#because its the last csm tuesday

[macncherries]

hello little art blog Hello Mario,

Shit on this blog is SUGGESTIVE IN NATURE. I post what i want. If it is explicit NSFW it is censored. I will draw porn/NSFW, only the ugly bits are covered. If you want to see the ugly bits check my Patreon.

DNI ➫

◘ If you are not 16+. Yes its redundant, but people still wont listen anyways. ◘ Pro/Anti fuckers. ◘ Fetish content. ◘ Shotacon fuckers, Lolicon fuckers, & the like. Dont fuck with me. I know what you are. ◘ Plantcest fuckers. ◘ Republicans ♡ ◘ Christians unless its the 'Bible Fandom' Christians. ◘ Adult/Minor shippers. ◘ Blogs dedicated to glorifying/romanticizing self-harm in any format. ◘ Zionists ◘ Obvious things; racists, homophobes, transphobes, radfems, terfs, incest shippers, pedos, etc.

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⃝𖤐 Anyways. Hello, i am Adam, you can call me "Mac" too if that tickles your fancy. I prefer Adam because it is my real name, but Mac is just the shortened version of my user, so both are ok. ⛧ I am technicality Queer-identifying, but i may use the MLM flag out of convenience. ⛧ I am transsexual, FTM. ⛧ I have autism (AUDHD), so i may respond to you in weird ways and/or not pick up on social queues. ⛧ I am Caucasian ദ്ദി(╹-╹) ⛧ I am not religious and do not like particularly like religions. ⛧ I have a cat. Her name is Stinky. ⛧ My boyfriend is @halfbakedpenguin he does neat stuff. (˶˘ ³˘(´͈ ᵕ `͈˶)

My first language is English. I can speak/understand Japanese "well" conversationally, but reading it is more difficult, as i am still learning more kanji. Please speak to me in Japanese, i enjoy it.

Because of the ADHD/'Tism wombo combo, i switch from fandom to fandom with great intensity. There is no promise that what you follow for i will draw forever. Some hyperfixes last weeks, some months, some years. I am sorry ૮๑ˊᯅˋ๑ა

Here is my Carrd.

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Tags ➫

General ↴

My Art My Ocs Artfight Non-Digital Art Commissions Animations Headcannons Ask Responses Others' Art

Fandoms ↴

Demon Slayer Dungeon Meshi Chainsaw Man Trigun BNHA Genshin Impact

Individuals ↴

Laios Kabru -ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ Rengoku Kokushibo Tokito Muichiro/Tokito Yuichiro Tanjiro -ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ Denji Yoshida Angel Aki -ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ Vash Wolfwood Livio -ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ Diluc Zhongli Childe -ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ Dimitri (FE3H)

Ships ↴

Denji & Yoshida (CSM) Aki & Angel (CSM) Laios & Kabru (Dungeon Meshi)

AU's ↴

College/Modern/Band Trigun AU CSM Angel Plumes Modern Labru

Hello. You made it to the bottom. Here are fun factz.

◘ · · ─ I have aphantasia (I cannot see things in my brain, what people call "an imagination") (Yes, it makes art difficult) (No, i cannot imagine books/written media when i read them) (No, i cannot see my dreams. Dreams do affect my other senses though) ◘ · · ─ I have 7 piercings and 2 tattoos. I had 8 piercings, until my 1-year-old, completely healed nostril piercing closed on a random Tuesday afternoon. So technically the one in my intro art is a Lie. I mourn the loss of her every day. ◘ · · ─ I really love the word 'Soup'. ◘ · · ─ My favourite animal (and favourite isopod) are Giant Isopods. Specifically Bathynomus Giganteus. My second favourite is Ukrainian Skycutter pigeons. ◘ · · ─ Ive owned two budgies before, Lance and Rin. Theyve both passed now, but my second ever special interest was birds, and i still hold occasional hyperfixes on them ^_^ So, I am planning to adopt/rescue a pigeon! ◘ · · ─ If youre wondering, my first ever special interest was Minecraft. Again, it still possesses me every so often. I am also very good at BedWars because of it. Ive been playing it since Version 1.2 (Not to be confused with 1.20). ◘ · · ─ I have an uncanny ability to pitch & tone-match. As long as it is within my vocal range, i can imitate it to the degree it sounds like a recording. Thank you autism, very cool

[aliennazero]

☆INSANITY WARNING!!!☆

No CSM Tuesday effects finally hit me, so today I will propose theories of why *I think* relationship between Yoshida, Denji, and Asa would have significant impact in the future (in short, they will be a some sort of trio).

