Today’s News: October 26, 2023

WORLD NEWS

The US has deployed troops in the Middle East. Can it avoid a ‘commitment trap’?

With the stability of the region at risk, and Joe Biden pledging support to Israel multiple times, preventing a mission creep or a full-blown intervention may not be easy

Hurricane Otis rips through Acapulco as communications to city severed

Powerful category 5 storm hits Mexico’s coast leaving trail of destruction, though full scale of damage remains unclear

Britain Will Remove Foreigners Who Incite Antisemitism, Says Govt

The United Kingdom appears to be following in France’s footsteps by vowing to eject foreigners who whip up antisemitism in the wake of the massive terror attack against Israel, its government has said.

Robert Jenrick, a Conservative member of parliament and government minister cited people who “glorified” terrorism and terror group Hamas, even in cases where the law wasn’t being broken, as being potential targets for deportation.

Germany to Begin ‘Large Scale’ Deportations, Says Scholz as Country Faces Record Number of Illegals

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has admitted that “too many people are coming” into the country illegally and vowed to begin deportations on a “large scale” as Germany is on pace to see more illegal migrants enter the country than during the European Migrant Crisis of 2016.

Amid growing calls throughout Europe to crack down on illegal immigration in the wake of Islamist terror attacks and rising incidents of antisemitic crimes, leftist German leader Olaf Scholz has joined the chorus of leaders finally acknowledging that unfettered waves of illegals breaking into Europe must stop.

House Republicans Investigating Whether US Taxpayer-Funded Humanitarian Projects Are Helping Hamas

Republican lawmakers are investigating whether U.S. aid for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank has made its way into the hands of Hamas, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to records obtained by Republicans on the House Oversight Committee, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) cut its funding for the Palestinian regions from about $286 million in fiscal year 2017 to about $18 million in fiscal year 2020. Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, USAID also discontinued its funding support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

After President Joe Biden took office in 2021, USAID reversed the trend, and foreign aid for the Palestinian regions began to grow once again. But, the renewed funding was not without its problems. According to records produced through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, a 2021 draft memo by the U.S. State Department raised concern that Hamas and other U.S.-designated terrorist organizations could stand to gain from this renewed U.S. aid spending.

Exclusive: Marsha Blackburn Ramps up Fight Against Joe Biden’s Request for More Gaza Aid

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on Wednesday will step up her fight against President Joe Biden’s request for more American taxpayer aid to Gaza, which she argues will benefit Hamas, Breitbart News has learned.

“The United States is once again poised to enable terrorism against our greatest ally in the Middle East with up to $9 billion in alleged humanitarian aid,” a statement from Blackburn’s office set to be released Wednesday says.

China: Police rescue 1,000 cats, bust illicit trade of feline meat

Police in China have rescued more than 1,000 cats from being slaughtered and sold as pork or mutton, state-affiliated media report.

Acting on a tip from animal welfare activists, police intercepted the truck that was carrying the felines in the eastern city of Zhangjiagang.

The cats were moved to a shelter, according to a report in The Paper.

The rescue uncovered an illicit trade of cat meat and raised fresh concerns about food safety, the report said.

U.S. NEWS, POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

Hmmm … now they can get to work, blowing more of our taxpayer dollars!

Mike Johnson Elected House Speaker, Ending 22 Days of Paralysis

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) has been elected speaker of the House of Representatives, clearing the way for the chamber to reopen after 22 days of enforced idleness since the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

He became the 56th speaker of the chamber on Oct. 25, winning 220 votes—including unanimous support from the Republican conference on the first ballot—a stunning moment that capped weeks of tumultuous infighting that saw three other Republican speaker nominees rise and fall.

Making his way to the rostrum amid a standing ovation, Mr. Johnson received handshakes and hugs from colleagues and even posed for a selfie with one member.

Lewiston and Lisbon, Maine residents are under a shelter-in-place order … 

Report: Suspect Sought After at Least 22 Dead in Multiple Shootings in Maine

At least 22 people were reportedly killed Wednesday in separate alleged shootings in Lewiston, Maine.

