Facebook Moves to Stop Illegal Sale of Amazon Rainforest on Marketplace
Months after a BBC investigation found protected land being sold on Facebook Marketplace in Brazil, the social media giant says it’s finally taking action.
That’s what investigative journalists for the BBC found earlier this year when they went shopping on Facebook Marketplace in Brazil. As the British news giant reported in February, entering the Portuguese words for “forest,” “native jungle,” and “timber” into the Facebook Marketplace search bar often yields a disturbing result: plots of protected Amazon rainforest for sale illegally to unscrupulous buyers. https://www.treehugger.com/facebook-moves-to-stop-illegal-sale-of-amazon-rainforest-on-marketplace-5205836
Months after a BBC investigation found protected land being sold on Facebook Marketplace in Brazil, the social media giant says it’s finally taking action.
That’s what investigative journalists for the BBC found earlier this year when they went shopping on Facebook Marketplace in Brazil. As the British news giant reported in February, entering the Portuguese words for “forest,” “native jungle,” and “timber” into the Facebook Marketplace search bar often yields a disturbing result: plots of protected Amazon rainforest for sale illegally to unscrupulous buyers. https://www.treehugger.com/facebook-moves-to-stop-illegal-sale-of-amazon-rainforest-on-marketplace-5205836
US Set to Pay $712 Per Patient for Merck’s COVID-19 Pill 🤦🏼♂️
Merck is set to get $712 per treatment course for its COVID-19 pill from the U.S. government—even as it costs a fraction of that to produce, and is reportedly on track for a price of $12 in India.
The gap between production costs and the price for molnupiravir is gigantic and emblematic of a problem some say requires Congress or the U.S. government to intervene, implementing price caps or utilizing so-called march-in rights. Others, though, warn that such measures would curb innovation and lead to fewer drugs coming onto the market.
Researchers this month pegged the cost of production for the 5-day treatment course at $17.74 (pdf) and estimated Merck could make a sustainable amount even if it priced a course as low as $19.99.
[Article]
@wokeinteldrops
Merck is set to get $712 per treatment course for its COVID-19 pill from the U.S. government—even as it costs a fraction of that to produce, and is reportedly on track for a price of $12 in India.
The gap between production costs and the price for molnupiravir is gigantic and emblematic of a problem some say requires Congress or the U.S. government to intervene, implementing price caps or utilizing so-called march-in rights. Others, though, warn that such measures would curb innovation and lead to fewer drugs coming onto the market.
Researchers this month pegged the cost of production for the 5-day treatment course at $17.74 (pdf) and estimated Merck could make a sustainable amount even if it priced a course as low as $19.99.
[Article]
@wokeinteldrops
Forwarded from West Coast News & Discussion
CHINA TESTED A NEW CAPABILITY ENABLING A NUCLEAR STRIKE ON ANY TARGET ON EARTH WITH NEAR-IMPUNITY & LITTLE TO NO WARNING
The U.S. was reportedly caught totally off-guard by it.
China has tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle that goes into space and traverses the globe in an orbital-like fashion before making its run through the atmosphere toward its target.
The trial flight which was undisclosed by Beijing occurred sometime in August. Instead of carrying a traditional nuclear-armed reentry vehicle, this system carries a hypersonic glide that could make a very long maneuvering flight through the atmosphere at very high speeds to its target.
The concept has a potential to bypass not just missile defenses, but even many early warning capabilities making it a challenge to intercept. Hypersonic glide vehicles themselves are also very tough to kill with no real defense against them available at this time. [ Article ]
#China #USDefense
@westcoastintel
The U.S. was reportedly caught totally off-guard by it.
China has tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle that goes into space and traverses the globe in an orbital-like fashion before making its run through the atmosphere toward its target.
The trial flight which was undisclosed by Beijing occurred sometime in August. Instead of carrying a traditional nuclear-armed reentry vehicle, this system carries a hypersonic glide that could make a very long maneuvering flight through the atmosphere at very high speeds to its target.
