1483: Jacked Up Joe

President Biden in his primetime speech Thursday sure sounded like a man preparing to criminalize Trumpism. Is the White House expanding the great policy error of our time?Matt TaibbiSep 3

He looked shaky as he hobbled onstage Thursday night, but at the podium the drugs kicked in and Joe Biden delivered a commanding speech, by his standards. He handled an early bout of hoarseness like a pro, matched affect to content most of the way, and fumbled few words and none seriously.

But something was off from the start. Biden’s handlers had the otherwise inspiring setting of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall bathed in so much blood-red light, he looked like an opening act for Queensrÿche or Rammstein. Trying to create a setting for judgment and warning, they overshot the staging and made the white-haired ex-Senator look like a vampire sat up from a crypt.

The content matched the ominous staging. Biden delivered a remarkably menacing manifesto.

The only political speech I can remember that rivaled Biden’s address for darkness is Donald Trump’s own much-pilloried tirade against “lawlessness” at the 2016 Republican convention (I was there and called it “relentlessly negative… pure horror movie… with constant references to murder and destruction”). In fact, replace “illegal immigrants… roaming free to threaten peaceful citizens” with “MAGA Republicans… [threatening] the very foundations of our Republic,” and that speech of Trump’s reads eerily like the one Biden just gave, which Fox host Bret Baier agreed was “essentially a convention speech.” Both described a lost paradise that may be regained, if only we rid ourselves of a verminous infestation of lawbreakers.

On one level, it was standard ring-around-the-collar tactics. From Barry Goldwater in 1964 exhorting supporters against “marauders,” to Nixon four years later rallying “forgotten Americans” against the “merchants of crime and corruption,” to retired Barack Obama in 2020 warning of a nameless “them” who would “take away your power” and “your democracy,” this type of scare speech is a familiar political trope.

But Biden was going for something bigger, and the speech his primetime gambit most resembled was the great demented clarion call of our age, George W. Bush’s 2002 State of the Union address. That landmark effort, written by current Democratic Party consigliere and furious Twitter dimwit David Frum, outlined with literary élan the Bush administration’s grand plan for fucking up the response to 9/11. It would be the Sorcerer’s Apprentice approach to terror prevention: in every place we found a terrorist, we created two more, and still more to chase each of those, and so on, until the Middle East filled up with our soldiers, frantically bailing a flood of our own creation.

This happened because instead of focusing on al-Qaeda as a small, isolated cult best dealt with as an international policing problem, Bush announced an existential fight against all evil everywhere, in a snap boosting the enemy’s numbers from hundreds to millions. We weren’t just fighting bin Laden’s cave force, but the “thousands of dangerous killers” he said were “spread throughout the world like ticking time bombs,” members not just of al-Qaeda but “Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and Jaish-i-Mohammed.” To pursue them “wherever they are,” we’d also fight “nations” who “harbor terrorists,” as well as those who might harbor terrorists; Bush sought to eliminate the very concept of threat. He’d prevent “regimes that sponsor terror from threatening America,” beginning with Iran, North Korea, and Iraq, the “axis of evil.”

A key theme was preventive action. Bush wouldn’t wait for disaster, but would step in, Minority Report-style, to stop it before it began. He read off this pledge like a religious incantation, using a Dr. Seuss-like rhythm: “I will not wait on events while dangers gather. I will not stand by as peril draws closer.” (He did not like Green Eggs and Ham. He did not like them, Sam I Am!). He repeated over and over that Our Enemies were steeped in evil, people who “embrace tyranny and death as a cause and a creed,” while we stand for “freedom and the dignity of every life.” He demanded unity, noting that in this binary world, none may be neutral:

No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them. We have no intention of imposing our culture, but America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity…

Biden’s speech was an exact domestic analog. Like Bush’s sweeping description of enemies wedded Satanically to tyranny and death, Biden’s MAGA Republicans “embrace anger,” “thrive on chaos,” and live “not in the light of truth but in the shadow of lies.” He repeated almost verbatim Bush’s theory of preventive action, saying it is too dangerous to allow “MAGA Republicans” to run for office. He said “they” are working “as I speak” in “state after state” to pack vote-counting bureaucracies with “partisans and cronies,” with the express purpose of “thwarting the will of the people.” He will not watch MAGAs win a house, he will not watch them with a mouse:

I will not stand by and watch — I will not — the will of the American people be overturned by wild conspiracy theories and baseless evidence-free claims of fraud. I will not stand by and watch elections in this country stolen by people who simply refuse to accept that they lost. I will not stand by and watch the most fundamental freedom in this country, the freedom to vote… be taken from you.

This is a word-for-word lift from Bush, who said “I will not stand by as peril draws closer and closer,” and backed up his talk with pre-emptive military action. Will Biden also act? Assume for argument that he’s right, that Trump allies are running for office with the purpose of stealing elections. Still, what does “I will not stand by and watch it” mean? Biden hinted that courses of action are available, but was unnervingly vague about what those are. “We are not powerless in the face of these threats,” he said. “We are not bystanders… it’s within our power… to stop the assault on… democracy.”

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Donald Trump’s Truth Social should not be available for download on Apple or Google’s online stores following an escalation of violent rhetoric on the platform, according to a letter sent today by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

Both Apple and Google have community standards that claim to create a safe, productive and inclusive environment for users. Following the January 6th insurrection, Apple pledged to “stand for democracy” and prevent the promotion of extremist content, and Google took the step of removing Parler from its Google Play Store because it did not meet Google’s content moderation standards. At this time, Google has considered adding Truth Social to Google Play Store for download, but has yet to approve the app given insufficient content moderation.

“In the past months, the potential dangers we anticipated would appear on Truth Social have become reality, with misinformation and violent rhetoric proliferating,” said CREW President Noah Bookbinder. “The app not only poses an existential threat to our democracy, but also puts law enforcement officers, civil servants and the public at risk.”

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A harty in the morning to you mister Curry and to you mister Dvorak. I hope I got your e-mail adres correct John. First of a happy birthday to you Adam. May many years in good health follow.

In Thursday's show You noted Queen Ursula speeking about the coming emergency on the energy market in the EU. As I am currently still living in the old country, I can confirm this being the case.

Maybe You remember how the energy market in Europe's crime country is structured. Regardless I will give a refresher.

Here we pay a monthly advance. This advance is based on your historical use on your adres. At years end the balance is made up, and either you get money back or you have to pay extra. A lot of people find it annoying to pay a large extra sum at years end. So they all choose to pay a little higher monthly advance. A lot of people will be getting hunderds of euros back, and all at the same time. Now ad the following in the mix.

Up until last year, the energy companies were offering fixed rate contracts. Ranging from one year, up until three years. Sure the prices of these contracts had been calculated to oblivion by some smart econometrics dudes. The contracts off course were structured in such a way that the company had no, to only mininal risk. The price of these fixed contracts was simply higher then the flexible rate. And since nearly all dutch people get these contracts through brokers, who offer some nice incentives, no dutch person ever saw the flexible rates. A lucrative deal for the energy companies. So lucrative, they offered signing bonuses up to, at one point, 360 euros. Bonus to be payed at the end of the contract. Since we burn wood for heating, we abused this system many times. I used to pay 60 euros per month for gas and power. With a signing bonus of 360 that is 6 months for free. A nice scheme indeed. I used to switch energy companies yearly, just for the bonuses.

You can probably allready feel were this is heading. A lot of dutch people did this.

So ad the three components together and you have lots of these companies going belly up.

The are allready losing money on all their long term contracts. Probably their small and large business contracts is what kept them a float up until know. And now in Januari they will have to pay back all the extra advance money, and the due signing bonuses. They are going down.

In fact last March the first company went down. Fenor. The company where my contract was at. Since then I am paying triple.

The wappie community is allready up to speed on the danger, and are lowering their advance money, so they don't stand to lose their little piggybank coming Februari.

Enter Queen Ursula, and you just know the energy companies, or what is left, will be nationalised. The free market and Putin will be blamed. Exit evil capitalism, enter great communism.

As I said, I live in the low country for now, we will be bailing soon. Paraguay is the destination of choise.

With kind regards,

P.S. I work at a wholesaler in Organic produce. We have a small chain of our own stores. I parttime work as a truckdriver and part time on the "inkoop", and have seen price hikes up to 100% ! There are so many price hikes it is insane. Extra personel has to be hired to keep the unending adjustments going. (Also extra personel has to be hired to replace the vaccine injured. Three acute extremly agressive cancer, one brain injury; the guy just shuts down and can be irresponsive for hours not hearing or seeing stuff, one bloodcloth in the brains and one death). If you want to know more about the "inkoop". Just ask and I will see if I can write up something informative.

Greetings Sir,

Electromagnetic Hyper Sensitivity is a condition in which electrical lines and equipment cause a wide variety of negative effects in the human body. Details here if you want to know more: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32289567/#:~:text=Electromagnetic%20hypersensitivity%20(EHS)%2C%20known,acute%20or%20chronic%20exposure%20to

EHS sensitivity runs in the family and gets worst with age. Not everyone has this sensitivity or it is not severe in everyone.

It has been called Lineman’s disease and Microwave syndrome as well.

The greater the magnetic fields in the vicinity, the worst the symptoms.

Symptoms can be debilitating. The human body is essentially not compatible with electronic fields.

Electrical Vehicles will not work for the masses. You are essentially sitting on a huge Electromagnetic Field (batteries) while multiple high EMF motors are sitting in front and behind you = when the vehicle is operational or charging. This will wreck havoc on individuals. Any nation, city or state that bans combustion engine vehicles in favor of EVs doesn’t understand the science of electrical fields and the biology of the human body. To put it in perspective, EHS sensitive individuals have had their heart stop because the fridge compressor kicked on.

A friend of mine purchased a Tesla. Began to have chronic issues with the heart (irregular), fatigue and a few other issues. Went to the doctor who told him that you have symptoms of lineman’s disease and asked if he works close to heavy machinery or high voltage electric lines – which he didn’t. It took a while but he made the connection to the Tesla. Sold the Tesla, problems disappeared immediately.

Norway, California and others who switch to EVs only are in for a shock when a large percentage of their population become seriously ill.

No one is talking about this. It will become a big problem.

Something else that no one is talking about. EMF devices such as wifi have a negative effect on the gut biome. This has been well researched but everyone is ignoring it because of the convenience of WiFi. I mention Wifi specifically because it has a very distinct effect on the gut biome. What happens is that certain bacteria start to multiply faster and others multiply less = throwing the balance of the biome completely out of whack. The distinct effect of WiFi frequencies on this balance is that the bacteria that gain dominance release toxins that reduce your metabolism. You will gain weight for no reason. You will not be able to shed weight even if you control your diet and work out. Turn off the WiFi and you begin to lose weight quickly without even trying. Now we carry these devices in our pockets…

Telephone network frequencies don’t have this effect. They may be doing other harm, but the metabolism specific negative effect is only caused by WiFi frequencies.

Thanks for reading,

JR

NIH Link

Not sure if this will make the show but this WAPO article is BS

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/08/31/jackson-water-crisis-mississippi-floods/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

The weather here is not erratic. Mississippi is a sub-tropical and rainy climate.

It is green and lush.

Everyone who lives in Jackson, new and old residents, knows what the problem is.

First, the city tried to outsource water management:

https://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2020/mar/04/siemens-settlement-explained/

That went badly.

After Hurricane Katrina (2005) the water treatment facility needed a full overhaul, specifically, pumping systems to provide enough pressure.

That was never done.

In 2020 the current 2022 problem happened after a major series of rain storms. It was not as bad, but still very annoying.

For some reason, the city did not access all the free-flowing cash as of late to fix the facility.

The State has now stepped in and seems to be getting money to fix the issue. The State is also trying to take over the Airport for the same reason.

The biggest mystery in Jackson from an outsider's point of view: Why are there no water towers?

The place is relatively flat. Where I am from, flat terrain requires water towers to maintain pressure. The neighboring counties and cities have water towers everywhere. Jackson has no water towers.

The wealthiest neighborhoods in Jackson are equally as impacted as the poorest. The most expensive private school in Jackson has been using port-a-lets and pumping in their own water for over a week.

That isn't structural racism, it is very bad city planning.

On a side note, I know the Mayor, and I like him, but I don't think he staffed his team with people who know things :).

The WAPO sucks, have a great weekend.

President Biden on Friday appointed John Podesta, a veteran Washington insider who spearheaded the Obama administration’s climate strategy, to oversee the federal investment of $370 billion in clean energy under a landmark new climate law.

As a senior adviser to Mr. Biden on clean energy innovation, Mr. Podesta will shape how the government disburses billions of dollars in tax credits and incentives to industries that are developing wind and solar energy, as well as to consumers who want to install solar panels, heat and cool their homes with electric heat pumps or buy electric vehicles.

In addition to his time in the Obama administration, Mr. Podesta, 73, served as chief of staff to President Bill Clinton and was chairman of Hillary Clinton’s unsuccessful campaign for president in 2016. He founded the Center for American Progress, a left leaning think tank, and is now chairman of its board. From that perch, Mr. Podesta has informally been advising the Biden administration, pushing the White House to act more aggressively on climate change.

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Hey John and Adam,

I am an analytical chemist for a polymer coating company that serves quite a few oil and gas customers. I have not heard the term 'dirty' used to mean high sulfur content in the 20 months I have been working there. We use 'sour' for crude oil with high sulfur content and in fact make coatings specifically for that service.

The use of 'dirty' could easily be regional or maybe terms have changed. This might also just be a paint industry thing...we inhale a lot of solvents during the work day LoL.

Warm regards,

Sir Jonathan of the Double-Bladed Paddle

President Joe Biden is asking Congress to provide more than $47 billion in emergency dollars that would go toward the war in Ukraine, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing monkeypox outbreak and help for recent natural disasters in Kentucky and other states.

The request, which comes as lawmakers are preparing to return to Washington and fund the government, seeks $13.7 billion related to Ukraine, including money for equipment, intelligence support and direct budgetary support. Shalanda Young, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, said that more than three-fourths of the $40 billion approved by Congress earlier this year has already been disbursed or committed.

“We have rallied the world to support the people of Ukraine as they defend their democracy and we cannot allow that support to Ukraine to run dry,” Young said in a blog post.

I hope you have already got plenty of messages on the Zaporizhzhia Nuke plant. But thought I could clear up some of the confusion that seemed to be on the last show, just in case. Doing my best to be brief, but its just a complicated area.

Yes, nuclear plants need electricity. The power is mostly used to keep pumps running to keep cold water flowing over the core. Without constant cooling water (even if the plant is totally shut down) the temperate of the fuel will continue to increase until core meltdown. A day-wrecker.

Normally, operators use a portion of the electricity to run these pumps. But you must have backup systems that will work even when the plant isn't producing or if power is interrupted for any reason.

Its true that if the cooling systems are destroyed, the cores will melt down. But at the same time all 6 of the reactors are encased in containment structures that should be solid concrete several feet thick. So unless they're hitting the facility with bunker busters, serious damage isn't likely as long as vital equipment is all inside the containment structure as it should be.

Begs the question though, why now? they have been fighting over this town since February. It seems that this is either an excuse to slow down the pace of fighting, or to distract from something, but It's hard to know who is pushing this narrative or who benefits.

Here's a weird quote:

"IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, who led the long-awaited 14-person mission across the front lines to the plant on Thursday, said it was “obvious that the plant and the physical integrity of the plant has been violated several times” — but couldn’t assess whether by chance or on purpose."

Anyway, hope this helps

happy to answer any questions on nuke stuff

-Anon

Sir Robert of the Smoky Mountain Brass

Also, retired Navy nuke

If the reactor shuts down, either by a fault or planned. External power, either commercial or from big diesel generators is needed to maintain control of the reactor even in a shutdown state. And to start it up. Pressurizer heaters, circulation pumps, instrumentation. True for commercial or naval reactors.

That is why submarines have huge shore power cables when they shut down. Also why nuclear submarines have a big diesel generator and a pretty big battery.

Bob Vogel

CDR USNR-Ret

11 years active , 9 years Reserve

USS Flying Fish SSN-673, USS Houston SSN-713,

USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641(Blue Crew)

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By Euronews with AFP ' Updated: 03/09/2022 - 10:15

landfall facility of the Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline and the transfer station of the OPAL gas pipeline, the Baltic Sea Pipeline Link, in Lubmin, Germany, July 2022 -

Copyright

AP PhotoRussian gas giant Gazprom will completely shut down the Nord Stream pipeline, until a turbine is repaired - even though services were due to resume on Saturday after a maintenance operation.

In a statement, Gazprom said it had discovered "oil leaks" in the turbine during the maintenance tasks, and that "until the repair (...) the transport of gas via Nord Stream is completely suspended."

Gazprom said it had discovered the new problems during a technical inspection with representatives of the German group Siemens, which manufactured the turbine.

The Russian group reports the oil leak is affecting "cables connected to speed meters of a rotor." On Telegram, the group posted a photo showing cables surrounded by a brownish liquid.

Earlier in the day, the Kremlin said the operation of the Nord Stream pipeline was "threatened" by a shortage of spare parts due to sanctions targeting Moscow for its offensive in Ukraine.

Since the start of the Kremlin's military intervention in Ukraine in late February, Moscow has sharply reduced its gas supplies to Europeans in response to massive Western sanctions.

European countries, some of whom are heavily dependent on Russian gas, accuse the Kremlin of using it as a means of pressure, which Moscow refutes, citing technical problems caused by the sanctions or delays in payment.

What has some of the reaction been?Before the invasion of Ukraine, Germany had traditionally been one of the biggest importers of Russian gas, but said on Friday its supplies were secure, despite the Gazprom shutdown.

"The situation on the gas market is tense, but the security of supply is guaranteed," said a spokeswoman for the German Ministry of Economics in a statement.

Without commenting on Gazprom's announcement, the spokeswoman said Germany had "already seen Russia's unreliability in recent weeks."

To compensate for the missing gas supplies, European countries have been trying to find other suppliers and reduce their consumption against a backdrop of skyrocketing gas prices on the markets and the possibility of a recession.

A total cut-off from Russian gas could cut French growth by one point, said the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire.

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Breaking911 : Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot reacts to migrants sent from Texas: "I'm happy to take and drain Texas of all of its r'... https://t.co/3wjTNhsPXh

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Efrain Flores Monsanto 🇨ðŸ‡...ðŸš'🚛 : Trudeau's Health Minister on COVID booster jabs for Canadians: "vaccine protection is like a phone battery, it need'... https://t.co/3SHL9IDeiQ

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B737-200 : @realmonsanto Your brain is like a phone battery. It's dead.

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Starseed Angel Healings : @realmonsanto Lies of satan.....rebuke all these demons, thru The Holy Name of Jesus Christ.If you listen carefull'... https://t.co/XdSLxPVjKv

Sun Sep 04 13:42:51 +0000 2022

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dopaminergic13 🐭 : @adamcurry ðŸ https://t.co/3d3tsKlTI4

Fri Sep 02 10:29:29 +0000 2022

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A white woman is suing e-commerce giant Amazon over a program that gives "Black, Latinx, and Native American entrepreneurs" a $10,000 stipend to launch their own delivery startups, an offer the lawsuit calls "patently unlawful racial discrimination."

The online retailer delivers packages by contracting with local "delivery service partners"'--outside businesses that drive parcels from point A to point B. To "help reduce the barriers to entry for Black, Latinx, and Native American entrepreneurs," Amazon's website states, the company has created a "diversity grant" that offers minorities $10,000 to launch their own businesses and become delivery service partners.

"This means that businesses owned by blacks, Latinos, or Native Americans receive a $10,000 stipend from Amazon to become delivery service partners, while whites and Asian Americans who wish to become delivery service partners receive no such stipend and must foot the entire bill for their startup costs," the lawsuit says.

The plaintiff, Crystal Bolduc, is asking a Texas district court to end the program and award damages to everyone "who has suffered unlawful racial discrimination on account of" it. Filed on July 20 by some of the most prominent appellate lawyers in the country, the class-action lawsuit argues that the stipends violate the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which prohibits racial discrimination in contracting. Bolduc, the lawsuit says, "seeks to represent a class of all past and future applicants" to the program "who have been subjected to racial discrimination."

Amazon also runs a "Black Business Accelerator" that gives black-owned businesses a "$500 credit to assist with start-up and operational costs." That initiative, while not the subject of the class action, is nonetheless another case of "unlawful racial discrimination" at the online retailer, Bolduc's lawsuit says.

The programs are just two examples of the race-conscious policies that have proliferated in corporations and nonprofits across the United States, often in violation of federal law. Google sets strict caps on the number of white and Asian students universities can nominate for a prestigious graduate fellowship; Pfizer's "Breakthrough Fellowship" does not allow white or Asian applicants at all. At Women Against Abuse, one of the largest domestic violence nonprofits in the United States, "BIPOC" employees received a larger stipend than white ones to sit on a "racial equity audit task force"'--a policy that is now the subject of a pending discrimination complaint.

Companies are not attempting to hide these seemingly discriminatory programs. Google and Pfizer both advertise their fellowships on company websites, even as civil rights lawyers say that they violate federal law.

Amazon is similarly brazen. The lawsuit includes several screenshots from the retail giant's website, which promotes the race-based stipend scheme under the heading, "Commitment to Diversity." On another web page titled "Our partners," the company touts its Black Business Accelerator and says the program has the support of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Amazon did not respond to a request for comment.

This is the second time in a year that Amazon has been hit with a reverse discrimination complaint. Last October, Jonathan Correll filed a class action lawsuit against the online retailer alleging that it discriminates against white sellers by giving preferential advertising to minority businesses. Amazon has asked a California district court to dismiss the lawsuit, in part on the grounds that Correll has never sold anything on Amazon and thus lacks the standing to challenge its advertising policies.

Bolduc may have a stronger case. Since she "cannot apply to become an Amazon delivery service partner without subjecting herself to racial discrimination," her lawsuit argues, Bolduc is "suffering injury" on account of the stipend program and therefore has the standing to challenge it.

Bolduc's lawyers are a who's who of the conservative legal movement. Her lawsuit was filed by Gene Hamilton, the general counsel of America First Legal who oversaw the end of DACA during the Trump administration; Jonathan Mitchell, the architect of the Texas "heartbeat" law that effectively circumvented Roe v. Wade; and Adam Mortara, the lead trial lawyer for the plaintiffs in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, a pending Supreme Court case that could outlaw affirmative action.

"Ms. Bolduc will not apply to become an Amazon delivery service partner until Amazon eliminates this racially discriminatory policy," the lawsuit says, "either by extending its $10,000 benefit to whites and Asians or curtailing or eliminating the benefit entirely."

Published under: Amazon , Civil Rights Act , Discrimination , Diversity , Racism , woke

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A new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) document obtained by The Dossier proves without a doubt that the U.S. Department of Defense did not have FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines in its possession '-- despite top DOD officials claiming otherwise '-- while unlawfully forcing service members to take the shots, under the very real threat of separation, court martial, and other severe ramifications.

The Dossier has verified the authenticity of the FOIA document, which is published below. We've redacted personal information.

Replying to a question about the Defense Department's possession of Pfizer's Comirnaty, which in the context of the question can be understood as the FDA approved version of the COVID-19 vaccines, the Defense Logistics Agency responds:

''We began shipping Comirnaty labeled vaccine in June 2022 . From the week of June 13, 2022, through the week of August 29, 2022, we will have shipped 9600 doses (160 boxes) of vaccine.''

They did not have anything with a Comirnaty label until June 2022. That's almost a full year after the DOD vaccine mandate went into effect.

This is an admission that service members were injected exclusively with emergency use authorization products. Today, active duty troops continue to be harassed, threatened, and punished for non compliance with the unlawful order.

[To catch up to speed on this issue, read through our recent piece, ''Biden officials scramble to escape blame for unlawful Pentagon order mandating mRNA for troops.'']

It remains unclear what exactly the response of ''Comirnaty labeled'' means. It likely is a product of legal sleight of hand, as no FDA approved shot has become available to service members. The question about Moderna's FDA approved Spikevax was not answered directly, so unfortunately, there is no value in that portion of the FOIA response.

Nonetheless, the Department of Defense is now on record admitting that ZERO FDA approved shots were made available to service members.

But that wasn't what top Pentagon officials were saying at the time of the unlawful mandate.

Dr. Terry Adirim, the former Pentagon official who wrote the infamous Pentagon memo attempting to justify mandating EUA shots as if they were FDA approved, has repeatedly claimed on social media and elsewhere that the licensed FDA product was indeed available to service members at the time of the mandate. We now know her statements, and those of other Pentagon officials making similar claims, were demonstrably false. In response to inquiries about this topic, Adirim, who has since moved over to the department of Veterans Affairs, has locked her social media accounts.