Update: The Sun Journal and CNN are now reporting that there were only two shooting locations: Sparetime Recreation and Schemengees Bar & Grille.

Gun-control politicians jumped all over this story before they knew all the facts!

Person of Interest Sought in Connection with Maine Shootings ID’d as Robert Card

A person of Interest being sought in connection with the Wednesday night Lewiston, Maine, shootings has been identified as Robert Card, according to police.

CNN reports that law enforcement indicates Card is “a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserves.”

New York Judge Orders Donald Trump Take Witness Stand, Fines Him $10,000 Citing Gag Order Violation

New York County Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron ordered former President Donald Trump to take the witness stand on Wednesday for questioning about an alleged gag order violation, which resulted in a $10,000 fine for the 45th president. 

As CNBC noted, Engoron asked Trump who he was referencing when he spoke of a “very partisan judge with a person who’s very partisan sitting alongside him, perhaps even much more partisan than he is.”

Engoron, who is judging the non-jury civil case brought against Trump and his two eldest sons by New York Attorney General Letitia James, reportedly suspected he was referring to Clerk Allison Greenfield. 

Trump said he was talking about his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who is testifying against him in the case, as well as Engoron.

“Are you sure that you didn’t mean the person on the other side, my principal law clerk?” Engoron asked, the Hill reported. 

“Yes, I’m sure,” the 45th president responded. However, Engoron did not believe Trump and fined him $10,000 after he returned to his seat, remarking the punishment was “on the liberal side.” 

This follows a $5,000 fine Engoron imposed Friday after finding Trump in violation of his gag order. 

“Make no mistake: future violations, whether intentional or unintentional, will subject the violator to far more severe sanctions,” Engoron said in a court filing at the time, as the Associated Press (AP) noted. 

“(These) may include, but are not limited to, steeper financial penalties, holding Donald Trump in contempt of court, and possibly imprisoning him pursuant to New York Judiciary Law,” the judge wrote.

Trump, who has called Engoron a “Democrat operative” who should be “disbarred,” had criticized Greenfield on social media, leading to Engoron placing a gag order on him on October 3, according to the AP.

Trump Cleared of Any Wrongdoing in FBI Headquarters Spat

After a lengthy review, a Department of Justice watchdog has found that President Donald Trump didn’t improperly influence the FBI’s decision to keep its headquarters in downtown Washington rather than move it to suburban locations in Maryland or Virginia.

“With regard to possible influence by then-President Trump or the White House, we found no evidence that the FBI’s decisions were based on improper considerations or motives,” the Justice Department inspector general wrote in a report released on Oct. 24, after a four-year investigation.

Roughly 20 years ago, the FBI concluded that its Washington-based headquarters—the J. Edgar Hoover Building—was no longer meeting the needs of the agency in terms of security and supporting the needs of its workforce.

Biden Will Not Submit Candidacy for New Hampshire’s Democratic Primary, Campaign Confirms

President Joe Biden is breaking with tradition and has no plans to file to be on the Democratic primary ballot in New Hampshire in 2024, his campaign has confirmed.

Julie Chavez Rodriguez, President Biden’s campaign manager, announced his intentions in a letter to Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, in a letter dated Oct. 24.

President Biden’s decision to skip the 2024 primary ballot in the state will make him the first sitting president to do so since President Lyndon B. Johnson didn’t file for the state’s primary in 1968, although he later won via write-in.

Longtime DeSantis Ally Flips to Trump Over Israel Issue: ‘Never Let Us Down’

A Florida state representative who has long backed Gov. Ron DeSantis flipped his support to former President Donald Trump, citing the former commander-in-chief’s record on Israel amid the conflict with Hamas.

“Today, I am endorsing [President Trump],” Republican state Rep. Randy Fine wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The past 2 weeks have made me realize our choice as Jews is simple. We can vote for the Gov who says the right things, or we can vote for the President who actually does them. When it comes to action, Trump has never let us down,” he added.