Source? I have no source. This post absolutely has no valid basis. Just me and my feelings, my own delulus, my own mess. It's all just in my head. And I decided to do an insane amount of reaching and stretching to the point I and my friends start to question my own sanity.

Let's just say... I have contract with Fanfiction Devil. All these theories below are the waste products of my contract (I sold half of my soul and sanity). So I hope you guys didn't take this as leaks or valid predictions or something. This is purely my own madness (even if it doesn't happen, I still have that Fanfiction Devil contract, I could fix them).

So, what are those "YoshiDenAsa trio will happen" theories? Well, allow me to elaborate further then. Please buckle up your seat and prepare your ibuprofens because this journey will be a long and confusing one.

#1 - Animals and Habitats Representation Theory

Asa's last name, Mitaka (三鷹) literally means Three Hawks. Asa represent bird, the sky. Just like how hawk observes from the sky before attempting a strike, that's what Asa's narratives roles *I think* would be. She's meant to be an observant at first before surprise attack. We've seen that before and I think we will see more of it as I believe she would become stronger as the time goes.

Denji's devil heart represent dog, the land. It's 100% obvious that Pochita is treated as a dog, there's no doubt. And just like that, it also represent Denji's roles in the narratives. The thing is, Denji is not an ordinary dog no more, he's the feral ones. To control and to "tame" him now will be no easy task as his previous owner who successfully "claim" him (Makima) is already dead.

(Hawks could pick up and eat dogs btw, just like how Yoru in the past could defeat Chainsaw Man so many times before her fall. It does fit the narratives when we think about it hard enough)

And lastly... Yoshida, he represent octopus, the sea. Just like how octopus is solitary animal, both of them said to prefer living alone. Octopus is also very smart, and could camouflage to its surrounding. Which suit very well with common Yoshida's character interpretation that's usually interpret him as this very mysterious knowledgeful being.

However the truth is, Yoshida is a human, just like the rest. And octopus is just a part of bigger animal kingdom, just like the dog and the bird. Now we just wait until that little octopus get tired of pretending to be a dog (to Public Safety) and finally break free, like many of "octopus jail break" cases in real life.

In conclusion, I think these three different animals symbolism will be connected to each other somehow in some way. It's too much of a coincidences for it to just be a mere coincidences and not Fujimoto's writing choices IMO.

#2 - Three Horsemen × Three Birds Theory

As you can see in this poorly written image, this theory will try to debunk the connection between Yoshida, Denji, and Asa with their respective Horsemen Devils counterpart.

"Why are you so sure that three birds imagery will be very important?"

"Mi" in "Mitaka" means three. Asa is the new main character, her name have symbolism just like how Denji's name come from Tenshi (Angel). Also we already get introduced to three Horsemen Devils who will deliver major impact in this part.

It's a messy dots right now BUT when you try to connect it, things started to make more sense. So, about their connections to their respective Horsemen Devil counterpart/parallel...

Asa is connected to Yoru (she literally use Asa's body as her vessel), the War Devil. Just like how she has constant war within herself and with society as a teenage girl. War Devil fits Asa so much.

Denji is connected to Makima and Nayuta, the Control Devil. Because he's very persistent to keep fighting for his freedom over people who try to abuse him and control him in his entire life.

Yoshida is connected to AND supposedly opposes Kiga/Fami, the Famine Devil. His last name, Yoshida (吉田) literally means "Lucky Ricefield" (and rice is the most common staple food in Asia). He's really built and made to oppose her. Though he did shows signs of social starvation.

Back to three birds imagery. If we read the same manga, you'll notice how birds is used a lot in part 2 and also used by Makima to keep an eye to her surroundings and her enemies (remember Katana Man Arc).

It's hard for me to come up with paragraphs of explanation so I will just show you this image on how I connected the dots.

++ Bonus delusions: Chapter 99 is titled "Two Birds", probably to reference both Asa and Yoru. But the three birds imagery there still bother me. To the point, I think it's actually for Yoshida. So by "Two Birds", it's maybe means Yoshida and Asa rather than Yoru and Asa (or them three, YoshiAsaYoru because it looks very deliberate to have double meanings (the three birds is not for YoshiAsaYuko sadly🥲)).

In conclusion, three birds symbolism in part two IMO stand for three human (Asa, Denji, Yoshida) and three horsemen (War, Control, Famine). I'm very positive that their 2x3 groupies will have deeper meaning and connection in the future.