As The Dossier has reported, Pfizer admitted in May 2022 that it never did and never will produce the original FDA approved shots. For many months, the trail of evidence seemed to render it unlikely, if not impossible, for the Pentagon to have obtained the FDA approved ghost shots. Today, we know for certain that is the case.

Top military officials misled the public, detonated readiness, and caused tremendous harm to the countless vaccine injured service members , through an unlawful order purportedly designed to ''protect'' them against a disease that does not threaten them. The DOD has finally acknowledged, through this latest FOIA response, that there was no legal basis for any of this. Now, who will be held accountable?

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FASCINATING FACTS YOU NEVER LEARNED IN SCHOOL

In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. Working in a small lab in San Diego, California, it took them 40 attempts to get the water displacing formula worked out. But they must have been really good, because the original secret formula for WD-40® Multi-Use Product -which stands for Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try'--is still in use today.

In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. Working in a small lab in San Diego, California, it took them 40 attempts to get the water displacing formula worked out. But they must have been really good, because the original secret formula for WD-40® Multi-Use Product -which stands for Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try'--is still in use today.

Convair, an aerospace contractor, first used WD-40 Multi-Use Product to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. The product actually worked so well that several employees snuck some cans out of the plant to use at home.

A few years following WD-40 Multi-Use Product's first industrial use, Rocket Chemical Company founder Norm Larsen experimented with putting WD-40 Multi-Use Product into aerosol cans, reasoning that consumers might find a use for the product at home as some of the employees had. The product made its first appearance on store shelves in San Diego in 1958.

Convair, an aerospace contractor, first used WD-40 Multi-Use Product to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. The product actually worked so well that several employees snuck some cans out of the plant to use at home.

A few years following WD-40 Multi-Use Product's first industrial use, Rocket Chemical Company founder Norm Larsen experimented with putting WD-40 Multi-Use Product into aerosol cans, reasoning that consumers might find a use for the product at home as some of the employees had. The product made its first appearance on store shelves in San Diego in 1958.

In 1960 the company nearly doubled in size, growing to seven people, who sold an average of 45 cases per day from the trunk of their cars to hardware and sporting goods stores in the San Diego area.

In 1961 the first full truckload order for WD-40 Multi-Use Product was filled when employees came in on a Saturday to produce additional concentrate to meet the disaster needs of the victims of Hurricane Carla along the U.S. Gulf coast. WD-40 Multi-Use Product was used to recondition flood and rain damaged vehicles and equipment.

In 1960 the company nearly doubled in size, growing to seven people, who sold an average of 45 cases per day from the trunk of their cars to hardware and sporting goods stores in the San Diego area.

In 1961 the first full truckload order for WD-40 Multi-Use Product was filled when employees came in on a Saturday to produce additional concentrate to meet the disaster needs of the victims of Hurricane Carla along the U.S. Gulf coast. WD-40 Multi-Use Product was used to recondition flood and rain damaged vehicles and equipment.

In 1968 goodwill kits containing WD-40 Multi-Use Product were sent to soldiers in Vietnam to prevent moisture damage on firearms and help keep them in good working condition.

In 1968 goodwill kits containing WD-40 Multi-Use Product were sent to soldiers in Vietnam to prevent moisture damage on firearms and help keep them in good working condition.

In 1973, WD-40 Company, Inc., went public and was listed Over-The-Counter. The stock price increased by 61% on the first day of listing.

Since that time, WD-40 Brand has grown by leaps and bounds, and is now virtually a household name, used in numerous consumer and industrial markets such as automotive, manufacturing, sporting goods, aviation, hardware and home improvement, construction, and farming.

In 1973, WD-40 Company, Inc., went public and was listed Over-The-Counter. The stock price increased by 61% on the first day of listing.

Since that time, WD-40 Brand has grown by leaps and bounds, and is now virtually a household name, used in numerous consumer and industrial markets such as automotive, manufacturing, sporting goods, aviation, hardware and home improvement, construction, and farming.

In 1993, WD-40 Multi-Use Product was found to be in 4 out of 5 American households (it seems everyone has a can or two) and was used by 81 percent of professionals at work. Sales had grown to more than one million cans each week.

In 1993, WD-40 Multi-Use Product was found to be in 4 out of 5 American households (it seems everyone has a can or two) and was used by 81 percent of professionals at work. Sales had grown to more than one million cans each week.

In 2003, the new WD-40 Big Blast® can was introduced, featuring a wide-area spray nozzle that delivers WD-40 Multi-Use Product quickly and efficiently over large areas.

In 2003, the new WD-40 Big Blast® can was introduced, featuring a wide-area spray nozzle that delivers WD-40 Multi-Use Product quickly and efficiently over large areas.

In 2005, as a commitment to offering consumers the easiest, most convenient way to get the job done, WD-40 Company introduced the WD-40 Smart Straw®, which features a permanently attached straw. The Smart Straw solved the number one complaint about WD-40 Multi-Use Product: losing the little red straw.

In 2005, as a commitment to offering consumers the easiest, most convenient way to get the job done, WD-40 Company introduced the WD-40 Smart Straw®, which features a permanently attached straw. The Smart Straw solved the number one complaint about WD-40 Multi-Use Product: losing the little red straw.

In 2006, WD-40 Company introduced the WD-40 No-Mess Pen® to provide millions of WD-40 Multi-Use Product users a portable, precision-application delivery system of the famous multi-purpose problem solver. The WD-40 Fan Club reached an astonishing 100,000 members & a tribute to WD-40 Brand's fanatical fan base around the globe.

In 2008, WD-40 Company listened to its consumers and converted its most popular-size WD-40 Multi-Use Product cans to Smart Straw cans. The official list of 2000+ Uses for WD-40® Multi-Use Product grew for the first time, thanks to the help of WD-40 Fan Club members.

In 2006, WD-40 Company introduced the WD-40 No-Mess Pen® to provide millions of WD-40 Multi-Use Product users a portable, precision-application delivery system of the famous multi-purpose problem solver. The WD-40 Fan Club reached an astonishing 100,000 members & a tribute to WD-40 Brand's fanatical fan base around the globe.

In 2008, WD-40 Company listened to its consumers and converted its most popular-size WD-40 Multi-Use Product cans to Smart Straw cans. The official list of 2000+ Uses for WD-40® Multi-Use Product grew for the first time, thanks to the help of WD-40 Fan Club members.

In 2009, WD-40 Company introduced WD-40 Trigger Pro® '' a non-aerosol product with the same WD-40 Multi-Use Product formula '' to better meet the needs of its industrial consumers.

In 2009, WD-40 Company introduced WD-40 Trigger Pro® '' a non-aerosol product with the same WD-40 Multi-Use Product formula '' to better meet the needs of its industrial consumers.

In 2010, The WD-40 Multi-Use Product/SEMA Cares Camaro sold for $75,000 on January 22 at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, with all proceeds of the vehicle's sale benefiting Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang®Camp children's charities.

In 2010, The WD-40 Multi-Use Product/SEMA Cares Camaro sold for $75,000 on January 22 at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, with all proceeds of the vehicle's sale benefiting Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang®Camp children's charities.

In 2011, WD-40 Company introduced WD-40 Specialist® '' a new line of best-in-class specialty products under the WD-40 Brand geared toward trade professionals.

In 2011, WD-40 Company introduced WD-40 Specialist® '' a new line of best-in-class specialty products under the WD-40 Brand geared toward trade professionals.

In 2011, The WD-40/SEMA Cares Mustang rolled off the auction block at the 40th annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 22 in Scottsdale, Ariz., raising more than $200,000 to benefit Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang® Camp children's charities.

In 2011, The WD-40/SEMA Cares Mustang rolled off the auction block at the 40th annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 22 in Scottsdale, Ariz., raising more than $200,000 to benefit Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang® Camp children's charities.

In 2011, WD-40 Company designed four limited edition cans that honor the men and women who serve or have served in uniform, and donated 10 cents of each can purchased to charities. A total of $300,000 was donated to Armed Services YMCA, Veterans Medical Research Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project.

In 2011, WD-40 Company designed four limited edition cans that honor the men and women who serve or have served in uniform, and donated 10 cents of each can purchased to charities. A total of $300,000 was donated to Armed Services YMCA, Veterans Medical Research Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project.

In 2011, Legendary hot rod designer and TV star, Chip Foose, collaborated with WD-40 Company, designing limited edition 8-and 12-ounce WD-40 Smart Straw cans featuring his distinctive sketches.

In 2011, Legendary hot rod designer and TV star, Chip Foose, collaborated with WD-40 Company, designing limited edition 8-and 12-ounce WD-40 Smart Straw cans featuring his distinctive sketches.

In 2012, For the second year in a row, legendary hot rod designer, Chip Foose, partnered with WD-40 Company to design limited edition, collectible Smart Straw cans, featuring his distinctive vehicle sketches.

In 2012, WD-40 Company founded WD-40 BIKE Company, a subsidiary business unit, and launched WD-40 BIKE under the WD-40 Brand, offering a product line focused exclusively on cycling-specific maintenance needs.

In 2012, For the second year in a row, legendary hot rod designer, Chip Foose, partnered with WD-40 Company to design limited edition, collectible Smart Straw cans, featuring his distinctive vehicle sketches.

In 2012, WD-40 Company founded WD-40 BIKE Company, a subsidiary business unit, and launched WD-40 BIKE under the WD-40 Brand, offering a product line focused exclusively on cycling-specific maintenance needs.

In 2012, Designed by legendary hot rod designer, Chip Foose, The WD-40/SEMA Cares Challenger sold for $115,000 at the annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 20 in Scottsdale, Ariz., with all proceeds providing life-changing services for children in need at Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang® Camp children's charities.

In 2012, Designed by legendary hot rod designer, Chip Foose, The WD-40/SEMA Cares Challenger sold for $115,000 at the annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 20 in Scottsdale, Ariz., with all proceeds providing life-changing services for children in need at Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang® Camp children's charities.

In 2013, Chip Foose and WD-40 Company partnered again to help children in need. TheWD-40/SEMA Cares Foose 1953 Ford F100 sold for $170,000 at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 19 in Scottsdale, Ariz., with all proceeds benefiting Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang® Camp children's charities.

By mid-2013, the WD-40 Company celebrated its 60th Anniversary and the WD-40 Specialist product line had grown to eight products.

In 2013, Chip Foose and WD-40 Company partnered again to help children in need. TheWD-40/SEMA Cares Foose 1953 Ford F100 sold for $170,000 at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 19 in Scottsdale, Ariz., with all proceeds benefiting Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang® Camp children's charities.

By mid-2013, the WD-40 Company celebrated its 60th Anniversary and the WD-40 Specialist product line had grown to eight products.

In 2014, Designed by legendary hot rod designer, Chip Foose, the WD-40/SEMA Cares Foose Ford F350 rolled off the auction block for $200,000 at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 15. All proceeds benefit Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang® Camp and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

In 2014, Designed by legendary hot rod designer, Chip Foose, the WD-40/SEMA Cares Foose Ford F350 rolled off the auction block for $200,000 at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 15. All proceeds benefit Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang® Camp and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

In 2015, WD-40 Company introduced WD-40 EZ-REACH®. With an attached 8" flexible straw that bends and keeps its shape, it can reach the unreachable - tight plumbing spaces, behind engine blocks, hard-to-reach hinges, rollers, and more.

In 2015, WD-40 Company introduced WD-40 EZ-REACH®. With an attached 8" flexible straw that bends and keeps its shape, it can reach the unreachable - tight plumbing spaces, behind engine blocks, hard-to-reach hinges, rollers, and more.

In 2016, WD-40 Company sticks it to gravity with WD-40 Specialist Spray & Stay Gel Lubricant. With a no-drip formula that stays where it's sprayed, it provides 12x longer-lasting lubrication on vertical surfaces and moving parts.

In 2016, WD-40 Company sticks it to gravity with WD-40 Specialist Spray & Stay Gel Lubricant. With a no-drip formula that stays where it's sprayed, it provides 12x longer-lasting lubrication on vertical surfaces and moving parts.

Later in 2016, four new high-performance greases join the WD-40 Specialist family. Their advanced, industrial-strength technology handles specific high-temperature, pressure and moisture challenges, while allowing them to be interchanged on the job without consequences from cross-contamination.

Later in 2016, four new high-performance greases join the WD-40 Specialist family. Their advanced, industrial-strength technology handles specific high-temperature, pressure and moisture challenges, while allowing them to be interchanged on the job without consequences from cross-contamination.

In 2017, WD-40 Company launches its first non-aerosol Industrial-Strength Cleaner & Degreaser under the WD-40 Specialist brand. This water-based formula has an unique bio-solvent that is engineered and proven to be more powerful, safer and easier to use than other degreasers on the market.

In 2017, WD-40 Company launches its first non-aerosol Industrial-Strength Cleaner & Degreaser under the WD-40 Specialist brand. This water-based formula has an unique bio-solvent that is engineered and proven to be more powerful, safer and easier to use than other degreasers on the market.

In 2020, new packaging is introduced for WD-40 Specialist aligning WD-40 Multi-Use Product, WD-40 Specialist and WD-40 BIKE to showcase the brand's iconic blue and yellow colors.

In 2020, new packaging is introduced for WD-40 Specialist aligning WD-40 Multi-Use Product, WD-40 Specialist and WD-40 BIKE to showcase the brand's iconic blue and yellow colors.

OVER THE YEARS...

The most interesting piece of WD-40® Multi-Use Product's history is the uses for the product, now numbering in the thousands. Over the years, thousands of WD-40 Multi-Use Product users have written testimonial letters to the company sharing their often unique, if sometimes just plain weird, uses for the product'--many of which are shared in other parts of this Web site. The uses include everything from silencing squeaky hinges and removing road tar from automobiles to protecting tools from rust and removing adhesive labels. But they get a lot crazier than that. Some of the more interesting stories include the bus driver in Asia who used WD-40® Multi-Use Product to remove a python snake, which had coiled itself around the undercarriage of his bus, or when police officers used WD-40® Multi-Use Product to remove a naked burglar trapped in an air conditioning vent.

Think those are crazy? Check out the Official List of 2,000+ Uses here, and more Myths, Legends & Fun Facts here.

Very few brands will ever match the popularity of WD-40 Brand. In fact, the variety and uniqueness of uses for WD-40® Multi-Use Product proved so popular that The WD-40 Book, featuring many user testimonials and the wacky humor of the Duct Tape Guys, was published in 1997. But the literary legend doesn't end there. The familiar blue and yellow can has been featured in other books ranging from The Big Damn Book of Sheer Manliness (General Publishing 1997), Polish Your Furniture With Panty Hose (Hyperion 1995), WD-40 for the Soul: The Guide to Fixing Everything (TV Books 1999), and Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean.

A HISTORY OF YOUR FAVORITE "CAN-DO" CAN

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:27

Germany has responded after Poland demanded $1.32 trillion in reparations over losses suffered during WWII.

On Thursday, Poland's Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said that Warsaw would officially demand reparations from its largest trade partner and a fellow member of both the EU and NATO.

Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Law and Justice (PiS) party leader Jaroslaw KaczynskiPoland's new estimate tops the $850 billion estimate by a ruling party lawmaker from 2019. The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has repeated calls for compensation several times since it took power in 2015, but Poland hasn't officially demanded reparations. -Reuters

"The sum that was presented was adopted using the most limited, conservative method, it would be possible to increase it," said Kaczynski, leader of Poland's Law and Justice (PiS) party during a news conference. " Germany has never really accounted for its crimes against Poland," he added.

Kaczynski - who is Poland's chief policy maker, and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, attended a ceremonial release of a long-awaited reparations report held at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, which was rebuilt from wartime ruins.

The release of the three-volume report was the focus of national observances of the anniversary of the war that began Sep. 1, 1939, with Nazi Germany's bombing and invasion of Poland that was followed by more than five years of brutal occupation.

The head of the report team, lawmaker Arkadiusz Mularczyk, said it was impossible to place a financial value on the loss of some 5.2 million lives he blamed on the German occupation.

He listed losses to the infrastructure, industry, farming, culture, deportations to Germany for forced labor and efforts to turn Polish children into Germans.

A team of more than 30 economists, historians and other experts worked on the report since 2017. The issue has created bilateral tensions.

The war was ''one of the most terrible tragedies in our history,'' President Andrzej Duda said during early morning observances at the Westerplatte peninsula near Gdansk, one of the first places to be attacked in the Nazi invasion. -ABC News

Germany hit back in a statement from its foreign ministry, which said that the question of reparations was 'concluded' long ago with Poland renouncing further claims, and that the German position that compensation was paid to East Bloc nations in the years after the war, has not changed.

Poland's combative stance towards Germany has intensified after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In 1953, Poland's then-communist rulers relinquished all claims to reparations amid pressure from the USSR, which wanted to free the soviet satellite of East Germany from any liabilities. According to Poland, the agreement is invalid because Poland was unable to negotiate fair compensation, according to Reuters.

Donald Tusk, leader of Poland's biggest opposition party Civic Platform, said on Thursday that Kaczynski's announcement was "not about reparations".

"It's about an internal political campaign to rebuild support for the ruling party," he said.

Germany's top official for German-Polish cooperation, Dietmar Nietan, said in a statement that Sept. 1 " remains a day of guilt and shame for Germany that reminds us time and again not to forget the crimes carried out by Germany" that are the "darkest chapter in our history."

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:22

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BELGRADE, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Thousands of religious and right-wing opponents of a European gay Pride event to be hosted by Belgrade protested through the Serbian capital on Sunday, even though the government has said it would scrap or delay the Pride event.

Belgrade is due to host the EuroPride march on Sept. 17, an event staged in a different European city each year. But President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday it would be cancelled or postponed, citing reasons such as threats from right-wing activists. read more

Sunday's protest against the EuroPride event, held during a procession to mark a religious holiday, was led by clergy from the Serbian Orthodox Church, some of whose bishops say the Pride event threatens traditional family values and should be banned.

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"Save our children and family," read one of the banners held up by protesters on Sunday, some of whom also carried crosses.

Others who joined Sunday's march chanted slogans in support of far-right or nationalist causes.

Some waved Russian flags, a show of support for Moscow, Serbia's traditional ally, as the Belgrade government tries to balance its ambition to join the European Union with its longstanding ties with Russia and China.

A man wearing a T-shirt with letter Z, holds an icon during a protest against the international LGBT event Euro Pride in Belgrade, Serbia, August 28, 2022. REUTERS/Zorana Jevtic

The president said on Saturday EuroPride would be scrapped or held later for safety reasons. Alongside threats from what he said were right-wing "hooligans", he cited issues such as an ongoing dispute with Kosovo and the energy crisis. read more

"It will happen but in some other and happier time," he said of the EuroPride event.

A U.N. representative in Serbia criticised Belgrade's ban on EuroPride. "It would go against Serbia's international human rights commitments," Francoise Jacob, the U.N. resident coordinator in Serbia, said in a statement.

Previous Serbian governments have banned Pride parades in the past, drawing criticism from human rights groups and others. Some Pride marches in the early 2000s also met with fierce opposition and were marred by violence.

But recent Pride marches in Serbia have passed off peacefully, a change cited by EuroPride organisers as one reason why Belgrade was chosen as the 2022 host. Copenhagen was the host in 2021.

Serbia is a candidate to join the EU. But to become a member, it must first meet demands to improve the rule of law and its human and minority rights record, and must root out organised crime and corruption and mend ties with Kosovo.

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Reporting by Fedja Grulovic; Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Edmund Blair

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:22

Millions of Britons could be asked to limit energy use this winter to head off blackouts by avoiding using gas and electricity at peak times and turning off the lights on days when the wind doesn't blow, an energy expert has warned.

Kathryn Porter, from consultancy Watt-Logic, said it was possible households could be asked not to use energy guzzling appliances at peak hours or eat their dinner at a different time.

In the US tens of millions of people have been asked not to use washing machines, dishwashers and ovens between 2pm and 8pm because of the global energy crisis. Charging cars before 9pm is also not advised.

Away from the home, in Germany, street lights are being dimmed, traffic lights at quieter junctions are turned off, hot water and central heating is off in public buildings and monuments will no longer be lit overnight.

Ms Porter has said that it's 'very possible' the UK will see plans for energy rationing, despite Liz Truss absolutely ruling it out.

She told BBC's World at One: 'Unfortunately, as each winter goes by, the risk of blackouts is increasing because we have been replacing thermal and nuclear generation with intermittent renewables. That makes us vulnerable in times when wind output is low.

'We have had quite low wind output in July and August...Demand is a lot higher in the winter, so if we have those weather conditions in the winter, our system is going to get very tight and that raises a risk of blackouts.'

With similar schemes in California and Texas - Ms Porter expects that authorities could ask consumers to reduce their use of electricity during peak hours - although in the US all these schemes are not enforced in law.

'It is possible we will see something similar here this winter,' she said, adding: 'I think it would be more an appeal or request for people to have their dinner earlier or later, or avoid using large appliances like washing machines during peak hours. I think it would be voluntary rather than compulsory'.

Meanwhile, Stephen Fitzpatrick, the boss of Ovo Energy, has proposed a plan to protect poorer households against a 'winter like never before'.

Essentially, the tariffs for homes using a small amount of gas and electricity would be frozen at the current level, but the charge per unit would rise sharply once usage rises above a set threshold. This means heavy power users '' typically wealthy families in big homes '' would pay more for heat and light than poorer households.

As statistics show wind power generation of electricity is dropping after years of growth, Britons could be asked to turn off the lights if the wind doesn't blow

Families may be asked to cut their energy usage this winter to avoid blackouts if the weather 'doesn't go in our favour', an energy expert has warned

Britons are forecast to suffer from ever-increasing energy bills over the coming months as the Government comes under pressure to provide more help

'Liz Truss isn't in a position to say there won't be any rationing. If there's not enough generation to meet demand then either you have rationing or you have blackouts', Ms Porter said

She continued: 'I don't think it would be "you're not allowed to" because there's no real way of policing that. I think it would just be more of an appeal.'

However, on the topic of potential Prime Minister candidate Liz Truss, who at last night's hustings 'ruled out' energy rationing said she is 'in no position to do so'.

She said: 'Liz Truss isn't in a position to say there won't be any rationing. If there's not enough generation to meet demand then either you have rationing or you have blackouts.

'The problem with blackouts is that they affect everybody and clearly there's a hope that important infrastructures such as hospitals will have backup generators on site they can use and it's important they test those facilities just in case they are needed in winter.

'But I don't think National Grid is going to sit there and just allow blackouts to happen because Liz Truss says she doesn't want rationing. We will have rationing before we have blackouts.'

According to the energy expert, with each winter that goes by, energy black-outs are increasing.

This is due to replacing thermal and nuclear generation with intermittent renewable's - which can 'make us vulnerable', she says, at times when wind output is low.

'We've had quite low wind output throughout July and August and on three separate occasions National Grid have warned we may run out of electricity.

'The demand is a lot higher in the winter because that high pressure weather system is also very cold, which increases heating demand.

'Much of Northern Europe has had similar low wind conditions as us which also really restricts our ability to import our electricity from elsewhere' she said.

In order to get through winter without any change, the high-pressure system will have to change and the weather 'go in our favour' she said.

This comes as Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi today admitted he is 'deeply concerned' that Britons could freeze from the cold this winter due to the soaring price of gas and electricity.

With average energy bills set to rocket to £3,549 a year from next month - and with costs set to rise even further next year - Mr Zahawi insisted 'there's nothing off the table' as ministers consider what extra support to provide.

Although he is expected to lose his job as Treasury chief when either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak replaces Boris Johnson as Prime Minister next week, Mr Zahawi has been putting together different options for the incoming premier.

He acknowledged there were 'no easy options' for dealing with the cost-of-living crisis but said 'no one should be cut off' because they can't afford their heating bills.

Mr Zahawi is backing Ms Truss for the Tory leadership. And the Foreign Secretary today gave another strong indication that more support for struggling families is imminent, should she become PM.

She vowed to 'deliver immediate support to ensure people are not facing unaffordable fuel bills' this winter.

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi acknowledged there were 'no easy options' for dealing with the cost-of-living crisis but said 'no one should be cut off' because they can't afford their bills

Speaking to Sky News on his trip to America, Mr Zahawi revealed his Treasury was 'looking at all the options' in providing extra help for hard-pressed Britons this winter.

He said: 'There's nothing off the table. We are looking at all the options.

