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Post by mhbruin on Jan 8, 2023 9:30:54 GMT -8
Cow have hooves because they lactose.
China Lets People Spread the Love --- And COVID
China has reopened its borders to international visitors for the first time since it imposed travel restrictions in March 2020.
Incoming travellers will no longer need to quarantine - marking a significant change in the country's Covid policy as it battles a surge in cases.
They will still require proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of travelling.
The move has been welcomed by many eager to reunite with family.
In Hong Kong, 400,000 people are expected to travel into mainland China in the coming weeks with long queues for flights into cities including Beijing and Xiamen.
On Sunday, double-decker coaches packed with travellers arrived at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to catch buses to the Guangdong province - among them were college students returning home.
One man told the BBC he hadn't seen his extended family in five years and could not hold back his excitement, having just bought a ticket back to China.
A woman told news agency Reuters she had not seen her parents in years - despite one of them suffering from colon cancer - and said she was "so, so happy".
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Post by mhbruin on Jan 8, 2023 9:32:35 GMT -8
Need More Masks? Buy Them Now.
As Covid infections surge across China, the U.S. again risks falling short of medical supplies as that country struggles to keep factories running and goods flowing out of its ports.
U.S. hospitals, health care companies and federal officials worked to lessen their dependence on China for medical goods after the first wave of Covid infections in 2020 laid bare the major role China plays in manufacturing such crucial items as masks, latex gloves and surgical gowns, along with the key drugs and components in many medical devices.
Those efforts over the past three years are expected to be tested in the coming weeks and months as the virus rolls through China following the lifting of nearly all Covid restrictions there last month. China has stopped releasing official figures for infections and deaths, but media reports show hospitals overwhelmed with patients, funeral homes out of space for bodies, and factories unable to operate with so many workers ill.
People look after their elderly relatives lying on stretchers and receiving intravenous drips while using ventilators at the Changhai Hospital hall in Shanghai, China, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. As COVID-19 rips through China, other countries and the World Health Organization are calling on its government to share more comprehensive data on the outbreak. Some even say many of the reported numbers are meaningless.
The U.S. is already grappling with unrelated shortages of medications for children, including pain relievers and antibiotics.
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Post by mhbruin on Jan 8, 2023 9:34:14 GMT -8
It's Not My Default
Raising the debt limit was once routine but has become increasingly difficult over the past few decades, with Republicans using the cap as a cudgel to force spending reductions. Their leverage stems from the potential damage to the economy if the limit is not increased. Lifting the debt limit does not authorize any new spending; it just allows the United States to finance existing obligations. If that cap is not lifted, the government would be unable to pay all of its bills, which include salaries for military members and Social Security payments.
The exception to the debt-limit drama was the four years of Donald J. Trump’s presidency, when Republicans largely abandoned their push to tie increases in the limit to cuts in federal spending. In 2021, Senate Republicans clashed with Mr. Biden as the deadline for raising the limit approached, but those lawmakers ultimately helped Democrats pass a law increasing the cap.
Some Democrats pushed to avoid this scenario last year, when it became clear that their party would likely lose at least one chamber of Congress. They hoped to raise the limit again in the lame-duck session of Congress after the November elections that delivered House control to Republicans, to avoid any chance of a default before the 2024 presidential election. But the effort never gained traction.
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Post by mhbruin on Jan 8, 2023 9:38:38 GMT -8
Who Won the Week?