#3 - Chapters Title Theory

Now we come to the last theory I have for YoshiDenAsa trio possibilities. I can't put image in this section because I already hit the limit so let's use our imagination a little bit.

This one is kinda fanfic-esque and I did the most of my far stretching here so I recommend you to drink that ibuprofen you brought right now before entering this insanity trip.

First, let's take a look for where Yoshida, Asa, and Denji are in the same chapter:

- Chapter 104 with title "Spoiler"

- Chapter 109 with title "The Easy Way to Stop Bullying"

- Chapter 114 with title "Endless Aquarium"

- Chapter 115 with title "High Schoolers These Days"

- Chapter 117 with title "Penguin and Weapon"

- Chapter 120 with title "Triangle"

- Chapter 121 with title "Theory of Happiness"

- Chapter 132 with title "Protection"

Second, let's take another look to which chapter where their interractions to each other was the main focus:

- Chapter 104 with title "Spoiler"

- Chapter 115 with title "Highschoolers These Days"

- Chapter 120 with title "Triangle"

This is actually a signs for their weird love interest triangle. Trust me. Hear me out. There's something more in these chapters title, I just know it. Based on what? My feelings. Maybe it will be like how chapter 102 ("Save The Cat") was a foreshadowing for chapter 127 ("Save The Asa").

I just could feel it in my soul. These chapters title will be more relevant in the future. TRUST.

That's all for now. Big thanks to my moots @mimsynotpog for encouraging me to write this LOL. Anyway, I'm always open for discussion! Lemme know your thoughts on this one!

Do you guys think Yoshida, Denji, and Asa trio is possible? The answer is obvious big YES from me. We still have time. We're just 30+ chapters in! I won't lose hope yet!

[animemusicbrackets]

Finally, here is the submission results:

PRELIMINARY POLLS WILL BE UP TUESDAY 7/25 @ 12PM EDT

tags: preliminaries matches (the actual polls, not including any reblogs) bracket info propaganda

INFO UNDER CUT

✨✨There were a couple of submissions that were openings, rather than endings, so those have been removed. (So there were 700 valid submissions, 702 total submissions)

✨✨Songs that only got 1 or 2 votes will not be advancing.

✨✨At most 2 songs per series will be allowed in the bracket.

✨✨There were five series that had more than 2 qualifying songs (Chainsaw Man, Fullmetal Alchemist, Hunter x Hunter, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and Naruto).

✨✨There will be FOUR preliminary polls for these series. They will be a week long.

✨✨There will not be a preliminary round for Fullmetal Alchemist, because Uso and Shunkan Sentimental had many more votes than the other three submissions so I will just be putting those in the bracket automatically.

✨✨For HXH, JJBA, and Naruto, I will be putting the top voted song in the bracket, and the rest will battle to the death for the other designated spot. (I didnt do this for CSM bc it was a three way tie lol.) The endings that will be advancing for these series are:

"Hyouri Ittai" by Yuzu

"Roundabout" by Yes

"Wind" by Akeboshi

✨✨The Preliminary Polls will be:

💥Chainsaw Man (2 winners)

"Fight Song" by Eve

"First Death" by TK from Ling Tosite Sigure

"Hawatari Nioku Centi" by Maximum the Hormone

"In the Back Room" by syudou

"Tablet" by TOOBOE

"Time Left" by ZUTOMAYO

💥Hunter X Hunter (1 winner)

"Hunting For Your Dream" by Galneryus

"Just Awake" by Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas

"Reason" by Yuzu

💥JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (1 winner)

"Akuyaku♢Kyousoukyoku ~ Oingo to Boingo~" by Various (Makoto Yasumura, Motoko Kumai, Hidenobu Kiuchi)

"I Want You" by Savage Garden

💥Naruto (1 winner)

"Broken Youth" by NICO Touches the Walls

"By My Side" by Hemenway

"Rainbow" by Vacuum Hollow

"U Can Do It!" by DOMINO

✨✨With the prelims, the total number of songs that will be advancing to the bracket is 62. I will not be doing any other preliminary rounds to fill in the last two spots, because I'm busy, and I really dont want to do polls for the 55 songs that got 2 votes, only for 2 spots. I will either have the bracket just be 62 songs OR i will use my godly powers to just put in two of the other songs that i like. its a surprise teehee.

