MicroB

Well, Stalin did use body doubles, and there has been some speculation about the changing appearance of Putin around whether he employs doubles. It recalls that scene in the superb and acerbic "The Death of Stalin".

Ah, he's trying to appeal to Mum's Net.

No I don't remember it. But, there are about 40-50 murders a year in that city. But when you mentioned remembering a particular murder, the one that springs to mind is the 2017 sniper massacre. Nearly 8 years on, no one knows why Paddock did what he did.

Interesting move from Beijing; considering suspending tariffs on certain US goods, such as medical devices (WTO for years have been pushing for elimination of tariffs on humanitarian goods). Markets has risen in the mere expectation. China is asking companies to identify which goods woud qualify. China is looking for tariff free trade. That's not what the American leader wants, because he's told everyone tariffs are permanent, tariffs will pay off national debt and tariffs will replace taxation.

Generally the reason why companies "lay people off" is improve EBITDA; shore up share price, and meet earnings projections. People are also laid off following M&A; duplicated roles. Not comparable to undustry. The reasons are different. Britain went through this in 2010, with the Bonfire of the Quangos. It didn't work then. Labour is planning to repeat this. It won't work now (by working, achieving more efficient public services). For nstance, Labour is planning to abolish NHS England. NHS England is a Quango. Someone very good at charts presented a convincing reason why NHS England had to be created to deliver better healthcare. And someone with very good charts will present good reasons why it needs to go. Government efficiency drives usually result in the government having pay hefty upfront costs of consultants to tell you how to achieve efficiencies, then they bugger off. What often happens is that the normal functions of government, performed by salaried civil servants on modest salaries, say £40,000 PA, end up getting outsource fo contractors on £120,000 a year. Seen it happen with the MOD, utter disaster. And whats worse, you end up employing the same people you let go on triple the rate, but now they only bother showing up 2 days a week, the rest of the time, taking lovely holidays, or hobbies. Literally, the daily rate of a MOD contractor is £1000-1500 a day.

Early in my career my PhD concerned James Lovelock's CLAW hypothesis. James Lovelock was possibly the greatest British scientist since Sir Isaac Newton. its an hypothesis that has never entirely gone away, but has been modified. James Lovelock's observation of over 50 years ago that the Earth is a living planet is correct. The conditions we enjoy are down to Life on Earth. Take life away, and the planet changes massively. Where life influences our environment is through the mineral cycles; carbon, sulfur, phosphorous, nitrogen and so forth. Without life, everything oxidizes. Lovelock died a few years ago, aged 101. His final thoughts concerned the coming Novacene. He thought humans, as the dominant life form, have only 20-50 years left. He was quite amused by the prospect, because he knew he wouldn't be around to see it. AI would become the dominat life form, which could be genocidal, human skull crushing Terminators, or more likely, an AI rather keen on maintaining humans, like we maintain flowers in a garden. Because we will serve a purpose, in that our (lfe) contribution is providing a environment that coincidently is also pretty good for electronics. Later, I would come to know James Martin, an American oceanographer, equally brilliant and visionary, but his life was cut short by a heart attack. Its really down to him that we are even considerng climate engineering as something to try. Building on Lovelock's work, he was interested in what was going on in the Antartic Ocean during then summer. For a short period, the Weddell Sea, in terms of fisheries, becomes the most productive sea on Earth, an utter feeding frenzy for the Antartic Cod. Fishermen know this, and make a lot of money. What was causing it was the summer melt of the ice shelf releasing micronutrients which kicked started the algae, then the phytoplankton, all the way up the food chain to fish and us. But the sea is full of nutrients already. What is it short of? its short of Iron. If Iron can be added, algal blooms can be stimulated, leading to uptake of CO2, release of DMS, and following the CAW hypothesis, a sulfulr-mediated cooling effect. He died before they could try some practical oceanographic experiments. During the main bit of my researhc, which was all about bacterial activity as part of this feedback loop, I spent quite a bit of time bobbing around the North Sea in Hurricane strength winds, trying to work out how organic volatiles, like DMS, partition to atmosphere in a hurricane; interesting stuff being in a 50m boat, in a 20-50m swell, and trying to keep to a geostationary position. They managed to demonstrate Martin's Geritol effect in an Anglo-American expedition off the Galapogas; literally dump iron into the ocean, and measure the subsequent impact on atmospheric CO2. its a real effect. Enough to be used to enginer the environment? That's another matter, but a great deal of understanding was developed to understand how life affects the climate. I subsequently left the field to work in bioological threat agent work. Its an area of study I greatly miss.