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, sworn in as the new left-leaning president of Brazil, while his MAGA-style predecessor Bolsonaro fled the country
Dr. Anthony Fauci, for wrapping up a remarkable 40-year career---from AIDS to Covid---as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
President Biden: promotes infrastructure at now-being-rebuilt Brent Spence Bridge; boffo Dec. jobs report; awards medals to heroes of Jan. 6 coup & 2020 election; leads nation while GOP devolves into chaos
The FTC, for proposing a rule that would ban non-compete agreements for U.S. workers in an effort to increase wages and employee mobility, and improve competition
Karma, as alpha-male school flunky Elon Musk becomes the first person to lose $200 billion
Governor Ned Lamont (D-CT), for erasing 42,964 cannabis convictions as a step toward ending the terrible effects of the "War on Drugs"
The Democratic-led U.S. Senate, where members (inc. freshmen Fetterman of PA and Welch of VT) were sworn in and got to work on Day 1. Bonus: Patty Murray now 1st woman to be Senate president pro tem
The FDA, for announcing a rule change to allow retail pharmacies big and small to dispense abortion pills, significantly expanding abortion-by-medication access
The giddy camera operators for C-SPAN, who can focus on anyone anywhere inside the House chamber until a new Speaker makes them go back to one locked-down camera
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Post by mhbruin on Jan 8, 2023 9:40:43 GMT -8
Enough is Enough
A “Snakes on a Plane” situation at Tampa International Airport was fortuitously prevented when Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered an enormous boa constrictor inside the carry-on bag of an unidentified passenger.
TSA publicized the incident on Dec. 15 in a pun-laden Instagram post and had no qualms about making light of the matter.
“There’s a danger noodle in that bag…,” it read. “Our officers at Tampa International Airport didn’t find this hyssssssterical! Coiled up in a passenger’s carry-on was a 4’ boa constrictor! We have no adder-ation for discovering any pet going through an x-ray machine.”
Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokesperson, confirmed the passenger was a woman. Farbstein told CNN that the transportation agency notified the airline she was “ticketed to fly on,” and — in perhaps the least surprising decision — “the airline did not permit the snake on the plane.”
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Post by mhbruin on Jan 8, 2023 9:42:07 GMT -8
It's a List in a Magazine, People. Get a Grip!
When Rolling Stone released its list of “The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time” at the beginning of the year, Celine Dion fans were flabbergasted she wasn’t included in the rankings. Friday, a devoted group of idolizers flocked to the magazine’s New York City offices to protest.
The outlet covered the gathering itself and documented the many slogans adorning protesters’ signs. From “Justice for Celine” and “Rolling Stone Is Stoned” to “I Drove All Night to Be Here,” the group — which calls itself the Red Heads — was eager to be heard.
“Obviously, you made a big mistake forgetting her name on the big list you published last week,” founder Line Basbous told Rolling Stone. “We wanted to make sure that you understand that you missed the best singer in the world. She should be the first name on your list.”
Rolling Stone noted in the introduction to the list that it was composed of the greatest singers rather than the greatest voices. However, it controversially included artists like Kelly Clarkson (No. 194) over Dion. For the Red Heads, this couldn’t stand.
The group was simply a devoted Facebook page before 15 members took the six-hour drive from Montreal to New York, per Variety. They gathered outside the outlet’s offices in midtown Manhattan to blast Dion’s music — and to enlighten Rolling Stone staff, including video producer Ilana Woldenberg who spoke with them.
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Post by mhbruin on Jan 8, 2023 9:47:29 GMT -8
Will It Still Be Sal Tlay Ka Siti Without Sal Tlay Ka?
Scholars and conservationists released a briefing this week urging emergency water-saving measures to prevent the looming collapse of Utah's Great Salt Lake.
Water levels at Utah's Great Salt Lake drop to record low for second time in a year
Without an urgent, dramatic increase in water flow, "the lake as we know it is on track to disappear in five years," stated the report, led by Benjamin Abbott, a professor of ecosystem ecology at Brigham Young University.
Decades of overconsumption of water throughout the region, and a mega-drought made worse by climate change, threaten to further shrink the lake and cause great harm to the region’s public health, environment and economy, Abbott told USA TODAY.
Politicians, residents, farmers and industry made great strides forward in recent years, he said, but “extraordinary, emergency measures” are needed to be better stewards.
The Great Salt Lake lies along a critical flyway, attracting an estimated 10 million birds a year. Roughly 350 bird species depend on its ecosystems.
It provides $2.5 billion in direct economic productivity, primarily from mineral extraction, recreation and brine shrimp harvesting, and supports 9,000 jobs.
Evaporation from the lake increases annual snowfall in nearby mountains and ski resorts by 5-10%, supporting an additional $1.8 billion in economic activity.
