wakingtimes--2020-01-21--To ‘Make America Great Again’ Trump Added a $1 TRILLION Deficit in 2019—Just Like Obama

The Trump administration ran an Obamaesque budget deficit of over $ 1 trillion in the 2019 calendar year .
It was the first budget deficit over $ 1 trillion in any calendar year since 2012 .
The budget shortfall from January through December totaled $ 1.02 trillion , according to the latest report issued by the Treasury Department .
That was a 17.1 percent increase over the 2018 deficit , which was a 28.2 percent increase over 2017 .
The budget deficit for fiscal 2019 ( October 2018-September 2019 ) came in just under $ 1 trillion at $ 984 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GDP , the highest percentage since 2012 .
It was the fourth consecutive year in which the deficit increased as a percentage of GDP .
The debt-to-GDP ratio is estimated to have increased a hefty 26 percent over last year .
The CBO estimates the budget deficit for fiscal 2020 will eclipse $ 1 trillion .
These are the kind of budget deficits one would expect to see during a major economic downturn .
The federal government has only run deficits over $ 1 trillion in four fiscal years , all during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that number today , despite having what Trump keeps calling “ the greatest economy in the history of America.
” Generally , during economic expansions , government spending on social programs shrinks and tax revenues climb with increased economic activity .
Revenues have increased over the last year , but they haven ’ t kept pace with the increase in government spending .
The spending didn ’ t slow in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 .
Through the first three months of the current fiscal year , the deficit ballooned to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11.8 percent increase from a year ago .
In just three months , Uncle Sam blew through $ 1.16 trillion .
Spending through the first three months of FY2020 is up 6.5 percent over the spending through the first three months of fiscal 2019 .
Meanwhile , the national debt has climbed to $ 23.2 trillion .
To put that into perspective , last February , the national debt topped $ 22 trillion .
When President Trump took office in January 2017 , the debt was at $ 19.95 trillion .
That represented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt in just over two years .
The borrowing pace continues to accelerate .
The Treasury borrowed $ 800 billion in just two months late last summer .
( If you ’ re wondering how the debt can grow by a larger number than the annual deficit , economist Mark Brandly explains here . )
During the presidential campaign , Trump promised to deal with the skyrocketing national debt .
In fact , he said he could take care of it “ fairly quickly.
” But the president hasn ’ t even played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling for more outlays for the military and championing paid parental leave for government employees .
Trump supporters have mostly offered up excuses , shifting the blame for the ballooning national debt to “ Democrats in Congress.
” This ignores the fact that 2019 spending was approved the previous year when the Republicans controlled both houses of Congress .
They also minimize the White House ’ s role in the budgeting process .
In fact , the president has significant power and input in that process While Congress does ultimately pass spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before they become law .
He doesn ’ t have to sign bills that have spending he doesn ’ t want .
If reining in debt and deficits was a priority , Trump would have vetoed these bills and insisted on spending cuts .
Instead , he called for more spending , particularly for the military .
Republicans will argue that increased defense spending is necessary for “ national security.
” But unsustainable budget deficits pose a significant threat to national security , especially considering China ranks as one of the biggest buyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also plays an integral role in the budgeting process .
Executive branch departments submit spending requests that Congress uses to set spending levels .
The president has complete control over how much money various departments request .
Finally , the president ’ s near-complete silence on deficits and debt indicates that it ’ s not a priority .
Trump didn ’ t even mention the national debt during the last State of the Union address .
Congress does in fact bear a great deal of responsibility for Uncle Sam ’ s fiscal malfeasance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His supporters need to quit making excuses , hold his feet to the fire and insist that he deal with the debt .
The spending trajectory is unsustainable .
If we are running $ 1 trillion deficits now , what will the country ’ s financial situation look like when the next recession hits ?
Congress and the president can continue to kick the can down the road , but they are about to run out of pavement .

To ‘Make America Great Again’ Trump Added a $1 TRILLION Deficit in 2019—Just Like Obama
The Free Thought Project, Guest
Waking Times
The Trump administration ran an Obamaesque budget deficit of over $1 trillion in the 2019 calendar year.
It was the first budget deficit over $1 trillion in any calendar year since 2012.
The budget shortfall from January through December totaled $1.02 trillion, according to the latest report issued by the Treasury Department. That was a 17.1 percent increase over the 2018 deficit, which was a 28.2 percent increase over 2017.
The budget deficit for fiscal 2019 (October 2018-September 2019) came in just under $1 trillion at $984 billion. That represented 4.7 percent of GDP, the highest percentage since 2012. It was the fourth consecutive year in which the deficit increased as a percentage of GDP. The debt-to-GDP ratio is estimated to have increased a hefty 26 percent over last year.
The CBO estimates the budget deficit for fiscal 2020 will eclipse $1 trillion.
These are the kind of budget deficits one would expect to see during a major economic downturn. The federal government has only run deficits over $1 trillion in four fiscal years, all during the Great Recession. We’re approaching that number today, despite having what Trump keeps calling “the greatest economy in the history of America.”
Generally, during economic expansions, government spending on social programs shrinks and tax revenues climb with increased economic activity. Revenues have increased over the last year, but they haven’t kept pace with the increase in government spending.
The spending didn’t slow in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Through the first three months of the current fiscal year, the deficit ballooned to $356.6 billion. That’s an 11.8 percent increase from a year ago. In just three months, Uncle Sam blew through $1.16 trillion. Spending through the first three months of FY2020 is up 6.5 percent over the spending through the first three months of fiscal 2019.
Meanwhile, the national debt has climbed to $23.2 trillion.
To put that into perspective, last February, the national debt topped $22 trillion. When President Trump took office in January 2017, the debt was at $19.95 trillion. That represented a $2.06 trillion increase in the debt in just over two years. The borrowing pace continues to accelerate. The Treasury borrowed $800 billion in just two months late last summer. (If you’re wondering how the debt can grow by a larger number than the annual deficit, economist Mark Brandly explains here.)
During the presidential campaign, Trump promised to deal with the skyrocketing national debt. In fact, he said he could take care of it “fairly quickly.” But the president hasn’t even played lip-service to reining in spending, instead, calling for more outlays for the military and championing paid parental leave for government employees.
Trump supporters have mostly offered up excuses, shifting the blame for the ballooning national debt to “Democrats in Congress.” This ignores the fact that 2019 spending was approved the previous year when the Republicans controlled both houses of Congress. They also minimize the White House’s role in the budgeting process. In fact, the president has significant power and input in that process
While Congress does ultimately pass spending bills, the president must sign them before they become law. He doesn’t have to sign bills that have spending he doesn’t want. If reining in debt and deficits was a priority, Trump would have vetoed these bills and insisted on spending cuts. Instead, he called for more spending, particularly for the military.
Republicans will argue that increased defense spending is necessary for “national security.” But unsustainable budget deficits pose a significant threat to national security, especially considering China ranks as one of the biggest buyers of U.S. debt.
The executive branch also plays an integral role in the budgeting process. Executive branch departments submit spending requests that Congress uses to set spending levels. The president has complete control over how much money various departments request.
Finally, the president’s near-complete silence on deficits and debt indicates that it’s not a priority. Trump didn’t even mention the national debt during the last State of the Union address.
Congress does in fact bear a great deal of responsibility for Uncle Sam’s fiscal malfeasance, but so does the president. His supporters need to quit making excuses, hold his feet to the fire and insist that he deal with the debt.
The spending trajectory is unsustainable. If we are running $1 trillion deficits now, what will the country’s financial situation look like when the next recession hits? Congress and the president can continue to kick the can down the road, but they are about to run out of pavement.


wakingtimes--2020-01-21--China Announces Major Phaseout of Single-Use Plastics

China , the world ’ s No .
1 producer of plastic pollution , announced major plans Sunday to cut back on the sale and production of single-use plastics .
According to the plans put forward by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment , plastic bags will be banned in major cities by the end of 2020 and in smaller cities and towns by 2022 , Reuters reported .
( Markets selling fresh fruits and vegetables will have until 2025 to phase out the bags ) .
The commission said it was enacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and “ to build a beautiful China , ” CNN reported .
The plan targets a variety of plastic types and industries over the next five years , BBC News reported .
Other measures include : • A ban on the production and sale of plastic bags less than 0.025 millimeters thick • A ban on single-use straws in restaurants by the end of 2020 • A mandate that restaurants reduce the use of plastic items by 30 percent • A mandate that hotels not give out free plastic items after 2025 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of plastic takeaway items and shipping packages , Reuters reported .
The government also announced Sunday it would work to create recycling programs and promote the use of recycled plastics , according to CNN .
China did ban retailers from giving away free plastic bags in 2008 , and also banned the production of ultra-thin bags , BBC News reported .
China is the world ’ s largest manufacturer of plastic , according to CNN .
It is also the world ’ s leading producer of plastic waste , according to the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Data .
It produced 60 million tonnes ( approximately 66 million U.S. tons ) in 2010 , followed by the U.S. , which produced 38 million tonnes ( approximately 42 U.S. tons ) .
However , on a per capita basis , the average Chinese person discards one-fourth to one-half of the plastic waste discarded by the average U.S. resident .
But because China has a much larger population , the tossing of plastic waste has become a major problem for its infrastructure and environment , overwhelming its landfills and polluting its rivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the size of 100 soccer fields and is already at capacity , 25 years before planned , BBC News reported .
And the Yangtze River dumps more plastic into the oceans than any other river in the world , according to CNN .
Around eight million metric tons of plastic enter the world ’ s oceans every year , where they pose a major threat to marine life .
China is the leading contributor to the kind of mismanaged plastic waste that is the most likely to end up in the oceans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s total , according to Our World in Facts .
Asia as a whole is the region that produces the most mismanaged waste , but other countries in the area are also taking steps to combat the problem .
Thailand banned plastic bags at major stores this year ; Bali in Indonesia banned single-use plastics ; and Jakarta , the country ’ s capital , will ban plastic bags by June 2020 , BBC News reported .