✨✨The endings that are guaranteed a spot in the bracket are:

"About a Voyage" by Sayuri [Boku No Hero Academia]

"Aishiteru" by Callin' [Natsume Yuujinchou]

"Akatsuki" by Akiko Shikata [Yona of the Dawn]

"aLIEz" by Sawano Hiroyuki [Aldnoah.Zero]

"Aoi Honoo" by ITOWOKASHI [Black Clover]

"Chou Cream Funk" by Philosophy no Dance [Mashle: Magic and Muscles]

"Comedy" by Gen Hoshino [SPYxFAMILY]

"Daisy" by STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION [Kyoukai no Kanata]

"Datte Atashi no Hiro" by LiSA [Boku No Hero Academia]

"Don't say 'lazy'" by Youko Hikasa [K-On!]

"Fly Me to the Star" by Starlight Kuku Gumi [Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight]

"For the Love of Life" by David Sylvian [Monster]

"Fuyu Biyori" by Eri Sasaki [Yuru Camp]

"gravity" by Maaya Sakamoto (Composer - Yoko Kanno) [WOLF'S RAIN]

"Groovy!" by Kohmi Hirose [Cardcaptor Sakura]

"Hare Hare Yukai" by Aya Hirano, Minori Chihara, Yuuko Gotou [Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu]

"Hectopascal" by Yuuki Takada, Minako Kotobuki [Bloom Into You]

"homework never ends" by Mawatari Matsuko (JPN), Sara White (ENG) [Yu Yu Hakusho]

"Hyouri Ittai" by Yuzu [Hunter x Hunter]

"I'm Alive" by Becca [Black Butler]

"Infinity" by Yuuri [Sk8 the Infinity]

"Kimi No Shiranai" by Supercell [Bakemonogatari]

"LOST IN PARADISE" by ALI feat. AKLO [Jujutsu Kaisen]

"Magia" by Kalafina [Puella Magi Madoka Magica]

"Mashi Mashi" by NICO Touches the Walls [Haikyuu!!]

"Memosepia" by sajou no hana [Mob Psycho 100]

"Mephisto" by QUEEN BEE [Oshi no Ko]

"Nomic" by ACCAMER [I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss]

"OverThink" by Fan Ka [Link Click]

"Prayer X" by King Gnu [Banana Fish]

"RED" by Survive Said The Prophet [Banana Fish]

"Red:birthmark" by AiNA THE END [Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury]

"Refrain Boy" by ALL OFF [Mob Psycho 100]

"Roundabout" by Yes [JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The Animation]

"Sayonara Bye Bye" by Mawatari Matsuko (JPN), Stephanie Nadolny (ENG) [Yu Yu Hakusho]

"Sayonara-gokko" by amazarashi [Dororo (2019)]

"Shiki no Uta" by Minmi [Samurai Champloo]

"Shikisai" by yama [SPYxFAMILY]

"Shissou" by LAST ALLIANCE [Ouran High School Host Club]

"Shubidubi☆Sweets Time" by Miyamoto Kanako [Precure: KiraKira Pretty Cure A La Mode]

"Shunkan Sentimental" by SCANDAL [Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood]

"Sore wa Chiisana Hikari no Youna" by Sayuri [Erased (Boku Dake Ga Inai Machi)]

"SPLASH FREE" by STYLE FIVE [Free!]

"Stand By Me" by the peggies [Sarazanmai]

"Sugar Song and Bitter Step" by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN [Kekkai Sensen]

"Tenchi Gaeshi" by NICO Touches the Walls [Haikyuu!!]

"The Real Folk Blues" by The Seatbelts feat. Mai Yamane [Cowboy Bebop]

"Torches" by Aimer [Vinland Saga]

"Trust Me" by Yuya Matsushita [Durarara!!]

"Truth" by Ruka Yumi [Revolutionary Girl Utena]

"Uso" by SID [Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood]

"Virtual Star Embryology" by Maki Kamiya [Revolutionary Girl Utena]

"Wareta Ringo" by Risa Taneda [Shin Sekai Yori]

"Wind" by Akeboshi [Naruto]

"You Only Live Once" by Hatano Wataru [Yuri!!! on ICE]

"Zetsubou Billy" by Maximum the Hormone [Death Note]

"Zzz" by Sayaka Sasaki [Nichijou]

[sanjithesimp]

finally my brain decided to work again, so tomorrow i'll be posting something..

[sharuruwrites]

Bread?

Summary: An assassin questioned the artist where she got the audacity to touch him so freely.

Tags: Fem!Reader x Toji, Reader got drunk, Reader's friend is concerned about your roommate, Toji in denial stage, Tension so thick, Slight Dubcon, Body worship (male receiving), mention of sex and alcohol, unedited

Words: 1.6k

A/N: In celebration of everyone's favorite dilf, Toji Fushuiguro, and my friend asked me when's part two of Rent or Model. Also, I do apologize that it felt rushed, and this is something I want to get it out of my head.