'Everything from the chief executive of Scottish Power talking about help where we need to maybe create some sort of a fund for companies to be able to continue to help their customers.

'All the way through to making sure we target the help to both households and small and medium-size businesses and probably some larger businesses.'

Boris Johnson today also urged his successor to 'go nuclear, go large' as he promised a £700million investment in the proposed Sizewell C power station in Suffolk.

Boris Johnson today delivered what is likely have been his final major policy speech as Prime Minister before he departs Downing Street next week

In his final major policy speech as Prime Minister, the outgoing premier said he was 'absolutely confident it will get over the line' in the next few weeks.

Mr Johnson warned it would be 'absolute madness' not to push ahead with the nuclear project as Russian President Vladimir Putin wreaks havoc with global oil and gas markets.

He expressed his confidence that his successor - whether Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak - would abandon the 'short-termism' and 'myopia' that has hampered previous Government thinking on Britain's energy security.

The PM also tore into New Labour's record on developing new nuclear power in Britain, as he accused Tony Blair and Gordon Brown of having done 'absolutely nothing' during 13 years in office.

The PM made a visit to EDF's existing nuclear power station in Sizewell, Suffolk, as he continued his farwell tour of Britain before leaving Downing Street

The new nuclear power station is planned for the same site as the existing Sizewell C on the Suffolk coast. The PM today promised a £700million investment in the project

'Thanks a bunch Tony and thanks a bunch Gordon,' he said, while Mr Johnson also took a swipe at former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg for opposing new nuclear sites.

The Sizewell C project is being pursued in the face of stiff local opposition, although Mr Johnson dismissed protests being staged outside where he was speaking as 'pure nimbyism'.

The RSPB have warned it could be 'catastrophic' for wildlife at the charity's nearby Minsmere nature reserve, where some of Britain's rarest birds have only avoided extinction by surviving in the reedbeds.

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats hit out at Mr Johnson's 'hollow words' on investment in energy projects.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:19

He looked shaky as he hobbled onstage Thursday night, but at the podium the drugs kicked in and Joe Biden delivered a commanding speech, by his standards. He handled an early bout of hoarseness like a pro, matched affect to content most of the way, and fumbled few words and none seriously.

But something was off from the start. Biden's handlers had the otherwise inspiring setting of Philadelphia's Independence Hall bathed in so much blood-red light, he looked like an opening act for Queensrche or Rammstein. Trying to create a setting for judgment and warning, they overshot the staging and made the white-haired ex-Senator look like a vampire sat up from a crypt.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:19

By AFP - Agence France Presse

September 3, 2022 Order Reprints Print Article Text size

Around 70,000 people gathered in Prague's historic centre Saturday to rally against the Czech government, accusing it of paying more attention to war-ravaged Ukraine than to its own citizens.

Called "Czech Republic in the first place", the protest highlighted growing inflation dragged upwards by a spike in energy prices, Covid-19 vaccination as well as immigrants.

Protesters in Prague's iconic Wenceslas Square demanded the resignation of the centre-right government of Petr Fiala, which had taken office last December.

"The best for Ukrainians and two sweaters for us," read a banner, a reference to concerns over winter heating bills.

Energy prices are growing across Europe following a drop in gas supplies from Russia, which has also seen electricity prices rise.

"The rally in Wenceslas Square is quiet, we didn't have to deal with any serious problems. We estimate the number of participants at about 70,000 as of 1230 GMT," Czech police said on Twitter.

The Czech Republic, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, has received around 400,000 refugees from Ukraine since it was invaded by Russia on February 24 and provided substantial military and humanitarian aid to the war-torn country.

Fiala's government survived a no-confidence vote in parliament on Friday, initiated by two opposition parties -- the centrist populist ANO of former billionaire prime minister Andrej Babis and the far-right SPD movement.

Fiala told reporters the rally was organised by "pro-Russian people who are close to extremist positions and whose interests run counter to the interests of the Czech Republic".

"It is clear that Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns are present on our territory and some people simply listen to them," he added.

frj/gw

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:18

Key takeaways:

In January 2022, the FDA approved daridorexant (Quviviq) to treat insomnia in adults. It's expected to be available in May 2022.

Daridorexant is an oral tablet that you take about 30 minutes before bed. You should plan to devote at least 7 hours to sleep if you take daridorexant.

Daridorexant has very few common side effects, but it has several possible interactions. Discuss this with your healthcare provider and pharmacist before starting daridorexant.

GoodRx HealthFrom time to time, we all have trouble sleeping. But for more than 1 in 3 adults, these sleep troubles are more than just once in a while. Insomnia is one of the most common health conditions. And it's become even more common in the past few years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medications are one way to treat insomnia. And there are many different sleep aids available. But many medications are better for helping you fall asleep than helping you stay asleep.

In January 2022, the FDA approved a new insomnia medication called daridorexant (Quviviq). This medication offers another treatment option for people who have trouble staying asleep.

Here, we'll discuss everything you should know about daridorexant: how it works, its effectiveness, and what to expect should your healthcare provider prescribe it for you.

What is Quviviq (daridorexant)?Daridorexant is an oral tablet that's approved to treat insomnia in adults. It belongs to a group of medications called orexin receptor antagonists (ORAs). Daridorexant is in the same class as Belsomra (suvorexant) and Dayvigo (lemborexant). Daridorexant will be available in two strengths: 25 mg and 50 mg.

When available, daridorexant will be considered a controlled substance. This is because daridorexant carries a risk of addiction (more on this later). There will be limits on how often you'd be able to fill a prescription and how many pills you can fill at a time. Ask your pharmacist for more details on controlled substance limits, as they vary by state.

How does daridorexant work to treat insomnia?ORAs are the newest class of insomnia medications. Your brain makes a ''wake-up protein'' called orexin every day. Orexin attaches to certain nerve cells when it's time to wake up. When it's time to sleep, orexin typically isn't as active. Other sleep-promoting proteins are more active during that time.

As an ORA, daridorexant prevents orexin from attaching to those nerve cells. This allows your brain to enter and stay in sleep mode. Once daridorexant wears off, your natural urge to wake up will kick back in.

How do you take daridorexant?You should take one tablet of daridorexant about 30 minutes before bedtime. This medication takes longer to kick in if you take it with food. It's important to only take daridorexant if you have at least 7 hours to devote to sleep. Waking up sooner than 7 hours after your dose could cause severe drowsiness.

The liver breaks down daridorexant. So if you have liver problems, your healthcare provider may recommend only taking the 25 mg strength. They may also suggest you avoid this medication altogether.

You should only take one tablet of daridorexant per day, regardless of the strength you're taking. If your insomnia hasn't gotten better after about a week of taking it, contact your healthcare provider. Daridorexant may not be the right option for you.

How effective is daridorexant?Daridorexant is effective for helping people with insomnia fall and stay asleep. The FDA approved daridorexant based on three phase 3 clinical trials. Two of these studies looked at how effective the medication was over a 3-month period. The third study looked at long-term safety and side effects.

The first two studies compared daridorexant to a placebo (a pill with no medication in it). These studies showed that daridorexant significantly improved sleep compared to placebo. One of the two studies also showed that daridorexant 50 mg helped lower the amount of next-day sleepiness that's common for people with insomnia.

How does daridorexant compare to other orexin receptor antagonists like suvorexant and lemborexant?There are currently a lack of studies directly comparing any of the three FDA-approved ORAs. However, suvorexant clinical trials and lemborexant clinical trials reported similar effectiveness as daridorexant. Based on the available information, we can say all ORAs are effective insomnia treatments.

What are the known side effects of daridorexant?Daridorexant was well-tolerated in clinical trials. The most common side effects people experienced were headaches and drowsiness. Some people also reported feeling dizzy or nauseous after their dose.

There are more serious risks to be aware of with daridorexant. But they are uncommon for most people if you take it as prescribed.

As mentioned earlier, daridorexant does carry a risk of addiction. This risk is lower than it is with other sleep medications. But if you have a history of substance use disorder, discuss this with your healthcare provider before starting daridorexant. This medication isn't known to cause physical dependence or withdrawals.

Daridorexant can make it difficult to focus or complete tasks requiring attention. It can also cause grogginess the following morning for some people. Don't drive unless it's been at least 7 hours after your dose of daridorexant.

Daridorexant can cause depression or suicidal thoughts for some people. The risk of this is higher if you have a history of mental health conditions. If you experience any mood changes after starting daridorexant, contact your healthcare provider right away.

People have reported unusual behaviors and sensations during sleep while taking daridorexant. This includes sleep-walking, sleep-driving, and feeling like you can't move or speak when first waking up (sleep paralysis). If any of these happen to you, discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Does daridorexant interact with other medications?Yes, daridorexant interacts with many medications.

Daridorexant can cause drowsiness. So you should avoid taking other medications that cause drowsiness when possible. If the combination can't be avoided, then discuss how to best separate these medications with your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

Daridorexant also interacts with the following:

These aren't the only medications that interact with daridorexant. Always ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist to double check for interactions before starting anything new.

You should also avoid drinking alcohol while taking daridorexant. Alcohol can make you more likely to experience severe drowsiness or physical impairment. This can lead to serious injuries.

When will daridorexant be available?Daridorexant is expected to be available in May 2022. Because it's a controlled substance, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reviews this medication after the FDA. The DEA is required to conduct this review within 120 days (4 months) of the FDA's approval of a controlled substance.

The bottom lineIn January 2022, the FDA approved Quviviq (daridorexant) to treat insomnia in adults. This medication can be helpful both for falling and staying asleep. Studies suggest it's both safe and effective.

Most people tolerated daridorexant well in studies. Headache and sleepiness are the most common side effects. But this medication has many potential interactions. Daridorexant should be available in May 2022.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:15

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STOCKHOLM, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Sweden will offer several hundred billion Swedish crowns in liquidity guarantees to energy firms to help avert a financial crisis after Russia's Gazprom (GAZP.MM) shut the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, the prime minister said on Saturday.

The government will put forward a proposal that allows it to issue credit guarantees, Finance Minister Mikael Damberg said, adding that all of the country's parliamentary parties and the speaker had been informed.

The announcement by Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson came after Russia scrapped a Saturday deadline to resume gas flows via Nord Stream 1, which runs under the Baltic Sea, deepening Europe's difficulties in securing winter fuel. read more

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"If we do not act, there is a serious risk of disruptions in the financial system, which in the worst case could lead to a financial crisis," Andersson said.

"Putin wants to create division, but our message is clear: you will not succeed," she added.

Sweden is experiencing its highest inflation in 30 years, and the central bank has raised rates twice this year, with more steep hikes expected before year-end. read more

Soaring electricity bills, rising interest rates and stalling economic growth have dominated campaigning ahead of the general election on Sept. 11.

On Wednesday, Damberg said the government expected to have 90 billion Swedish crowns ($8.36 billion) available to help ease consumers' pain of record electricity prices this year and next. read more

($1 = 10.7633 Swedish crowns)

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Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee and Johan Ahlander in StockholmEditing by Jason Neely and Helen Popper

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:09

Facing a dire forecast of record heat continuing through midweek, a state power official asked the public to observe a Flex Alert that was issued Saturday and extended into Sunday, the fifth consecutive day.

The alternative could be rolling blackouts, said Elliot Mainzer, president and chief executive of the California Independent System Operator, which manages the power grid.

During a Flex Alert, consumers are asked to conserve energy from 4 to 9 p.m., hours when the grid is most stressed.

''When we're in a situation like this, where we're right up against the margin of system capability and you have the kinds of threats to reliability from fires and generation plants coming off line, that consumer flexible demand, that response, can be the difference between the lights staying on or not,'' Mainzer said during a briefing organized Saturday morning by the state Office of Emergency Services.

Power demand Thursday evening reached its highest level since September 2017, he said.

Multiple generators have been forced out of service due to the extreme heat, making energy supplies tighter. Grid operators are also watching at least two major wildfires threatening transmission lines and power plants in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas.

''These last few days are likely to be a dress rehearsal for what's going to be a considerably more stressed set of conditions as we get into the heart of the weekend,'' Mainzer said.

The hottest temperatures are still ahead, National Weather Service emergency response specialist Sarah Rogowski said in Saturday's briefing.

Rogowski said record to near-record temperatures were expected early to midweek, in the 80s and 90s along the coast and 100 to 115 in the Central Valley and inland regions of Southern California.

''We are looking at temperatures 10 to 25 degrees above normal for this time of year,'' Rogowski said. Those will be compounded by unusually high overnight temperatures up to the 90s in some areas of Southern California.

''We're not getting that overnight relief,'' she said.

Relief will come starting Thursday in the north and then Thursday afternoon and early Friday in Southern California, Rogowski said. Even then, temperatures will remain above normal.

Due to the elevated heat and dryness, California fire officials are positioning forces to respond quickly to new fires or battle a major blaze, said Chris Anthony, chief deputy director of the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

''The hottest and driest days are still ahead of us,'' Anthony said. ''The extreme heat coupled with this persistent drought we're in, as well as the bone dry vegetation, really make for the perfect ingredients for rapid fire spread.''

Anthony said there are 4,346 firefighters assigned to active fires in California. Progress made on the Route fire in Castaic, which has burned more than 5,000 acres since Wednesday but was listed as 71% contained Saturday, will allow resources to be drawn to other parts of the state.

In Southern California, temperatures were approaching records midday Saturday in the Antelope Valley and western San Fernando Valley, and slightly higher temperatures were predicted for Sunday, National Weather Service forecaster Kristen Stewart said.

Saturday's high temperatures reached 98 degrees in downtown Los Angeles, 104 in Pasadena, 106 in Van Nuys and 107 in Santa Clarita.

Lancaster was measuring 106 degrees at 12:30, two degrees below the record for the day. Woodland Hills, also at 106, was still well below its record of 114 degrees but was forecast to reach 113 on Sunday.

Along the coast, UCLA reached 90 by midday and Long Beach 97, both several degrees below their records.

Southern California Edison was experiencing an unusual number of heat-related power outages but has been able to restore power quickly, spokesman Ben Gallagher said. Because of the heat, crews were put on standby, equipment was stockpiled and regular maintenance was postponed, he said.

''We're continuing to encourage our customers to conserve,'' he said.

Californians are strongly urged to lower electricity use by setting thermostats to 78 or higher, health permitting, avoiding use of major appliances, and turning off all unnecessary lights, officials said.

Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Office of Emergency Services, advised the public to stay indoors as much as possible and to use shopping centers or public cooling centers as refuge if outdoors. The locations of 122 cooling centers in Los Angeles County are mapped on the county's website.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:08

American travelers across the country are facing delayed flights over the Labor Day weekend. NurPhoto via Getty ImagesHundreds of flights were delayed on major U.S. airlines ahead of the Labor Day holiday.

According to the cancellation tracker FlightAware, more than 3,600 flights were delayed within, into or out of the U.S. on Saturday, as well as 145 cancellations.

Expect more delays and cancelations throughout the weekend. As of Sunday morning, about 300 flights within, into or out of the U.S. have already been delayed along with dozens of cancellations.

These delays come as the American Automobile Association forecasts about 32% of Americans will travel this Labor Day weekend.

The federation predicts this will be the busiest Labor Day travel weekend in three years, reaching pre-pandemic status, according to Fox Weather.

After months of frustrating cancellations and delays, the Department of Transportation announced on Thursday that it had launched an airline customer service dashboard, resulting in ''significant changes'' from all but one of the ten largest U.S. airlines.

For months, air travel has been a nightmare for those trying to fly. Getty Images''Passengers deserve transparency and clarity on what to expect from an airline when there is a cancelation or disruption,'' Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. ''This dashboard collects that information in one place so travelers can easily understand their rights, compare airline practices, and make informed decisions.''

''The Department will continue to support passengers and to hold airlines responsible for adhering to their customer obligations,'' he pledged.

Previous summer cancellations have been blamed on staffing shortages, particularly among airline pilots.

The rates of cancellations are significantly higher than in 2019. Getty ImagesWhile federal officials have blamed understaffing at airlines, airlines have pointed to staffing problems the Federal Aviation Administration.

The rate of cancellations is up about one-third from the same time in 2019.

The rate of delayed flights is up by nearly a fourth.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 14:42

Much of the worldwide medical community has not only dismissed the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 as ineffective, but many have labeled its improper use as being dangerous. File photo: HJBC, Shutterstock.com, licensed.WASHINGTON, D.C. '' The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has reportedly added the controversial antiparasitic drug Ivermectin to their COVID-19 treatment guidelines list; the drug had been adopted early in the pandemic as an alternative treatment to the virus, although its use by the greater medical community was greatly lambasted, who said that it had no real effect and, in some forms and doses, could be harmful to humans.

The NIH's research into Ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment option was initially publicized by Josh Barnett, a Republican who ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Arizona's 1st Congressional District; however, he lost the primary on August 2, 2022.

Barnett issued a tweet on August 31, revealing that Ivermectin was now listed on the NIH's COVID website '' under a section titled ''Outpatient Repurposed Drugs'' '' where it is currently stated to be in ''Phase 3'' of trial tests.

''I have been right, from day one, about everything!'' Barnett said. ''The crooked NIH has now added Ivermectin to their treatment list. Yes, they added the ''horse dewormer''. SMH they were kicking people off social media for talking about.''

FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION: GET ONLY 'FEATURED' STORIES BY EMAIL Big Tech is using a content filtering system for online censorship. Watch our short video about NewsGuard to learn how they control the narrative for the Lamestream Media and help keep you in the dark. NewsGuard works with Big-Tech to make it harder for you to find certain content they feel is 'missing context' or stories their editors deem "not in your best interest" - regardless of whether they are true and/or factually accurate. They also work with payment processors and ad-networks to cut off revenue streams to publications they rate poorly by their same bias standards. This should be criminal in America. You can bypass this third-world nonsense by signing up for featured stories by email and get the good stuff delivered right to your inbox. I have been right, from day one, about everything!The crooked NIH has now added Ivermectin to their treatment list. Yes, they added the "horse dewormer". SMH they were kicking people off social media for talking about'...🤬https://t.co/IXcGzVJBqM

'-- Josh Barnett for Congress (AZ-01) (@BarnettforAZ) August 31, 2022Currently, the NIH's website describes the potential ways that Ivermectin could combat a COVID-19 infection, saying that the drug could ''interfere'' with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein attachment to the human cell membrane.

''Reports from in vitro studies suggest that Ivermectin acts by inhibiting host import in alpha/beta-1 nuclear transport proteins, which are part of a key intracellular transport process,'' the website says. ''Viruses hijack the process and enhance infection by suppressing the host's antiviral response. In addition, Ivermectin docking may interfere with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein attachment to the human cell membrane. Some studies of Ivermectin have also reported potential anti-inflammatory properties, which have been postulated to be beneficial in people with COVID-19.''

It should be stressed that Ivermectin is in trial testing as a COVID-19 treatment option, and has not yet been officially approved by the NIH to treat the disease.

Suddenly Ivermectin shows up on the NIH website for treating Covid. After years of denial, blocking, interference, villification, ruining social media accounts, killing people, etc. they silently add it to their antiviral protocol. pic.twitter.com/iSDwYLlU1O

'-- Dusty Desert Dweller (@dusty_dweller) August 31, 2022

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 14:33

The UK government's top scientists are on high alert after a ''pneumonia of unknown origin'' was discovered in Argentina and has already killed two people.

The unknown virus also infected another three people, who were already in a hospital in Northwest region of Argentina called Tucuman when the two people died, and three others have since contracted the virus, taking the total to six people currently hospitalised.

READ MORE: Mystery pneumonia kills two and infects six as officials left baffled by outbreak

Shockingly, the two people who died, plus five of those in hospital with it, are actually all health care workers.

The first cases were reported on August 18, but scientists have already ruled out it being related to Covid, influenza and hantavirus - the exact symptoms are, as yet, unknown to the public.

The mystery illness is like no other respiratory illness out there (stock) (Image: Getty Images) Read MoreRelated Articles Mystery pneumonia kills two and infects six as officials left baffled by outbreakRead MoreRelated Articles Woman 'allergic to gravity' left bed bound and unable to stand by rare illnessAnd it is now being monitored by the UK.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star, Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses at UKHSA, said: ''We are aware of an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Argentina.

''We continue to monitor the situation closely as further information becomes available through the investigations by Argentina's health authorities.''

It was first spotted in Argentina (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Read MoreRelated Articles New Covid warning as scientist reveals 'strange' nighttime symptom of latest variantThe epidemic intelligence team at the European Centre for Disease Control has admitted to tracking the cases since Tuesday (August 30), and the World Health Organisation is also keeping an eye on it.

However, having been investigated by officials in Argentina, they are already baffled by it.

Luis Medina Ruiz, Tucumn's Minister of Health said: ''What these patients have in common is the severe respiratory condition with bilateral pneumonia and compromise in x-ray images very similar to Covid, but that is ruled out, as has cold, influenza of both types A + and B +, Hantavirus and 25 other germs.

It has already taken the lives of two people, with more in hospital (stock) (Image: Getty Images) Read MoreRelated Articles Forget Covid and monkeypox - new 'tomato flu' can 'change colour of your limbs'''We have that technology in Tucumen, which examines 25 germs between viruses and bacteria, he also tested negative. (Having isolated the patients) we are prioritizing the health of the community. We do not wan that a issue may arise and it can spread and lose control.

''These are scientific and epidemiological backed measures. This shows our vulnerability to pathogens.''

To get more stories from Daily Star delivered straight to your inbox sign up to one of our free newsletters here .

READ MORE:

For more of the latest news from the world of the Daily Star, check out our homepage. Japan travel rules for Brits to ease next month as Covid tests ditched for double jabbed

Pub bosses warn boozers could be in serious trouble as energy crisis 'worse than Covid'

New Covid warning as scientist reveals 'strange' nighttime symptom of latest variant

Fish and chip shops face 'extinction' as cost of living situation 'worse than pandemic'

Read MoreRelated Articles Price of pint of beer could reach staggering £14 in fresh blow to pubgoersRead MoreRelated Articles Boss of 'hell on earth' waterpark hits back branding negative reviews 'outright lies'

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 14:29

WASHINGTON (AP) '-- President Joe Biden is asking Congress to provide more than $47 billion in emergency dollars that would go toward the war in Ukraine, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing monkeypox outbreak and help for recent natural disasters in Kentucky and other states.

The request, which comes as lawmakers are preparing to return to Washington and fund the government, seeks $13.7 billion related to Ukraine, including money for equipment, intelligence support and direct budgetary support. Shalanda Young, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, said that more than three-fourths of the $40 billion approved by Congress earlier this year has already been disbursed or committed.

''We have rallied the world to support the people of Ukraine as they defend their democracy and we cannot allow that support to Ukraine to run dry,'' Young said in a blog post.

The White House request will play into congressional budget negotiations in the coming weeks as financing for federal agencies is set to run out Sept. 30. Both parties will be seeking to avoid a government shutdown in the weeks before the midterm elections, but they will have to work out differences over issues like the COVID-19 aid, which has been a sticking point for many months as the White House has said more money is needed for vaccines and testing and Republicans have pointed to the trillions that have already been approved.

In Friday's request, the White House is seeking $7.1 billion to procure additional vaccines and for replenishing personal protective equipment in the Strategic National Stockpile, among other measures. Another $8 billion would go to accelerate research for next-generation vaccines and therapeutics.

Biden is also seeking $2 billion to continue COVID-19 testing programs, including an initiative to distribute free at-home tests that ended on Friday as the government says it is running short on funds. White House officials say they have some tests left in the stockpile, but not enough to provide free tests if cases sharply increase.

Congress has not moved forward on similar administration requests for the COVID-19 response amid the partisan stalemate.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the White House has repeatedly warned that there would be trade-offs if that money wasn't approved, and ''that is precisely what happened.'' The lack of free testing kits, for example, ''leaves our domestic testing capacity diminished for a potential fall surge,'' she said.

The administration is also asking for $4.5 billion to bolster its efforts to fight monkeypox amid the ongoing outbreak. Officials said they have already depleted significant reserves from the national stockpile to provide over 1.1 million vials of vaccine.

The money would help ensure access to vaccinations, testing and treatment, and also help fund the global effort to fight the disease, administration officials said.

For disaster relief, the White House is asking for $6.5 billion, including money for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief fund, farmers affected by weather events and efforts to increase the resilience of the electric grid. As part of that request, the administration is also asking for $1.4 billion to address unmet disaster recovery needs in several states, including for recent devastating floods in Kentucky.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 14:25

Home News Surgeon Uses Rivian R1T To Complete Vasectomy After Power Goes OutOf all the unique uses for an EV, this isn't the first one we would've thought of.