He also published an opinion article echoing that statement, but he further alleged that the Florida governor has “said almost nothing” amid what he claimed was a rise in anti-semitism in the Sunshine State since the Middle East conflict erupted earlier this month. He also claimed he was “jumped by a Nazi” in Florida “two weeks ago,” which he said was captured “on video.”

Mark Meadows Denies Immunity Deal With Jack Smith to Flip on Trump

Former President Donald Trump’s erstwhile chief of staff, Mark Meadows, has denied claims made in a recent ABC News report that he’s “flipped” on his former boss and agreed to testify before special counsel Jack Smith’s team in exchange for immunity.

The denial—made by Mr. Meadow’s attorney in a statement to CBS News and to The Independent—stems from a story run by ABC News on Oct. 24 that cited anonymous sources and broadly claimed Mr. Meadows had agreed to testify under oath and didn’t believe some of President Trump’s claims that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen.”

In particular, Mr. Meadows was supposed to have admitted to members of Mr. Smith’s team that he wasn’t convinced about the veracity of some of the statements he made in his memoir, “The Chief’s Chief,” which claims the election was “stolen” and “rigged” with the help of “allies in the liberal media” who ignored evidence of fraud.

Michael Cohen returns to the stand for second day of testimony in Trump’s fraud trial

Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former lawyer and longtime “fixer,” is confronting his ex-boss face-to-face for the second time Wednesday, as he resumes testimony in the former president’s New York civil fraud trial. 

Cohen testified Tuesday, with Trump watching, that Trump personally authorized fraudulent inflations of his net worth and property values. 

Cohen is a former Trump Organization executive who was for years among Trump’s closest confidants. He alleged Tuesday that he and the company’s former chief financial officer “reverse engineered” Trump’s financial statements to meet valuations that Trump “arbitrarily selected.”

Trump and his co-defendants are accused of fraudulently inflating the value of assets for their own financial benefit. New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million for the state, and is asking the court to order sanctions restricting Trump’s ability to do business in New York. The judge in the civil case has already found Trump and his co-defendants liable for fraud. The trial is proceeding on other accusations, including falsification of records, conspiracy and insurance fraud.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman charged with falsely pulling fire alarm during government shutdown talks

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., was charged in Washington D.C. court with a misdemeanor after he pulled a fire alarm in the Cannon House office building last month.

Bowman, in an agreement with the D.C. Attorney General, is expected to provide an apology to U.S. Capitol Police and pay a $1,000 fine, according to a congressional aide.

The New York lawmaker was ordered to appear in Superior Court for the District of Columbia Thursday for his booking on one misdemeanor count of falsely pulling a fire alarm. An affidavit in the case says Bowman told area law enforcement authorities he pushed on a door labeled “emergency exit only push to open” and pulled a lever next to the door, but he was unable to exit the office building.

One prison guard, 96 abuse charges: women say ‘serial rapist’ targeted them over a decade

On 15 May 2022, Gregory Rodriguez, a guard at the Central California Women’s Facility, ordered a 30-year-old woman in his custody to come to a hearing room at the prison.

He told her there were no cameras in the room, prison investigators allege, and gave her a choice: she could have sex with him or get a write-up for a rules violation, risking a lengthened prison term, revoked privileges and solitary confinement.

He proceeded to rape her, the investigators say, and would go on to assault her on at least five more occasions.

Jane Doe is one of more than 22 women Rodriguez is suspected of sexually harassing, assaulting and raping at CCWF over the span of nearly a decade, prison officials say. The former officer, who has pleaded not guilty to 96 sexual abuse charges, is now in jail awaiting trial.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS 

UAW Strikes Deal with Ford, Securing Robust Wage Hikes for Auto Workers

The United Auto Workers (UAW) has announced a tentative agreement with Ford Motor Company to end its strike, securing massive wage hikes for auto workers and a right to strike whenever the automaker closes a plant.

Late Wednesday evening, UAW officials Shawn Fain and Chuck Browning announced the agreement, which will see auto workers return to their jobs at Ford while the deal makes its way through the ratification process.