The concept has a potential to bypass not just missile defenses, but even many early warning capabilities making it a challenge to intercept. Hypersonic glide vehicles themselves are also very tough to kill with no real defense against them available at this time. [ Article ]
#China #USDefense
@westcoastintel
Forwarded from West Coast News & Discussion
THE CHINESE MILITARY JUST LAUNCHED A HYPERSONIC NUCLEAR-CAPABLE MISSILE INTO SPACE THAT CIRCLED THE ENTIRE GLOBE AT LOW ORBIT
Are you paying attention yet?
China has space nukes and American Generals are posting pictures of their feet on Twitter.
Are you paying attention yet?
China has space nukes and American Generals are posting pictures of their feet on Twitter.
ZF and Oxbotica to develop Level 4 autonomous vehicles
In a statement, Paul Newman, co-founder and CTO of autonomous vehicle software company Oxbotica said: “Partnering with ZF in developing an on-road passenger and goods transportation solution is an important milestone in Oxbotica’s commercial autonomy strategy. Our product will bring new options to cities and transport operators around the globe who must solve the complex mobility challenges of the future. The way people and goods move is changing.”
https://www.theengineer.co.uk/zf-oxbotica-level-4-autonomy/
In a statement, Paul Newman, co-founder and CTO of autonomous vehicle software company Oxbotica said: “Partnering with ZF in developing an on-road passenger and goods transportation solution is an important milestone in Oxbotica’s commercial autonomy strategy. Our product will bring new options to cities and transport operators around the globe who must solve the complex mobility challenges of the future. The way people and goods move is changing.”
https://www.theengineer.co.uk/zf-oxbotica-level-4-autonomy/
We’ve mastered acoustic levitation – and it is surprisingly useful
Sonic tractor beams lift and manipulate objects with sound waves. They could be used to precisely deliver drugs inside our bodies or assemble delicate computer chips in mid air.
It is more than just a nifty trick. Tractor beams function like invisible robot arms, letting us move, separate and purify sensitive material, such as living cells or electronic components. This could be the basis of a form of contactless manufacturing that near eliminates the risk of contamination or breakage. They can also be used to make a new kind of holographic display. https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25133520-800-weve-mastered-acoustic-levitation-and-it-is-surprisingly-useful/
Sonic tractor beams lift and manipulate objects with sound waves. They could be used to precisely deliver drugs inside our bodies or assemble delicate computer chips in mid air.
It is more than just a nifty trick. Tractor beams function like invisible robot arms, letting us move, separate and purify sensitive material, such as living cells or electronic components. This could be the basis of a form of contactless manufacturing that near eliminates the risk of contamination or breakage. They can also be used to make a new kind of holographic display. https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25133520-800-weve-mastered-acoustic-levitation-and-it-is-surprisingly-useful/
Hackers just stole personal data from millions of Acer customers
The hack was recently reported by the hackers themselves and was later confirmed to be true by Acer. Desorden has managed to breach Acer’s servers in India and obtain massive amounts of data. The data consists of both consumer and corporate accounts. According to Desorden, the “affected customer data are in the millions.”
As proof of the data breach, the hacker group published over 10,000 accounts of private customer data. The remaining data will be put for sale, and the post has already gathered some interest from potential buyers. The hackers haven’t made it clear whether they wish to sell the data on the underground market, or they simply want Acer to pay a ransom for it. https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/acer-was-hacked-again-lost-personal-data-of-millions/
The hack was recently reported by the hackers themselves and was later confirmed to be true by Acer. Desorden has managed to breach Acer’s servers in India and obtain massive amounts of data. The data consists of both consumer and corporate accounts. According to Desorden, the “affected customer data are in the millions.”
As proof of the data breach, the hacker group published over 10,000 accounts of private customer data. The remaining data will be put for sale, and the post has already gathered some interest from potential buyers. The hackers haven’t made it clear whether they wish to sell the data on the underground market, or they simply want Acer to pay a ransom for it. https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/acer-was-hacked-again-lost-personal-data-of-millions/
Security News This Week: Hackers Keep Targeting the US Water Supply
Plus: The biggest Twitch hack, an iOS zero day, and more of the week's top security news.