With larger batteries and vehicle-to-grid applications gaining momentum, electric cars are useful for a lot more than stupendous acceleration and emissions-free driving. Introducing the Rivian R1T, an electric truck that's excellent off-road, offers impressive range, and can power all the equipment needed to complete your scheduled vasectomy if the power goes out. What, what? Yes, you read that correctly.

Christopher Yang, a urologist practicing in Austin, Texas, had to take drastic steps when a power outage hit his clinic and nearly jeopardized a scheduled vasectomy, but thanks to the Rivian's handy power outlets, the procedure went down without a hitch.

I performed what is likely the world's first @Rivian powered vasectomy today. Power in clinic went out, patient didn't want to reschedule cause he already had time off. Electrocautery was normal, procedure went great! #rivianstories #rivian pic.twitter.com/VLDg91r37d

'-- Christopher Yang (@ChrisYangMD) September 1, 2022Now we know that the Rivian can do many things an ICE-powered truck can't, such as submerge itself deeply in water to launch boats, and we've previously witnessed its ability to revive juiced-out Teslas, but this move takes things to a whole different level. Yang had to take drastic measures when a client, who had already booked time off from work, arrived at his powerless clinic. Instead of canceling the appointment, Yang decided to hook his equipment up to his Rivian R1T truck.

"There was no lightbulb moment, but my staff and I were discussing whether to cancel the vasectomy due to the power outage," said Yang according to The Drive. "One of them jokingly mentioned that we should run it off of the Rivian. After more thought, it seemed that it would work. I discussed the risks [and] benefits with the patient, and he agreed to proceed."

RivianLuckily for Yang and his soon-to-be tied-up patient, the Rivian has four power outlets, which means Yang could hook up his electrocautery machine and all the other necessary equipment needed to remove man's ability to have children. In another stroke of luck, Yang's parking lot was situated just close enough to his operating room window that he could run extension cords to the car. "It ended up working very well. I had a backup (nonpowered) source of cautery in case the electrocautery failed but did not have to use it," he continued.

RivianThe Rivian's spec sheet would embarrass many modern-day muscle cars: with a grand total of 800 horsepower produced by four motors and an available 180 kWh battery, this truck has enough power to annihilate the manhood of countless men with a single charge and can supply 1.5 kW of power at 110 V AC (the same as your average wall socket). Rivian is currently expanding its charging network to cover over 600 remote sites by the end of next year, which means Yang will soon be able to offer vasectomies in some of America's greatest national parks. We'd like to see the Ford F-150 Lightning top that.

Rivian

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 14:11

The CFO of Bed, Bath and Beyond, Gustavo Arnal, has been identified as a man who jumped to his death from the 60 story "Jenga Building" in Tribeca on Friday.

The 52 year old executive fell from the 18th floor of 56 Leonard Street on Friday and was identified on Sunday morning by the New York Post. The Post notes he had just sold 42,513 shares of stock on August 16, netting a little over $1 million.

In 2021, his total compensation was more than $2.9 million, which included $775,000 in salary. He joined the company in 2020 after stints working as chief financial officer for Avon and as an executive for Procter & Gamble, the report notes.

Bed, Bath & Beyond has been on a roller coaster ride over the last month, which shares running up to as high as $28 per share just days ago on a "meme stock" rally. It then saw investor Ryan Cohen exit his position in the company, sending shares plunging.

In the days following, the company announced plans to try and reduce costs and stave off bankruptcy, including a $500 million financing agreement in order to help pay its vendors. It released a statement about its strategic and business updates that will result in store closures and a reduction of its workforce. Its plan includes closing approximately 150 lower-producing banner stores and a reduction of 20% of its workforce.

The company also filed to sell shares of its common stock. "We may offer, issue and sell shares of our common stock from time to time," a form S-3 shelf filing read just days ago.

But the measures didn't convince the street. As we wrote on August 31, we spoke with at least one institutional trading desk specializing in consumer discretionary who said they've all but given up on Bed Bath & Beyond and left the 'meme stock' for the 'apes.'

Subsequently, both the company's debt and equity were downgraded.

Analysts from Raymond James called the plan "kicking the can down the road", insinuating that it was just a matter of time before the struggling retailer faced bankruptcy. By the end of last week, the company's stock had fallen back to single digits, closing with an $8 handle, down more than 65% from highs it set just days ago.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 13:47

What happens when you combine an all-in or ''jungle'' primary with ranked-choice voting in the general election? Putting the two modern ''innovations'' on elections together in Alaska produced this absurd result, in which Republicans lost a House seat despite getting 60% of the vote.

And get ready for it to happen all over again in two months:

Final margin: Peltola (D) defeats Palin (R) 51.5%-48.5% in the final round of ranked-choice. This is a huge victory and pickup for Dems, driven more by Palin's unpopularity than national trends. #AKAL

'-- Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) September 1, 2022

Democrat Mary Peltola, a former state representative, will be the first Alaska Native in Congress after she won a special election that included GOP candidates Nick Begich and former Gov. Sarah Palin, NBC News projects.

Peltola, who is the executive director of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, served 10 years in the state Legislature and campaigned as ''Alaska's best shot at keeping an extremist from winning.''

''It is a GOOD DAY,'' Peltola tweeted following the election results. ''We've won tonight, but we're still going to have to hold this seat in November.''

Given that the candidates will be the same, Peltola has a good chance of succeeding at it. This was a perfect storm of absurdity that produced an unrepresentative if still legally legitimate result. The problem here isn't cheating '-- the result is legitimate. It's the jury-rigged Alaska election system that's absurd.

First off, Alaska has chosen to use all-in primaries instead of party primaries. Other states have adopted these as well, notably California, but they use those to narrow down the general election to a run-off between the top two vote-getters. Alaska puts the top four finishers on its general-election ballot, but requires a majority to win. Rather than use a subsequent runoff between the top two of the general election, Alaska requires voters to fill out second and third choices between the four candidates '... and then goes through a ridiculous process to assign those ranked choices if one candidate doesn't get 50% '-- which this system all but guarantees will happen. After several days of machinations, Alaska finally announces who won.

And in this case, the party that got 60% of the vote lost to the party that got 40% of the vote. Huh?

In the first round of voting, the results were 40.2 percent for Peltola, 31.3 percent for Palin, and 28.5 percent for Republican Nick Begich. Although 60 percent of Alaska voters cast ballots for GOP candidates as their first choice, under Alaska's new ranked-choice-voting method, Begich was eliminated after the first round of voting and Begich votes that indicated a preferred second choice were allocated among Peltola and Palin.

Part of this comes from animus between Palin and the GOP establishment. Twenty percent of Begich voters refused to put Palin as a second choice, and even more that voted for Peltola rather than vote for Palin:

If I'm reading the blurry screen correctly, Peltola (D) was aided by a huge "exhaustion" rate among Begich voters. Begich's ballots broke down:

Palin (R) 50.3%Peltola (D) 28.8%No second choice (exhaust): 20.9%

In the end, Palin was so disliked #AKAL wasn't even that close.

'-- Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) September 1, 2022

Note well that this is a problem that got worse when combining all of these elements. Had the parties held their own primaries, we would have had either two or three candidates on the general-election ballot (Alaskans are pretty good at supporting write-ins, you'll recall). Had Alaska set up its primary system to allow the top two finishers to the general-election ballot, there wouldn't have been any need for ranked-choice voting in the first place. Had Alaska just used a first-past-the-post system, Peltola still would have won, but without wasting several days and using an opaque process to get to the end result.

Instead, Peltola won a House seat with 38.9% of the initial vote in a state that requires majorities to win. And that tends to underscore Palin's consistent criticism of Alaska's electoral ''innovations'':

''The only people who benefit from Ranked Choice Voting are career politicians and the special interests that are in bed with them. The people of Alaska, on the other hand, are frustrated, confused, and discouraged. People are worried that their vote won't count '' or worse, that they'll accidentally end up voting in a way that benefits a candidate they oppose. As I keep saying: we are being disenfranchised!''

Palin has called for Ballot Measure 2 '-- the 2020 question posed to voters that almost failed to pass and institute the ranked-choice system '-- to be repealed and for Alaska to return to ''a straightforward, common-sense system that elects the candidate who earns the most votes.''

The former governor noted that ''Alaska is the test-case this election season, the first in the nation with these new elements of a perfectly bad storm'' and warned ''concerned citizens across America to pay attention and not allow this to slither its way into our other 49 states.''

Ranked-choice voting is only part of the problem. Alaska needs to limit its innovations '-- either RCV, jungle primaries, or 50%-plus-1, but not all three together. The combination is almost guaranteed to produce absurdities such as Peltola's <40% win in a state that requires a majority vote. That's not a representative Representative, and perhaps Alaskans might wake up to the risks that their Rube Goldberg electoral systems created.

Voters should get to cast one ballot per election for the candidate of their choice. That ballot should not get diluted with ranked choice recalculations. Ballots should also be cast on paper, where votes can be counted and recounted by optical-scan readers and by hand if necessary. States should either choose to require majorities or use most-votes-wins systems, but not both at the same time. We don't need innovations '-- we need consistent and rational electoral systems that allow voters to send a clear message with their ballot.

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Mr. Podesta, a Democratic stalwart, will oversee $370 billion in clean energy investments. Gina McCarthy, the president's domestic climate adviser, is stepping down.

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John Podesta was a top adviser to President Barack Obama, chief of staff to President Bill Clinton and campaign chairman for Hillary Clinton. Credit... Saul Loeb/Agence France-Presse '-- Getty Images Sept. 2, 2022

WASHINGTON '-- President Biden on Friday appointed John Podesta, a veteran Washington insider who spearheaded the Obama administration's climate strategy, to oversee the federal investment of $370 billion in clean energy under a landmark new climate law.

As a senior adviser to Mr. Biden on clean energy innovation, Mr. Podesta will shape how the government disburses billions of dollars in tax credits and incentives to industries that are developing wind and solar energy, as well as to consumers who want to install solar panels, heat and cool their homes with electric heat pumps or buy electric vehicles.

In addition to his time in the Obama administration, Mr. Podesta, 73, served as chief of staff to President Bill Clinton and was chairman of Hillary Clinton's unsuccessful campaign for president in 2016. He founded the Center for American Progress, a left leaning think tank, and is now chairman of its board. From that perch, Mr. Podesta has informally been advising the Biden administration, pushing the White House to act more aggressively on climate change.

In bringing on Mr. Podesta, Mr. Biden continues to surround himself with veterans of past Democratic administrations, old hands who can step into challenging positions without on-the-job training.

''His deep roots in climate and clean energy policy and his experience at senior levels of government mean we can truly hit the ground running,'' Mr. Biden said of Mr. Podesta in a statement.

Mr. Podesta will begin work at the White House on Tuesday as Gina McCarthy, the president's national climate adviser, gets ready to depart on Sept. 16, administration officials said.

Ms. McCarthy, 68, who played a central role in integrating climate policy across federal agencies and increasing government support for wind and solar development, had been widely expected to step down for months. Ms. McCarthy has told associates that the travel associated with her current job was tiring and that she never intended to stay for the president's full four-year term.

When Mr. Biden signed the climate law last month, it provided a natural pivot point for Ms. McCarthy. She will be succeeded by her deputy, Ali Zaidi.

In an interview, Mr. Podesta described his new job as ''throwing the weight of federal government policy behind a cycle of investment and innovation that we haven't seen before in the United States, and that is almost unique in the world.''

Image Gina McCarthy, the national climate adviser, said she would work with Mr. Podesta before departing on Sept. 16. Credit... Al Drago for The New York Times He said the opportunity ''was worth coming out of retirement for.''

''The transformation of the energy economy is going to be the biggest thing economically that is happening in this country,'' said Mr. Podesta, who will step down from the board of the Center for American Progress immediately. ''If people are going to feel this in their daily lives, it's going to be because they've got a good job, they're paying less for energy, they're breathing cleaner air and their children have a future that is not blighted by the threat of climate change.''

Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, criticized the appointment of Mr. Podesta and the broader White House focus on climate change.

What's in the Inflation Reduction Act

Card 1 of 8What's in the Inflation Reduction Act

A substantive legislation. The $370 billion climate, tax and health care package that President Biden signed on Aug. 16 could have far-reaching effects on the environment and the economy. Here are some of the key provisions:

What's in the Inflation Reduction Act

Auto industry. Until now, taxpayers could get up to $7,500 in tax credits for purchasing an electric vehicle, but there was a cap on how many cars from each manufacturer were eligible. The new law will eliminate this cap and extend the tax credit until 2032; used cars will also qualify for a credit of up to $4,000.

What's in the Inflation Reduction Act

Energy industry. The legislation will provide billions of dollars in rebates for Americans who buy energy efficient and electric appliances. Companies will get tax credits for building new sources of emissions-free electricity. The package also includes $60 billion set aside to encourage clean energy manufacturing and penalties for methane emissions that exceed federal limits starting in 2024.

What's in the Inflation Reduction Act

Health care. For the first time, Medicare will be allowed to negotiate with drugmakers on the price of some prescription medicines. The law also extends subsidies available under the Affordable Care Act, which were set to expire at the end of the year, for an additional three years.

What's in the Inflation Reduction Act

Tax code. The law introduces a new 15 percent corporate minimum tax on the profits companies report to shareholders, applying to companies that report more than $1 billion in annual income but are able to use credits, deductions and other tax treatments to lower their effective tax rates. The legislation will bolster the I.R.S. with an investment of about $80 billion.

What's in the Inflation Reduction Act

Low-income communities. The package includes over $60 billion in support of low-income communities and communities of color that are disproportionately burdened by climate change. Among the provisions are grants for zero-emissions technology and money to mitigate the negative effects of highways and other transportation facilities.

What's in the Inflation Reduction Act

Fossil fuels industry. The legislation requires the federal government to auction off more public space for oil drilling and expand tax credits for coal and gas-burning plants that rely on carbon capture technology. These provisions are among those that were added to gain the support of Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia.

What's in the Inflation Reduction Act

West Virginia. The law is expected to bring big benefits to Mr. Manchin's state, the nation's second-largest producer of coal, making permanent a federal trust fund to support miners with black lung disease and offering new incentives to build wind and solar farms in areas where coal mines or coal plants have recently closed.

''The Biden administration has done everything in its power to stifle American energy production,'' Mr. Barrasso said in a statement. ''It has led to sky-high energy prices and record inflation. Shifting climate czars won't get America back on track to where we need to be as an energy dominant nation.''

The White House pas de deux between Mr. Podesta and Ms. McCarthy comes at a critical juncture for Democrats, who hope fresh action on a number of fronts like climate change will lift their prospects in the midterm elections in November.

The passage of the climate and tax bill injected momentum into a climate agenda that had appeared to be on life support amid internal divisions among Democrats and a recent Supreme Court ruling hostile to environmental regulation.

''This was like watching Lazarus rise from the dead,'' Mr. Podesta wrote in a text the day the Senate passed the bill.

How Times reporters cover politics. We rely on our journalists to be independent observers. So while Times staff members may vote, they are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. This includes participating in marches or rallies in support of a movement or giving money to, or raising money for, any political candidate or election cause.

Among the challenges Mr. Podesta faces is anger from some progressives over the new law because, while it promises a historic level of investment in climate action, it also provides for new fossil fuel projects.

Some of the concessions seen as necessary to win a pivotal vote from Senator Joe Manchin III, whose home state of West Virginia is rich in coal and natural gas, were new offshore oil lease sales and a promise that new wind or solar projects on federal land or waters would be linked to additional leasing for oil and gas drilling.

The International Energy Agency has said that nations must stop approving new fossil fuel projects if the world has any hope of averting the most catastrophic effects of climate change. The burning of oil, gas and coal produces carbon emissions that are dangerously heating the planet.

To some progressives, the fossil fuel provisions in the new law mark a betrayal on the part of Mr. Biden, who pledged as a candidate that he would stop new drilling projects on public lands and in federal waters.

''Prolonging the fossil fuel era perpetuates environmental racism, is wildly out of step with climate science, and hamstrings our nation's ability to avert a climate disaster,'' a coalition of more than 650 environmental groups wrote in a letter to Democratic congressional leaders this week.

Another major challenge for Mr. Podesta is the sheer scale of the money provided by the law, nearly $370 billion for energy and climate programs. Many of the agencies that will be charged with spending the money and managing programs were gutted under the Trump administration and lost hundreds of scientists and policy experts. Mr. Biden has just over two years remaining in his term to get a slow-moving federal bureaucracy in gear to ensure the sweeping green energy future promised by the law.

''If they lose a year in just getting a small handful of people hired then we will not reap the benefits of this incredible moment in time,'' said Christy Goldfuss, who has been working alongside Mr. Podesta as the senior vice president for energy and environment policy at the Center for American Progress.

''What happens over the next two years is foundational to all of our climate success,'' said Ms. Goldfuss, who served in the Obama administration.

Image Ali Zaidi will replace Ms. McCarthy as national climate adviser and will serve as vice chairman of a task force of cabinet secretaries led by Mr. Podesta. Credit... Kenny Holston for The New York Times Energy analysts say the new climate law will help the United States cut emissions about 40 percent below 2005 levels by the end this decade. Reaching Mr. Biden's goal of a 50 to 52 percent reduction will require more action, including federal regulations and potentially more aggressive state policies on adopting renewable energy.

For Mr. Podesta, who served as President Clinton's chief of staff during impeachment proceedings and was brought in to help salvage a difficult second term for President Barack Obama, his third trip into the White House is by comparison somewhat triumphant. Mr. Podesta's friends said he had just bought a home in San Diego where he hoped to retire before Ron Klain, Mr. Biden's chief of staff, called to offer the new position.

Mr. Podesta's brother, Tony, ran a highly successful Democratic lobbying firm in Washington, which he shuttered in 2017. In the past couple of years, Tony Podesta has returned to federal lobbying, representing a handful of clients including Huawei Technologies, a Chinese telecoms firm; and Quantum Materials Corp, a nanotech manufacturer; according to federal disclosure reports.

John Podesta is perhaps best known as a consummate Washington power broker. He was the opposition research director for Michael Dukakis, the 1988 Democratic presidential nominee; he served on Capitol Hill as a top aide to Senator Patrick J. Leahy, Democrat of Vermont; and also to Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota when he served as Democratic minority leader. Mr. Podesta also worked alongside his brother as a political consultant.

Mr. Podesta, with a sometimes mercurial temperament that colleagues said has softened over the years, is known to speak bluntly. When prospects for passing climate legislation were at their most bleak in January, Mr. Podesta offered this stark assessment: ''If they can't pull this off, then we failed; the country has failed the climate test.''

Mr. Podesta will lead a task force of cabinet secretaries and the heads of 21 federal agencies that Mr. Biden created when he took office to mobilize the government to confront climate change. Mr. Zaidi will serve as vice chairman.

As the new national climate adviser, Mr. Zaidi, 35, will oversee the White House office of climate policy, made up of technical and policy experts who will help Mr. Podesta and also guide new regulations on power plants, automobiles, oil and gas wells and other sources, administration officials said.

Mr. Zaidi served in several positions in the Obama administration, including deputy director for energy policy on the White House's Domestic Policy Council and deputy director for science and energy in the White House Office of Management and Budget. He has also held the job of deputy secretary for energy and environment for the state of New York.

Ms. McCarthy, who served as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the Obama administration, has shaped the nation's policies to fight global warming for over a decade. She developed the country's first regulations to cut planet-warming pollution, which were later stripped away by the Trump administration.

During the 2020 presidential campaign, she influenced Mr. Biden's promises to do more than any leader in the nation's history to fight climate change. And as the president's top climate change official, she was charged with turning that ambitious agenda into reality.

''She will be viewed both domestically and internationally as someone who brought the U.S. back on climate,'' Mr. Podesta said of Ms. McCarthy recently.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 13:22

Federal agents have raided the homes of notorious Clinton Foundation donor Viktor Vekselberg, according to reports.

Russian oligarch Vekselberg has pumped vast amounts of cash into Bill and Hillary Clinton's charity.

He also played a key role in the Uranium One deal.

''The Feds just raided the home of Viktor Vekselberg,'' former Fox News producer Kyle Becker said.

''Vekselberg is best remembered as a Clinton Foundation donor who played a key role in the Uranium One deal.

''Bill Clinton personally lobbied the State Dept. to allow the Russian oligarch to attend a CGI conf. in 2012.

''Vekselberg is perhaps the richest man in Russia,'' Becker noted.

''Russian dissidents describe him as a key component of Putin's economic regime'... Vekselberg's Renova Group'... contributed between $25,000 and $50,000 to the Clinton Foundation''

''It should be noted that Vekselberg has been under sanction since 2018.

''That would be under the Trump presidency for those in Rio Linda.''

According to NBC:

''Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and FBI agents along with NYPD detectives were seen carrying boxes during a search of 515 Park Ave. in Manhattan and 19 Duck Pond Lane in Southampton.

''Records show those properties are linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, a billionaire and close ally of President Vladimir Putin who heads the Moscow-based Renova Group, a conglomerate encompassing metals, mining, tech and other assets, according to U.S. Treasury Department documents.

The U.S. seizure of Vekselberg's $90 million superyacht in Tango, off the Spanish coast, in early April.''

According to CNBC:

''Vekselberg did, however, donate money to the Clinton Foundation, the nonprofit charitable organization founded by former President Bill Clinton.

''Donor records show that Renova Group has donated $50,000 to $100,000, and a subsidiary of Renova, OC Oerlikon, has donated $10,000 to $25,000.

''Clinton Foundation records do not show when the donations were made, and none of Renova's U.S. associates returned emails or messages from CNBC.

''In addition to supporting Fort Ross and the Clinton Foundation, Vekselberg and Renova Group have also funded Stanford University's U.S. Russia Forum, a year-long academic exchange program that pairs American and Russian students to produce research papers.''

BREAKING: The Feds just raided the home of Viktor Vekselberg.

Vekselberg is best remembered as a Clinton Foundation donor who played a key role in the Uranium One deal.

Bill Clinton personally lobbied the State Dept. to allow the Russian oligarch to attend a CGI conf. in 2012. pic.twitter.com/5G4XdQvyxV

'-- Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) September 3, 2022

See also:https://t.co/mwQGK3uZEP

'-- Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) September 3, 2022

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 13:20

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) '-- Seventeen states with vehicle emission standards tied to rules established in California face weighty decisions on whether to follow that state's strictest-in-the nation new rules that require all new cars, pickups and SUVs to be electric or hydrogen powered by 2035.

Under the Clean Air Act, states must abide by the federal government's standard vehicle emissions standards unless they at least partially opt to follow California's stricter requirements.

Among them, Washington, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon and Vermont are expected to adopt California's ban on new gasoline-fueled vehicles. Colorado and Pennsylvania are among the states that probably won't. The legal ground is a bit murkier in Minnesota, where the state's ''Clean Cars'' rule has been a political minefield and the subject of a legal fight. Meanwhile, Republicans are rebelling in Virginia.

The Minnesota Auto Dealers Association says its reading of state and federal law is that the new California rules kick in automatically in the state, and it's making that case in court as it tries to block them.

''The technology is such that the vehicles just don't perform that well in cold weather,'' said Scott Lambert, the trade group's president. ''We don't all live in southern California.''

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency officials say the state would have to launch an entirely new rulemaking process to adopt California's changes. And in court filings and legislative hearings, they've said they are not planning to do that now.

''We are not California. Minnesota has its own plan,'' Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement. He called Minnesota's program ''a smart way to increase, rather than decrease, options for consumers. Our priority is to lower costs and increase choices so Minnesotans can drive whatever vehicle suits them.''

Oregon regulators are taking public comments through Sept. 7 on whether to adopt the new California standards. Colorado regulators, who adopted California's older rules, won't follow California's new ones, the administration of Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said.

''While the governor shares the goal of rapidly moving towards electric vehicles, he is skeptical about requiring 100% of cars sold to be electric by a certain date as technology is rapidly changing,'' the Colorado Energy Office said in a statement.

Regulators in Pennsylvania, which only partially adopted California's older standards, said they won't automatically follow its new rules. Under Democratic Governor Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania started the regulatory process last year to fully conform with California's rules, but abandoned it.

Virginia had been on a path to adopting California's rules under legislation that passed last year when Democrats were in full control of Virginia's government. But Republicans who control the House of Delegates and GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin say they'll push to unlink their state.

Minnesota's auto dealers are trying to make their state's current rules '-- and the possibility that they could tighten to incorporate California's new restrictions '-- an issue for the fall elections. Control of the Legislature and governor's office are up for grabs, and the dealers hope to persuade the 2023 Legislature to roll back the regulations unless they win in court first, Lambert said.