China Announces Major Phaseout of Single-Use Plastics
Olivia Rosane, EcoWatch
Waking Times
China, the world’s No. 1 producer of plastic pollution, announced major plans Sunday to cut back on the sale and production of single-use plastics.
According to the plans put forward by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, plastic bags will be banned in major cities by the end of 2020 and in smaller cities and towns by 2022, Reuters reported. (Markets selling fresh fruits and vegetables will have until 2025 to phase out the bags).
The commission said it was enacting the changes in order to protect public health and “to build a beautiful China,” CNN reported.
The plan targets a variety of plastic types and industries over the next five years, BBC News reported. Other measures include:
A ban on the production and sale of plastic bags less than 0.025 millimeters thick
A ban on single-use straws in restaurants by the end of 2020
A mandate that restaurants reduce the use of plastic items by 30 percent
A mandate that hotels not give out free plastic items after 2025
The plan also calls for the phaseout of plastic takeaway items and shipping packages, Reuters reported. The government also announced Sunday it would work to create recycling programs and promote the use of recycled plastics, according to CNN.
“It’s the first time Beijing has recognised single-use plastics as a major problem and specified the urgent necessity to significantly reduce them,” Greenpeace tweeted in response to the announcement.
It’s the first time Beijing has recognised single-use plastics as a major problem and specified the urgent necessity to significantly reduce them. #BreakFreeFromPlastic >>https://t.co/82qv26uzhdhttps://t.co/dz9f9mbw7q — Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) January 20, 2020
China did ban retailers from giving away free plastic bags in 2008, and also banned the production of ultra-thin bags, BBC News reported.
China is the world’s largest manufacturer of plastic, according to CNN. It is also the world’s leading producer of plastic waste, according to the University of Oxford’s Our World in Data. It produced 60 million tonnes (approximately 66 million U.S. tons) in 2010, followed by the U.S., which produced 38 million tonnes (approximately 42 U.S. tons). However, on a per capita basis, the average Chinese person discards one-fourth to one-half of the plastic waste discarded by the average U.S. resident.
But because China has a much larger population, the tossing of plastic waste has become a major problem for its infrastructure and environment, overwhelming its landfills and polluting its rivers. China’s largest dump is around the size of 100 soccer fields and is already at capacity, 25 years before planned, BBC News reported. And the Yangtze River dumps more plastic into the oceans than any other river in the world, according to CNN.
Around eight million metric tons of plastic enter the world’s oceans every year, where they pose a major threat to marine life. China is the leading contributor to the kind of mismanaged plastic waste that is the most likely to end up in the oceans, generating around 28 percent of the world’s total, according to Our World in Facts. Asia as a whole is the region that produces the most mismanaged waste, but other countries in the area are also taking steps to combat the problem. Thailand banned plastic bags at major stores this year; Bali in Indonesia banned single-use plastics; and Jakarta, the country’s capital, will ban plastic bags by June 2020, BBC News reported.
About the Author
Olivia is a freelance reporter for EcoWatch.


wakingtimes--2020-01-22--Ex-Cop Claims Cannabis Oil Has Allowed Her Son To Go Seizure-Free For 224 Days

Meet Lisa Quarrell , 38 , a devoted mother and cannabis advocate .
For months , she has been giving her son , who suffers from epilepsy , cannabis oil .
Although she has faced a police rap , she says the natural remedy has allowed Cole Thomson , 7 , to remain seizure-free for 224 days .
Before the 7-year-old received cannabis oil , he suffered up to 20 episodes a day .
Now , he can play football every week and runs around often with his friends .
Quarrel told The Scottish Sun : “ Cole went from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to being in a wheelchair .
He lost the power of speech and couldn ’ t lift his head — but cannabis oil has turned his life around .
There were days when I could not stop crying.
” “ Now , for almost the first time in his life , he has been free of seizures because of the cannabis oil .
He is sharper and he ’ s aware of everything that is going on now.
” She continued , “ He ’ s coming out of his shell .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know my son before.
” Cole has a form of drug-resistant epilepsy that causes seizures in one half of his brain .
After a failed surgery , his mother became desperate .
Frightened her son would be left paralyzed , she smuggled cannabis oil into the country and began treating him herself .
The fits reportedly stopped within weeks .
When cops launched a probe into her TV admission that she brought it into Scotland illegally , she risked prosecution .
However , Quarrel was not charged .
Afterward , she found a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil prescribed in Holland .
The cost of the medicine is a whopping £800 every month and yields only five tiny 10 ml bottles .
“ It seems so unfair that we ’ ve found something that works but we ’ re being told we can ’ t have it , ” said Quarrell .
Until cannabis oil is decriminalized , the ex-cop and mom will continue to fight health chiefs to allow Cole access to Bedrolite on the NHS .
“ The alternative is pumping him full of chemicals with awful side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she explained .
Mandy Froelich is an RHN , plant-based chef , journalist , Reiki master therapist , world traveler and enthusiast of everything to do with animal rights , sustainability , cannabis and conscious living .
She share healthy recipes on my blog Life in Bloom .

Ex-Cop Claims Cannabis Oil Has Allowed Her Son To Go Seizure-Free For 224 Days
Mandy Froelich, Truth Theory
Waking Times
Meet Lisa Quarrell, 38, a devoted mother and cannabis advocate. For months, she has been giving her son, who suffers from epilepsy, cannabis oil. Although she has faced a police rap, she says the natural remedy has allowed Cole Thomson, 7, to remain seizure-free for 224 days.
Before the 7-year-old received cannabis oil, he suffered up to 20 episodes a day. Now, he can play football every week and runs around often with his friends. Quarrel told The Scottish Sun:
“Cole went from a normal wee boy riding his bike to being in a wheelchair. He lost the power of speech and couldn’t lift his head — but cannabis oil has turned his life around. There were days when I could not stop crying.” “Now, for almost the first time in his life, he has been free of seizures because of the cannabis oil. He is sharper and he’s aware of everything that is going on now.” She continued, “He’s coming out of his shell. It was like I didn’t even know my son before.”
Cole has a form of drug-resistant epilepsy that causes seizures in one half of his brain. After a failed surgery, his mother became desperate. Frightened her son would be left paralyzed, she smuggled cannabis oil into the country and began treating him herself. The fits reportedly stopped within weeks.
When cops launched a probe into her TV admission that she brought it into Scotland illegally, she risked prosecution. However, Quarrel was not charged. Afterward, she found a legal route of importing the whole plant oil prescribed in Holland.
The cost of the medicine is a whopping £800 every month and yields only five tiny 10 ml bottles. “It seems so unfair that we’ve found something that works but we’re being told we can’t have it,” said Quarrell. Until cannabis oil is decriminalized, the ex-cop and mom will continue to fight health chiefs to allow Cole access to Bedrolite on the NHS. “The alternative is pumping him full of chemicals with awful side effects that didn’t work,” she explained.
About the Author
Mandy Froelich is an RHN, plant-based chef, journalist, Reiki master therapist, world traveler and enthusiast of everything to do with animal rights, sustainability, cannabis and conscious living. She share healthy recipes on my blog Life in Bloom.


wakingtimes--2020-01-22--Iceland didn’t hunt any whales in 2019 – and public appetite for whale meat is fading