New Home Sales Surge Higher, Up 34% Over the Year

Americans looked past soaring interest rates to buy new homes at a stunning pace in September.

The Commerce Department said new home sales rose 12.3 percent from the prior month to an annual rate of 759,000 in September, far more than the 685,000 expected.

Compared with a year ago, sales are up 33.9 percent.

UFC Faces Boycott Calls After Announcing Bud Light Partnership

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced that Bud Light will become its official sponsor as part of a partnership with Anheuser-Busch, despite the beer facing a significant months-long boycott over its decision to promote a transgender influencer.

“Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light were UFC’s original beer sponsors more than fifteen years ago. I’m proud to announce we are back in business together,” UFC CEO Dana White said in a statement about the partnership on Tuesday. “There are many reasons why I chose to go with Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light, most importantly because I feel we are very aligned when it comes to our core values and what the UFC brand stands for. I’m looking forward to all of the incredible things we will do in the years ahead.”

Woke Vs. Woke: Google Slapped with $1.1 Million Verdict in Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

Woke tech giant Google has been ordered to pay $1.1 million to Ulku Rowe, a female executive at Google Cloud, following a jury’s verdict in a gender discrimination lawsuit. Rowe sued Google claiming that not only was she paid less than her less-experienced male counterparts, but that the leftist Silicon Valley company retaliated against her when she raised concerns.

The Verge reports that a courtroom battle has culminated in a million-dollar victory for Ulku Rowe, an executive at Google Cloud, who accused the tech giant of gender-based discrimination and retaliation. The jury sided with Rowe, awarding her $1.1 million in damages, recognizing the struggles she faced in the workplace due to inequality.

Feds Uncover $30 Million Bitcoin Laundering Scheme in New York City

An FBI investigation has uncovered a shadowy “cash-for-Bitcoin” scheme in New York City, where a group has been accused of laundering at least $30 million through a covert service aimed at helping crooks wash cryptocurrency they steal.

404 Media reports that in New York City, a secretive group operated in the shadows running a sophisticated Bitcoin laundering ring. Their alleged operations were not the usual online transactions common in the cryptocurrency realm. Instead, they delved into the real world, involving bags filled with cash, discreet meetings with crooks, and communicating via encrypted chat apps.

It has been revealed through court records that a gang in New York has been operating a “cash-for-Bitcoin” service for several years, which generated a minimum of $30 million. The gang members would stand on street corners with plastic shopping bags full of money, conduct drive-by pickups, and even lay out hundreds of thousands of dollars on tables in restaurants and other meeting places.

The cyber crooks avoided conventional online Bitcoin exchanges, which often collaborate with law enforcement agencies. They opted for a more underground approach, where large sums of money, often ranging between $100,000 and $300,000, changed hands in prearranged locations, facilitating the conversion of Bitcoin into cash away from the eyes of the law. This type of service would be particularly useful for scammers who steal cryptocurrency from their targets and want to make it dificult for sleuths to follow their transactions.

HEALTH

Astaxanthin Benefits for the Skin, Brain, Heart & Muscles

GOOD HEALTH NATURALLY ASTAXANTHIN WITH DHA is 15% off for a limited time @ The Power Mall

You may have heard of the carotenoids and antioxidants beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, lutein and canthaxanthin, but have you heard of astaxanthin? As one of the most potent carotenoids and antioxidants found in nature, astaxanthin benefits many aspects of health, from diminishing wrinkles to upgrading your workout routine.

This powerful pigment provides certain types of seafood a red-orange hue and has been shown to support healthy vision, promote brain and heart health, and even increase male fertility. Best of all, it’s easy to incorporate in your diet and can be easily found in a wide range of nutritious whole food sources.

So let’s examine more about astaxanthin and learn how to get the most astaxanthin benefits you can from your diet.

What Is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin is a type of carotenoid, which is a natural pigment found in a variety of foods. In particular, this beneficial pigment lends its vibrant red-orange color to foods like krill, algae, salmon and lobster. It can also be found in supplement form and is also approved for use as a food coloring in animal and fish feed.