In 2020, a former employee at a Kansas water facility accessed and tampered with its controls remotely. And that's before you even get to the four ransomware attacks that intelligence officials documented this week, in a joint warning about the ongoing threats that hackers pose to US water and wastewater facilities. The alert notes that water treatment plants tend to invest in physical infrastructure rather than IT resources, and tend to use outdated versions of software, both of which leave them susceptible to attack. https://www.wired.com/story/water-supply-hackers-ios-zero-day-navy-spy-security-news/
Plus: The biggest Twitch hack, an iOS zero day, and more of the week's top security news.
In 2020, a former employee at a Kansas water facility accessed and tampered with its controls remotely. And that's before you even get to the four ransomware attacks that intelligence officials documented this week, in a joint warning about the ongoing threats that hackers pose to US water and wastewater facilities. The alert notes that water treatment plants tend to invest in physical infrastructure rather than IT resources, and tend to use outdated versions of software, both of which leave them susceptible to attack. https://www.wired.com/story/water-supply-hackers-ios-zero-day-navy-spy-security-news/
Facebook: Journos, activists to get more protection from bullying
Facebook Inc. will now count activists and journalists as “involuntary” public figures and so increase protections against harassment and bullying targeted at these groups, its global safety chief said in an interview this week.
The social media company, which allows more critical commentary of public figures than of private individuals, is changing its approach on the harassment of journalists and “human rights defenders,” who it says are in the public eye due to their work rather than their public personas.
Facebook is under wide-ranging scrutiny from global lawmakers and regulators over its content moderation practices and harms linked to its platforms, with internal documents leaked by a whistleblower forming the basis for a US Senate hearing last week. https://technology.inquirer.net/112524/facebook-journos-activists-to-get-more-protection-from-bullying
Facebook Inc. will now count activists and journalists as “involuntary” public figures and so increase protections against harassment and bullying targeted at these groups, its global safety chief said in an interview this week.
The social media company, which allows more critical commentary of public figures than of private individuals, is changing its approach on the harassment of journalists and “human rights defenders,” who it says are in the public eye due to their work rather than their public personas.
Facebook is under wide-ranging scrutiny from global lawmakers and regulators over its content moderation practices and harms linked to its platforms, with internal documents leaked by a whistleblower forming the basis for a US Senate hearing last week. https://technology.inquirer.net/112524/facebook-journos-activists-to-get-more-protection-from-bullying
15 US missionaries and family kidnapped in Haiti–security source
Armed gangs, which for years have controlled the poorest districts of the Haitian capital, have extended their hold to other parts of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings, sowing terror with kidnappings.
More than 600 kidnappings were recorded in the first three quarters of 2021, compared with 231 over the same period last year, according to the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, a civil society group based in the Haitian capital. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1502917/15-us-missionaries-and-family-kidnapped-in-haiti-security-source
Armed gangs, which for years have controlled the poorest districts of the Haitian capital, have extended their hold to other parts of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings, sowing terror with kidnappings.
More than 600 kidnappings were recorded in the first three quarters of 2021, compared with 231 over the same period last year, according to the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, a civil society group based in the Haitian capital. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1502917/15-us-missionaries-and-family-kidnapped-in-haiti-security-source
Asteroid 2021 TG14 to fly by Earth at 0.6 LD on October 18
https://watchers.news/2021/10/17/asteroid-2021-tg14/
https://watchers.news/2021/10/17/asteroid-2021-tg14/
ShakeOut 2021: Earthquake Awareness Enables Community Preparedness
Be prepared and join millions of people participating in Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills worldwide October 21st. During the drill, participants practice “Drop! Cover! and Hold On!” and other recommended safety actions to take during an earthquake. There are even resources for people with disabilities available at the Earthquake Country Alliance Accessibility site.
https://www.usgs.gov/news/shakeout-2021-earthquake-awareness-enables-community-preparedness
Be prepared and join millions of people participating in Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills worldwide October 21st. During the drill, participants practice “Drop! Cover! and Hold On!” and other recommended safety actions to take during an earthquake. There are even resources for people with disabilities available at the Earthquake Country Alliance Accessibility site.
https://www.usgs.gov/news/shakeout-2021-earthquake-awareness-enables-community-preparedness
Study: Up To 95 Percent of Serious Adverse Reactions To Drugs Go Under-Reported
This is concerning given the fact that prescription drugs are the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer in the United States and Europe.