One of the most important global conservation events of the past year was something that didn ’ t happen .
For the first time since 2002 , Iceland – one of just three countries that still allow commercial whaling – didn ’ t hunt any whales , even though its government had approved whaling permits in early 2019 .
Many people may think of whaling as a 19th-century industry in which men threw harpoons at their quarry by hand .
But humans are still killing whales today in other ways .
Thousands of whales are struck by ships , entangled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ocean noise every year .
However , most nations support a commercial whaling ban that the International Whaling Commission , a global body charged with whale management , imposed in 1986 to prevent these creatures from being hunted to extinction .
Iceland , Norway and Japan have long been exceptions to this international consensus .
I study marine ecology and conservation and spent the 2018-19 academic year on a Fulbright fellowship in Iceland .
It is encouraging to see countries come to realize that whales are worth more alive than dead – for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourism , and the ecological services that they provide .
As more Icelanders adopt this view , it will be good news for ocean conservation .
The ecological value of large marine mammals For years , ecological studies of whales focused on how much fish they ate or krill they consumed , which represented costs to fisheries .
Starting around 10 years ago , my colleagues and I took a fresh look at whales ’ ecological role in the ocean .
Whales often dive deep to feed , coming to the surface to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poop .
Their nutrient-rich fecal plumes provide nitrogen , iron and phosphorous to algae at the surface , which increases productivity in areas where whales feed .
More whales mean more plankton and more fish .
Whales also play a role in the carbon cycle .
They are the largest creatures on Earth , and when they die their carcasses often sink to the deep sea .
These events , known as whale falls , provide habitat for at least a hundred species that depend on the bones and nutrients .
They also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it remains sequestered for hundreds of years .
Whales are economically valuable , but watching them brings in more money than killing them .
“ Humpbacks are one of the most commercially important marine species in Iceland , ” a whale-watching guide told me one morning off the coast of Akureyri .
Whale-watching income far outweighs the income from hunting fin and minke whales .
For years after the international moratorium on whaling was adopted in 1986 , only Norway allowed commercial whaling .
Japan continued hunting in the Antarctic under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which many whale biologists considered unnecessary and egregious .
Iceland also allowed a research hunt in the 1980s , with much of the meat sold to Japan , but stopped whaling under international pressure in the 1990s .
It resumed commercial hunting in 2002 , with strong domestic support .
Iceland was ruled by Norway and then Denmark until 1944 .
As a result , Icelanders often chafe under external pressure .
Many saw foreign protests against whaling as a threat to their national identity , and local media coverage was distinctly pro-whaling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 , when European governments refused to allow the transport of whale meat harvested by Icelandic whalers through their ports , en route to commercial buyers in Japan .
Many European countries opposed Icelandic whaling and were unwilling to facilitate this trade .
Whalers no longer looked so invincible , and Icelandic media started covering both sides of the debate .
In May 2019 , Hvalur – the whaling business owned by Kristján Loftsson , Iceland ’ s most vocal and controversial whaler – announced that it wouldn ’ t hunt fin whales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this year , citing a need for ship repairs and declining demand in Japan .
In June , Gunnar Bergmann Jónsson , owner of a smaller outfit , announced that he wouldn ’ t go whaling either .
These decisions meant that the hunt was off .
During my year in Iceland , I met for coffee every couple of weeks with Sigursteinn Másson , program leader for the local whale-watching association IceWhale and representative of the International Fund for Animal Welfare .
At times he seemed animated about the prospect that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At others , he looked gloomy because whalers and their allies in the Icelandic government had co-opted the conversation .
At first , both companies insisted that they would start whaling again in 2020 .
But Jónsson ’ s outfit no longer plans to hunt minkes , and Másson doubts that whaling will continue .
“ Nobody is encouraging them anymore – or interested , ” he told me last summer .
Now trade is getting even tougher .
In 2018 Japan announced that it would leave the International Whaling Commission , stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on hunting whales in its coastal waters , reducing the demand for Icelandic whale meat .
Tourist behavior in Iceland is also changing .
For years , tourists would go out whale watching , then order grilled minke in restaurants .
After the International Fund for Animal Welfare started targeting whale watchers in 2011 with its “ Meet Us Don ’ t Eat Us ” campaign , the number of tourists who ate whale meat declined from 40 % to 11 % .
For many Icelanders , whale meat is an occasional delicacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I met an Icelandic woman who told me she thought whale was delicious , and she didn ’ t see why whaling was such a big deal .
How many times had she eaten whale ?
Once a month , once a year ?
“ I ’ ve had it twice in my life.
” About a third of Icelanders now oppose whaling .
They tend to be younger urban residents .
A third are neutral , and a third support whaling .
Many in this last group may feel stronger about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or whale meat .
Demand for hvalakjöt in grocery stores and restaurants has started to dry up .
Although few observers would have predicted it , whaling may end in Iceland not through denial of a permit but from lack of interest .
How long until the world ’ s remaining commercial whalers in Japan and Norway , who face similar shifts in taste and demographics , follow a similar course ?
Joe Roman is a conservation biologist , author , and fellow in the Gund Institute .
His broad research interests span @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invasive species , and biodiversity and human health .
Joe teaches marine ecology and conservation and graduate workshops ( ateliers ) on emerging problems of conservation interest , such as marine spatial planning and Cuban marine ecology .
Joe came to the Gund Institute for Environment as an Environmental Policy Fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science .
During his AAAS fellowship , he helped start an interdisciplinary program on Biodiversity and Human Health at the US Environmental Protection Agency .
Joe has been a Fulbright Scholar in Brazil , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marine Lab , and a Hrdy Visiting Fellow at Harvard University .

Iceland didn’t hunt any whales in 2019 – and public appetite for whale meat is fading
Joe Roman, Guest
Waking Times
One of the most important global conservation events of the past year was something that didn’t happen. For the first time since 2002, Iceland – one of just three countries that still allow commercial whaling – didn’t hunt any whales, even though its government had approved whaling permits in early 2019.
Many people may think of whaling as a 19th-century industry in which men threw harpoons at their quarry by hand. But humans are still killing whales today in other ways. Thousands of whales are struck by ships, entangled in fishing lines, and harmed by ocean noise every year.
However, most nations support a commercial whaling ban that the International Whaling Commission, a global body charged with whale management, imposed in 1986 to prevent these creatures from being hunted to extinction. Iceland, Norway and Japan have long been exceptions to this international consensus.
I study marine ecology and conservation and spent the 2018-19 academic year on a Fulbright fellowship in Iceland. It is encouraging to see countries come to realize that whales are worth more alive than dead – for their spiritual value, their role in tourism, and the ecological services that they provide. As more Icelanders adopt this view, it will be good news for ocean conservation.
The ecological value of large marine mammals
For years, ecological studies of whales focused on how much fish they ate or krill they consumed, which represented costs to fisheries. Starting around 10 years ago, my colleagues and I took a fresh look at whales’ ecological role in the ocean.
Whales often dive deep to feed, coming to the surface to breathe, rest, digest – and poop. Their nutrient-rich fecal plumes provide nitrogen, iron and phosphorous to algae at the surface, which increases productivity in areas where whales feed. More whales mean more plankton and more fish.
Whales also play a role in the carbon cycle. They are the largest creatures on Earth, and when they die their carcasses often sink to the deep sea. These events, known as whale falls, provide habitat for at least a hundred species that depend on the bones and nutrients. They also transfer carbon to the deep ocean, where it remains sequestered for hundreds of years.
Whales are economically valuable, but watching them brings in more money than killing them. “Humpbacks are one of the most commercially important marine species in Iceland,” a whale-watching guide told me one morning off the coast of Akureyri. Whale-watching income far outweighs the income from hunting fin and minke whales.
The end of Icelandic whaling?
For years after the international moratorium on whaling was adopted in 1986, only Norway allowed commercial whaling. Japan continued hunting in the Antarctic under the guise of “scientific whaling,” which many whale biologists considered unnecessary and egregious.
Iceland also allowed a research hunt in the 1980s, with much of the meat sold to Japan, but stopped whaling under international pressure in the 1990s. It resumed commercial hunting in 2002, with strong domestic support. Iceland was ruled by Norway and then Denmark until 1944. As a result, Icelanders often chafe under external pressure. Many saw foreign protests against whaling as a threat to their national identity, and local media coverage was distinctly pro-whaling.
This view started to shift around 2014, when European governments refused to allow the transport of whale meat harvested by Icelandic whalers through their ports, en route to commercial buyers in Japan. Many European countries opposed Icelandic whaling and were unwilling to facilitate this trade. Whalers no longer looked so invincible, and Icelandic media started covering both sides of the debate.
In May 2019, Hvalur – the whaling business owned by Kristján Loftsson, Iceland’s most vocal and controversial whaler – announced that it wouldn’t hunt fin whales, which are internationally classified as vulnerable, this year, citing a need for ship repairs and declining demand in Japan. In June, Gunnar Bergmann Jónsson, owner of a smaller outfit, announced that he wouldn’t go whaling either. These decisions meant that the hunt was off.
During my year in Iceland, I met for coffee every couple of weeks with Sigursteinn Másson, program leader for the local whale-watching association IceWhale and representative of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. At times he seemed animated about the prospect that no whaling permits would be allotted. At others, he looked gloomy because whalers and their allies in the Icelandic government had co-opted the conversation.
“I worked on gay rights in Iceland, which was opposed by the church, and mental health for ten years,” he told me. “They were peanuts compared to the whaling issue.”
At first, both companies insisted that they would start whaling again in 2020. But Jónsson’s outfit no longer plans to hunt minkes, and Másson doubts that whaling will continue. “Nobody is encouraging them anymore – or interested,” he told me last summer.
Now trade is getting even tougher. In 2018 Japan announced that it would leave the International Whaling Commission, stop its controversial Antarctic whaling program and focus on hunting whales in its coastal waters, reducing the demand for Icelandic whale meat.
Tourist behavior in Iceland is also changing. For years, tourists would go out whale watching, then order grilled minke in restaurants. After the International Fund for Animal Welfare started targeting whale watchers in 2011 with its “Meet Us Don’t Eat Us” campaign, the number of tourists who ate whale meat declined from 40% to 11%.
A generational shift
For many Icelanders, whale meat is an occasional delicacy. Over dinner a few months ago, I met an Icelandic woman who told me she thought whale was delicious, and she didn’t see why whaling was such a big deal. How many times had she eaten whale? Once a month, once a year? “I’ve had it twice in my life.”
About a third of Icelanders now oppose whaling. They tend to be younger urban residents. A third are neutral, and a third support whaling. Many in this last group may feel stronger about critiques of whaling than about hvalakjöt, or whale meat. Demand for hvalakjöt in grocery stores and restaurants has started to dry up.
Although few observers would have predicted it, whaling may end in Iceland not through denial of a permit but from lack of interest. How long until the world’s remaining commercial whalers in Japan and Norway, who face similar shifts in taste and demographics, follow a similar course?
About the Author
Joe Roman is a conservation biologist, author, and fellow in the Gund Institute. His broad research interests span endangered species policy, marine mammals, invasive species, and biodiversity and human health. Joe teaches marine ecology and conservation and graduate workshops (ateliers) on emerging problems of conservation interest, such as marine spatial planning and Cuban marine ecology. Joe came to the Gund Institute for Environment as an Environmental Policy Fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. During his AAAS fellowship, he helped start an interdisciplinary program on Biodiversity and Human Health at the US Environmental Protection Agency. Joe has been a Fulbright Scholar in Brazil, a McCurdy Scholar at the Duke University Marine Lab, and a Hrdy Visiting Fellow at Harvard University.


wakingtimes--2020-01-22--Six Italian Courts Have Ruled that Cell Phones Cause Brain Tumors