Often dubbed the “king of carotenoids,” research shows that astaxanthin is one of the most powerful antioxidants in nature. In fact, its ability to fight free radicals has been shown to much higher than vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene.

Is astaxanthin good for inflammation? Yes, in the body, its antioxidant properties are believed to help protect against certain types of chronic disease, reverse skin aging and alleviate inflammation.

Although studies in humans are limited, current research suggests that astaxanthin benefits brain and heart health, endurance and energy levels, and even fertility. This is especially true when it is esterified, which is the natural form when astaxanthin biosynthesis takes place in microalgae, as displayed in animal studies.

Benefits

1. Improves Brain Health

As you get older, the risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease continues to increase. These conditions, which are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain, can lead to symptoms like memory loss, confusion, tremors, agitation and anxiety.

A good amount of emerging research has found that astaxanthin benefits brain health by preserving cognitive function. In one 2016 animal study, for example, supplementation with astaxanthin increased the formation of new brain cells and enhanced spatial memory in mice. A review published in GeroScience also noted that the neuroprotective properties of astaxanthin may be due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.

2. Protects Your Heart

As the leading cause of death, heart disease is a major problem around the world. While there are many potential causes of heart disease, oxidative stress and inflammation are believed to be front and center more often than not.

According to a review out of Australia, there have been at least eight clinical studies measuring the effects of astaxanthin that have shown that astaxanthin supplementation may lower markers of both inflammation and oxidative stress. Another review published in the journal Marine Drugs suggested that astaxanthin could protect against atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fat and cholesterol in the arteries.

3. Helps Skin Health

In addition to boosting brain and heart health, astaxanthin benefits skin health as well. Studies show that it can both improve the overall appearance of skin and may also be able to treat certain skin conditions.

One 2009 study showed that combining oral supplementation and topical application of astaxanthin improved wrinkles, age spots, skin texture and moisture content of the skin. Similarly, an animal study published in PLoS One also found that astaxanthin was able to significantly improve symptoms of atopic dermatitis in mice.

In addition, astaxanthin protects “against UV-induced skin deterioration and helps maintain healthy skin in healthy people,” according to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy study participants.

4. Eases Inflammation and Improves Immunity

Inflammation is an important part of the body’s immune response. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, can contribute to conditions like diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Many studies have found that astaxanthin can reduce markers of inflammation in the body. This could have far-reaching benefits and may even reduce the risk of certain types of chronic disease.

5. Enhances Your Workout

Whether you’re looking to kick up your workout routine or give your energy levels a boost at the gym, an extra dose of astaxanthin may be able to help. Studies show that it may have multiple beneficial effects when it comes to upping exercise performance and preventing injury.

6. Boosts Male Fertility

It’s estimated that infertility affects about 15 percent of couples worldwide, with male infertility contributing to up to 50 percent of cases. Hormonal imbalances, problems with ejaculation and varicocele, or the swelling of the veins in the scrotum, are all common causes of male infertility.

Promising research has found that astaxanthin benefits male fertility and may help improve sperm quality. A small study conducted at Ghent University Hospital actually found that astaxanthin improved the movement of sperm cells and enhanced the ability of sperm to fertilize eggs. Additionally, men treated with astaxanthin achieved higher rates of pregnancy compared with a placebo group.

7. Supports Healthy Vision

Eye problems like macular degeneration and cataracts are common concerns associated with aging. These conditions can cause a wide array of symptoms, ranging from blurry vision to complete vision loss.

So, what does astaxanthin do for your eyes? Fortunately, several studies have found that astaxanthin can improve the health of the eyes and help maintain 20/20 vision.

A 2008 animal study showed that astaxanthin helped protect retinal cells against oxidative damage. Another study comprising 48 adults complaining of eye strain found that a supplement containing several nutrients, including astaxanthin, helped reduce symptoms of eye fatigue.