It shouuld be a similar situation to Northern Cyprus; no one recognises this except for Turkey. Interestingly, Russia refuses to recognise Northern Cyprus as well. In the context of comparing the negotiations to a game of cards, Ukrainian recognition of the status the de facto status of Crimea is a bargaining chip. Without international recognition, businesses in Crimea will find it challenging to secure outside investment. Crimea is considered to have the best beaches in the region, and before the conflict, it was being reinvigorated as a resort. Before he became an exiled Youtuber in Uzbekistan, "Inside Russia" used to post harmless videos about life in Russia, including a familiy vacation in occupied Crimea

I was interested in the seating of the Protestant Royals. With the death of the Pope, until the next Pope is selected, King Charles III occupies a unique position as the only European Head of State who is also head of a church. However, that seems to not matter to those in charge of Vatican protocol. I am sure His Majesty is not put out by that. It is your (false) presumption that anything in this story is "the most important thing" to me. Its News, and this is a News section. The Conservative Party supporting Daily Telegraph goes on to state: And, indeed, it is possible to validate that claim from a report issued by GB News: https://www.gbnews.com/news/donald-trump-mocks-joe-biden-over-queen-elizabeth-iis-funeral-seating-they-wouldnt-have-sat-me-back-there/368999 And multiple other sources, if you doubt the veracity of this reportage. If you remember Beatlemania, I guess you are approaching your 80s, or have surpassed that milestone.

Good analysis of the collapse of VTB.

In 2022: https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-portman-rubio-provisions-to-ban-us-recognition-of-any-ukrainian-territory-annexed-by-russia-included-in-proposed-fy23-ndaa-substitute

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/24/trump-to-be-in-third-tier-seats-at-popes-funeral/

Different system. The UK didn't get rid of Truss, the 1922 Committee did. In the British system, the Prime Minister is the First Among Equals. Head of a cabinet with the power to hire and fire ministers. But also a MP like the reast of them. Traditionally, the Party Leader is chosen by the Parliamentary Party; in recent years, this has been expended to include the membership (eg. me), with I think unexpected consequences (I think the membership should shortlist the candidates, with a run off based on Westminster secret ballot). A PM could ignore a 22 vote, but then that would mean they wouldn't command the confidence of the Conservative parliamentary party, and in theory would depend on the opposition for support. A PM can step down, but still be leader of the Conservative Party (which does happen). Parliamentarians, who include members of the cabinet, are all accountable first and foremost to their constituents. The Whip can dilute that; promoting national or party interests over and above local issues. But there is still very much a local connection. The 47th President has recently let slip that the benefits of his policy will be felt in 10 years, and people have only got to stick to the line. Pity he didn't say that while electioneering. This is like when Rees-Mogg said, after Brexit, that the true benefits would be felt in 50 years, and that would have been obviously anyone supporting it (he is a Brexit champion). If both politicians had been more honest and treating the electrate like adults, there might have been a different outcome.

Are you a troll? You keep calling the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" "Democratic Korea", clearly in an attempt to inflame. Only one of the Koreas proactices democracy in the generally accepted sense, and I am pretty sure you are not referring to the Republic of Korea. If you are to repeatedly express admiration for this country as well as your extremist Islamic friends, have the common decency to use the accepted names. This seems to be an attempt to break the forum rules.

Hogwash.

Rather similar to the Beth Din. Even the CofE operates its own network of ecclesiastical courts https://www.federation.org.uk/about-beis-din/ https://www.bethdin.org.uk/arbitration The Sikhs have one as well https://www.sikhcourt.co.uk/ Essentially these are aribitration bodies. There are issues regarding primacy over secular courts. These bodies are regulated by the 1996 Arbitration Act.

Not possible under the Constitution. 12th and 22nd Amendments; read them. they are pretty clear. Of course, an Amendment can be amended, but that is unlikely in this case, in the extreme. When he has served 2 terms as President, he is constitutionally ineligable for the office of Vice President. If anything, it is easier for a President to suspend or delay an election. He or she doesn't need to change a Constitution. Congress just needs t amend a Federal law, to be voted by simple majority of both houses, and then approved by a President. That's easier than getting two thirds of States to agree to a change in the Constitution. There would of course be a judicial challenge. If it was to succeed though, the 20th Amendment means the election must be held in January.

You are fast backtracking. You implied the article was an outlier for that publication, and it expressed views that there was no evidence the "editorial board" (which is one person) shared. I presented evidence that (1) this particular author, a retired journalist, was a regular contributor (2) the article, whatever Americanese nonsense word you call it (write in English, man, not the language of the kids), was entirely inline with the ethos of that publication. You seem to have gotten very excited about a publicaton with a small circulation, because you chose twice to respond, instead of the normal thing of just moving on. Instead, it seems you decided to spend a few hours of your day frantically Googling to find some hit piece on the publication, a publication by your own admission, as an unpaid footman of the goverment, you admit no one reads. And no one pays for the article. That's why you were able to read it. The publication is owned by a non-profit organisation, not with "subscribers" as you put it, but supporters. The publication also used to be in Yiddish only.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/04/23/hegseth-signal-pentagon-computer/ Pete Hegseth directed the installation of Signal — the commercially available messaging app — on a desktop computer in his Pentagon office, illustrating the extent to which he has integrated use of unclassified communications into his work. Why does he need a second non-DoD computer installed in his office?

I suspect the "digging into" means spending countless hours watching Youtube.