On January 13 , 2020 , Turin ’ s Court of Appeals confirmed a 2017 decision determining that a former Telecom Italia worker ’ s acoustic neuroma ( a benign tumor in the ear ) was caused by his mobile phone use .
This is the sixth time that an Italian court has affirmed a causal link between cell phone use and brain tumors , including decisions by the High Court of Italy .
The Appellate court reached its decision after a review of the evidence and after receiving the opinion of two court-appointed experts .
The experts referred the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak on their phones for an average of 30 minutes a day for at least 10 years increase their risk of developing head tumors .
After considering this evidence , the Appellate court in Turin stated , “ There are solid elements to affirm a causal role between the exposure of the person to radiofrequencies from mobile phones and the disease that arose.
” Crucially , the Turin court stated that the studies provided by the defense—which denied a causal link—were mostly industry-funded and , therefore , should be given less weight because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection ( ICNIRP ) and the European Commission ’ s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks ( SCHENIHR ) also suffer from conflicts of interest , according to the Turin court , because these organizations likewise receive funding from industry .
The World Health Organization ’ s ( WHO ’ s ) International EMF Project and many countries around the world have adopted the industry-funded ICNIRP ’ s recommendations as their safety guidelines .
Thus , these statements by the court—calling out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of interest—are extremely significant .
Acoustic neuromas are tumors that develop on the main nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain .
This nerve influences balance and hearing .
Pressure from an acoustic neuroma can cause hearing loss , ringing in the ear and unsteadiness , occasionally also interfering with brain functioning .
Acoustic neuroma is also known as “ vestibular schwannoma ” because it develops on the Schwann cells covering the nerve .
Of note , the U.S. government ’ s $ 25 million National Toxicology Program cell phone study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused schwannoma-type tumors .
Newsweek mistakenly reported the Ivrea case as the first Italian ruling linking cell phones and acoustic neuromas , but it was in fact the second .
The first ruling , made by a court in Brescia on December 10 , 2009 and affirmed by the High Court of Italy in 2012 , granted worker ’ s compensation to an industrial plant ’ s financial manager , Mr. Marcolini , who developed a tumor after using cell and cordless phones for five to six hours a day for 12 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benign tumor on the trigeminal nerve , which controls facial muscles and sensations .
As in Turin , the Brescia court ignored industry-funded studies—declaring them to be biased—and instead relied on the expert opinion of Swedish professor Lennart Hardell , an oncology specialist and cancer epidemiologist with “ a focused interest in environmental risk factors for cancer.
” The next ( third ) ruling to link cell phone use and acute nerve disease was made by a Florence court in April 2017 .
The Florence court ordered INAIL to compensate a salesperson who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone for two to three hours a day on the job for 10 years .
On January 30 , 2019 , an Italian court in the city of Monza ruled that exposure to cell phone radiation caused an airport employee ’ s acoustic neuroma brain tumor .
The employee had used a cell phone for well over 10 years for his work .
After being diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma in 2010 , the employee was declared ( in 2011 ) 68 % disabled and permanently unfit for work .
In 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causal link between his workplace exposure to radiation and the acoustic neuroma and asking that his tumor be recognized as an occupational disease .
The Monza court concurred that the tumor had permanently incapacitated him and ruled it to be an occupational disease .
When the defense appealed the decision , Italy ’ s Supreme Court upheld it .
Over a period from 1994 to 2010 , the airport employee ’ s job had exposed him to high levels of radiofrequency and microwave radiation from a variety of antennas and high-frequency equipment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , satellite antennas and airplane equipment .
In addition , the performance of his job required the use of numerous radiation-emitting devices , including mobile phones , two always-on PCs and signal repeaters ( GSM and DECT ) .
Holding the phone on the left side of his head , the employee used a Siemens DECT ( cordless ) phone , a Nokia and later a Samsung cell phone for more than four hours a day , with phone sessions lasting up to 45 consecutive minutes .
Several times , the employee and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electromagnetic fields ( EMFs ) and radiation to their employer , asking for the EMFs and radiation to be measured , but higher-ups ignored these requests .
In the Italian legal system , judges can appoint technical experts called court technical experts ( CTUs ) .
In the Monza case , the experts and technical advisers assigned to evaluate the case conducted research into acoustic neuroma and its risk factors .
Basing their determination on the duration of exposure ( exposure to high-frequency EMR for a considerable number of hours per day for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of devices used , the type of pathology and their review of the literature , they determined the evidence to be sufficient for a causal link , even in the absence of absolutely conclusive scientific evidence .
They also referenced the Brescia court ’ s decision and the studies cited in that decision .
Their conclusion was that the development of the left auditory nerve neuroma was related to the employee ’ s workplace exposures and that the tumor had caused a reduction in the employee ’ s mental and physical health .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian courts have determined that the radiofrequency and microwave radiation emitted by cell phones can cause acoustic-neuroma-type brain tumors .
The importance of these decisions should not be underestimated , particularly given the courts ’ recognition that when exposure to electromagnetic radiation becomes a necessary part of the job , acoustic neuromas are an occupational risk .

Six Italian Courts Have Ruled that Cell Phones Cause Brain Tumors
Martine Vriens and Dafna Tachover, Guest
Waking Times
On January 13, 2020, Turin’s Court of Appeals confirmed a 2017 decision determining that a former Telecom Italia worker’s acoustic neuroma (a benign tumor in the ear) was caused by his mobile phone use. This is the sixth time that an Italian court has affirmed a causal link between cell phone use and brain tumors, including decisions by the High Court of Italy.
The Appellate court reached its decision after a review of the evidence and after receiving the opinion of two court-appointed experts. The experts referred the court to studies indicating that individuals who speak on their phones for an average of 30 minutes a day for at least 10 years increase their risk of developing head tumors. After considering this evidence, the Appellate court in Turin stated, “There are solid elements to affirm a causal role between the exposure of the person to radiofrequencies from mobile phones and the disease that arose.”
… studies provided by the defense—which denied a causal link—were mostly industry-funded and, therefore, should be given less weight because of conflicts of interest.
Crucially, the Turin court stated that the studies provided by the defense—which denied a causal link—were mostly industry-funded and, therefore, should be given less weight because of conflicts of interest. Studies by members of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCHENIHR) also suffer from conflicts of interest, according to the Turin court, because these organizations likewise receive funding from industry. The World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) International EMF Project and many countries around the world have adopted the industry-funded ICNIRP’s recommendations as their safety guidelines. Thus, these statements by the court—calling out the influence of industry funding and conflicts of interest—are extremely significant.
The Turin court’s ruling affirmed the decision of the court of Ivera from 2017. Roberto Romeo, age 57, used his cell phone for three to four hours of each working day for 15 years. He was diagnosed with acoustic neuroma in 2010, and his acoustic nerve had to be removed. As reported in The Guardian, “A medical expert estimated the damage to Romeo at 23% of his bodily function, prompting the judge to make a compensation award of €500 per month to be paid by INAIL, a national insurance program covering workplace accidents.”
Earlier court decisions
Acoustic neuromas are tumors that develop on the main nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain. This nerve influences balance and hearing. Pressure from an acoustic neuroma can cause hearing loss, ringing in the ear and unsteadiness, occasionally also interfering with brain functioning. Acoustic neuroma is also known as “vestibular schwannoma” because it develops on the Schwann cells covering the nerve. Of note, the U.S. government’s $25 million National Toxicology Program cell phone study found that exposure to cell phone radiation caused schwannoma-type tumors.
Newsweek mistakenly reported the Ivrea case as the first Italian ruling linking cell phones and acoustic neuromas, but it was in fact the second. The first ruling, made by a court in Brescia on December 10, 2009 and affirmed by the High Court of Italy in 2012, granted worker’s compensation to an industrial plant’s financial manager, Mr. Marcolini, who developed a tumor after using cell and cordless phones for five to six hours a day for 12 years. Marcolini was diagnosed as having a benign tumor on the trigeminal nerve, which controls facial muscles and sensations. As in Turin, the Brescia court ignored industry-funded studies—declaring them to be biased—and instead relied on the expert opinion of Swedish professor Lennart Hardell, an oncology specialist and cancer epidemiologist with “a focused interest in environmental risk factors for cancer.”
The next (third) ruling to link cell phone use and acute nerve disease was made by a Florence court in April 2017. The Florence court ordered INAIL to compensate a salesperson who developed an acoustic neuroma after using the phone for two to three hours a day on the job for 10 years.
An occupational hazard
On January 30, 2019, an Italian court in the city of Monza ruled that exposure to cell phone radiation caused an airport employee’s acoustic neuroma brain tumor. The employee had used a cell phone for well over 10 years for his work. After being diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma in 2010, the employee was declared (in 2011) 68% disabled and permanently unfit for work. In 2014, he applied to INAIL, claiming a causal link between his workplace exposure to radiation and the acoustic neuroma and asking that his tumor be recognized as an occupational disease. The Monza court concurred that the tumor had permanently incapacitated him and ruled it to be an occupational disease. When the defense appealed the decision, Italy’s Supreme Court upheld it.
Basing their determination on the duration of exposure, the types of devices used, the type of pathology and their review of the literature, they determined the evidence to be sufficient for a causal link, even in the absence of absolutely conclusive scientific evidence.
Over a period from 1994 to 2010, the airport employee’s job had exposed him to high levels of radiofrequency and microwave radiation from a variety of antennas and high-frequency equipment, including altitude signal repeaters, weather radars, satellite antennas and airplane equipment. In addition, the performance of his job required the use of numerous radiation-emitting devices, including mobile phones, two always-on PCs and signal repeaters (GSM and DECT). Holding the phone on the left side of his head, the employee used a Siemens DECT (cordless) phone, a Nokia and later a Samsung cell phone for more than four hours a day, with phone sessions lasting up to 45 consecutive minutes. Several times, the employee and his colleagues reported the high levels of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and radiation to their employer, asking for the EMFs and radiation to be measured, but higher-ups ignored these requests.
In the Italian legal system, judges can appoint technical experts called court technical experts (CTUs). In the Monza case, the experts and technical advisers assigned to evaluate the case conducted research into acoustic neuroma and its risk factors. Basing their determination on the duration of exposure (exposure to high-frequency EMR for a considerable number of hours per day for over 10 years), the types of devices used, the type of pathology and their review of the literature, they determined the evidence to be sufficient for a causal link, even in the absence of absolutely conclusive scientific evidence. They also referenced the Brescia court’s decision and the studies cited in that decision. Their conclusion was that the development of the left auditory nerve neuroma was related to the employee’s workplace exposures and that the tumor had caused a reduction in the employee’s mental and physical health.
Thus, in case after case, Italian courts have determined that the radiofrequency and microwave radiation emitted by cell phones can cause acoustic-neuroma-type brain tumors. The importance of these decisions should not be underestimated, particularly given the courts’ recognition that when exposure to electromagnetic radiation becomes a necessary part of the job, acoustic neuromas are an occupational risk.