As of today there are approximately 17,000 deaths and 25,000 permanent disabilities, and 80,000 hospitalizations reported to VAERS regarding the COVID vaccines in the United States alone.
https://thepulse.one/2021/10/16/study-up-to-95-percent-of-serious-adverse-reactions-to-drugs-go-under-reported/
This is concerning given the fact that prescription drugs are the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer in the United States and Europe.
As of today there are approximately 17,000 deaths and 25,000 permanent disabilities, and 80,000 hospitalizations reported to VAERS regarding the COVID vaccines in the United States alone.
https://thepulse.one/2021/10/16/study-up-to-95-percent-of-serious-adverse-reactions-to-drugs-go-under-reported/
John Hopkins Medical Prof Explains: Natural COVID Immunity Is Very Strong
Approximately twenty studies have now emerged regarding natural immunity to COVID. All of them point to the fact that natural immunity acquired through a COVID infection can be quite robust. Emphasizing this may seem like a broken record to many independent media journalists, but it’s important to continue to do so given the fact that science continues to go ignored by governments around the world. It doesn’t make sense why natural immunity is not included in health policy decisions.
More than 15 studies have demonstrated the power of immunity acquired by previously having the virus. A 700,000-person study from Israel two weeks ago found that those who had experienced prior infections were 27 times less likely to get a second symptomatic covid infection than those who were vaccinated. https://thepulse.one/2021/10/15/john-hopkins-medical-prof-explains-natural-covid-immunity-is-very-strong/
Approximately twenty studies have now emerged regarding natural immunity to COVID. All of them point to the fact that natural immunity acquired through a COVID infection can be quite robust. Emphasizing this may seem like a broken record to many independent media journalists, but it’s important to continue to do so given the fact that science continues to go ignored by governments around the world. It doesn’t make sense why natural immunity is not included in health policy decisions.
More than 15 studies have demonstrated the power of immunity acquired by previously having the virus. A 700,000-person study from Israel two weeks ago found that those who had experienced prior infections were 27 times less likely to get a second symptomatic covid infection than those who were vaccinated. https://thepulse.one/2021/10/15/john-hopkins-medical-prof-explains-natural-covid-immunity-is-very-strong/
Biden Seems Unaware That Vaccinated People Can Still Spread COVID
The Facts:
During a speech in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, Joe Biden made it clear he did not know vaccinated people can still spread COVID.
The CDC has announced on numerous occasions that the vaccinated can be just as infectious as the unvaccinated.
https://thepulse.one/2021/10/12/biden-seems-unaware-that-vaccinated-people-can-still-spread-covid/
The Facts:
During a speech in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, Joe Biden made it clear he did not know vaccinated people can still spread COVID.
The CDC has announced on numerous occasions that the vaccinated can be just as infectious as the unvaccinated.
https://thepulse.one/2021/10/12/biden-seems-unaware-that-vaccinated-people-can-still-spread-covid/
Boeing employees planning #FreedomFlu sickout Fridays in response to covid “vaccine” mandate
Leaked documents suggest that another mass “sickout” event will soon take place, this time at Boeing, which recently threatened its unvaccinated employees with termination if they refuse to get shot for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).
“Boeing has acted in bad faith and knew months ago that they were going to mandate us at the end of the year,” one of the memos reads. “They told us it was going to happen.”