The MPCA, with Walz's support, adopted California's existing standards through administrative rulemaking last year amid a bitter fight with Republican lawmakers who were upset that the Legislature was cut out of the decision. Legislators even tried unsuccessfully to withhold funding from Minnesota's environmental agencies. One casualty was Laura Bishop, who resigned as MPCA commissioner after it became apparent that she lacked the votes in the GOP-controlled Senate to win confirmation.

Walz and his administration have framed Minnesota's Clean Cars rule as a fairly painless way to increase the availability of electric vehicles and help the state meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals. The rule seeks to increase the offerings of battery-powered and hybrid vehicles starting with the 2025 model year by requiring manufacturers to comply with California standards currently in force for low- and zero-emission vehicles.

Lambert said the state's auto dealers don't oppose electric vehicles. They currently make up 2.3% of new vehicle sales in Minnesota and he expects consumer interest to continue to grow. But the reduced range of battery-powered vehicles in cold weather makes them less attractive in northern tier states, he said. Minnesota's rules already threaten to saddle dealers with more electric vehicles than their customers will buy, he said, and adopting the California ban would make things worse.

Under federal law, by Lambert's reading, states have to either adopt California's rules in full or follow less stringent federal emission standards. He said they can't pick and choose from parts of each. And that effectively means there's a ''ban on the books'' in Minnesota for sales of new conventionally fueled vehicles starting with the 2035 model year, he said.

Lambert's association was already fighting Minnesota's existing Clean Car rules in the Minnesota Court of Appeals, and its petition foresaw that California would make the changes it announced late last month. A key issue in whether ''any future amendments to the incorporated California regulations automatically become part of Minnesota rules,'' as the dealers argue.

The MPCA's attorneys assert that they don't, and have asked the court to dismiss the challenge. MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler has made similar arguments for months, including before a skeptical state Senate committee last March.

Aaron Klemz, chief strategy officer for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, which will be filing its own arguments against the dealers in court, acknowledged that the legal landscape is confusing. And he said it's not clear whether his group will eventually call for Minnesota to follow California's new ban.

''We haven't done enough analysis of the California rule to know if we're going to push for its adoption in Minnesota,'' Klemz said. He noted that other issues are coming into play, including incentives for electric vehicles in the Inflation Reduction Act that President Joe Biden recently signed, and the stated intentions by some of the major automakers to go all-electric.

___

Associated Press reporters Jim Anderson in Denver; Gillian Flaccus in Portland, Oregon; and Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this story.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 13:14

Donald Trump's Truth Social should not be available for download on Apple or Google's online stores following an escalation of violent rhetoric on the platform, according to a letter sent today by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

Both Apple and Google have community standards that claim to create a safe, productive and inclusive environment for users. Following the January 6th insurrection, Apple pledged to ''stand for democracy'' and prevent the promotion of extremist content, and Google took the step of removing Parler from its Google Play Store because it did not meet Google's content moderation standards. At this time, Google has considered adding Truth Social to Google Play Store for download, but has yet to approve the app given insufficient content moderation.

''In the past months, the potential dangers we anticipated would appear on Truth Social have become reality, with misinformation and violent rhetoric proliferating,'' said CREW President Noah Bookbinder. ''The app not only poses an existential threat to our democracy, but also puts law enforcement officers, civil servants and the public at risk.''

In April, CREW called on Cook to remove Truth Social from its app store given the app's potential to spread disinformation and foment an attack on democracy. Following the FBI search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, downloads of the app increased, and conspiracy theories and violent posts on the app became more abundant. Users on the platform doxxed FBI personnel, the magistrate judge who signed the court order in the Mar-a-Lago search, and their families, and made posts rallying people to prepare for combat. Former president Trump also turned to the platform to spread misinformation about the search and rally his supporters.

''Apple and Google can play a crucial role in protecting our democracy by keeping Truth Social off their app stores,'' said Bookbinder. ''We are seeing Donald Trump use Truth Social to run the same playbook he did before January 6th. If Apple and Google allow the platform to run unchecked, they discredit their own values and aid and abet the violence we are seeing from Trump's supporters.''

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 13:10

Authored by Brian McGlinchey via Stark Realities

Though it's received relatively little attention, a conservative-led drive to call a convention to consider amendments to the U.S. Constitution has been making steady progress, and is now more than halfway toward realizing its goal.

At a time when Americans are increasingly polarized '-- to the extent that 43% think a civil war will erupt in the next decade '-- should you be alarmed or enthused?

Article V of the Constitution provides two avenues for amendments. Under the first one, Congress proposes amendments that are enacted if three-fourths of the state legislatures approve them. That's the way all amendments have been advanced so far.

Conservative activists want to knock the dust off the other Article V provision, which empowers state legislatures to ''call a convention for proposing amendments.''

To trigger a convention that way, two-thirds of the state legislatures must call for one, and governors have no say in the matter. States would then send delegates to a convention where proposals would be put forth and debated. In the end, the convention is only a vehicle for proposing amendments.

As with congressionally-proposed amendments, ratification of any convention-proposed amendment requires the approval of three-fourths of the states. That approval must come from the state legislatures or, if states choose, a ratifying convention in the state.

So far, 19 state legislatures have called for an amendments convention, which means advocates are more than halfway toward the 34 they need. Though that still leaves lots of work to do, there's a sense of growing momentum, as four states joined the cause in 2022 alone: Nebraska, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Today, Republicans have full legislative control in 30 states. (That doesn't count Nebraska, which has a nonpartisan, unicameral legislature and is already on board.)

"COS" = Convention of States. Chart via Convention of States ActionWith political winds seemingly favoring the GOP in the coming November elections, a few more states could flip to full Republican control, including Minnesota and Nevada, which have yet to call for a convention.

It isn't all about Red vs Blue, however: Convention advocates have also targeted Republicans who've opposed their efforts. Convention of States Action and its affiliates spent over $600,000 in at least five state primary contests.

Convention of States Action's model language for state legislatures seeks to limit the scope of the convention to ''proposing amendments'...that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.''

Many right-leaning advocates see a convention as an opportunity to rein in a federal government that is '-- thanks in part to the Supreme Court's wildly creative interpretations of the Commerce Clause '-- operating far beyond the bounds of the Constitution, dominating countless aspects of American life that, according to the 10th Amendment, are to be exclusively under the purview of state governments.

"The states have sort of lost their voice, and all we can do now is beg from the cheap seats and say, 'Hey, don't do that'," South Carolina state rep. Bill Taylor, who led a successful constitution-calling effort, told Insider.

Though the largest convention drive is led by conservatives, some liberals are itching for a state-led constitution-editing session of their own. Prompted by the Citizens United decision, progressive commentator Cenk Uygur launched Wolf PAC to push for a convention geared toward campaign finance reform. Four legislatures have advanced the Wolf PAC convention application.

In 2016, Convention of States Action held a mock constitutional convention, and six amendments proposals were advanced. Among other things, they included:

Congressional term limits

Requiring a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate to increase the public debt

Restoring the Commerce Clause to its original intent and scope

Repeal of the 16th Amendment, which gave us the income tax

Giving states, by a three-fifths vote, the power to negate any federal law, regulation or executive order

Giving Congress an easy means of overriding federal regulation

137 delegates representing 50 states participated in Convention of States Action's 2016 simulated amendments convention While the conservative drive has largely stayed under the major media radar, there is a growing sense of alarm among liberals. Former senator Russ Feingold is promoting a new book he co-authored: ''The Constitution in Jeopardy.'' In an interview with ABC News, he said the effort could result in reduced federal protection of the environment, civil rights and voting rights.

There are also alarmists among some conservatives who conjure images of a ''runaway convention'' that ignores the stipulated scope and advances any number of unwelcome amendments '-- for example, an evisceration of gun rights.

Even if the convention somehow went off the deep end, it's important to remember that it only proposes amendments. Calling a convention requires the support of 34 legislatures, but any proposed amendment must then garner the support of 38 of them'--some of which didn't even support having a convention.

With that built-in friction acting as a brake on extreme ambitions, amendments would seemingly require at least some bipartisan appeal to make it across the goal line. In that light, perhaps the proposal with the best chance of passing the high ratification hurdle would be one establishing congressional term limits, which is a central thrust of the conservative-led effort.

A 2021 Rasmussen survey found 87% of Republicans, 83% of Democrats and 78% of independents favor them, which means state legislatures would face bipartisan pressure to ratify them if given the opportunity.

The mere drive to hold a convention may have its own prodding effect on various fronts. Looking back, a state-led push for an Article V convention to bring about the direct election of U.S. senators was still one state short when Congress decided to yield to growing pressure and propose such an amendment on its own.

Though it's understandable that liberals would view a conservative-led constitutional-amendment push with deep unease '-- just as conservatives would were the roles reversed '-- limiting the power of the federal government may be the surest way to avert more acrimonious division in the country.

The intensity of today's division springs from the fact that we have an increasingly powerful central government '-- including a increasingly unchecked executive branch '-- imposing its will on 331 million people spread across a vast country containing many different subcultures and sets of values.

Liberals and conservatives are thus compelled to clash with increasing intensity over who gets to control levers the Constitution never even authorized. The more we rightly restore authority to state and local governments, the lower the national political stakes for all of us, and the lower our collective temperature.

However, the federal government won't surrender that power on its own '-- which is exactly why the founders gave us this other avenue of amending the Constitution.

Indeed, as one contemporaneous account recorded, George Mason, in urging the adoption of the state-driven convention avenue, argued that, without it, ''no amendments of the proper kind would ever be obtained by the people, if the government should become oppressive.''

Stark Realities undermines official narratives, demolishes conventional wisdom and exposes fundamental myths across the political spectrum. Read more and subscribe at starkrealities.substack.com

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 13:00

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Mr Obama becomes the second president to win an Emmy.

Former president Barack Obama won the best narrator Emmy Award on Saturday for his Netflix documentary series, Our Great National Parks.

The Obamas' production company, Higher Ground, is behind the five-part series on national parks around the world.

The Emmy joins Mr Obama's two Grammy awards putting him halfway to becoming an Egot - someone with an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award.

He becomes only the second US president in history to win an Emmy.

The Netflix series showcases natural beauty spanning five continents, and features locations including Chilean Patagonia and Indonesia.

Other contenders in the category for best narrator included David Attenborough, Lupita Nyong'o and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

After leaving office in 2017, the former president and his wife Michelle set up Higher Ground, striking a deal with Netflix said to be worth tens of millions of dollars.

Mr Obama won Grammy Awards for audio versions of his memoirs "The Audacity of Hope" and "Dreams from My Father".

The only other president to win an Emmy was Dwight Eisenhower, who won an honorary award in 1956 for becoming the first president to conduct a televised news conference.

Only 17 people have gained Egot status to date, including Mel Brooks, Whoopie Goldberg, Audrey Hepburn and Jenifer Hudson.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 12:57

The scale of energy rationing that may be required at home, in the NHS, schools, care homes, shops, pubs and on the streets of Britain because of surging energy prices and the threat of blackouts is laid bare today.

Experts have told MailOnline there is 'no escape' for the 66million people in the UK who will be encouraged to cut their use of gas and electricity this winter and even turn off the lights when the wind drops.

Kathryn Porter, from consultancy Watt-Logic, fears that the crisis will cost lives in the coming months and told MailOnline: 'We should keep our fingers crossed for a warm and windy winter'. Ms Porter has said that it's 'very possible' the UK will see plans for energy rationing, despite Liz Truss, the likely next prime minister, absolutely ruling it out, but the energy expert added: 'It would be voluntary, asking people to make a small sacrifice to avoid blackouts'.

Today it emerged that Britons could be asked to limit energy use this winter to head off blackouts by avoiding using gas and electricity at peak times in a move that will hit every part of life.

At home people may be encouraged not to use washing machines, dishwashers and ovens between 2pm and 8pm while charging cars before 9pm is also not advised when similar measures were imposed in the US this year. Abandoning the family weekday dinner at 6pm or the Sunday roast at 5pm may be required and moved to after 8pm or swapped for a cold dinner or leftovers.

The NHS Confederation has predicted that the solution for the health service will 'have to be made up by fewer staff being employed, longer waiting times for care, or other areas of patient care being cut back'. NHS England guidance says staff must turning off equipment and lights and better control temperatures in hospitals and surgeries.

Schools have even discussed three-day weeks and classes could be combined to reduce the number of rooms that require heating each day.

While care homes are being forced to take drastic action to absorb soaring living costs such as reducing menu options, using washing machines less and cutting down on entertainment and outdoor trips for elderly and vulnerable residents.

Pubs are already turning out the lights as soaring energy bills hit the ailing hospitality sector - with last orders at 8.30pm and closing by 9pm, food service being stopped and skeleton teams running venues to avoid financial ruin. Beer gardens are even being shut at night to save costs.

And councils may choose to copy Germany where street lights are being dimmed, traffic lights at quieter junctions are turned off, hot water and central heating is off in public buildings and monuments will no longer be lit overnight. UK municipal swimming pools could be made colder to reduce heating bills.

These are the areas of British life that may be hit by rationing and the fight to save costs:

In the home: Cold dinners, washing in the mornings and lights off when the wind is not blowing

Millions could be forced to make sacrifices at home to avoid blackouts - but it could hit family life including delaying when they eat their dinner and swapping a hot meal for cold leftovers or a salad.

Kathryn Porter, from consultancy Watt-Logic, expects that authorities could ask consumers to reduce their use of electricity during peak hours, such as 2pm or 4pm to 8pm.

Parents and their children would be encouraged to eat later, or eat something that does not require cooking.

In Texas and California, tens of millions of people have been asked not to use washing machines, dishwashers and ovens between 2pm and 8pm because of the global energy crisis and reduce strain on power stations. Charging cars before 9pm is also not advised.

As statistics show wind power generation of electricity is dropping after years of growth, Britons could be asked to turn off the lights if the wind doesn't blow

Families may be asked to cut their energy usage this winter to avoid blackouts if the weather 'doesn't go in our favour', an energy expert has warned

Ms Porter said: 'People could do their laundry, cook hot meals before or after the time period', but added that Britons must not 'avoid cooking a hot meal if you have young children or vulnerable people in your home'.

'It is possible we will see something similar here this winter,' she said, adding: 'I think it would be more an appeal or request for people to have their dinner earlier or later, or avoid using large appliances like washing machines during peak hours. I think it would be voluntary rather than compulsory'.

A lack of wind could also come into play.

She said: 'We have had quite low wind output in July and August...Demand is a lot higher in the winter, so if we have those weather conditions in the winter, our system is going to get very tight and that raises a risk of blackouts'.

Heavy industry users are also being braced to suspend or scale back production to protect supplies to homes.

Separately, contingency plans exist to dim the lights across parts of the country by turning down the voltage in the national cable grid in what are known as 'brown outs'.

The NHS: How energy bill crisis could make dire situation in hospitals even worse and care could have to be 'cut back' this winter

NHS treatment may have to be rationed this winter because of ever-increasing energy bills, health bosses fear in the face of a mammoth backlog and crises in the A&E and ambulance sectors.

Startling projections reveal some trusts face spending twice, or even three times as much as they did last year on electricity and gas.

Trusts aren't covered by Ofgem's 80 per cent price cap on electricity and gas, and so are even more vulnerable to surging prices in the coming months. As a result, health chiefs have had to ring-fence £1.5billion to fund the soaring bills.

Rory Deighton, of the NHS Confederation '-- which represents the healthcare system across England, Wales and Northern Ireland '-- said: 'This isn't an abstract problem.'

He said the solution 'will either have to be made up by fewer staff being employed, longer waiting times for care, or other areas of patient care being cut back'.

HM Treasury data shows the NHS received £100.4billion in 2010/11 and its budget had grown steadily until 2019. In 2020, the NHS was given £129.7billion of core funding for its usual services, which was topped up with an extra £18billion to help with the pressures from the pandemic. For 2021/22 the Treasury said the health service is set to receive £136.1billion pounds of core funding, as well as £3billion to help with the Covid recovery

HOW BAD IS THE NHS CRISIS IN ENGLAND? The overall waiting list jumped to 6.73million in June. This is up from 6.61m in May and is the highest number since records began in August 2007.

There were 3,861 people waiting more than two years to start treatment at the end of June, down from 8,028 in May but still higher than April 2021, when the figure started to be recorded.

The number of people waiting more than a year to start hospital treatment was 355,774, up from 331,623 the previous month and the highest ever logged.

A record 29,317 people had to wait more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England in July. The figure is up from 22,034 in June and is the highest for any month since record began in 2010.

A total of 136,221 people waited at least four hours from the decision to admit to admission in July, down slightly from the all-time high of 136,298 in March.

Just 71 per cent of patients were seen within four hours at A&Es last month, the worst ever performance. NHS standards set out that 95 per cent should be admitted, transferred or discharged within the four-hour window.

The average category one response time '' calls from people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries '' was nine minutes and 35 seconds. The target time is seven minutes.

Ambulances took an average of 59 minutes and seven seconds to respond to category two calls , such as burns, epilepsy and strokes. This is three times longer than the 18 minute target.

Response times for category three calls '' such as late stages of labour, non-severe burns and diabetes '' averaged three hours, 17 minutes and six seconds. Ambulances are supposed to arrive to these calls within two hours.

Some 430,037 patients (27.5 per cent) were waiting more than six weeks for a key diagnostic test in June, including an MRI scan, non-obstetric ultrasound or gastroscopy.

The same organisation previously warned health bosses will inevitably have to make 'impossible choices' over the coming months, unless the 'perilous' situation is solved with billions more the public purse.

New technologies are often the first area to be cut when purse-strings are tightened.

Diagnostic capacity will also be under threat, despite being a 'key area' in reducing the Covid-induced backlog that has left nearly 7million patients in England waiting for routine hospital treatment.

At the same time as soaring energy bills, critics have claimed that the NHS could see another £1.8billion 'raided' from its own budget simply to meet No10's proposed pay rise for staff.

Department of Health bosses have rejected these fears, however.

Analysts predict the health service will need at least another £4billion to account for spiralling costs. As a result, NHS chiefs are demanding another emergency top-up in the coming autumn's budget.

'That (£4billion estimate) is before we face a winter of even higher wholesale energy prices,' the NHS Confederation added.

Right-wing think-tanks have repeatedly described the NHS as being a 'blackhole of taxpayer money'.

Their argument '-- that the health service is in dire need of reform, not extra cash '-- is that its budget has drastically increased under the Conservative Government yet performances have worsened.

Waiting times for routine ops, such as hip and knee replacements, shot up to record highs were way before Covid reached British shores. But the pandemic, and knock-on effects of lockdown, have seen queues hit an all-time high.

Ambulance response times have gone down the pan, so badly so that even heart attack patients have been left waiting three hours to be taken to hospital.

A&E performance has also plunged to dire levels, with waiting times worse than ever. Campaigners have called the situation 'apocalyptic'.

The NHS in England already gets £150billion a year, compared to roughly £100billion just a decade ago.

Under Boris Johnson, it was promised an extra £30billion a year through the highly-controversial levy to get 'back on its feet' after the pandemic.

But Liz Truss, the frontrunner to replace him as Prime Minister, has already pledged to divert all of that to social care, which is simultaneously being battered by its own crisis.

The number of people in England on the waiting list for routine hospital treatment hit a record 6.7million in June '-- meaning one in eight are now stuck in the backlog

Latest NHS England data for July shows that more than 29,000 sickened people waited 12 hours at A&E units last month (yellow lines) '-- four times more than the NHS target and up by a third on June, which was the previous record. Meanwhile, the proportion of patients seen within four hours '-- the timeframe 95 per cent of people are supposed to be seen within '-- dropped to 71 per cent last month (red line), the lowest rate logged since records began in 2010

NHS England ambulance figures show the average wait for heart attack and stroke victims surpassed 59 minutes for only the second time ever (red bars). The yellow line shows the number of category two calls, which hit 379,460

Experts brutally described it as being like 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'.

NHS Confederation also believes this year's inflation effectively means this is the 'first real-terms cut in funding since 1997'.

As well as piling extra financial pressure on hospitals, experts fear the cost of living crisis could exacerbate the workforce crisis.

Damning figures yesterday revealed that one in 10 full-time posts were vacant at the end of June in England, the highest proportion since records began almost five years ago.

The staffing crisis is one of the key factors fuelling the performances issues.

Ministers were in May warned there was 'real risk of a mass exodus' of staff who can get better-paid jobs in pubs, shops and supermarkets.

Care homes: Residents face fewer meal options and less trips or entertainments

Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group

Care homes are being forced to take drastic action to absorb soaring living costs such as reducing menu options, using washing machines less and cutting down on entertainment for elderly residents.

But despite this many fear that they will not be able to survive the winter unless there is urgent government intervention.

A recent survey by the Independent Care Group (ICG) found that 93 per cent of the homes they spoke to starting to make savings.

But where food, heating and staffing cannot be cut back on, going on less outings, buying more budget food brands and halting non-refurbishment such as painting and decorating is a way of recouping costs for providers.

Mike Padgham (right), chair of the ICG, said: 'If a care home has several outings a week they might reduce it to two.

'If they had entertainers in several times a week, they might have to look at reducing that.

'It's not what [care homes] want to do in the perfect world but they have to cut back somewhere.

'It's regretful and it's the last resort'.

It comes as 96 per cent of care homes said they were experiencing increased costs on essentials such as energy and staffing.

Saint Cecilia's Care Group, which runs five care homes across Scarborough in North Yorkshire, said it had seen a 162 per cent rise in energy and 169 per cent increase in gas bills over the last four years.

Mr Padgham said he had been working in the care sector for more than 30 years and 'it's the worst I've ever known'.

'It does keep me awake at night. I'm worried about the winter coming up,' he said.

Mr Padgham continued: 'There's some things we can't cut back on, like food and energy because we still have to feed the residents properly and heat the homes correctly.

'We also can't cut back on staff, which are our biggest costs. That's why we fear for the future of some care homes - can they make ends meet?

'It's as challenging if not more challenging than Covid, which we're still coping with.'

One campaigner told MailOnline she received worried calls from families on a daily basis, concerned that their loved ones are not getting the right nutrition due to 'cutting corners' amid rising food costs.

Jayne Connery, founder of Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, said: 'Families are worrying what nutrition their loved ones are getting.'

'Every day we are receiving calls from families saying that they're noticing nutrition in care homes is being affected, and care homes are struggling to get the right nutrition for the right cost.'

Will Donnelly, founder of the care home comparison website Lottie, said that they are seeing more homes find different ways to absorb the rising energy costs.

'For instance, some homes are reviewing the cost of their fees, which is something that they've been very reluctant to do, but it is unavoidable,' he said.

'Some homes have been reducing menu options and using washing machines less to lower costs.'

'This is a very distressing and anxious time for residents and their families',

And Ms Connery said increased care home bills is a real concern for the families she speaks to every day.

''We've got elderly people, predominantly with dementia in care homes, and their families are coming to us saying that their bills are going up,' she continued.

'They're coming to us saying this isn't sustainable.'

Schools: Threat of a three-day week and combining classes to save on costs

Some school leaders could implement a three-day week this winter to mitigate against soaring electricity and gas costs - while others might restrict heating and cut staff as they face five-fold energy bill increases, it is claimed.

Headteachers have told the Times Educational Supplement (TES) that their budgets were 'never designed' to cope with such rises in costs.

Marc Jordan, the chief executive of the multi-academy Creative Education Trust, said he had heard discussions about a 'three-day week' to save on energy bills.

And Robin Bevan, headmaster of Southend High School for Boys in Essex, said 'if a four-day week is not already being planned, it will certainly be being considered' by some schools.

One large multi-academy trust will see its energy bill go up from £9.2million last year to £14.3million this year, while a survey by the TES of 121 senior leaders found more than three-quarters will consider limiting heating.

Laura McInerney, co-founder of the teacher survey app Teacher Tapp, said schools are having to cut back on textbooks and laboratory equipment, and that 'school trips seem likely to go out of the window'.

The Ridgeway Education Trust in Oxfordshire, which runs three schools, said its reserves of £1million will be gone in just a year because of the surge in its gas and electricity contracts from October.

The NAHT school leaders' union said some members have reported 500 per cent rises in energy bills '' while schools are also having to fund a Government-awarded 5 per cent rise for experienced teachers from this month.

And St Gregory CEVC Primary School in Suffolk said that it had decided not to renew any expiring fixed-term support staff contracts which would help them pay for their rising energy costs.