wakingtimes--2020-01-22--Australia’s Iconic Platypus Has Been Pushed to the Brink of Extinction, Scientists Warn

With Australia ’ s spiraling environmental catastrophe receiving world attention in recent weeks , ecologists have sounded the alarm on the dire threat faced by the country ’ s endemic wildlife populations .
Researchers are now warning that the platypus—the unusual duck-billed , egg-laying mammal native to eastern Australia whose existence was believed to be a hoax in the late 18th century—is one of the iconic species teetering on the brink of extinction .
According to a new study by the University of New South Wales ( UNSW ) that was published in the scientific journal Biological Conservation , platypus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the European colonization of the island continent with local extinctions occurring across 40 percent of the species natural habitat thanks to drought and human activity such as dam building , water harvesting , land clearances , the impacts of livestock and threats from feral species .
Along with other contemporary threats including the changing climate , scientists fear that platypus numbers will continue to decline between 47 percent and 66 percent by 2070 .
However , when taking fast-heating climate projections into account the animal ’ s decline could rapidly fall by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five decades—pushing the species once common in the country ’ s waterways toward all-out extinction .
The danger to platypuses has become alarming in recent consecutive years as brutal heatwaves and arid conditions made worse by the dearth of rainfall have had a devastating effect on local populations .
Platypus populations , like other aquatic species , are believed to have taken major damage from an intensifying drought and record heat , even prior to the bushfire crisis .
AFP reports that study co-author Gilad Bino , a researcher at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said : The study recommended that national authorities give attention to the “ urgent need ” for a risk assessment that could downgrade the animal to “ vulnerable ” status and look at the steps necessary to conserve the species and “ minimize any risk of extinction.
” The government has taken few if any measures to protect the species despite the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) recently downgrading the nocturnal creature ’ s status to “ near threatened.
” The study notes that such conservationist measures would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mitigating threats and improving management of platypus habitat in rivers.
” The platypus , along with four species of echidnas , are the world ’ s only monotremes or egg-laying mammals that secrete milk from the female bellies .
Australia ’ s ABC reports that conservationists have seen a precipitous drop in platypus numbers in traditional habitats such as NSW ’ s Great Barrington region .
Tim Faulkner , the president of conservationist group Aussie Ark , said : “ In our region , they ’ re all dead , they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … They don ’ t go into hibernation … They must have water to feed in .
Private landholder management , the management of riparian zones along creeks , water harvest as well as control on stock trampling [ are all required ] .
And going to the toilet in the last fragments of water [ must also be controlled ] .
Our own parks are full of pests like the feral fox and cats responsible for over 90 per cent of all mainland mammal extinction.
” “ The platypus that we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next day … Their bellies are empty and they ’ re all riddled with E. coli and a greater diversity of bacteria than that .
Platypus are a Gondwanan dinosaur species—they are monotremes , egg-laying mammals , some of the oldest lineages of mammals on earth .
They ’ ve been in this constant east coast temperate environment , largely unchanged , for millions of years .
To see it now … a cesspit that ’ s bacteria ridden and lifeless … certainly in our area—and this must be so wide spread—they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of physical features , early sketches of the duck-billed mammal shocked western scientists who stumbled on the existence of the platypus during the colonization of Australia .
Even after the creature ’ s pelt was delivered to researchers in the U.K. , the existence of the platypus was believed to be a hoax comprised of a duck ’ s bill sewn onto a beaver ’ s body .
The species was then hunted for its fur until the last century .
Study co-author Prof. Richard Kingsford stressed that climate change and habit destruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ :

Australia’s Iconic Platypus Has Been Pushed to the Brink of Extinction, Scientists Warn
Elias Marat, The Mind Unleashed
Waking Times
With Australia’s spiraling environmental catastrophe receiving world attention in recent weeks, ecologists have sounded the alarm on the dire threat faced by the country’s endemic wildlife populations.
Researchers are now warning that the platypus—the unusual duck-billed, egg-laying mammal native to eastern Australia whose existence was believed to be a hoax in the late 18th century—is one of the iconic species teetering on the brink of extinction.
According to a new study by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) that was published in the scientific journal Biological Conservation, platypus numbers have declined by half or more since the European colonization of the island continent with local extinctions occurring across 40 percent of the species natural habitat thanks to drought and human activity such as dam building, water harvesting, land clearances, the impacts of livestock and threats from feral species.
Along with other contemporary threats including the changing climate, scientists fear that platypus numbers will continue to decline between 47 percent and 66 percent by 2070.
However, when taking fast-heating climate projections into account the animal’s decline could rapidly fall by 51 percent to 73 over the next five decades—pushing the species once common in the country’s waterways toward all-out extinction.
The danger to platypuses has become alarming in recent consecutive years as brutal heatwaves and arid conditions made worse by the dearth of rainfall have had a devastating effect on local populations.
Platypus populations, like other aquatic species, are believed to have taken major damage from an intensifying drought and record heat, even prior to the bushfire crisis.
AFP reports that study co-author Gilad Bino, a researcher at the University of NSW’s Centre for Ecosystem Science, said:
“These dangers further expose the platypus to even worse local extinctions with no capacity to repopulate areas.”
The study recommended that national authorities give attention to the “urgent need” for a risk assessment that could downgrade the animal to “vulnerable” status and look at the steps necessary to conserve the species and “minimize any risk of extinction.”
The government has taken few if any measures to protect the species despite the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently downgrading the nocturnal creature’s status to “near threatened.”
Could not bear it if the platypus was to become extinct – likewise so many of our unique Australian creatures.
If I was PM, every decision I made would have this as the bottom line : *will this hasten the extinction of the littlest Australians?*
That would guide my every action. — Wendy Harmer (@wendy_harmer) January 20, 2020
The study notes that such conservationist measures would include “increasing surveys, tracking trends, mitigating threats and improving management of platypus habitat in rivers.”
Dr. Bino said:
“Under predicted climate change, the losses forecast were far greater because of increases in extreme drought frequencies and duration, such as the current dry spell.”
The platypus, along with four species of echidnas, are the world’s only monotremes or egg-laying mammals that secrete milk from the female bellies.
Australia’s ABC reports that conservationists have seen a precipitous drop in platypus numbers in traditional habitats such as NSW’s Great Barrington region. Tim Faulkner, the president of conservationist group Aussie Ark, said:
“In our region, they’re all dead, they’re gone—I can’t find them … They don’t go into hibernation … They must have water to feed in. Private landholder management, the management of riparian zones along creeks, water harvest as well as control on stock trampling [are all required]. And going to the toilet in the last fragments of water [must also be controlled]. Our own parks are full of pests like the feral fox and cats responsible for over 90 per cent of all mainland mammal extinction.”
Continuing, Faulkner explained:
“The platypus that we did rescue, we had two die the next day … Their bellies are empty and they’re all riddled with E. coli and a greater diversity of bacteria than that. Platypus are a Gondwanan dinosaur species—they are monotremes, egg-laying mammals, some of the oldest lineages of mammals on earth. They’ve been in this constant east coast temperate environment, largely unchanged, for millions of years. To see it now … a cesspit that’s bacteria ridden and lifeless … certainly in our area—and this must be so wide spread—they’re gone.”
With its unique set of physical features, early sketches of the duck-billed mammal shocked western scientists who stumbled on the existence of the platypus during the colonization of Australia. Even after the creature’s pelt was delivered to researchers in the U.K., the existence of the platypus was believed to be a hoax comprised of a duck’s bill sewn onto a beaver’s body. The species was then hunted for its fur until the last century.
Study co-author Prof. Richard Kingsford stressed that climate change and habit destruction must be reined in. He said:
“This animal is one of the most amazing animals that we have on the planet and it would be a very sad day if we were ever in the position of losing them. I’m very much hopeful that we’ll never get there, but we do need to address it urgently.”
By Elias Marat | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com


wakingtimes--2020-01-22--Is the new ‘deadly China virus’ a covert operation?