“They are now leading the world to believe we have ample time to make a decision by Dec. 8th. That’s a lie. We are now protesting at the union and we are now doing the #FreedomFlu.” https://www.naturalnews.com/2021-10-17-boeing-employees-freedomflu-sickout-covid-vaccine-mandate.html
Leaked documents suggest that another mass “sickout” event will soon take place, this time at Boeing, which recently threatened its unvaccinated employees with termination if they refuse to get shot for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).
“Boeing has acted in bad faith and knew months ago that they were going to mandate us at the end of the year,” one of the memos reads. “They told us it was going to happen.”
“They are now leading the world to believe we have ample time to make a decision by Dec. 8th. That’s a lie. We are now protesting at the union and we are now doing the #FreedomFlu.” https://www.naturalnews.com/2021-10-17-boeing-employees-freedomflu-sickout-covid-vaccine-mandate.html
Can this single stunning action blow apart the Big Tech bias?
The concept comes from Kalev Leetaru, a media fellow at Real Clear. He's also a senior fellow at the George Washington University Center for Cyber & Homeland Security and previously he was fellow in residence at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Future of Government.
"Section 230 must be amended to require that in return for the liability immunity they enjoy, Internet platforms must make the real-world rules, algorithms, design decisions and management directives that determine what we see each day accessible to policymakers, researchers, the press and the public at large," he explained. https://www.wnd.com/2021/10/can-single-stunning-action-blow-apart-big-tech-bias/
The concept comes from Kalev Leetaru, a media fellow at Real Clear. He's also a senior fellow at the George Washington University Center for Cyber & Homeland Security and previously he was fellow in residence at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Future of Government.
"Section 230 must be amended to require that in return for the liability immunity they enjoy, Internet platforms must make the real-world rules, algorithms, design decisions and management directives that determine what we see each day accessible to policymakers, researchers, the press and the public at large," he explained. https://www.wnd.com/2021/10/can-single-stunning-action-blow-apart-big-tech-bias/
Space Travel Can Cause Brain Damage
A new study led by the University of Gothenburg has found that extended space travel can cause brain damage. The negative effects on the body associated with long periods in space (including muscle atrophy, decreased bone mass, deteriorated vision, and altered gut microbiome) have been extensively documented, but this is the first study to analyze how long-duration space flights affect the human brain.
The scientists monitored five male Russian cosmonauts who stayed on the International Space Station (ISS), located approximately 400 kilometers from the Earth’s surface, for an average of 169 days. Blood samples from the cosmonauts were taken 20 days before their departure, as well as one day, one week, and three weeks after their return.
https://www.earth.com/news/space-travel-can-cause-brain-damage/
A new study led by the University of Gothenburg has found that extended space travel can cause brain damage. The negative effects on the body associated with long periods in space (including muscle atrophy, decreased bone mass, deteriorated vision, and altered gut microbiome) have been extensively documented, but this is the first study to analyze how long-duration space flights affect the human brain.
The scientists monitored five male Russian cosmonauts who stayed on the International Space Station (ISS), located approximately 400 kilometers from the Earth’s surface, for an average of 169 days. Blood samples from the cosmonauts were taken 20 days before their departure, as well as one day, one week, and three weeks after their return.
https://www.earth.com/news/space-travel-can-cause-brain-damage/
Scientists think the next big solar storm could create an ‘internet apocalypse’
According to Dr. Sangeetha Jyothi, a professor at University of California Irvine, such an event could potentially create an “internet apocalypse.” And as if that’s not scary enough by itself, her research also suggests that this frightening scenario could come to pass sometime in the next two decades. She argues that a rare solar superstorm is likely to cripple parts of the global internet infrastructure and cause an outage that could last for months.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/features/solar-super-storm-internet-apocalypse/
According to Dr. Sangeetha Jyothi, a professor at University of California Irvine, such an event could potentially create an “internet apocalypse.” And as if that’s not scary enough by itself, her research also suggests that this frightening scenario could come to pass sometime in the next two decades. She argues that a rare solar superstorm is likely to cripple parts of the global internet infrastructure and cause an outage that could last for months.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/features/solar-super-storm-internet-apocalypse/