8. Improves Cognitive Function

Many antioxidants have a reputation for improving cognition, which isn’t that surprising. After all, reducing oxidative stress allows many parts of the body to function more efficiently.

Astaxanthin is no exception — a randomized, controlled trial published in 2012, involving 96 subjects, reported a significant improvement in cognition after being supplemented with the antioxidant for 12 weeks.

The Incentivized Mass Murder of Children

For many years doctors have received bonuses for adherence to the latest drug therapy protocol. Drugs that are known to be dangerous such as statins and anti-depressants. And now we know that insurance companies are paying doctors to fully vaccinate your children.

This incentive program for vaccinating babies can be found in the Blue Cross Blue Shield doctor incentives booklet. And specifies that every patient under the age of two that receives the currently prescribed twenty-four inoculations is worth a four-hundred dollar payout to that doctor.

For further motivation, they get paid by the hundred and they have to vaccinate a certain percentage of their total patients or they don’t get anything. Blue Cross Blue Shield rules say that a doctor needs to vaccinate sixty-three percent of their patients in order to qualify.

RSV Treatment for Infants in Limited Supply: CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday alerted clinicians about the short supply of monoclonal antibody treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants amid an uptick in demand.

The CDC has issued a health advisory recommending prioritizing available 100-milligram doses of the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab for infants under 6 months old and those with underlying conditions.

In its health advisory, the CDC recommended using 100 milligram nirsevimab doses for babies weighing 11 pounds and with underlying conditions owing to the “limited supply during the 2023–2024 RSV season.”

Health Care Worker Crisis Looms as Burnout and Mental Health Issues Surge, CDC Warns

Health care workers are experiencing burnout, harassment, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health symptoms at alarming levels, a Vital Signs report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found.

Experts warn this could lead to critical health care staffing shortages, threatening patient care at a time when an aging population needs it most.

“It’s a looming crisis,” Dr. Timothy Sullivan, chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, told The Epoch Times, urging swift action before the problem becomes a full-blown emergency.

“Everybody’s saying this is alarming, but what are we doing?” he said.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 

May God Help Us: Technocrats Blow The Lid Off Quantum Computing With 1,180-Qubit Processor

The world’s first quantum computer to exceed 1000 qubits has more than double that of the previous record holder, IBM’s Osprey machine, which has 433 qubits. Though having more qubits doesn’t necessarily mean better performance, large numbers of them will be needed for future error-free quantum computers that are useful, unlike today’s noise-filled research machines.

Customer data stolen from gaming cloud host Shadow

Cloud infrastructure provider Shadow has warned of the data theft of over 500,000 customers. The customers were informed by a breach notification which was posted online.

Cloud is known in the gaming world and, among other things, allows gamers to play resource heavy games on lower-end devices,

The stolen data includes full customer names, email addresses, dates of birth, billing addresses, and credit card expiration dates. According to Shadow, no passwords or sensitive banking data have been compromised.

SURVEILLANCE STATE 

3 crucial security steps people should do, but don’t

Cybersecurity could be as easy as 1-2-3.

The problem, though, is that people have to want it.

In new research conducted by Malwarebytes, internet users across the United States and Canada admitted to dismal cybersecurity practices, failing to adopt some of the most basic defenses for staying safe online. And while some of the fault lies with the public, some also lies with the cybersecurity industry, which, according to the same research, has released products that people do not understand, do not trust, and, most concerningly, do not use for their intended benefits.

For our latest report, “Everyone’s afraid of the internet and no one’s sure what to do about it,” we surveyed 1,000 people, aged 13 to 77, about their cybersecurity and online privacy beliefs and behaviors. When asked specifically about the tools and methods that people use to protect themselves online, we found, disappointingly, that:

• Just 35 percent of people use antivirus software.
• Just 24 percent of people use multi-factor authentication.
• Just 15 percent of people use a password manager.
• Just 35 percent of people have unique passwords for most or all of their accounts.

There’s no denying the ugly truth here: These numbers are too low.