NEW VIRUS IN CHINA .
WATCH OUT .
SPREADING .
ANIMALS TO HUMANS ?
PANDEMIC COMING UP ?
OBEY MEDICAL AUTHORITIES .
ALL HANDS ON DECK .
CENTERED IN WUHAN .
CITY OF 11 MILLION .
WILL THEY QUARANTINE AND SHUT DOWN HONG KONG ?
TRAVELERS WITH THE VIRUS GETTING THROUGH TO EUROPE AND AMERICA ?
WHAT ’ S THE NAME OF THE VIRUS ?
2019-nCOV or nCoV2019 .
WHAT ?
THANK GOD THE CHINESE ARE UNDER A TIGHT DICTATORSHIP , THEY CAN CRACK DOWN AND QUARANTINE ANYBODY ON A WHIM .
IF YOUR BODY TEMPERATURE IS ELEVATED ON A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
WE MAY NEED THAT IN THE USA , AS LONG AS THEY DON ’ T STOP ME .
IMPEACHMENT ?
FORGET THAT , IT ’ S THE VIRUS .
In the 19 years of this website , the one story I ’ ve researched and covered more than any other is the DEADLY VIRUS hustle .
SARS , Swine Flu , Ebola , etc .
Now , we have a new one .
The possible maybe CORONAVIRUS from China .
In each case of these could-be killers , we have an official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big one.
” Millions of people could fall ill and die .
In each case , there are travelers .
“ People returning from X have the virus and they are spreading it.
” In the case of SARS and Swine Flu , the patients ’ symptoms were typical “ flu ” symptoms : fever , fatigue , cough , weakness .
In other words , there was no reason to think the “ new disease ” was any different from ordinary traditional illness .
The big and only difference is the claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the cause of illness .
But in each case , there are serious problems with that claim .
First , only “ official researchers ” are involved with the “ discovery ” of the new virus .
There is no confirmation from independent researchers .
For example , in the case of SARS ( 2003 ) , ten labs belonging to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) performed the “ discovery ” of that coronavirus .
They were connected through closed circuit—no outsiders allowed .
Eventually , a Canadian biologist working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press he was quite puzzled by what he was seeing : more and more SARS patients didn ’ t have the SARS virus at all .
In fact , almost no new SARS patients had the virus .
Well , when you stop and think about that ridiculous state of affairs , you realize you can ’ t say a person , with ordinary flu-like symptoms , is suffering from a new disease if he doesn ’ t have the cause of that disease .
But the mainstream press took no notice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case of the Swine Flu “ epidemic ” ( 2009 ) , the US Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) was reporting thousands of cases in America—but CBS star reporter Sharyl Attkisson found out that the CDC had , mysteriously , stopped counting cases .
How could this be ?
She came up with the devastating answer .
The overwhelming percentage of blood tests on Swine Flu patients were coming back from labs with no sign of the Swine Flu virus or any other flu virus .
That story ran on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attkisson told me in an interview , the bosses at CBS wouldn ’ t allow it on the national television news broadcast .
Censored .
And that was the end of the CBS exposure of the Swine Flu hoax .
Yet , as I reported : about three weeks after CBS shut down the story , WebMD ran a piece in which the CDC estimated there were 22 MILLION cases of Swine Flu in the US .
If your head is spinning , it should be .
The second major problem with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or an epidemic is the absence of research on what we could call the “ infection factor.
” Let me explain .
To even begin to say a particular germ is causing a particular disease , you have to prove the germ is present in a patient ’ s body IN GREAT NUMBERS .
A few little viral particles floating around here and there are irrelevant .
You need millions .
So if an ignorant doctor or a researcher states , “ Well , this patient has the coronavirus so he has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far short of proving anything useful .
Where are the tests proving the patient has millions of the virus in his body ?
Nowhere .
The third major problem with the announcement of a “ new disease ” or an epidemic is the “ test factor.
” What test is being run on a patient to prove he has the “ new virus ” in his body ?
Most of the time , it is an antibody test .
Stay with me here , this is important .
Prior to 1984 , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test was a good outcome .
In short , it indicated that the patient ’ s immune system had come in contact with a germ and successfully defeated it .
But then , for several reasons , this science was turned on its head .
A positive antibody test , from that time on , was evidence that the patient currently had the disease in question .
Boom .
Now , disease numbers could easily be inflated .
And they were .
And they are .
Automatically assuming that the announcement of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a major mistake , to say the least .
The CDC and WHO are operated by virus hunters .
Running a new virus up the flagpole is their stock in trade .
They rush to an area where an “ outbreak ” has been announced , and they roll up their sleeves and look for the virus .
They pay no attention to environmental factors , such as contaminated water supplies or toxic chemicals or malnutrition or lack of basic sanitation .
Epidemics are good for business .
Pharmaceutical business , inducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , diverting the public from key events business , surveillance and quarantine business , and so on .
I ’ m sure , at some point , there will be THANK YOU , CHINA , BUSINESS , too .
Thank you , China , for your rule by iron fist over the population .
Your ability to stop anyone for any reason and test for “ the virus ” may have saved the planet from an extinction event .
Freedom ?
Forget it .
Public safety is the ace in the deck .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we may need a good epidemic in the US , so we can exert more control over the unruly citizenry .
The doctor is king .
Do what he says .
Always .
How many vaccines are there now ?
Take all of them .
Everyone must .
Nineteen years ago , when I started this website , I told you that , of all the cartels in this world , the most important and powerful one , long-term , was the medical cartel .
Nothing since that time has changed my mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three explosive collections , THE MATRIX REVEALED , EXIT FROM THE MATRIX , and POWER OUTSIDE THE MATRIX , Jon was a candidate for a US Congressional seat in the 29thDistrict of California .
He maintains a consulting practice for private clients , the purpose of which is the expansion of personal creative power .
Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize , he has worked as an investigative reporter for 30 years , writing articles on politics , medicine , and health for CBS Healthwatch , LA Weekly , Spin Magazine , Stern , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US and Europe .
Jon has delivered lectures and seminars on global politics , health , logic , and creative power to audiences around the world .
You can sign up for his free emails at NoMoreFakeNews.com or OutsideTheRealityMachine .
Like Waking Times on Facebook .
Follow Waking Times on Twitter .

Is the new ‘deadly China virus’ a covert operation?
Jon Rappoport, Guest
Waking Times
NEW VIRUS IN CHINA. WATCH OUT. SPREADING. ANIMALS TO HUMANS? PANDEMIC COMING UP? OBEY MEDICAL AUTHORITIES. ALL HANDS ON DECK. CENTERED IN WUHAN. CITY OF 11 MILLION. WILL THEY QUARANTINE AND SHUT DOWN HONG KONG? TRAVELERS WITH THE VIRUS GETTING THROUGH TO EUROPE AND AMERICA? WHAT’S THE NAME OF THE VIRUS? 2019-nCOV or nCoV2019. WHAT? THANK GOD THE CHINESE ARE UNDER A TIGHT DICTATORSHIP, THEY CAN CRACK DOWN AND QUARANTINE ANYBODY ON A WHIM. IF YOUR BODY TEMPERATURE IS ELEVATED ON A TEST, THEY STOP YOU? WOW. WE MAY NEED THAT IN THE USA, AS LONG AS THEY DON’T STOP ME. IMPEACHMENT? FORGET THAT, IT’S THE VIRUS.
In the 19 years of this website, the one story I’ve researched and covered more than any other is the DEADLY VIRUS hustle. SARS, Swine Flu, Ebola, etc.
Now, we have a new one. The possible maybe CORONAVIRUS from China.
In each case of these could-be killers, we have an official warning. “This could be the big one.” Millions of people could fall ill and die. In each case, there are travelers. “People returning from X have the virus and they are spreading it.” In the case of SARS and Swine Flu, the patients’ symptoms were typical “flu” symptoms: fever, fatigue, cough, weakness. In other words, there was no reason to think the “new disease” was any different from ordinary traditional illness.
The big and only difference is the claim that researchers have found a new virus as the cause of illness.
But in each case, there are serious problems with that claim.
First, only “official researchers” are involved with the “discovery” of the new virus. There is no confirmation from independent researchers. For example, in the case of SARS (2003), ten labs belonging to the World Health Organization (WHO) performed the “discovery” of that coronavirus. They were connected through closed circuit—no outsiders allowed.
Eventually, a Canadian biologist working for WHO, Frank Plummer, told the press he was quite puzzled by what he was seeing: more and more SARS patients didn’t have the SARS virus at all. In fact, almost no new SARS patients had the virus. Well, when you stop and think about that ridiculous state of affairs, you realize you can’t say a person, with ordinary flu-like symptoms, is suffering from a new disease if he doesn’t have the cause of that disease. But the mainstream press took no notice of this and moved on.
In the case of the Swine Flu “epidemic” (2009), the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) was reporting thousands of cases in America—but CBS star reporter Sharyl Attkisson found out that the CDC had, mysteriously, stopped counting cases. How could this be? She came up with the devastating answer. The overwhelming percentage of blood tests on Swine Flu patients were coming back from labs with no sign of the Swine Flu virus or any other flu virus. That story ran on the CBS News site, but as Attkisson told me in an interview, the bosses at CBS wouldn’t allow it on the national television news broadcast. Censored. And that was the end of the CBS exposure of the Swine Flu hoax. Yet, as I reported: about three weeks after CBS shut down the story, WebMD ran a piece in which the CDC estimated there were 22 MILLION cases of Swine Flu in the US. If your head is spinning, it should be.
The second major problem with the announcement of a “new disease” or an epidemic is the absence of research on what we could call the “infection factor.” Let me explain. To even begin to say a particular germ is causing a particular disease, you have to prove the germ is present in a patient’s body IN GREAT NUMBERS. A few little viral particles floating around here and there are irrelevant. You need millions. So if an ignorant doctor or a researcher states, “Well, this patient has the coronavirus so he has the disease,” he’s falling far short of proving anything useful. Where are the tests proving the patient has millions of the virus in his body? Nowhere.
The third major problem with the announcement of a “new disease” or an epidemic is the “test factor.” What test is being run on a patient to prove he has the “new virus” in his body? Most of the time, it is an antibody test. Stay with me here, this is important. Prior to 1984, it was generally recognized that a positive antibody test was a good outcome. In short, it indicated that the patient’s immune system had come in contact with a germ and successfully defeated it. But then, for several reasons, this science was turned on its head. A positive antibody test, from that time on, was evidence that the patient currently had the disease in question. Boom. Now, disease numbers could easily be inflated. And they were. And they are.
Automatically assuming that the announcement of a possible epidemic is accurate—well, it’s a major mistake, to say the least.
The CDC and WHO are operated by virus hunters. Running a new virus up the flagpole is their stock in trade. They rush to an area where an “outbreak” has been announced, and they roll up their sleeves and look for the virus. They pay no attention to environmental factors, such as contaminated water supplies or toxic chemicals or malnutrition or lack of basic sanitation.
Epidemics are good for business. Pharmaceutical business, inducing fear business, shutting down travel business, diverting the public from key events business, surveillance and quarantine business, and so on.
I’m sure, at some point, there will be THANK YOU, CHINA, BUSINESS, too. Thank you, China, for your rule by iron fist over the population. Your ability to stop anyone for any reason and test for “the virus” may have saved the planet from an extinction event. Freedom? Forget it. Public safety is the ace in the deck. It wins every time. Hell, we may need a good epidemic in the US, so we can exert more control over the unruly citizenry. The doctor is king. Do what he says. Always. How many vaccines are there now? Take all of them. Everyone must.
Nineteen years ago, when I started this website, I told you that, of all the cartels in this world, the most important and powerful one, long-term, was the medical cartel. Nothing since that time has changed my mind.
About the Author
Jon Rappoport is the author of three explosive collections, THE MATRIX REVEALED, EXIT FROM THE MATRIX, and POWER OUTSIDE THE MATRIX, Jon was a candidate for a US Congressional seat in the 29thDistrict of California. He maintains a consulting practice for private clients, the purpose of which is the expansion of personal creative power. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, he has worked as an investigative reporter for 30 years, writing articles on politics, medicine, and health for CBS Healthwatch, LA Weekly, Spin Magazine, Stern, and other newspapers and magazines in the US and Europe. Jon has delivered lectures and seminars on global politics, health, logic, and creative power to audiences around the world. You can sign up for his free emails at NoMoreFakeNews.com or OutsideTheRealityMachine.
(To read about Jon’s mega-collection, Exit From The Matrix, click here.)