Kathryn Porter, an energy expert from consultancy Watt-Logic, said consolidating classes and cutting hours or teaching staff could be methods used to save costs '' although shorter days would increase home energy use.

Swimming pools could be made colder, libraries made 'warm hubs' and monuments no longer lit up to save energy

The charity Libraries Connected said more than 80 per cent of libraries expect a rise in people using the spaces to keep warm this winter, and many have started preparing by installing extra desks and more comfortable chairs.

Many libraries will also be offering extra services such as hot drinks, warm clothes and advice on managing bills '' but the extra energy costs faced by councils means library budges will become stretched in the coming months.

But Isobel Hunter, chief executive of the charity, warned that libraries across Britain are 'now involved in council-wide discussions on economising and on budget cuts which could mean reducing opening hours'.

Suffolk Libraries will provide its sites as 'warm and welcoming places where anyone can come during the colder months', and it will provide 'kindness racks' for people to donate winter clothes for others to collect.

In Dorset, the council said it is 'considering a range of options including whether to extend opening of public buildings, such as libraries, to help people have safe and warm places to be during the colder months'.

And the temperatures of swimming pools could be reduced in winter in an effort to cut energy bills, with the GM Active operator in Greater Manchester saying it 'can't rule out' this in future - although there are no plans to do it yet.

In Germany, showers in swimming pools and sports halls are now unheated to help reduce energy costs, while private pools cannot be heated with gas and electricity, except for rehab centres, recreational facilities and hotels.

Some UK swimming pools are struggling to stay open, with the community-run Buckfastleigh open air pool in Bideford, Devon, among those that may have to shut after it saw bills rise from £9,000 last year to £27,000 this year.

Leisure industry body UKActive said that swimming pools were unable to cope with rising energy bills, with the cost of heating all of them in Britain expected to rise to £1.25billion this year, from £500million in 2019.

Chelmsford City Council in Essex has pledged to keep its pools open this winter, despite it is costing an extra £480,000 this year to heat the sites at Riverside and South Woodham Ferrers - double the amount from last year.

Meanwhile the owner of Shirley Swimming Pool in Southampton is trying to raise £25,000 to save it from having to shut because of the energy crisis, as its running costs increase from £30,000 per year to £150,000.

One public swimming pool in Bristol is well-prepared for the crisis having reduced its heating bill to zero by installing new solar-powered technology on its roof, which means it now is heated to 30C entirely by the sun.

But bosses at Easton Leisure Centre in Bristol, which had the 800 solar thermal tubes added in May, said that if the energy provided is not sufficient to keep the pool at the right temperature over winter, its gas boilers will kick in.

Councils in the UK will face soaring bills this winter, and could copy the example of Germany where authorities have been switching off hot water and central heating in public buildings and not lighting monuments overnight.

Berlin has plunged about 200 historic monuments and municipal buildings such as the city's cathedral, Old Palace and Charlottenburg Palace into darkness overnight as the city switches off spotlights to save electricity.

Hanover has cut hot water to public buildings, swimming pools and gyms, turned off lights in museums and let fountains run dry. Mobile air conditioning units and fan heaters are now banned in municipal buildings - and while heating will be allowed from October to March, this will only be allowed to reach 20C (68F) room temperature.

Other cities are now dimming street lights - such as Weimar, where they are coming on half an hour later. While this has not yet been confirmed as happening in Britain, the Local Government Association said councils have seen a 38 per cent rise in the cost of running and repairing streetlights over the last six months.

Councils and voluntary organisations across the UK are also organising 'warmth banks' or 'heat hubs' in public buildings to provide shelter for people who cannot pay soaring energy bills this winter, especially the elderly.

Last orders at 9pm, beer gardens shut and food only served for three hours a day: Bleak vision of future of pubs

Pubs are already turning out the lights as soaring energy bills hit the ailing hospitality sector - with last orders called hours earlier, food being cut and skeleton teams running venues to avoid financial ruin.

It comes as the chair of the British Chambers of Commerce, Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, today warned that two-thirds of pubs could face closure, risking hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Landlords are reporting 400% increases in the price of their bills, costs they are largely unable to cut as they rely on constant gas and electricity supplies to serve customers.

And Michelin-starred celebrity chef and pub owner Tom Kerridge warned the annual energy bill at one of his pubs is set to rise from £60,000 to a 'ludicrous' £420,000.

The sharp increase in energy costs mean pubs are facing a tough choice between passing the extra burden onto loyal customers, who are also struggling with the rising cost-of-living, cutting menus and even staff, or shutting shop completely.

The Plough, in Whitstable, Kent, has seen its utilities bills skyrocket from £8,000 to £33,000

The lack of a price cap on energy rates is only the latest crisis facing the ailing hospitality sector, with many landlords and restaurateurs tracing their woes back to the pandemic.

They are also continuing to work through a staffing crisis, with chefs and waiting staff leaving the sector in droves for more stable jobs and restaurateurs saying they have had to raise wages to keep their teams.

Publicans have told MailOnline that they are now only staying in the industry either for the love of it or because they have no choice, as they are no longer turning a profit.

Some, who are just about managing, explain here what they have had to sacrifice to stay afloat...

Melissa Evans, 47, who has been in the industry for 21 years and a landlady for the last three and a half, said the rise in prices is beyond laughable.

She said her pub, The Plough, in Whitstable, Kent, has seen its utilities bills skyrocket in recent months.

Her original business plan when she took on the pub forecasted bills for electricity and gas at £8,000 per year, which she described as 'amusing' in hindsight.

Melissa Evans, 47, who has been in the industry for 21 years, said the rise in prices is beyond laughable

'I'm now looking at £33,000 just for gas and I now need to work that into my business without affecting my staff and customers,' she said.

She added that she only managed to secure that deal last week after shopping around and negotiating with suppliers, as most energy companies are not offering fixed deals at the moment,' she added.

She said the only way they have been able to cope so far is by cutting back wherever they can and running on a skeleton team, and often works for free herself.

'I've had to think differently on how to run the pub,' Ms Evans said.

'Weekdays we now close around 9pm, we only really use our restaurant area at weekends to save on staff costs.

'We are a small team, some weeks we could do with a few more of us, but we've all decided so no one loses money we all do a bit longer when needed. I work lots of shifts as obviously I'm 'free' labour.'

The landlady said that there will likely be a knock-on effect to the local community, both in terms of jobs and providing a leisure spot for punters.

'The sad part is I host music all weekend but I will have to cut back now which again will lead to a knock on effect with all the musicians that rely on bookings,' she said.

'We now only do food from 12 until three so fryers aren't on too long.

'We had to reduce my menu so we don't have too much food to go to waste.

'Quotes for gas were crazy from 27p per unit 64p per day charge to 47p with 80p charges it's totally frightening.

'[We] used to hold a big variety of food as we were able to stay open longer but now we cannot afford to run 12 until eight as it would mean having a chef and waiting staff, both quite large wage bills.'

She added that she has now taken on the mantel of chef as they no longer have one, with just eight staff members in total.

On top of this, she said: 'Beer and gas have increased a lot, barrels are now £30-40 more and gas has increased for £15.95 a canister to £29.95.'

Ms Evans said that they are switching off outside lighting and appliances to save energy.

'The government need to come up with some kind of discount for businesses or we will all struggle to survive.'

She added: 'You really need to be up for running a pub for the love of it as it's certainly not to earn a living anymore!'

The Ye Olde Fleece Inn in Kendal, which dates back to 1654, has seen a huge increase of £80,000 to its annual electricity bill, which it is already struggling to manage.

The beloved historic pub currently pays £44,000 for its electricity bill, but was last week quoted £124,000 which its owners expect to come in this autumn.

Chris Moss is a director of Westmorland Hospitality, which runs the Fleece.

He worked as an emergency doctor before moving into the industry four years ago, and told the MailOnline that the current crisis facing the sector means 'it is now easier to run an A&E department than a pub'.

The director says he has had to roll his sleeves up to keep costs down.

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Sun, 04 Sep 2022 12:56

Timothee Chalamet had all of Venice seeing red on Friday night at the world premiere of ''Bones and All.'' The actor donned a sparkling backless jumpsuit in a blood-red shade '-- a cheeky wink to the drama's central protagonists, two cannibals in love.

The film, which reunites Chalamet with his ''Call Me By Your Name'' director Luca Guadagnino, lives up to its title with gory attacks and scenes that involve limb-chewing and eating. But despite the uncomfortable subject matter, the audience at the Venice premiere for the movie devoured ''Bones and All.'' The film received a 8.5-minute standing ovation, the longest and most enthusiastic of the festival so far. (It handily beat the previous record holder ''Tar,'' a drama starring Cate Blanchett as a tortured composer, which had a 6-minute ovation.)

As the crowds inside the Sala Grande cheered ''Luca! Luca!,'' the Italian director wiped tears from his eyes. Chalamet and the cast '-- including Taylor Russell, who plays the film's anti-heroine Maren '-- walked down the steps of the theater's mezzanine to welcome the crowd in the orchestra showering them with so much applause. And Chalamet encouraged the clapping to continue as he held up pieces of paper with Guadagnino and Russell's names on them, meant to reserve their seats, to cue more applause.

Chalamet plays Lee, a pale young man who embarks on a road trip with a woman he meets who shares an equally troubled past. The odyssey is marked with self-exploration and murder (with a tone that suggests what you'd get if Guadagnino had been tapped to direct one of the ''Twilight'' films). In one scene set at a carnival, Lee seduces a man, suggesting that he's bisexual (or maybe pansexual), but he eventually falls in love with Maren.

''Bones and All'' is based on the novel of the same name by Camille DeAngelis. Guadagnino's ''Suspiria'' writer David Kajganich adapted the script. The supporting cast includes Mark Rylance, Michael Stuhlbarg, Andr(C) Holland, Jessica Harper, Chlo Sevigny, Francesca Scorsese and David Gordon Green.

Notably, ''Bones and All'' is Guadagnino's first movie shot in the United States. It also marks a reunion between the director and Chalamet, who became one of the youngest best actor Oscar nominees in history thanks to his work on their first collaboration ''Call Me By Your Name.'' Guadagnino has called Chalamet's role in ''Bones and All'' a heartbreaker.

''The second I read it, I said, I think only Timothee can play this role,'' Guadagnino said in an interview last year. ''He's fantastic, a great performer and to see him soaring the way he is doing now, I feel proud of him. And this character is something very new for him, both endearing and heartbreaking.''

Guadagnino has had a rich history with the Venice Film Festival. His directorial debut ''The Protagonists'' debuted at the 1999 festival. His films ''I Am Love,'' ''A Bigger Splash'' and ''Suspiria'' also world premiered at Venice.

MGM is releasing ''Bones and All'' in theaters on Nov. 23.

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Sat, 03 Sep 2022 22:43

September 02, 2022 12:59 PM

S en. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) called on credit card companies and banks to create a new code for gunmakers, claiming it will help better monitor transactions involving guns and ammunition.

The lawmakers asked several top credit card companies, including Mastercard, Visa, and American Express, to create a new MCC, merchant category code, for gunmakers despite pushback from the companies in the past. Warren and Dean argued the MCC would "save lives."

WAWA AGREES TO PAY $8 MILLION SETTLEMENT OVER 2019 DATA BREACH

''Mass shooters have repeatedly financed deadly massacres using credit cards, and bank CEOs need to step up to save lives,'' Warren said after sending letters to several CEOs. ''Financial institutions and payment networks, such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, can and should do everything they can to help law enforcement prevent some mass shootings by identifying suspicious gun purchases through the implementation of this new code.''

Dean said the regulations can help "better monitor suspicious activity."

''By creating a new MCC for gun and ammunition retailers, credit card companies and financial institutions can better monitor suspicious activity like straw purchases and, in turn, help save lives,'' Dean said. ''Our nation's gun crisis requires all of us to act, and I urge companies like MasterCard, American Express, and Visa to support Amalgamated Bank's request for this code.''

The lawmakers cited the 2012 Aurora, Colorado, movie theater shooting in which the gunman charged $11,000 worth of guns and other material to his Mastercard as an example of credit cards' role in mass shootings. They also referenced the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, in 2016 in which the gunman charged his credit card with $26,000 in guns and other materials and the 2017 Las Vegas shooting in which the gunman charged $95,000 for guns and other materials over 12 months to his credit card.

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Credit card companies have previously rejected such codes for gunmakers, claiming it was not their responsibility to address guns.

Warren and Dean had 26 other Democratic lawmakers sign on to their letter to the companies and have requested responses from Mastercard, Visa, and American Express by no later than Sept. 14.

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Fri, 02 Sep 2022 22:24

German audio distribution platform

SoundCloudScreenshot

Screenshot of the desktop version of SoundCloud

Type of businessPrivateType of site

Music streaming, Internet communityFoundedAugust 2007 ; 15 years ago ( 2007-08 ) Headquarters, OwnerSoundCloud LimitedFounder(s)Alexander LjungEric WahlforssKey peopleMike Weissman (CEO),[2]Eliah Seton (President),[3]Drew Wilson (COO, CFO),[4]Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood (CCO, CMO),[5]Antonious Porch (CDO),[6] Alexander Ljung (Chairman and Co-Founder)IndustryMusic, Social/Internet CommunityEmployeesapprox. 425 (2021)[7]URL soundcloud.com RegistrationOptional;Required to post and upload content.Users+76 million users monthly (November 2021)[8]LaunchedOctober 2008 ; 13 years ago ( 2008-10 ) Written inRuby,[9] Scala[10]SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform and music sharing website that enables its users to upload, promote, and share audio, as well as a digital signal processor enabling listeners to stream audio. Founded in 2007 by Alexander Ljung and Eric Wahlforss, SoundCloud has grown to be one of the largest music streaming services in the world and is available in 190 countries and territories.[11] Audience-wise, there are over 76 million active monthly users, with over 175 million global users that SoundCloud reaches, as of November 2021.[12] While its competitors report having roughly 70 million tracks in their systems, SoundCloud has over 300 million.[13] SoundCloud offers both free and paid memberships on the platform, available for mobile, desktop and Xbox devices.

SoundCloud has evolved from a traditional online streaming platform to an entertainment company with premium offerings, including advanced audience insights, playlist pitching tools, and promotional marketing resources for its users. SoundCloud was the first streaming service to adopt and implement a user-centric payment model for artists called fan-powered royalties. SoundCloud has influenced the music industry through the success of many artists who have used the service to launch or advance their careers, such as XXXTentacion,[14] Billie Eilish,[15] Juice Wrld,[16] Lil Peep, [17] Kehlani,[18] Chance the Rapper, Marshmello,[19] Post Malone,[20] Lorde,[21] Khalid,[22] Kali Uchis,[23] Lil Uzi Vert,[24] Rico Nasty, Lil Tecca, Saweetie, Suicideboys, Alina Baraz, Lewis Capaldi,[25] Towkio, Louis the Child, Lil Yachty, Doja Cat,[26] Megan Thee Stallion,[27] Lotic, Peggy Gou,[28] DaBaby, NLE Choppa, Bad Bunny,[29] Roddy Ricch, Rod Wave,[30] and Chika.[31] SoundCloud has received support from many investors and other media platforms such as Twitter.[32][33] In Q3 of 2020, SoundCloud posted its first profitable quarter with double-digit revenue gains and substantially reduced operating losses.[34]

History [ edit ] SoundCloud was established in Berlin in August 2007 by Swedish sound designer Alexander Ljung and Swedish electronic musician Eric Wahlforss, and the website was launched in October 2008.[35] It was originally intended to allow musicians to collaborate by facilitating the sharing and discussion of recordings, but later transformed into a publishing tool for music distribution.[36] According to Wired magazine, soon after its inception, SoundCloud began to challenge the dominance of Myspace as a platform for musicians to distribute their music.[36]

In April 2009, SoundCloud received '‚¬2.5 million Series A funding from Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures.[37] In May 2010, SoundCloud announced it had one million users.[37] In January 2011, it was reported that SoundCloud had raised US$10 million Series B funding from Union Square Ventures and Index Ventures. On 15 June 2011, SoundCloud reported five million registered users and investments from Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary's A-Grade Fund, and on 23 January 2012, it reported 10 million registered users.[38] In May 2012, it was announced that SoundCloud had 15 million users, and site usage was increasing by 1.5 million users per month.[39]

In March 2014, Twitter announced it would partner with SoundCloud in developing its first integrated music app. However, the project never moved forward because SoundCloud was unable to accommodate licensed music due to a lack of necessary arrangements with music labels.[40][41] In July 2013, SoundCloud had 40 million registered users and new users were joining at 20 million per month.[42]

SoundCloud announced in January 2014 that it had commenced licensing negotiations with major music companies to address the matter of unauthorized, copyrighted material regularly appearing on the platform.[43] The announcement followed a round of funding in which US$60 million was raised, resulting in a $700 million valuation.[41] According to media sources, the negotiations were initiated in an attempt to avoid similar problems faced by Google, which had been forced to handle a large number of take down notices on its YouTube video-sharing platform.[44]

In May 2015, it was reported that Twitter was considering the acquisition of SoundCloud for approximately US$2 billion. However, the prospect of acquisition was discounted by the media, with one report stating that "the numbers didn't add up",[45] and Bobby Owsinski hypothesizing on the Forbes website in July that SoundCloud's ongoing inability to secure deals with the major music labels was the foremost culprit.[46]

On 28 September 2016, Spotify announced that it was in talks to buy SoundCloud,[47] but on 8 December 2016, Spotify was reported to have abandoned its acquisition plans.[48]

In Spring 2017, SoundCloud initially faced being sold after not raising the $100 million needed to support the platform.[49] The initial evaluation of SoundCloud at $700 million did not hold as strong to investors after their financial shortages.[49]

In July 2017, SoundCloud announced layoffs and the closure of two of its five offices in San Francisco and London in an effort to manage costs.[50][51][52] In August 2017, SoundCloud announced it reached an agreement on a $169.5 million investment from The Raine Group and Temasek. In connection with the investment, veteran digital media operators Kerry Trainor and Michael Weissman joined the SoundCloud team respectively as chief executive officer and Chief Operating Officer. Alexander Ljung and Eric Wahlforss remained with the company'--Ljung as chairman of the board, and Wahlforss as Chief Product Officer until 2019, when Wahlforss transitioned into an advisory role.[54]

Alexander Ljung at Next10 (2010)

In May 2019, SoundCloud bought artist distribution platform Repost Network.[55]

In January 2020, a US$75 million investment by Sirius XM was announced.[56]

On 2 March 2021, SoundCloud announced a new pay model for artists, entitled "fan-powered royalties", which went into effect on 1 April 2021.[57] Under this new model, royalties come directly from the subscription and advertising revenue that listeners earn for SoundCloud, instead of allotting a certain portion of the total "pool" of revenue earned by SoundCloud to each artist based on streams. This means that a fan who listens to more advertisements or pays for a SoundCloud Go subscription will be more valuable to an artist, supposedly benefiting smaller independent artists with fans who listen to their music frequently.[58][self-published source? ] SoundCloud claims that under fan-powered royalties, Canadian electronic music producer Vincent's earnings would jump to US$600 a month, up from US$120 a month under the pooled revenue model.[59][60][self-published source? ] To commemorate this announcement, English trip hop band Portishead released a cover of ABBA's 1975 song SOS exclusively on SoundCloud.[61] Little is known about how beneficial fan-powered royalties have been for artists, beyond SoundCloud's claims, over the traditional pooled royalties model, which most competing services such as Spotify continue to use.

In December 2021, SoundCloud Chief Financial Officer, Drew Wilson, said the company is "at the doorsteps of break-even" and said the company expects to generate a net profit by 2023.[62]

Monetization, subscription services [ edit ] In August 2014, SoundCloud announced a new program known as "On SoundCloud", which would allow "Premier" partners to monetize their content through pre-roll audio ads, channel sponsorships, mobile display ads, and native content. The company announced deals with a number of content partners (including Comedy Central and Funny or Die), independent labels, and YouTube multi-channel networks, and that it was in "active and ongoing, advanced discussions" with major record labels.[63]

In December 2014, it was reported that SoundCloud could potentially raise approximately US$150 million in new financing, resulting in a valuation surpassing one billion dollars. The major label issue became prominent again when the new financing information was released, as the lack of monetization was presented as an issue'--SoundCloud signed an agreement with Warner Music Group as part of the new Premier program that allows both Warner Music, which also has a minor stake in the company, and its publishing division to collect royalties for songs they have chosen to monetize on the site; meanwhile, the other labels remained skeptical of the company's business model.[64][65] By December 2014, SoundCloud had shared ad revenue with about 60 other Premier Partners.[64][65] Concerns over the amount of revenue from the program led Sony Music Entertainment to pull its content from the service entirely in May 2015.[66] In June 2015, SoundCloud announced that it had reached a deal with the Merlin Network, a group representing 20,000 independent record labels, to monetize their content through the Premier partner program.[67]

In January and March 2016, SoundCloud reached respective deals with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. A UMG spokesperson told The New York Times that the deal would give the company an option to require certain content to be restricted to paid subscribers, a statement suggesting that SoundCloud was preparing to launch its own subscription streaming service.[68][69][70]

In February 2017, SoundCloud launched a mid-range subscription tier named SoundCloud Go, that allows users to remove ads and listen offline for $US5 per month through the site.[71] The original version, which was renamed to SoundCloud Go+, allows access to (at the time) over 150 million songs, offline playback, no ads, no previews, and premium music tracks for $US10 per month through the site.[72][73] Both subscriptions were categorized for listeners, with separate subscription services provided specifically for creators.

In May 2022, SoundCloud announced the company had acquired the Singapore based music AI company Musiio, with the aims of increase features on the site such as discovery features.[74]

Platforms and features [ edit ] A new APN was released in December 2012 which improved mobile device support and added features such as concurrent listening, site navigation, and the ability to create personal collections.[39][75] At this time, SoundCloud was reported to be "reaching 180 million people per month", with 10 hours of content being uploaded per minute.[76]

SoundCloud offers two mobile app; the main SoundCloud app is oriented towards streaming, with music discovery, playlist, and sharing features.[77] In November 2015, its separate app known as SoundCloud Pulse was released for Android and iOS; it is primarily oriented towards content creators, allowing users to upload and manage their uploads, reply to comments, and view statistics.[78] By the end of 2016, SoundCloud Pulse had over 100 million downloads.[79] In July 2020, SoundCloud introduced Insights into its mobile app, discontinuing SoundCloud Pulse. Through the new Insights portal all users can see their top listener, top city, top country and top 50 tracks, while Pro Unlimited subscribers have access to their top 50 everything (listeners, cities, countries, and tracks).[80]

In April 2017, Chromecast support was added to the main SoundCloud iOS app.[81]

SoundCloud has attempted to create desktop clients equivalent to their mobile applications to compete with services like Spotify. Although there are many community third-party desktop applications such as SoundCleod[82] and SoundNode,[83] SoundCloud has never actually created a desktop application equivalent to their mobile applications. In January 2011, SoundCloud released "SoundCloud Desktop App for Mac" to the App Store for Macintosh, which introduced the playlist feature to SoundCloud. The desktop application was later discontinued due to the lack of internal resources.[84] In May 2017, SoundCloud released an application for Xbox One, which was set as the basis for the beta desktop version to be released later that month. It was released only missing a few features compared to the desktop beta, mainly 'shuffle', the ability to cast a song from an external device, and the ability to go forward or backward in a playlist without using Cortana. All of which were fixed in a patch that was released later on. On 30 May 2017, SoundCloud released the "SoundCloud for Windows (Beta)" desktop application to the Windows 10 Microsoft Store (digital). It was released missing many core features that were in SoundCloud's mobile apps such as 'repeat', and basic animations. The app (as of 2020) has not been updated nor changed from its initial release.[85][86] In 2021, Chromium-based platforms such as Microsoft Edge began support for websites to become applications. In SoundCloud's case, downloading "SoundCloud for Windows (Beta)" from the digital Microsoft Store would showcase this feature. This feature is also available for MacOS devices through Chromium-based platforms.