Another day, another Russian warcrime https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg857d844xo Not a malfunctioning missile, a stray bomb, a mistake by a pilot at 30,000 fet and 500 miles away. A drone, steering by a bloke on his phone, who might as looked into the eyes of the female commuters, as he decided that would be the one. Not a soldier in his dugout. Not a IFV sprinting across a field. Not even an ambulance. But a commuter bus. These FPVs make this a very personal war. Russian drone operators look into the eyes of women and children. Its creating lots of war criminals. The notion of collateral damage doesn't apply. This is genocide.

DHS doxed the wife https://newrepublic.com/post/194289/abrego-garcia-wife-hiding-dhs-address A family hit by two government administrative errors, very unfortunate.

The problem is some of these dyes were already on the list to be phased out. Of the rest, the clinical data is mixed about harm. On the otherhand, advocates say these colorants are of no benefit to consumer, so the barrier to banning them (evidence) should be lower than for other additives. But the problem is the rhetoric. The Health Secretary is exagerrating the importance of these dyes in the health of children, while ignoring others which have much stronger evidence (sugar, HFCS). But the latter has much stronger defenders from industry (farmers). There is extremely strong evidence about nitrites, but that will see Americans deprived of cheap crispy bacon, salamis, slim jims and jerky. Will he ban bacon and pizza? No. The danger is the ban is enacted and then interest in food quality falls away, and a Health Secretary announces he has fixed autism etc, based on some nonsense, and switch his focus to vaccines, fluoride etc. Safety of food will worsen due to cuts at the FDA and HHS that he has overseen. Banning the dyes is easy, but will be a smokescreen to the real harm in health that is likely to occur. Banning dyes sounds like fantastic news to the Little People.

TEFL teacher and tourist guide. Not officially identified as "English". https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/british-man-dead-ecuador-police-playas-del-cuyabeno-b1223693.html There is a name circulating, but it sounds a strange name, if British.

If you look at the history of The Forward Association is NOT contrary to the "editorial board"'s opnion(s). Its evolved from a Yiddish socialist newspaper, and is considered leftwing. You believe that Terrance Petty is someone who writes contrary to the Editorial Board's opinions. He's written similar articles for The Forward before: https://forward.com/opinion/702025/trump-media-assault-hitler-third-reich-goebbels/ This piece from another writer does appear to express the sentiments of the Board (there is no disclaimer) https://forward.com/news/702064/trump-promised-to-protect-jews-and-religious-liberty-his-refugee-ban-is-keeping-out-700-persecuted-iranian-jews/ Its a negative story about the American President. The current Editor in Chief is Jane Eisener. You can judge her view on the current occupant of the White House. Those views are not inconsistant with a views of Mr Petty Further, The Forward did a Jewish rating for all 47 American Presidets https://forward.com/culture/482596/presidents-day-jewish-trump-biden-kennedy-reagan-obama/ The ppaper has published many articles comparing the American to a Nazi or Hitlet. They complained about Voice of America, which was established to fight Nazi propaganda, is facing cuts from the 47th President. They reported on Pritzker making an out and out comparison of the 47th President's policies tom Nazi Germany. Repeated articles about the anti-semitism of the people he is associated with, such as Musk and West. They published an article in the proposed Gaza resettlement plan directly to The Final Solution. They have compared the current Administration's website purging to Nazi book burning. They said Joe Kent has White Supremacist connections. Various articles appearing on "The Forward" comparing the 47th President to Hitler and the Nazis. https://forward.com/opinion/713686/dolchstosslegende-nazi-lie-adolf-hitler-donald-trump/ https://forward.com/opinion/702025/trump-media-assault-hitler-third-reich-goebbels/ https://forward.com/opinion/700261/german-word-forced-into-line-nazis-at-the-watercooler-trump/ https://forward.com/opinion/709612/trump-hitler-target-universities-columbia-tufts-einstein-brecht/ https://forward.com/culture/694570/trans-trump-nazi-magnus-hirschfeld-executive-order/ https://forward.com/fast-forward/615880/donald-trump-hitler-nazi-references/ https://forward.com/opinion/712342/kilmar-abrego-garcia-deportation-nazi-parallel/ https://forward.com/opinion/674236/trump-hitler-fascism/ https://forward.com/opinion/633381/hitler-1932-trump-nazi-rise/ https://forward.com/opinion/670465/trump-mass-deportation-vichy-france/ https://forward.com/culture/403526/infest-the-ugly-nazi-history-of-trumps-chosen-verb-about-immigrants/ https://forward.com/community/455507/100-year-old-holocaust-survivor-compares-trump-to-hitler/ https://forward.com/opinion/425683/take-it-from-a-civil-liberties-professor-trump-and-hitler-have-a-lot-in/ https://forward.com/opinion/455484/we-were-criticized-for-comparing-trumps-hate-to-the-nazis-then-he-told-the/ https://forward.com/opinion/376307/trump-cnn-tweet-evoked-the-nazis/

Does the American leader not realise that the current Ukraininan President wasn't President in 2014, he wasn't even in politics, and like the 47th Presdent, was in the entertainments industry. Might as well the American leader why didn't he stop Saigon from falling and where was he when the White House was torched. I suspect the American is totally uniformed about the events of February 2014.