wakingtimes--2020-01-22--Childhood Trauma May Lead to Adult Disease

A study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) found a link between childhood adversity and adult illnesses such as cancer , asthma , diabetes , depression and heart disease , leading researchers and health officials to suggest a reduction in childhood trauma could reduce the growing rate of adult chronic illness .
Adverse childhood experiences ( ACE ) include physical , emotional and sexual abuse in childhood and have been linked to multiple negative health and socioeconomic challenges in adulthood .
These effects include obesity , heavy smoking and drinking , unemployment and failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Household dysfunction and childhood abuse have been linked to the leading causes of disease in adults .
[ ii ] Additional health risks associated with ACE include : [ iii ] Non-medical outcomes associated with high rates of ACE include higher rates of incarceration , increased substance abuse , lower academic achievement , unemployment and suicidal behavior .
Experiencing adverse events in childhood is extremely common .
Among the adults in the study , 60.9 % experienced at least one type of ACE , while 15.6 % experienced four or more .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ better health in adulthood , potentially eliminating 27 % of pulmonary conditions , 23 % of cases of heavy alcohol consumption and 44 % of depression cases among adults .
Researchers were quick to point out that this study does not prove direct causation between ACE and adult-onset diseases and more research is needed to understand any potential connections .
However , the strong link between the two is cause for concern , and hope : By reducing instances of childhood trauma and increasing public awareness , the occurrence of many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while also keeping our most vulnerable population safe .
Based on these findings , efforts to prevent childhood trauma could potentially reduce the prevalence of the cancer , obesity , heart disease and the many other diseases linked to ACE .
The study lists the creation of stronger communities and parental support as a method to reduce the incidence of childhood trauma and suggests using the CDC ’ s Adverse Childhood Experiences page and corresponding literature on Preventing ACE as an online resource for neighborhoods to create stable and nurturing environments for youth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • Mentoring programs that connect children to stable and nurturing adults Implementing such safety precautions in homes and neighborhoods and encouraging stable home environments for children could be a vital step in preventing later illness .
In addition to trauma experienced in the home , research shows that early , unnecessary medical trauma may be a contributing factor in adult disease progression .
Infants born in hospitals or in need of intense medical care may be subjected to painful and traumatic experiences such as cesarean deliveries , blood tests , male circumcisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief medications .
[ v ] In light of the CDC ’ s study , these often unnecessary procedures should be considered carefully .
For more information on birth trauma and possible side effects , or to learn about natural birthing options , visit our GMI Natural Birth Resource Page .
The GMI Research Group ( GMIRG ) is dedicated to investigating the most important health and environmental issues of the day .
Special emphasis will be placed on environmental health .
Our focused and deep research will explore the many ways in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body directly reflects the true state of the ambient environment .
[ i ] Merrick MT , Ford DC , Ports KA , et al .
Vital Signs : Estimated Proportion of Adult Health Problems Attributable to Adverse Childhood Experiences and Implications for Prevention — 25 States , 2015-2017 .
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019 ; 68:999-1005 .
[ ii ] Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults Felitti , Vincent J et al .
American Journal of Preventive Medicine , Volume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 258 [ iii ] Merrick MT , Ford DC , Ports KA , et al .
Vital Signs : Estimated Proportion of Adult Health Problems Attributable to Adverse Childhood Experiences and Implications for Prevention — 25 States , 2015-2017 .
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019 ; 68:999-1005 .
[ iv ] Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Presence of Cancer Risk Factors in Adulthood : A Scoping Review of the Literature From 2005 to 2015 © [ 01/18/20 ] GreenMedInfo LLC .
This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GreenMedInfo ?
Sign up for the newsletter here //www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter .

Childhood Trauma May Lead to Adult Disease
GreenMedInfo Research Group, Guest
Waking Times
A study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found a link between childhood adversity and adult illnesses such as cancer, asthma, diabetes, depression and heart disease, leading researchers and health officials to suggest a reduction in childhood trauma could reduce the growing rate of adult chronic illness.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Linked to Adult Chronic Disease
Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) include physical, emotional and sexual abuse in childhood and have been linked to multiple negative health and socioeconomic challenges in adulthood.
These effects include obesity, heavy smoking and drinking, unemployment and failure to complete high school.[i] Household dysfunction and childhood abuse have been linked to the leading causes of disease in adults.[ii] Additional health risks associated with ACE include:[iii]
Coronary Heart Disease Asthma Cancer (excluding skin) Kidney disease Diabetes Obesity Depression Chronic inflammation[iv] Immunosuppression
Non-medical outcomes associated with high rates of ACE include higher rates of incarceration, increased substance abuse, lower academic achievement, unemployment and suicidal behavior.
Research and Results
Experiencing adverse events in childhood is extremely common. Among the adults in the study, 60.9% experienced at least one type of ACE, while 15.6% experienced four or more. Reducing such traumas could lead to significantly better health in adulthood, potentially eliminating 27% of pulmonary conditions, 23% of cases of heavy alcohol consumption and 44% of depression cases among adults.
Researchers were quick to point out that this study does not prove direct causation between ACE and adult-onset diseases and more research is needed to understand any potential connections.
However, the strong link between the two is cause for concern, and hope: By reducing instances of childhood trauma and increasing public awareness, the occurrence of many of the diseases causing adult morbidity could be reduced while also keeping our most vulnerable population safe.
Reducing the Occurrence of Childhood Trauma
Based on these findings, efforts to prevent childhood trauma could potentially reduce the prevalence of the cancer, obesity, heart disease and the many other diseases linked to ACE.
The study lists the creation of stronger communities and parental support as a method to reduce the incidence of childhood trauma and suggests using the CDC’s Adverse Childhood Experiences page and corresponding literature on Preventing ACE as an online resource for neighborhoods to create stable and nurturing environments for youth. Examples of these preventative measures include:
Stable work environments with family-friendly work policies
Public education campaigns promoting positive parenting practices
High-quality childhood care
Emotional learning programs to increase youth resilience to handle emotional stress
Mentoring programs that connect children to stable and nurturing adults
Intervention strategies
Promoting social norms that protect against violence
Implementing such safety precautions in homes and neighborhoods and encouraging stable home environments for children could be a vital step in preventing later illness.
Unnecessary Childhood Medical Trauma
In addition to trauma experienced in the home, research shows that early, unnecessary medical trauma may be a contributing factor in adult disease progression. Infants born in hospitals or in need of intense medical care may be subjected to painful and traumatic experiences such as cesarean deliveries, blood tests, male circumcisions and vaccinations, often without suitable pain relief medications.[v]
In light of the CDC’s study, these often unnecessary procedures should be considered carefully. For more information on birth trauma and possible side effects, or to learn about natural birthing options, visit our GMI Natural Birth Resource Page.
About the Author
The GMI Research Group (GMIRG) is dedicated to investigating the most important health and environmental issues of the day. Special emphasis will be placed on environmental health. Our focused and deep research will explore the many ways in which the present condition of the human body directly reflects the true state of the ambient environment.
References
[i] Merrick MT, Ford DC, Ports KA, et al. Vital Signs: Estimated Proportion of Adult Health Problems Attributable to Adverse Childhood Experiences and Implications for Prevention — 25 States, 2015-2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019;68:999-1005.
[ii] Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults Felitti, Vincent J et al. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 14, Issue 4, 245 – 258
[iii] Merrick MT, Ford DC, Ports KA, et al. Vital Signs: Estimated Proportion of Adult Health Problems Attributable to Adverse Childhood Experiences and Implications for Prevention — 25 States, 2015-2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019;68:999-1005.
[iv] Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Presence of Cancer Risk Factors in Adulthood: A Scoping Review of the Literature From 2005 to 2015
Katie Ports-Dawn Holman-Angie Guinn-Sanjana Pampati-Karen Dyer-Melissa Merrick-Natasha Lunsford-Marilyn Metzler – Journal of Pediatric Nursing – 2019
[v] eLife 2015;4:e06356 DOI: 10.7554/eLife.06356
© [01/18/20] GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here //www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.