Subscription services [ edit ] SoundCloud Go [ edit ] On 29 March 2016, SoundCloud unveiled SoundCloud Go, a subscription-based music streaming service; the service provides an ad-free experience, offline playback, and integrates licensed music from major labels into the existing, user-uploaded content of the service.[87] Co-founder Eric Wahlforss stated that this aspect would help to differentiate SoundCloud Go from other music streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, as it technically provides a larger total library of songs than competing services, with a higher degree of diversity in its content. The Verge found that, excluding existing content uploaded by users, the service's initial library of songs is smaller than those of its closest competitors.[88][89]

The service was initially priced at US$10 per month. On 28 February 2017, SoundCloud renamed its main Go plan SoundCloud Go+, adding a secondary tier titled SoundCloud Go at a US$5 price point, which does not include the licensed music library but still offers ad-free and offline playback.[87][90] SoundCloud Go+ offers mix tracks for certain DJ apps, has a complete catalogue, and has 256 kbit/s streaming.[91]

SoundCloud Pro [ edit ] SoundCloud offers premium services for musicians under the banner SoundCloud Pro. The SoundCloud Pro service allows users to upload up to six hours of audio, and adds additional features such as enhanced analytics, and the ability to disable comments on tracks. The Pro Unlimited tier allows unlimited uploads.[92]

Reception [ edit ] Recognition [ edit ] SoundCloud won the Schroders Innovation Award at the 2011 European Tech Tour Awards Dinner.[93][94] In 2012, SoundCloud was named Best International Startup at the TechCrunch Crunchies award ceremony.[95] In 2015, SoundCloud won two Webby Awards, the Webby Award and People's Choice Award for Best Streaming Audio app.[96] In 2022, several SoundCloud executives were named in Billboard Magazine's annual lists, including CEO Michael Weissman as a 2022 Billboard Power Player, CCMO Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood as one of the 2022 Top Women in Music, and General Counsel Antonious Porch and his team as 2022 Billboard Top Lawyers.

Criticism [ edit ] As SoundCloud evolved and expanded beyond its initial user base, consisting primarily of grassroots musicians, many users complained that it had sacrificed its usefulness to independent artists in an attempt to appeal to the masses, perhaps in preparation for public sale. Such criticism particularly followed the launching of a revamped website in 2013 which, according to former CEO Alexander Ljung, was implemented for the purpose of increasing SoundCloud usage.[97]

On 3 July 2014, TorrentFreak reported that SoundCloud offered unlimited removal powers to certain copyright holders, allowing those copyright holders to unilaterally remove paid subscribers' content without recourse.[98][99]

In April 2015, SoundCloud announced a new partnership with Zefr, a content tracking company that works with YouTube to help identify songs on the platform and facilitate either takedowns or ads being run against it.[100]

In July 2016, SoundCloud notified registered users via email that it would be "phasing out" groups because they "were not a strong driver to help users share their new tracks to the most users effectively".[101] This announcement was met with alarm and concerned responses from numerous artists, who deemed the change unacceptable because it would eliminate their only effective means of sharing music on SoundCloud.[102]

SoundCloud has a continuous play feature on non-mobile platforms which relates to the listener's stream and likes. Unlike YouTube's autoplay feature which is on by default but can be turned off, users cannot turn off the continuous play feature on SoundCloud.[103]

SoundCloud has also been criticized for changes in service. The new update of the website and application made the feed and interface more difficult to use for some users. Also, the anti-piracy algorithm '-- which was put into place to combat the number of illegal music downloads '-- has often been criticized for taking down music that was not illegally submitted or downloaded.[104] Also, Universal Music Group has the right to take down any files on SoundCloud. Uploads can be taken down directly by Universal Music Group outside of SoundCloud's anti-piracy policy. Other than uploads, Universal Music Group has the ability to take down accounts, both premium and free. Customers of the company have claimed this to be "bogus," arguing that the right to manage and delete accounts should be reserved to SoundCloud itself, not to an outside company.[105]

Cultural impact [ edit ] Music industry [ edit ] SoundCloud first entered the music streaming industry as a new way for artists to share and promote their music. As an online platform, artists can release music without a record label or distributor.[106] SoundCloud users are both listeners and artists, using the platform together, creating a community focused space.[107] Features that enable users to comment, like, and share songs allows the platform to operate as a social media site rather than a streaming service.[108] Many artists have moved from SoundCloud into the mainstream music industry because of their increased popularity from the platform. In 2018, the Grammys began to recognize artists and their music on SoundCloud. The shift from The Recording Academy was thanks to the popularity of the platform and their artists.[109] Chance the Rapper is an example of a SoundCloud artist who broke the mold of the industry; he released his debut mixtape, 10 Day, on SoundCloud.[110] In a Vanity Fair interview Chance explained how he decided against signing to a major label and felt it was better for him to give his music "without any limit on it".[110] SoundCloud is often referenced in mainstream media, including in Marvel's Black Panther, Saturday Night Live, The Today Show, MTV's TRL, as well as television shows Atlanta and DAVE.[citation needed ]

SoundCloud rap [ edit ] Through SoundCloud, a sub-genre of rap was created. As artists such as XXXTentacion, Juice Wrld, Smokepurpp, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Peep, Ski Mask the Slump God, and Lil Pump originated from SoundCloud and rose to the Billboard top charts.[111] The sound created was different from the mainstream, with a grittier and darker sound that results from a lack of production. SoundCloud rap is a lo-fi, melody driven, distorted sound with lyrics that usually focus on repetition and less on content. The SoundCloud artists themselves are known to have exaggerated appearances that include bright colored hair and face tattoos.[112] These SoundCloud rappers are in the late teens to early twenties age range with a strong youth following.[112] Smokepurpp, a SoundCloud artist, explained in a Rolling Stone article how the first songs he created and put on the platform were not recorded using a real microphone.[111] The DIY nature of SoundCloud made it so millions of artists were able to put out their work without any studio equipment usually needed to make music.[113] The freedom to upload on the platform allows for many SoundCloud rappers to post tracks impulsively or post many tracks at a time.[112] The imperfect sound created by these SoundCloud rappers has contributed to their growing popularity and the creation of a rap sub-genre.[original research? ]

In January 2021, SoundCloud debuted its "SCENES" docuseries that featured communities of users created on the platform.[114][115][116] In August 2021, SoundCloud was widely credited as the place where the popular hyperpop subgenre originated. Artists categorize their music as hyperpop when the song is actually genre-less. SoundCloud's "SCENES" featured several scenes of PC Music, a record label that represented many of the early hyperpop innovators. Hyperpop up-and-comers like d0llywood1, blackwinterwells and Kid Trash fixate on blown-out 808, playful energy and surrealist auto-tune, resulting in a mishmash of rap, pop and EDM.[117]

Availability [ edit ] SoundCloud is one of the largest music streaming services in the world and is available in 190 countries and territories. While it's widely available, not all users are eligible for monetization through SoundCloud Premier. Consumer subscription and advertising is established in 19 countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The government of Turkey blocked access to the SoundCloud website in January 2014.[118][119][120]

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Journal List Int J Mol Sci v.21(6); 2020 Mar PMC7139347 Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar; 21(6): 1915.

Dominique Belpomme1Association for Research Against Cancer (ARTAC), 57/59 rue de la Convention, 75015 Paris, France; moc.liamg@catra.ieppilihp

2European Cancer and Environment Research Institute (ECERI), 1000 Brussels, Belgium

3Department of Cancer Clinical Research, Paris V University Hospital, 75005 Paris, France

Philippe Irigaray1Association for Research Against Cancer (ARTAC), 57/59 rue de la Convention, 75015 Paris, France; moc.liamg@catra.ieppilihp

2European Cancer and Environment Research Institute (ECERI), 1000 Brussels, Belgium

2European Cancer and Environment Research Institute (ECERI), 1000 Brussels, Belgium

3Department of Cancer Clinical Research, Paris V University Hospital, 75005 Paris, France

Received 2020 Feb 5; Accepted 2020 Mar 5.

Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (

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AbstractSince 2009, we built up a database which presently includes more than 2000 electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and/or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) self-reported cases. This database shows that EHS is associated in 30% of the cases with MCS, and that MCS precedes the occurrence of EHS in 37% of these EHS/MCS-associated cases. EHS and MCS can be characterized clinically by a similar symptomatic picture, and biologically by low-grade inflammation and an autoimmune response involving autoantibodies against O-myelin. Moreover, 80% of the patients with EHS present with one, two, or three detectable oxidative stress biomarkers in their peripheral blood, meaning that overall these patients present with a true objective somatic disorder. Moreover, by using ultrasonic cerebral tomosphygmography and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, we showed that cases have a defect in the middle cerebral artery hemodynamics, and we localized a tissue pulsometric index deficiency in the capsulo-thalamic area of the temporal lobes, suggesting the involvement of the limbic system and the thalamus. Altogether, these data strongly suggest that EHS is a neurologic pathological disorder which can be diagnosed, treated, and prevented. Because EHS is becoming a new insidious worldwide plague involving millions of people, we ask the World Health Organization (WHO) to include EHS as a neurologic disorder in the international classification of diseases.

Keywords: electrohypersensibility, multiple chemical sensitivity, neurologic disease, oxidative stress, melatonin, O-myelin, inflammation, histamine, radiofrequency, extremely low frequency, electromagnetic fields

1. IntroductionThe term electromagnetic hypersensitivity or electrohypersensitivity (EHS) was first proposed in 1991 by William Rea to identify the clinical condition of patients reporting health effects while being exposed to an electromagnetic field (EMF) [1]. This term was then used in 1997 in a report provided by a European group of experts for the European Commission to clinically describe this unusual pathology, which may imply EMF exposure [2].

In 2002, Santini et al. in France reported similar symptomatic intolerance in users of digital cellular phones and among people living near wireless communication base stations [3,4]. In 2004, because of the seemingly worldwide prevalence increase in EHS, the World Health Organization (WHO) organized an international scientific workshop in Prague to define and characterize EHS. Although not acknowledging EHS as being caused by EMF exposure, the Prague working group clearly defined EHS as ''a phenomenon where individuals experience adverse health effects while using or being in the vicinity of devices emanating electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields'' [5]. WHO then acknowledged EHS as an adverse health condition [6]. However, according to a previous 1996 International Program on Chemical Safety (IPCS)-sponsored conference in Berlin on multiple chemical sensibility (MCS) [7], it was recommended to qualify such unknown new pathological conditions under the term of ''idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI)''. Thus, following the Prague workshop, instead of using the term EHS, it was proposed to use the term ''idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to EMF (IEI-EMF)'' to name this particular pathological condition, because of the lack of a proven causal link between EHS and EMF exposure, and no proven physiopathological mechanism linking EMF exposure with clinical symptoms.

That is indeed what WHO officially stated in its 2005 fact sheet 296 [6], indicating that ''EHS resembles MCS, another disorder associated with low-level environmental exposure to chemicals '...'' and that because of ''non-specific symptoms'' and ''no clear diagnostic criteria'', this ''disabling condition'' could not be diagnosed medically. In addition, in 2002 and 2013, WHO classified extremely low frequencies (ELF) and radiofrequencies (RF) respectively as possibly carcinogenic (group IIB), meaning that EMFs may cause cancer. This past scientific evolution is summarized in Table 1 .

Table 1Electrohypersensitivity (EHS)/multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and cancer statements including those of the World Health Organization (WHO) or on behalf of WHO. COST'--European action for co-operation in the field of science and technological research on biological effects of electromagnetic fields; EMF'--electromagnetic field; IARC'--international agency for research on cancer.

1996Berlin: WHO-sponsored workshop; MCS classified as idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI)1997Stockholm: Possible health implication of electromagnetic field exposure; a report prepared by a European group of experts for the European Commission1998Austria: COST 244 bis international workshop on EHS1998Atlanta (US): MCS 1999 consensus meeting2002IARC: Extremely low frequency (ELF) EMFs classified as possibly carcinogenic (Group IIB)2004Prague: WHO workshop; identification of idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to EMF2005WHO: WHO fact sheet n° 292 aiming at defining EHS2013IARC: Radiofrequency (RF) EMFs classified as possibly carcinogenic (Group IIB)2015Brussels: Fourth Paris Appeal Colloquium; a focus on electromagnetic fields and EHSHowever, since the 2005 WHO statement on EHS and a more recent 2014 WHO report on mobile phone exposure and public health [8], much clinical and biological progress has been made in identifying and characterizing EHS, as summarized during the international scientific consensus meeting on EHS and MCS which we organized in May 2015 in Brussels at the Royal Belgium Academy of Medicine [9].

Because we suspected that EHS prevalence was increasing worldwide, since 2009, we constituted and maintained a database which was registered by the French Committee for the protection of persons (CPP), under the registration number 2017-A02706-47, as well as in the European Clinical *Trials* Database (*EudraCT*), under the registration number 2018-001056-36. This database presently includes more than 2000 EHS and/or MCS cases. All the patients included in this series gave their informed consent for clinical and biological research investigations. In addition, all these patients were anonymously registered in the database.

By querying this database, we showed for the first time that EHS is frequently associated with MCS [10], and that EHS and MCS are characterized by a common similar clinical picture which can be identified objectively by the detection of similar biomarkers in the peripheral blood and urine [10,11], and by similar pulsometric abnormalities in the brain [10,12]. Thus it finally appears that EHS and MCS could in fact be two etiopathogenic aspects of a unique pathological disorder [10]. We would like here to overview our original data and discuss the possibility that EHS is part of a true pathologic neurologic disorder resulting from a comprehensive physiopathologic mechanism, in common with MCS. We conclude that EHS'--whatever its causal origin'--is becoming a worldwide plague. Thus, as we showed that it can be diagnosed, treated medically, and eventually prevented, we ask WHO to include EHS in the international classification of diseases (ICD).

2. DemographyIn a prospective study involving systematic face-to-face questionnaire-based interviews and clinical physical examinations of many patients constituting part of the database, we reported that EHS is a well-defined clinico-biological entity [10].

Table 2 presents the demographic data we obtained from the serial analysis of the first 726 consecutive cases included in the database. No children were included. Median and mean ages were 48 years for the EHS group, 48 and 47 years, respectively, for the MCS group, and 46 years for the EHS and MCS-associated group. Sex ratio shows a clear predominance of women among patients, reaching two-thirds in the EHS group and the MCS group, while it was three-quarters in the group of patients presenting with both disorders. This strongly suggests that women are genetically more susceptible than men to the environmental intolerance attributed to EMFs and/or chemicals.

Table 2Age and sex ratio in EHS and/or MCS self-reported patients, according to Reference [10].

Demographic DataEHSMCSEHS/MCSn (%)521 (71.7%)52 (7.1%)154 (21.2%)Age (mean ± SD)48.2 ± 12.948.5 ± 10.346.7 ± 11.2Age (median (range))48 (16''83)47 (31''70)46 (22''76)Sex ratio (women/men)344/17734/18117/37Female (%)6665763. Clinical Description Table 3 presents the detailed symptomatic picture that we obtained during face-to-face interviews and clinical examinations for the groups of (1) EHS self-reported patients, (2) MCS self-reported patients, and (3) both disorder self-reported patients. Symptoms in patients with EHS were compared with those from a series of apparently healthy control subjects that showed no clinical evidence of EHS and/or MCS. As indicated in the table, EHS is characterized by the occurrence of neurologic symptoms including headache, tinnitus, hyperacusis, dizziness, balance disorder, superficial and/or deep sensibility abnormalities, fibromyalgia, vegetative nerve dysfunction, and reduced cognitive capability, including immediate memory loss, attention''concentration deficiency, and eventually tempo-spatial confusion. These symptoms were associated with chronic insomnia, fatigue, and depressive tendency, in addition to emotional lability and sometimes irritability. A major observation is that symptoms were repeatedly reported by the patients to occur each time they reported being exposed to presumably EMF sources, even of weak intensity, and to regress or even disappear after they left these presumed sources. With the exception of arthralgia and emotivity, which were observed at a similar frequency range in the control group, all clinical symptoms occurring in EHS patients were found to be significantly much more frequent than those in apparently normal controls.

Table 3Clinical symptoms in EHS self-reported patients in comparison with those in normal controls and in comparison with those in MCS and EHS/MCS self-reported patients *, according to Reference [11].

Clinical SymptomsEHS (%)Normal Controls (%)p **MCS (%)p ***EHS/MCS (%)p ****Headache880<0.0001800.122960.065Dysesthesia820<0.0001670.0149960.002Myalgia486<0.000148176<0.0001Arthralgia30180.067240.61156<0.001Ear heat/otalgia700<0.000116<0.000190<0.001Tinnitus606<0.000135<0.00188<0.0001Hyperacusis406<0.000120<0.001520.118Dizziness700<0.0001520.0137680.878Balance disorder420<0.0001400.885520.202Concentration/attention deficiency760<0.0001670.210880.041Loss of immediate memory706<0.0001560.040840.028Confusion800.00700.0038200.023Fatigue8812<0.0001720.0047940.216Insomnia746<0.000147<0.0001920.001Depression tendency600<0.000129<0.0001760.022Suicidal ideation200<0.000190.027400.003Transitory cardiovascular abnormalities500<0.0001360.046560.479Ocular deficiency480<0.0001430.478560.322Anxiety/panic380<0.0001190.003280.176Emotivity20120.176160.461201Irritability246<0.001140.071241Skin lesions160<0.0001140.69245<0.0001Global body dysthermia140<0.000160.23680.258Contrary to what was claimed from studies reporting clinical symptoms in EHS patients [2,5,6,13], these symptoms were not all subjective. In many cases, they were confirmed by family members; moreover, we were able to detect, at physical examination, a Romberg sign (objective posture test) in 5% of the cases and to observe the presence of cutaneous lesions in 16%. Overall, although many of these symptoms are considered as non-specific in the scientific literature, the general clinical picture resulting from their association and frequency strongly suggests that EHS can in fact be recognized and identified as a typical neurologic disorder as it is also the case for MCS and MCS-associated EHS.

Table 3 reveals that between EHS and MCS there is no statistically significant difference in types and frequencies of clinical symptoms for headache, myalgia and arthralgia, balance disorder, concentration/attention deficiency, emotivity and irritability, skin lesions and global body dysthermia, whereas dysesthesia, ear heat/otalgia, tinnitus, hyperacusis, dizziness, loss of immediate memory, insomnia and fatigue as well as depression tendency and suicidal ideation appear to be statistically more frequent in EHS than in MCS. Moreover, in the case of EHS associated with MCS, most of the symptoms'--such as headache, dysesthesia, myalgia and arthralgia, tinnitus, and, above all, cognitive capability, including loss of immediate memory, concentration/attention deficiency, and tempo-spatial confusion'--were found to be significantly more frequent than in EHS alone, suggesting that the presence of an additional chemical intolerance component to the intolerance attributed to EMF exposure is associated with a more severe pathology. This was especially the case for skin lesions which were found in 45% of the cases, as well as for physical and mental suffering and depressive tendency with underlying suicidal ideation in 40%.

Note that cutaneous lesions were more frequent on the superior members than on the inferior members of the patients, and more frequent on the hands, particularly on the hand which held the mobile phone (as exemplified in Figure 1 A). Note also that the cutaneous lesions were not only more frequent in the group of patients with EHS- and MCS-associated disorders (45%) than in the group of patients with only EHS (16%), but also that they were more extensive and persistent in the cases of both associated disorders than in the case of EHS alone ( Figure 1 B).

Examples of skin lesions observed on the hand of an EHS-bearing patient (A) and of an EHS/MCS-bearing patient (B). (Photographs are issued from the database).

These clinical observations strongly suggest that EHS and EHS/MCS are objective somatic disorders, which can neither be claimed as originating from some psychologic or psychiatric-related conditions, nor from nocebo effects [11] (see further).

4. Identification of BiomarkersOn the basis of previously published experimental data, we selected and identified several biomarkers in the peripheral blood and urine of EHS and/or MCS patients which can allow physicians to objectively characterize EHS and MCS as true somatic pathological disorders [10], discounting the hypothesis that EHS and MCS could be caused by a psychosomatic or nocebo-related process [11]. As indicated in Table 4 , there is a similar increase in mean level values of low-grade inflammation-related biomarkers in the peripheral blood of patients with EHS, MCS, or both associated disorders. In addition, as far as frequency is concerned, we found hypersensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) to be increased in 12''15% of the cases, histamine in 30% to 40%, immunoglobulin E (IgE) in 20% to 25%, and heat-shock protein 27 (Hsp 27) and Hsp 70 in 12% to 30%. Note that, among these markers, IgE and histamine were found to be increased in patients with no proven allergy; thus, in the case of no associated allergy, histamine appears to be the most frequently involved biomarker in EHS, as well as in MCS, suggesting a low-grade inflammatory process is involved in the genesis of these two disorders. Consequently, it is believed that, as an inflammation mediator, histamine could play a major key contributing role in the physiopathologic mechanism which may account for the occurrence of the two disorders [11,14] (see further). Note also that, with the exception of Hsp 70, which was found to be less frequently increased in the MCS group, there was no significant difference between the three groups of patients for the percentage of patients with values above normal, nor any significant difference in mean increased values in comparison with normal values for all biomarkers in the three groups studied, meaning that EHS, MCS, and the association of both disorders may share a common low-grade inflammation-related physiopathologic mechanism for genesis.

Table 4Increase in low-grade inflammation-related biomarker mean blood level values in the peripheral blood of patients with EHS and/or MCS, according to References [9,10]. SE'--standard error; hs-CRP'--hypersensitive C reactive protein; IgE'--immunoglobulin E; Hsp'--heat-shock protein.

Patient GroupsMarker Normal ValuesEHS Mean ± SEAbove Normal (%)MCS Mean ± SEAbove Normal (%)p *EHS/MCS Mean ± SEAbove Normal (%)p **hs-CRP < 3 mg/L10.3 ± 1.9155.3 ± 1.7120.506.9 ± 1.714.30.36Histamine < 10 nmol/L13.6 ± 0.23723.5 ± 4.5330.9113.6 ± 0.441.50.52IgE < 100 UI/mL329.5 ± 43.922150.9 ± 18.3200.23385 ± 7024.70.53Hsp 70 < 5 ng/mL8.2 ± 0.218.75.9 ± 0.5120.038 ± 0.325.40.72Hsp 27 < 5 ng/mL7.3 ± 0.225.86.8 ± 0.16 ***0.597.2 ± 0.331.80.56Moreover, as indicated in Table 5 , we were able to show that, in peripheral blood, there is an increase in S100B protein in 15''20% of the patients and an increase in nitrosative stress-related nitrotyrosine (NTT) in 8''30% in the EHS and/or MCS groups, suggesting that these biomarkers may reflect opening of the blood''brain barrier (BBB) in these patients, whatever the patient group considered, since it was shown that S100B protein [15,16] and nitrotyrosine [17,18,19,20] are markers associated with BBB opening. In addition, we detected the presence of autoantibodies against O-myelin in about 20% of all cases, whether EHS, MCS or both; meaning that an autoimmune response against the white matter of the nervous system occurres in patients; a finding that may in fact be the consequence of the occurrence of oxidative/nitrosative stress [10,21].

Table 5Increase in mean blood level values of peripheral blood S100B protein, nitrotyrosine (NTT), and O-myelin autoantibodies in EHS and/or MCS patients, according to References [10,11].

Patient GroupsMarkers Normal ValuesEHS Mean ± SEAbove Normal (%)MCS Mean ± SEAbove Normal (%)p *EHS/MCS Mean ± SEAbove Normal (%)p **S100B < 0.105 µg/L0.20 ± 0.0314.70.25 ± 0.0521.150.560.17 ± 0.0319.70.69NTT * > 0.9 µg/ml1.36 ± 0.1229.71.26 ± 0.1380.851.40 ± 0.1228.90.86O-myelin (qualitative test)Positive22.8Positive13.6_Positive23.6_Moreover, more recently, we measured different oxidative and nitrosative stress-related biomarkers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and NTT in the peripheral blood of EHS patients. As reported in Figure 2 , we found that nearly 80% of EHS patients presented with an increase in oxidative/nitrosative stress-related biomarkers'--more precisely, with only one of these three studied biomarkers in 43% of the patients, two of these biomarkers in 21% of them, and all three in 15% [22]. This clearly indicates that, in addition to low-grade inflammation and an anti-white matter autoimmune response, EHS can also be diagnosed by the presence of oxidative/nitrosative stress.

Percentage of EHS self-reported patients having positive thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and/or NTT oxidative stress biomarkers measured in the peripheral blood, according to Reference [22]. '– Corresponds to NTT, TBARS, and GSSG, i.e., all three biomarkers measured in 14 of the 32 included patients. ' Corresponds to TBARS and GSSG analyzed in all 32 included patients. ''Positive'' biomarkers correspond to patients having one, two, or three markers with levels above the upper normal limits, and ''total'' corresponds to patients having at least one positive biomarkers, i.e., having one, two, or possibly three positive biomarkers.