Optimistic interpretations do exist—perhaps some members of the public unknowingly have antivirus protections on their devices or they perhaps use device-provided password managers without knowing the name of the technology behind it—but other statistics point to a lack of trust and a high rate of apathy towards cybersecurity defenses overall.

For everyone interested in meaningful, simple cybersecurity, here are three things you can do right now.

1. Create and store unique passwords for each account with the help of a password manager
2. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA)
3. Use antivirus

GARDENING, FARMING & HOMESTEADING

Living Off the Grid: How to Generate Your Own Electricity

In this article, I’ll walk you through what you need to know if you’re contemplating living in an off-the-grid house that generates its own electricity. 

Make Your Own Olive Oil Lamp

Use common household items to craft a safe and simple olive oil lamp for when the power goes out.

If you live in an area that frequently experiences power outages due to hurricanes, high winds, and other storms, one of the things you want to have on hand during storm season is backup lighting. Candles are a sure bet, but they don’t put out much light and — if you want to choose options made from renewable, organic materials — beeswax and soy candles can get mighty expensive.

There are hand-crank and battery-powered lanterns, but what if you don’t already have one on hand when a power outage strikes? The same problem exists if you’re looking for a kerosene or other oil-style lamp. So, what do you do during an emergency for light? How about something that is easy to acquire, inexpensive and gentle on the environment?

The answer is you can make your own olive oil lamp. You don’t need much in the way of equipment and if you don’t have olive oil, you can replace it with other types of cooking oil — or any kind of liquid fat or grease in a pinch. However, I must warn you that while olive is a 99 percent pure renewable fuel that won’t produce smoke or odor, I can’t vouch for canola or corn oil as being smoke-free or that it won’t make the house smell like burnt popcorn.

2ND AMENDMENT

Senate Passes Measure Protecting Veterans’ 2A Rights from Veteran Administration Overreach

On Wednesday, the Senate passed Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-LA) amendment protecting military veterans’ Second Amendment rights from Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) overreach.

During the end of Barack Obama’s second term as President, Breitbart News pointed to a Los Angeles Times report showing veterans’ concern over losing their 2A rights if they needed help managing their money.

According to the Times, “A strategy used by the Department of Veterans Affairs” meant that veterans “declared incompetent to manage pension or disability payments and assigned a fiduciary” were reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Checks System (NICS). The report to NICS meant they could not longer buy a firearm.

On July 25, 2019, Breitbart News reported that Reps. Phil Roe (R-TN) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) were pushing legislation to prevent the VA from erasing veterans’ 2A rights.

Roe said:

Every day, servicemen and women fight to defend the rights endowed in our constitution. But, as veterans, those same men and women can be deprived of one of those rights by a government bureaucrat without due process. Even violent criminals are treated better than that. This is a disgrace and the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act would put a stop to it. By prohibiting VA from sending information to the FBI about veterans or their family members without a judicial ruling stating that they are a danger to themselves or others, this bill would ensure that the veterans who fought for our rights are guaranteed their own.

But various sources indicate Biden’s VA has continued reporting veterans to NICS.

For example, Fox News noted the policy still exists. “Under current law, the Department of Veterans Affairs reports a veteran’s name to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System when they seek help managing their finances in a conservatorship,” according to the report.

COVID RELATED NEWS

Recent Study: Black and Green Tea Can Inactivate the COVID-19 Omicron Subvariants

Japanese researchers set out to explore various foods and ingredients that may inactivate the strain of SARS-CoV-2 responsible for COVID-19.

As COVID-19 mutates over time, variants and sub-variants different from the original SARS-CoV-2 virus emerge. A recent study, conducted in Japan, found that green tea (Japanese sencha), matcha, and black tea can effectively inactivate certain Omicron subvariants. In addition, saliva produced after consuming candy containing green tea or black tea exhibited virus-inactivating properties in vitro, rendering the virus less contagious.

The COVID-19 virus primarily spreads through the saliva of infected individuals, including asymptomatic carriers. Saliva containing the virus is released when talking, sneezing, or coughing, forming droplets and aerosols that disperse into the air.