wakingtimes--2020-01-23--Physicists Just Achieved Quantum Teleportation Between Computer Chips for the First Time

“ Quantum ” may possibly have been one of the most common words we ’ ve been reading , listening to , and even writing about last year—and there is a big reason for that… quantum is no longer the future , quantum is now .
Physicists have been able to demonstrate quantum teleportation between two computer chips for the first time .
A few years ago , we were just beginning to understand the main aspects of quantum physics .
Even Albert Einstein died not agreeing with a lot of the theories enclosing this new world for physics because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matching ” the special relativity theory ( that ’ s one of the reasons why the “ theory of everything , ” explaining how everything was created in a physical perspective hasn ’ t been published yet ) .
But not understanding everything about quantum physics doesn ’ t mean we can ’ t take advantage of its amazing properties , one of them being entanglement .
Entanglement describes how when a pair or group of particles is generated , interact , or share spatial proximity and the quantum state of each particle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of the fundamental contrasts between classical and quantum physics .
Scientists from the University of Bristol , in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark ( DTU ) , have successfully developed chip-scale devices that are able to exploit the application of quantum physics by generating and manipulating single particles of light within programmable nano-scale circuits .
These chips encode quantum information in light generated inside the circuits and can process information with high efficiency and extremely low noise .
This could be translated into an ability to create more complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quantum computing and communications , that in the present , are the most powerful supercomputers that exist .
Quantum teleportation offers quantum state transfer of a quantum particle from one place to another by utilizing entanglement .
Establishing this entangled communication in the lab was not easy stuff .
“ We were able to demonstrate a high-quality entanglement link across two chips in the lab , where photons on either chip share a single quantum state , ” Bristol Co-author Dan Llewellyn said .
“ Each chip was then fully programmed to perform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entanglement… the flagship demonstration was a two-chip teleportation experiment , whereby the individual quantum state of a particle is transmitted across the two chips after a quantum measurement is performed .
This measurement utilizes the strange behavior of quantum physics , which simultaneously collapses the entanglement link and transfers the particle state to another particle already on the receiver chip.
” “ Based on our previous result of on-chip high-quality single-photon sources , we have built an even more complex circuit containing four sources… all of these sources are tested and found to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is an essential criterion for the set of experiments we had performed , such as entanglement swapping.
” The results showed efficiency in the quantum teleportation of 91 percent and other important features such as entanglement swapping used for quantum repeaters and networks and four-photon GHZ states , required in quantum computing and quantum internet .
These developments are predicted to have immense impacts on modern society , quantum physics is here to stay .

Physicists Just Achieved Quantum Teleportation Between Computer Chips for the First Time
Manuel Garcia Aguilar, The Mind Unleashed
Waking Times
“Quantum” may possibly have been one of the most common words we’ve been reading, listening to, and even writing about last year—and there is a big reason for that… quantum is no longer the future, quantum is now.
Physicists have been able to demonstrate quantum teleportation between two computer chips for the first time.
A few years ago, we were just beginning to understand the main aspects of quantum physics. Even Albert Einstein died not agreeing with a lot of the theories enclosing this new world for physics because in some aspects it was not “matching” the special relativity theory (that’s one of the reasons why the “theory of everything,” explaining how everything was created in a physical perspective hasn’t been published yet).
But not understanding everything about quantum physics doesn’t mean we can’t take advantage of its amazing properties, one of them being entanglement. Entanglement describes how when a pair or group of particles is generated, interact, or share spatial proximity and the quantum state of each particle cannot be described independently, this is one of the fundamental contrasts between classical and quantum physics.
Scientists from the University of Bristol, in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), have successfully developed chip-scale devices that are able to exploit the application of quantum physics by generating and manipulating single particles of light within programmable nano-scale circuits.
These chips encode quantum information in light generated inside the circuits and can process information with high efficiency and extremely low noise. This could be translated into an ability to create more complex quantum circuits that nowadays are required in quantum computing and communications, that in the present, are the most powerful supercomputers that exist.
Quantum teleportation offers quantum state transfer of a quantum particle from one place to another by utilizing entanglement. Establishing this entangled communication in the lab was not easy stuff.
“We were able to demonstrate a high-quality entanglement link across two chips in the lab, where photons on either chip share a single quantum state,” Bristol Co-author Dan Llewellyn said. “Each chip was then fully programmed to perform a range of demonstrations which utilize the entanglement… the flagship demonstration was a two-chip teleportation experiment, whereby the individual quantum state of a particle is transmitted across the two chips after a quantum measurement is performed. This measurement utilizes the strange behavior of quantum physics, which simultaneously collapses the entanglement link and transfers the particle state to another particle already on the receiver chip.”
Dr. Imad Faruque, another co-author, added:
“Based on our previous result of on-chip high-quality single-photon sources, we have built an even more complex circuit containing four sources… all of these sources are tested and found to be nearly identical emitting nearly identical photons, which is an essential criterion for the set of experiments we had performed, such as entanglement swapping.”
The results showed efficiency in the quantum teleportation of 91 percent and other important features such as entanglement swapping used for quantum repeaters and networks and four-photon GHZ states, required in quantum computing and quantum internet.
These developments are predicted to have immense impacts on modern society, quantum physics is here to stay.


wakingtimes--2020-01-23--Tesla Is Cutting Down “Thousands Of Trees” To Put Up Its German Gigafactory 4

It ’ s another wonderful case of Elon Musk telling the world “ do as I say , not as I do ” … Emboldened by the success of Tesla ’ s Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai ( i.e .
it caused a short squeeze in the stock ) , the company is now pushing non-stop to get its Gigafactory 4 , which will be located in Gruenheide , outside of Berlin , Germany , up and running .
The company is taking a direct swipe at major German auto manufacturers like BMW and Volkswagen with the decision to put its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the site could churn out as many as 500,000 cars per year and employ 12,000 people .
The plant is slated to include a pressing plant , paint shop and seat manufacturing in a building that will be 2,440 feet long .
Musk announced the news that the plant would be coming to Germany at a ceremony in Berlin last November .
The “ investment ” in the area has turned the town of 8,700 people into a major attraction , with proposals for U.S. style shopping malls and apartment buildings coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Many people hope that the factory will help the area develop things like public transit .
Ask Tesla ’ s Buffalo factory how that worked out for them .
However , in a strange twist of irony , to build the factory Tesla needs to clear “ thousands of trees ” .
So much for saving the environment… In fact , the company has to clear so much forest space to put up its factory that dozens of protesters recently organized a gathering known as a “ Forest Walk ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities at the site , according to Teslarati .
The protesters were dressed in yellow vests , replicating the “ Yellow Vest Movement ” in France and are also concerned about what the deforestation may do to the drinking water in the area .
Some members of the group said they would return the following week and that they may begin to take legal action against the company .
Group spokesperson Nadine Rothmaier said : “ I think every citizen here has his own topic .
For some , it is nature and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also emit pollutants that pollute the region.
” Tesla says it has to relocate numerous species of animals in the area to avoid harming them .
The company “ plans to accelerate the initial deforestation activities in the area so as not to interrupt bird breeding that begins in early March ” and says it intends on replacing the trees it cuts down .
We won ’ t hold our breath waiting for that .
By Tyler Durden of Zero Hedge .

Tesla Is Cutting Down “Thousands Of Trees” To Put Up Its German Gigafactory 4
Tyler Durden, Zero Hedge
Waking Times
It’s another wonderful case of Elon Musk telling the world “do as I say, not as I do”…
Emboldened by the success of Tesla’s Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai (i.e. it caused a short squeeze in the stock), the company is now pushing non-stop to get its Gigafactory 4, which will be located in Gruenheide, outside of Berlin, Germany, up and running.
The company is taking a direct swipe at major German auto manufacturers like BMW and Volkswagen with the decision to put its factory in Germany.
Juergen Pieper, a Frankfurt-based analyst with Bankhaus Metzler said: “Elon Musk is going where his strongest competitors are, right into the heart of the global auto industry. No other foreign carmaker has done that in decades given Germany’s high wages, powerful unions and high taxes.”
The company hopes that the site could churn out as many as 500,000 cars per year and employ 12,000 people.
The plant is slated to include a pressing plant, paint shop and seat manufacturing in a building that will be 2,440 feet long. Musk announced the news that the plant would be coming to Germany at a ceremony in Berlin last November.
Local Mayor Arne Christiani told Bloomberg: “It gives young people with a good education or a university degree the possibility to stay in our region—an option that didn’t exist in past years.”
The “investment” in the area has turned the town of 8,700 people into a major attraction, with proposals for U.S. style shopping malls and apartment buildings coming across the desk of local officials every day. Many people hope that the factory will help the area develop things like public transit.
Ask Tesla’s Buffalo factory how that worked out for them.
However, in a strange twist of irony, to build the factory Tesla needs to clear “thousands of trees”.
So much for saving the environment…
In fact, the company has to clear so much forest space to put up its factory that dozens of protesters recently organized a gathering known as a “Forest Walk” to protect against Tesla’s tree removal activities at the site, according to Teslarati.
The protesters were dressed in yellow vests, replicating the “Yellow Vest Movement” in France and are also concerned about what the deforestation may do to the drinking water in the area.
Some members of the group said they would return the following week and that they may begin to take legal action against the company.
“We will also raise objections to Tesla’s environmental impact assessment in the normal legal way,” one protester said.
Group spokesperson Nadine Rothmaier said: “I think every citizen here has his own topic. For some, it is nature and the forest or people. The factory will also emit pollutants that pollute the region.”
Tesla says it has to relocate numerous species of animals in the area to avoid harming them. The company “plans to accelerate the initial deforestation activities in the area so as not to interrupt bird breeding that begins in early March” and says it intends on replacing the trees it cuts down.
We won’t hold our breath waiting for that.
By Tyler Durden of Zero Hedge.