Finally, we also found that, in comparison with normal reference values, the 24-h urine 6-hydroxymelatonin (6-OHMS)/creatinine ratio was normal or significantly decreased in 88% of cases, while, due to a still unexplained process, it was significantly increased in 12%, whatever the group of patients considered. 6-OHMS is a melatonin metabolite. Decrease in melatonin production as a consequence of prolonged EMF exposure was experimentally evidenced both in animals and in humans [23,24]. However, since EMF exposure was also reported not to alter melatonin synthesis and secretion [25], an alternative plausible explanation could be that a decrease in the excretion of 6-OHMS in the urine may result from a decrease in melatonin metabolic bioavailability due to its increased intake and utilization of melatonin as a free radical scavenger [26,27]. This indeed could be the case in patients with a decrease in the 24-h urine 6-OHMS/creatinine ratio level, since, as shown above, most EHS patients present with oxidative/nitrosative stress. Thus, a decrease in 6-OHMS in the urine may in fact be a consequence of the antioxidative stress effect of this hormone rather than its decreased synthesis in the pineal gland. Consequently, such reduction in bioavailability may contribute not only to clinical sleep disturbance in these patients, but also to a decrease in host defense mechanisms, possibly putting these patients at risk of neurodegenerative disease and cancer [28,29].

Moreover, the development of oxidative/nitrosative stress-related autoimmune response may also contribute to weakening the putative protective health effect of the chaperone proteins Hsp 70 and Hsp 27 [30]. There is presently no clear explanation why, in 12% of the cases, instead of having a normal or significant decrease in the 24-h urine 6-OHMS/creatinine ratio, this ratio was significantly increased in comparison with normal control values. As indicated in Table 6 , this may be due in some cases to an increased production of serotonin in the brain, since serotonin is a precursor neurotransmitter of melatonin.

Table 6Preliminary unpublished data based on the measurement of neurotransmitters and their metabolites in the urine of 42 EHS-bearing patients. 3-4 DOPAC'--3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid.

NeurotransmittersPatients%Dopamine increase17/42313-4 DOPAC decrease18/4243Noradrenaline increase11/4226Adrenaline increase8/4219Adrenaline decrease12/4222Serotonin increase4/429.5Serotonin decrease5/4212As indicated in Table 6 , changes in neurotransmitter levels revealed that EHS is associated with different abnormal neurotransmitter profiles, confirming EHS is a well-established new brain-related neurologic disorder.

5. Radiological Identification of Cerebral Neuro-Vascular AbnormalitiesClassical brain imaging techniques including brain computerized tomography (CT) scans, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and brain angioscans are usually normal in EHS patients and in MCS or EHS/MCS patients, meaning that the normality of these investigations is not an argument against the diagnosis of these pathological disorders. Fortunately we have shown that development and use of other imaging techniques could be greatly helpful to increase our ability of objectively characterizing EHS and MCS, should they show abnormal function. In fact, as indicated in Table 7 , by using transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TDU) in patients with EHS, we showed a decrease in the mean pulsatility index in one or both middle cerebral arteries, i.e., for one artery in 25% and 31% of the cases respectively for the right and left artery, and for both arteries in 50%. Moreover, for the dual EHS/MCS group of patients, it was for one artery in 20% of the cases and for both arteries in 50%. In addition, as far as resistance in the blood flow (BBF) is concerned, we found that, in EHS patients, BBF resistance was increased for one artery in 6.25% of the cases and for both arteries in 18.75%, while in EHS/MCS patients, it was 5''10% for one artery and 25% for both arteries. Note also that mean blood flow velocity was below normal values in 9.75% to 40% of the cases, while it was above normal values in 5% to 18.75%, depending on the EHS and EHS/MCS group considered (see Table 7 ). This suggests that, in EHS and/or MCS, BBF may be decreased in one or both of these brain arteries.

Table 7Results of resistance index, pulsatility index, and mean flow velocity in comparison with normal values in the right and left middle cerebral arteries using transcranial Doppler ultrasound in 32 EHS cases and 20 EHS/MCS cases (unpublished data).

EHS n = 32Normal ValueMean ± SEBelow Normal (%)Above Normal (%)Right and LeftRightLeftRight OnlyLeft OnlyBothRight OnlyLeft OnlyBothResistance index<0.750.62 ± 0.030.65 ± 0.04___6.256.2518.75Pulsatility index>0.600.55 ± 0.020.55 ± 0.032531.2550___Mean flow velocity62 ± 1259.56 ± 5.9861.35 ± 5.279.759.7531.253.129.2518.75EHS/MCS n = 20Normal valuesMean ± SEBelow Normal (%)Above Normal (%)Right and LeftRightLeftRight onlyLeft onlyBothRight onlyLeft onlyBothResistance index<0.750.79 ± 0.090.64 ± 0.04___51025Pulsatility index>0.600.48 ± 0.030.61 ± 0.0220065___Mean flow velocity62 ± 1253.03 ± 9.0951.77 ± 7.6320204010105Moreover, by using ultrasonic cerebral tomosphygmography (UCTS) applied to the temporal lobes [12], we showed there is a significant decrease in mean pulsometric index in the middle cerebral artery-dependent tissue areas of these lobes, especially in the capsulo-thalamic area, which corresponds to the limbic system and the thalamus [12]. As exemplified in Figure 3 , this tissue hypo-pulsation'--mainly detected in the capsulo-thalamic area of these lobes'--suggests that EHS and/or MCS are associated with a capillary BBF decrease in these two brain structures, thus leading to the hypothesis that they may be associated with some vascular and/or neuronal dysfunction [10,11,12]. Although these abnormalities are not specific, since they may be similar to those found in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, we recently confirmed that UCTS could presently be one of the most accurate imaging techniques to be used to diagnose EHS and/or MCS and to follow objectively treated patients [12].

Examples of diagrams obtained from the database by using ultrasonic cerebral tomosphygmography (UCTS), exploring the global centimetric ultrasound tissue pulsatility in the two temporal lobes of a normal subject (A) and of an EHS self-reported patient (B), according to References [11,12]. Measurements are expressed as pulsometric index (PI). Note that, in A and B, mean values of PI in each explored area are recorded from the cortex to the internal part of each temporal lobe (i.e., from left to right for the right lobe, and from right to left for the left lobe). In addition, note that, in A (normal subject), all values are over the median normal PI values, whereas, in B (EHS self-reported patient), values in the so called capsulo-thalamic areas (the fifth and the second column for the right and left temporal lobes, respectively) are significantly under the median normal values, suggesting that the limbic system and the thalamus in each temporal lobe may be involved in EHS, as exemplified in this patient.

It appears, however, that these brain abnormalities are not restricted to the limbic system and the thalamus, since, by using TDU as indicated above, we showed that, in EHS and/or MCS patients, BBF in the middle cerebral arteries may be abnormal. Moreover, by using functional MRI (fMRI) in EHS patients exposed chronically to extremely low-frequency (ELF) radiation, regional BBF changes were also reported by Heuser and Heuser, but mainly in the frontal lobes, as an abnormal default mode network (DMN) (particularly as hyper-connectivity of this DMN), in association with a decrease in cerebral BBF and metabolic processes in the two so far individualized fragment hyper-connected components [31]. For example, in Figure 4 , abnormal DMN is represented with fragmented hyper-connectivity of the anterior component and posterior component, which may lead to decreased BBF and/or metabolism in the bi-frontal lobes.

Abnormal functional MRI brain scan in patients complaining of EHS after long-term exposure to EMF, according to Reference [31].

6. Diagnostic CriteriaOn the basis of the above clinical, biological, and radiological reported investigations, it appears that there is presently sufficient comprehensive and relevant data allowing the objective characterization and identification of EHS as a well-defined new neurologic pathological disorder. As a result, patients who self-report that they suffer from EHS should be investigated utilizing presently available objective tests, including the use of the above-reported blood and urine biomarkers and imaging techniques.

At a clinical level, isolated symptoms such as headache, tinnitus, dizziness, or cognitive defects, although they may be referred by the patients as being due to EMF or chemical exposure, are indeed not sufficient for the diagnosis to be made, as they may reflect another pathology. Clinical arguments for EHS could nevertheless be the following: (1) absence of known pathology accounting for the observed clinical symptoms; (2) characteristic association of symptoms such as those we identified, with the association of headache, tinnitus, hyperacusis, dizziness, loss of immediate memory, and attention/concentration deficiency being the most characteristic and reproducible; (3) reproducibility of symptoms under the said influence of EMFs; (4) regression or disappearance of symptoms in the case of said EMF avoidance; (5) finally and most importantly, the association with MCS. As we showed that MCS is associated with EHS in 30% of the cases, and as MCS was well defined during a 1999 international consensus meeting [32], this latter association may in fact be the best clinical criterion for the diagnosis of EHS.

However, because many of these clinical criteria are subjective, they are not sufficient to objectively prove the disease and, thus, establish the diagnosis. Among biological markers, histamine in the blood is presently the best available marker in the case of no associated allergy and the easiest to measure routinely in medical practice. Moreover, detection in the blood of an increase in protein S100B and oxidative/nitrosative stress-related biomarkers such as GSSG and NTT may also be objective contributing elements for the diagnosis. Note, however, that, in 30% of the cases, there were no positive detectable biomarkers in the blood; thus, in addition to the availability of clinical criteria, the EHS diagnosis could be made by using imaging techniques, such as TDU, fMRI, and, if possible, UCTS. Overall, by using this approach, we were able to objectively diagnose EHS in about 90% of EHS self-reported patients.

7. Treatment and Prognostic EvolutionThere is, at the moment, no recognized standardized treatment of EHS. There are, however, some treatments that could be indicated, on the basis of biological investigations. We showed, for example, that patients with EHS present frequently with a profound deficit in vitamins and trace elements, especially in vitamin D and zinc, which should be corrected [10,11,22]. Anti-histaminics should also be used in the case of increased histamine in the blood. Furthermore, antioxidants such as glutathione and, more specifically, anti-nitrosative medications should also be used in case of oxidative/nitrosative stress. Moreover, as exemplified in Figure 5 , we showed that natural products such as fermented papaya preparation (FPP) and ginkgo biloba can restore brain pulsatility in the various middle cerebral artery-dependent tissue areas of temporal lobes, thereby improving brain hemodynamics and, consequently, brain oxygenation [33]. Since FPP was shown to possess some antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and immune-modulating properties [34,35,36], we recommend the use of this widely available natural product.

Example of diagrams obtained from the database by using UCTS exploring the global centimetric ultrasound pulsatility in the two temporal lobes of an EHS subject at inclusion (Ti) and three months later (T3) after fermented papaya preparation (FPP) supplementation (9 g per day in two divided doses), according to Reference [33].

In the case of no treatment and no protection against environmental stressors such as EMF and multiple chemicals, EHS may evolve toward some neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, possibly including some seemingly Alzheimer's disease-related states. However, in treating and protecting patients as soon as possible, we never observed the occurrence of true Alzheimer's disease in any patient included in the database. By contrast, regression and even disappearance of symptoms of intolerance may occur after treatment and protection of patients. However, in our experience and to our knowledge, hypersensitivity to EMF and/or MCS-related chemical sensitivity never disappears, meaning '' unlike symptomatic intolerance '' EHS and MCS appear to be associated with some irreversible neurologic pathological state, requiring strong and persistent prevention. So, contrary to some recent claims, we believe these disorders cannot be merely reduced to some type of functional impairment.

8. Proposed Physiopathological MechanismIn its 2005 official statement on EHS, WHO indicated there is ''no scientific basis to link EHS symptoms to EMF exposure'' meaning there is no accepted physiopathological mechanism to link environmental cause to disease. This is no longer the case. The basic low-grade inflammation and oxidative/nitrosative stress-related states we showed in EHS patients [10,11,22] are remarkable since they confirm the detrimental health effects of (1) non-thermal or weak thermal non-ionizing radiation, which were proven experimentally in animals [37,38,39] and in humans [11] exposed to different environmental stressors including ELF and RF EMFs, and (2) multiple man-made environmental chemicals [40,41,42], especially in the brain [43,44].

Figure 6 summarizes the different steps of the model we have so far been able to construct from the presently available published data, including our own. On the basis of the inflammation and oxidative/nitrosative stress processes which we evidenced in EHS and/or MCS patients, this model accounts for the mechanisms via which physiopathological effects could take place in the brain and, consequently, how EHS and/or MCS genesis can occur.

EHS/MCS physiopathological model based on low-grade neuroinflammation and oxidative/nitrosative stress-induced blood''brain barrier disruption, according to Reference [10].

In a first step, there could be an initial local inflammatory response to environmental stressors, whatever they may be. Resident microglia cells, astrocytes, and mastocytes could be the first cells in the brain locally involved in the inflammatory process, releasing inflammatory mediators such as histamine. On the basis of our data [10,11,12,22,33], it is speculated that histamine is a key mediator contributing to the induction of oxidative/nitrosative stress and, consequently, to cerebral hypoperfusion, thereby leading to some local cerebral hypoxia.

In a second step, amplification of inflammation could occur, including oxidative/nitrosative stress-related BBB disruption, allowing transmigration of circulating inflammatory cells from the blood to the brain. Finally, neuroinflammation in the brain would occur, mainly involving the capsulo-thalamic area of temporal lobes, i.e., the limbic system and the thalamus.

The major interest of this comprehensive physiopathological model is that it can explain the main clinical symptoms occurring in EHS and/or MCS patients, since the limbic system involvement may account for both the emotional and cognitive pathological alterations (in particular memory loss), while the thalamic involvement may explain sensibility-related abnormalities, both superficial and deep. Naturally, the possible extension of neuroinflammation into the frontal lobes and possibly into the hypothalamus [45] may, in addition, account for the other associated clinical symptoms.

9. Etiopathogenesis and PreventionThe causal origin of EHS is still debated, and the present current institutional message is that there is no proof that EHS genesis is causally related to EMF exposure. There is, however, great confusion in the present scientific literature in addressing this problem, since there is presently no clear distinction between the cause of clinical symptoms occurrence in EHS patients, i.e., after EHS has already occurred, and the environmental causal origin of EHS itself. In fact, as reported in Table 8 , by querying the database and analyzing retrospectively previous exposure to EMFs and/or chemicals in EHS- and EHS/MCS-bearing patients, we found there are presently several direct and indirect arguments which strongly suggest that EMF exposure and even chemicals may cause or contribute to cause EHS.

Table 8Clinical analysis of self-reported excessive presumed EMF and chemical exposure preceding the occurrence of electrohypersensibility (unpublished data). DECT'--digital enhanced cordless telecommunications; RF'--radiofrequency; ELF'--extremely low frequency.

SourcesEHS (%)Frequency BandsMobile phone37RFMobile phone/DECT8DECT7Cathode-ray screen9WiFi16Relay antenna towers3Energy-saving lamps/mobile phone *1.4RF and ELFHigh-voltage power lines2.7ELFPower transformer1.7Railway0.8Chemicals11Idiopathic **2.4Moreover, a further distinction should be made between the general term of intolerance, which refers to the clinical symptoms and/or the biological abnormalities occurring in a particular environmental situation, and the term hypersensitivity, which should in fact be defined as a particular endogenous physiopathological state characterized by a decrease in the environmental tolerance threshold to such a critical point that patients become intolerant to low-dose stressors. Such a distinction is already made in medicine as, for example, the individualization of atopy in allergic patients.

Thus, if we agree on the distinction between the concept of intolerance and that of EHS, EHS should be characterized by definition as a particular decrease in the intolerance threshold according to which patients become intolerant to low-dose-intensity EMF exposure, while MCS (as already indicated by the MCS consensus meeting report in 1999 in Atlanta) was defined by a similar physiopathological state in which patients become intolerant to low-dose multiple chemicals [32]. This distinction may explain why most studies using provocation tests aiming to reproduce the clinical symptoms which may occur under EMF exposure in EHS self-reported patients report negative findings. Indeed, these negative results may in fact be due to different, unacceptable scientific flaws: (1) the lack of objective inclusion criteria, because objective biomarkers were not used to define EHS in so-called EHS-self reported patients; (2) EHS patients may be sensitive to certain frequencies and not necessarily to others; (3) duration of exposure was generally too short and assessment too early; (4) association with MCS was not considered; (5) as reported above, EHS patients have cognitive defects and, thus, can make mistakes in distinguishing EMF exposure from sham exposure; (6) and above all, patients may respond positively in the case of sham exposure because of a decrease in environmental tolerance threshold, as well as because of psychologic conditioning from their past history of suffering.

Hence, on this basis, and because of the experimental evidence provided by studies in animals [37,38,39,43,44] and in humans [11,14,23,24] have shown the detrimental impact of EMF on health we believe, there is presently no sufficiently robust scientific data to refute a role of EMF exposure in inducing the previously described clinical symptoms and biological alterations in EHS patients.

Therefore, the causal origin of EHS should be established with a different scientific approach. RF and ELF were found to cause persistent adverse biological effects not only in animals [46,47] but also in plants [48,49] and microorganisms [50]. Here too, such observations certainly dismiss the hypothesis of a nocebo effect as the initial cause of EHS. In fact, the inflammation and oxidative/nitrosative states we showed in EHS patient are remarkable since they confirm the data obtained experimentally in animals exposed to these two types of non-ionizing frequencies [37,38,39], especially in the brain [43,44]. Furthermore, the limbic system-associated capsulo-thalamic abnormalities that we showed to characterize these patients [12,33] may likely correspond to the hippocampal neuronal alterations caused by EMF exposure in rats [51,52,53].

We therefore consider that the biological effects we observed in EHS patients may be due to both the pulsed and the polarized characteristics of man-made EMF emitted by electric or wireless technologies, as opposed to terrestrial non-polarized and continuously emitted natural EMFs [54,55,56].

In addition, as indicated in Table 9 , we showed that, in 30% of the EHS cases, EHS was associated with MCS, with MCS preceding the occurrence of EHS in 37% of these EHS/MCS-associated cases; meaning that in this group of patients, EHS evolved toward MCS in 63% of the cases. As reported in Table 8 , we thus speculate that man-made environmental chemicals may also be causally involved in EHS genesis in around 11% of the cases.

Table 9Percentage of MCS patients who later suffered from EHS and vice versa.

Total EHS/MCS PatientsTotal EHS Patients Including EHS/MCS Patients *Percentage of MCS patients that later suffered from EHS3711Percent of EHS patients that later suffered from MCS6319These various considerations should not be neglected, since to avoid risks, knowledge of them could lead to protective measures in EHS and/or MCS patients. Such measures should include as much as possible EMF and chemical avoidance, use of anti-EMF clothes, and earthing-related electric charge detoxication. In addition, public preventive measures for the most vulnerable people'--particularly pregnant women, infants, children, and adolescents'--should be taken by limiting or even totally avoiding the use of wireless technology in these conditions. Such protective measures should also be taken and carried out in vulnerable patients, i.e., in cardiac patients with pacemakers, in patients with auditive prothesis, and in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

10. The Worldwide Health PlagueAnother argument incriminating the role of new wireless technology and possibly man-made chemicals introduced in the environment [57,58] is that, as indicated in Table 10 , the increase in EHS prevalence is not restricted to a single country but is presently a worldwide plague, which started as soon as these industrial technologies became widespread. Prevalence of EHS occurrence is estimated to range from 0.7% to 13.3%, mainly affecting about 3% to 5% of the population in many countries ( Table 10 ), meaning that millions of people may in fact be affected by EHS worldwide.

Table 10Estimated prevalence of people with self-reported EHS in different worldwide countries. USA'--United States of America.

CountryDateSample SizePeople Contribution Rate (%)Estimated % of People with EHSReferencesSweden199715,000 (19''80) *731.5Hillert et al., 2002 [59]Sweden20103406402.7Palmquist et al., 2014 [60]Swiss20042048 (>14) *55.15Schreier et al., 2006 [61]Swiss20081122(30''60) *378.6Roosli et al., 2010 [62]Swiss20091122(30''60) *377.7Roosli et al., 2010 [62]Germany200430,04758.610.3Blettner et al., 2009 [63]Germany200430,04758.48.7Kowall et al., 2012 [64]Germany200630,04758.47.2Kowall et al., 2012 [64]USA (California)1998207258.33.2Levallois et al., 2002 [65]Finland2002612140.80.7Korpinen et al., 2009 [66]Great BritainBefore 2007363318.24Eltiti et al., 2007 [67]Taiwan2007125111.513.3Tseng et al., 2011 [68]AustriaBefore 2008460883.5Schr¶ttner and Leitgeb, 2008 [69]JapanBefore 2009247262.31.2Furubayashi et al., 2009 [70]Holland2011578939.63.5Batiatsas et al., 2014 [71]HollandBefore 20131009607Vabn Dongen et al., 2014 [72]Furthermore, although these reported EHS prevalence figures are only estimations, not critically evaluated due to a lack of objective criteria to clearly define EHS, it is possible'--as speculated in Figure 7 '--that the EHS prevalence will continue to grow in the future, in as much as the manufacture of wireless technology and industrial chemicals will continue to develop.

Estimated prevalence (%) of people around the world who consider themselves to be electrohypersensitive, plotted over time in a normal distribution graph, according to Reference [73].

11. ConclusionsIn summary, we showed that there are presently sufficient clinical, biological, and radiological data for EHS to be acknowledged as a well-defined, objectively identified, and characterized pathological neurologic disorder. As a result, patients who self-report they suffer from EHS should be diagnosed and treated on the basis of presently available biological tests, including the detection of peripheral blood and urine biomarkers and the use of imaging techniques such as fMRI, TDU, and, when possible, UCTS. Moreover, because we showed for the first time that EHS is frequently associated with MCS and that both clinico-biological entities may be associated with a common physiopathological mechanism for genesis, it clearly appears that they can be identified as a unique neurologic pathological syndrome, whatever their causal origin. Moreover; as it was shown that MCS genesis may be attributed to toxic chemical exposure, and EHS genesis to potentially excessive EMF and/or chemical exposure; protective measures against these two environmental stressors should be taken.

Whatever its causal origin and mechanism of action, EHS should therefore be from now on recognized as a new identified and characterized neurological pathological disorder. As it is already a real health plague potentially involving millions of people worldwide it should be acknowledged by WHO, and thus be included in the WHO ICD. As stated during the international scientific consensus meeting on EHS and MCS that we have organized in 2015 in Brussels, scientists unanimously asked WHO to urgently assume its responsibilities, by classifying EHS and MCS as separate codes in the ICD; so as to increase scientific awareness of these two pathological entities in the medical community and the general public, and to foster research and train medical practitioners to efficiently diagnose, treat, and prevent EHS and MCS'', which in fact constitute a unique, well-defined, and identifiable new neurologic disease.

AcknowledgmentsThe authors acknowledge Marie Anne Barros from the ARTAC for clinical assistance, as well as Sylvie Barbier from Laboratoire Barbier-Metz and Natalio Awaida from Labo XV-Paris for blood collection and high-quality EHS-related blood marker measurements. They also thank Tony Tweedale from R.I.S.K. (Rebutting Industry Science with Knowledge) Consultancy in Brussels for his careful scientific and English review of the manuscript.

Abbreviations6-OHMS6-hydroxymelatoninBBBblood''brain barrierBBFbrain blood flowCT scancomputerized tomography (CT) scanDECTdigital enhanced cordless telecommunicationsDMNdefault mode networkEHSelectrohypersensitivityEHS/MCSelectrohypersensitivity and multiple chemical sensitivity EMFelectromagnetic fieldELFextremely low frequenciesfMRIfunctional magnetic resonance imagingGSSGoxidized glutathione (GSSG)Hs-CRPhypersensitive C reactive proteinICDinternational classification of diseaseIEI-EMFidiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to EMFIgEimmunoglobulin EIPCSInternational Program on Chemical SafetyMCSmultiple chemical sensitivityMRImagnetic resonance imagingNTTnitrotyrosinePIpulsometric indexRFradiofrequenciesTBARSthiobarbituric acid reactive substancesTDUtranscranial Doppler ultrasoundUCTSultrasonographic cerebral tomosphygmographyWHOWorld Health OrganizationWiFiWireless FidelityAuthor ContributionsConceptualization: D.B. and P.I.; methodology, D.B.; software, P.I.; validation, D.B. and P.I.; formal analysis, P.I.; investigation, D.B.; resources, D.B.; data curation, P.I.; writing'--original draft preparation, D.B.; writing'--review and editing, D.B. and P.I.; visualization, P.I.; supervision, D.B.; project administration, P.I. All authors read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

FundingThe present study was supported by ARTAC, a non-profit private research center (Paris, France; www.artac.info), ECERI (Europe) and partially by Osato Research Institute (Japan).

Conflicts of InterestThe authors declare no conflicts of interests. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

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