Professor Osam Mazda and his research team at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan believe that inactivating the virus in saliva is crucial for preventing COVID-19. Therefore, they explored various foods and ingredients that may inactivate the strain of SARS-CoV-2 responsible for COVID-19. A previous study they conducted found that polyphenols found in green tea or black tea reduced the infectivity of the virus in human saliva in vitro, demonstrating virus-inactivating properties. The polyphenols in tea can bind to the spike protein of the virus, preventing it from infecting cells.

Court finds Carnival negligent over COVID outbreak on cruise

An Australian court has found Carnival Cruise Line and its cruise ship operator negligent for failing to cancel a trip from Sydney that led to a major COVID-19 outbreak Wednesday.

The Ruby Princess ship left Sydney on March 8, 2020, with 2,671 passengers aboard for the 13-day cruise to New Zealand. The ship returned in 11 days because Australia was closing its borders due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus spread to 663 passengers and killed 28, The Associated Press reported. 

Federal Court Justice Angus Stewart ruled that Carnival was negligent as defined by Australian consumer law by allowing the cruise to depart in the early months of the pandemic.

CANCEL CULTURE

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders Bans ‘Woke Nonsense,’ Anti-Women Language

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) announced Thursday that she signed an executive order banning the usage of woke terms like “pregnant people” and “birth giver” in all state documents.

“We’ve had enough,” Huckabee Sanders said at a press briefing announcing her decision. “Enough trying to erase women and girls, enough denying our biological differences from men, and enough of the craziness that is taking over our country.”

Hamas-Sympathizing Cornell Professor Placed on Leave After Calling Terror Attack ‘Exhilarating’

The Cornell professor who came under fire for calling the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel “exhilarating” and “energizing” has been placed on a leave of absence.

Associate professor of history Russell Rickford garnered backlash online after he made the controversial remarks to students at an off-campus pro-Palestinian rally following the terror attack that left over 1,400 dead. 

PET NEWS

Vaccine hesitancy is a problem for dogs too, study finds

A surprisingly high number of dog owners are concerned about getting their animals vaccinated, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Vaccine.

In the survey of 2,200 adults conducted earlier this year, 37% of dog owners said they viewed vaccines for their pets as unsafe, while 30% regarded them as unnecessary and 22% said they were ineffective. “A slight majority of dog owners (53%) endorse at least one of these three positions,” the researchers noted.

They concluded that the increased skepticism around pet vaccinations was being driven my misinformation on social media, as well as the rising cost of veterinary bills.

The study, titled “Sick as a dog? The prevalence, politicization, and health policy consequences of canine vaccine hesitancy,” found cross-over in disproved theories relating to human vaccination. For example, 40% of respondents believed that vaccines could cause autism in their dogs.

ICYMI

Richard Roundtree, Star of ‘Shaft,’ Dead at 81

Richard Roundtree, star of the genre-defining blaxploitation series Shaft, has passed away at 81 years old, according to his agency.

Per Deadline, Roundtree died Monday afternoon surrounded by family, after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer.

Hollywood Action Star Cedric Jones Dies ‘Suddenly’ at 46

The Terminal List actor Cedric Jones has died “suddenly,” aged 46, with the cause of death reportedly being withheld out of respect for his family and loved ones.

His wife and three children are “in shock” according to a Daily Mail report.

This Medieval Village Has Its Houses Built Inside Giant Boulders—And It Looks Unreal

Living under a rock in a tiny hamlet might sound isolating—and it is.

There’s little access to the outside world in the small village of Monsanto, situated on a craggy bluff in Portugal’s sparsely populated east, near the Spanish border. It’s quite literally in the middle of nowhere.

Found on a mountaintop 2.5 hours northeast of Lisbon, in this village the houses are merged into the rocks: Some are squished in between stones; some excavated into solid granite; and others, yes, built under the many great boulders of that region. And for reasons natural and manmade the tiny town of Monsanto has long gone mostly unchanged.