment, The Americas* The U.S. produced 9.18 billion broilers in 2019, more than any country in the world. It’s also the second-biggest exporter of poultry. Yet over half, or 5.1 billion, are at risk for six months of every year – from June 1 to Nov. 30 – of getting wiped out by a hurricane. Hurricanes can have devastating consequences for both residents and businesses in their path. And one sector that’s particularly exposed is the broiler chicken industry. Virtually all of the breasts or legs you eat at home or in a restaurant come from broilers, the name g...

*Andrea Amalfitano* *Health, * When President Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19, many Americans noticed that his physician had the title D.O. stitched onto his white coat. Much confusion ensued about doctors of osteopathic medicine. As of a 2018 census, they made up 9.1% of physicians in the United States. How do they fit into the broader medical field? Andrea Amalfitano is a D.O. and dean of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He explains some of the foundations of the profession and its guiding principle: to use holistic approaches to care for and gu...

The CDC now claims that 94% of all Chinese Plague fatalities were supplementary, meaning that the person had co-morbidities. Less than 10,000 Americans have died from the plague alone. Democrats masked and impoverished America and weaponized the plague to damage the economy with the hopes that it would defeat President Trump. Now – […] The post Saturday Statements appeared first on Virtual Mirage.

*Robert Root-Bernstein* *Coronavirus, The Americas* It doesn’t take a sophisticated statistical model to see that the coronavirus pandemic is causing substantially more deaths than would have otherwise occurred. Mortality in 2020 is clearly different from the previous years’ regular patterns, with substantial increases and unusual trends. The number of deaths in the United States through September 2020 is at least 10% and likely 13% higher than it would have been if the coronavirus pandemic had never happened, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Conserv...

*Warfare History Network* *History, World* [image: Wikimedia Commons] From a leather-covered, 12-oar rowboat to a vessel armed with nuclear warheads capable of wiping out entire civilizations, the submarine has made great strides militarily. The concept of a ship that could submerge beneath the water and then resurface dates back as far as the late 1400s, when Italian Renaissance artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci claimed to have found a method for a ship to remain submerged for a protracted period of time. However, da Vinci refused to reveal his discovery to the world because...

*Herb Lin* *Health, Americas* Even if effective treatments and vaccines for coronavirus become available soon, we must start thinking about the mental health dimensions of national recovery. Data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics and the Census Bureau revealed that over 40 percent of the U.S. population in the third week of July 2020 exhibited symptoms of anxiety or depression disorder, which are clinical diagnoses. The comparable figure from the same survey given in the January–June 2019 time frame was 26 percent. Symptoms of anxiety or depression disorder ...

*Warfare History Network* *History, Americas* [image: Wikimedia Commons] Perhaps the real problem with making a movie about the Civil War is that the truth itself was so remarkable. What high-paid screenwriter could create a fictional character to rival Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, or Abraham Lincoln? World War II, America’s last “good war,” has always been a fruitful source for homegrown moviemakers. Beginning with the wartime movies that shamelessly if sincerely promoted American efforts to rally against the fascist evils of Germany, Italy, and Japan, the silver screen gav...

Washington, D.C., October 16, 2020 - Over the years, aerial and naval encounters have threatened to destabilize U.S-China relations as the two powers contest each other's rights in international airspace and waters.