Its water suppresses heavy metals and cyanotoxins that accumulated in sediments over hundreds of years. When sediments are exposed, toxic dust can blow all over the country, Bennett said. "Already dust from the lake has been observed as far away as Wyoming and Arizona.”
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Post by mhbruin on Jan 8, 2023 9:49:53 GMT -8
The $8 Million Dollar Man
Thoughts and prayers were with Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin after he collapsed on the field and was taken by ambulance to UC Medical Center during the first quarter of the Buffalo-Cincinnati game on Monday Night Football.
Many wanted to contribute to a cause that was meaningful to Hamlin. The GoFundMe Hamlin started for the Chasing M's Foundation community toy drive in Hamlin's hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, accepted many donations after Hamlin's injury.
Just days after Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest, the drive had surpassed $8 million. Its initial goal was $2,500. GoFundMe verified via Twitter that the fundraiser belongs to the Bills' safety.
It Must Be All Those Fantasy Sports Leagues
As the football world hopes for more good news about Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s recovery, some fans are wondering how to address a small elephant in the room: What to do about unfinished fantasy football leagues?
Monday was the final day for many leagues, and with the NFL deciding to not to replay Monday’s Bengals-Bills game, an issue arises in how to declare a winner. Some leagues have decided to forgo determining champions and instead donate their pots to Hamlin’s charity via GoFundMe.
“A lot of fantasy football leagues are donating their prize pots to the fundraiser. You can find at least a handful using the league name as the donor name,” a GoFundMe spokesperson told CNN on Wednesday.
“Just scrolled through the top donors list as Damar Hamlin’s GoFundMe has surpassed $7M and among the many celebrities to give, I noticed another group starting to show up… Fantasy football leagues,” tweeted Jon Scott, a Buffalo Bills beat reporter for Spectrum News 1, on Thursday. “What an awesome way to handle a unique end to championships — unselfishly.”
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hasben
Resident Member
Posts: 1,022
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Post by hasben on Jan 8, 2023 9:55:47 GMT -8
discovered an enormous boa constrictor inside the carry-on bag
passenger’s carry-on was a 4’ boa constrictor!
A 4' boa is a baby. Completely harmless. They should have let it on maybe with a zip tie to keep anyone from opening the bag.
Lots of things on that plane are a hell of a lot more dangerous than a little snake.
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Post by sagobob on Jan 8, 2023 20:45:32 GMT -8
discovered an enormous boa constrictor inside the carry-on bag passenger’s carry-on was a 4’ boa constrictor! A 4' boa is a baby. Completely harmless. They should have let it on maybe with a zip tie to keep anyone from opening the bag. Lots of things on that plane are a hell of a lot more dangerous than a little snake. Is there any reason to bring in a boa constrictor? Do they make cuddly pets? And as I pen this the native fauna in the FL everglades are under threat from Burmese pythons. There are better pets. |
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hasben
Resident Member
Posts: 1,022
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Post by hasben on Jan 9, 2023 7:32:05 GMT -8
discovered an enormous boa constrictor inside the carry-on bag passenger’s carry-on was a 4’ boa constrictor! A 4' boa is a baby. Completely harmless. They should have let it on maybe with a zip tie to keep anyone from opening the bag. Lots of things on that plane are a hell of a lot more dangerous than a little snake. Is there any reason to bring in a boa constrictor? Do they make cuddly pets? And as I pen this the native fauna in the FL everglades are under threat from Burmese pythons. There are better pets. Well, that's a matter of opinion. Reptile owners care as much about their pets as dog owners. I love dogs and reptiles and have had reptiles most of my life. IMO all exotic animal imports of every species should be banned from snakes to birds to tigers. But there are millions of snakes and reptiles already here. We shouldn't get upset about the harmless ones. The everglades problem started when hurricane Michael destroyed a reptile breeding facility in Homestead and released hundreds of baby pythons in 1992. Irresponsible pet owners have since made it worse. Again IMO exotic (foreign breeds) snakes should not be imported or bred in the US. My snakes were all colubrids or domestic species of harmless snakes. |
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