This oneshot is inspired by my cousin's comment on a kpop idol's abs back when I was still a kpop fan almost a decade ago. She told me if she could, she would like to bite into idol's abs because they look like a pack of dinner rolls. So, thanks cuz if you stumble upon this fic! (^u^)>

Note: Aki isn't related to the one in CSM, but the name just popped up to my head.

Masterlist

---------------------------

"Dumbass," Your friend, Aki, looked at you. "Heh, you dislike called one, yet you respond to it."

Aki furrowed his brows, bringing the lid of his beer mug to his lips. "I hope you trip on your own shoelaces."

His threat caused you to chuckle. Almost a decade worth of friendship was enough to tell you that he didn't mean anything by it. If anything, you knew him so well that you have tales to tell that could make or break with his future partner.

"Anyways," Aki took the chance to talk in hopes of changing the subject. "What's with the sudden hang out? You barely went out unless you're shopping for groceries."

To be honest, your roommate, Toji Zen'in, was currently away on a mission. He didn't gave you an exact date he would be back as its been already a week. The only good side of his absence was the lack of noises you heard from his room throughout the nights of Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Why those specific days? You don't know as it's not your business who would be in Toji's bed.

Does Aki know you're living with someone who kills people for a living? No

Does your friend know you posted an roommate advertisement in some shady ass website? No

Does he know Toji's usual nightlife? No

If Aki knew about your roommate, he would turn his mothering and nagging up to its max settings. You appreciate his concern, but, honestly, his way of thinking was too normal for you. You needed something or someone that could spice up your mundane life.

Hence, the impulsive decision to get a roommate. So far, Toji was reliable enough when it comes to doing chores. But, you learned not to trust him shopping for groceries with your money.

Only for you to find out that he threw the money away on those horses and jockey. To be fair, he did win the highest bid on that day, treat you to dinner at a fancy restaurant in Aoyama.

"What can you say?" You swirled your glass of whiskey, the ice cubes clinked to one another. "I thought of changing my routine for once."

"Right…" Aki said, not believing you as he took a sip of his beer. "You didn't invite me because you're missing someone?"

Shit. Were you that obvious?!

"You kept looking at your phone at least ten times in thirty minutes." Aki added. "So? Who?"

An image of Toji's soft smile popped into your head. In response to both your friend's question, you shook your head.

"There's no one." You took another sip of your drink. "I'm content with being single for the rest of my life."

That's right. It would be better for you anyway. Yet, thinking about it left a bitter taste in your tongue.

And, that's the beauty of alcohol came in, to make you forget about it by drinking.

-------------------------------------------------

It's been 7 days since he left.

168 hours had passed since the last time his roommate saw him.

30 minutes he spent traveling from the airport to see you at your shared apartment.

Surely, nothing would change within a week, right?

"Who the fuck are you?"

The question left from Toji's lips upon seeing an unfamiliar man coming out of your room. He's average looking at its finest. It didn't helped that the black thick frames of his glasses sold the mundane look.

A new roommate? For fuck's sake, Toji knew you could and would be impulsive with your decisions, especially what happened last month from your request to be his model. But, seriously, it had to be a fuck buddy of yours?!

The bespectacled man sneered at him. "Who the fuck are you?"

"I asked you first."

"I asked you second."

Toji sighed, near the end of his patience. "I'm her roommate, Toji Zen'in."

He almost gagged on the spot after he said his last name.

"Aki Sakamoto, I'm a friend of the weirdo who's currently sleeping now." The bespectacled man crossed his arms, glancing at the door to your room. "How come she didn't tell me about having a roommate? I'll ask her the next time we meet."

"What? You're jealous?"

"Nope, that idiot is too weird for my type." Aki scrunched his face in disgust, sticking his tongue out afterwards. " I knew her long enough that if I date her, I feel like I'm committing incest."

Upon hearing the latter's words, Toji crossed out the possibility of you and Aki being fuck buddies. That's gre- Wait…Why did he felt a sense of relief from your roommate's words? That couldn't be right.

Maybe just maybe. Once you slept with him, the crush weird feelings he had on you would be gone within a snap of his fingers.

"Thanks for looking out on this weirdo in my behalf." Aki slightly bowed a little. "Despite how nonchalant she is, she does get a little lonely from time to time."

"No need for thanks." Toji waved his hand dismissively. "I enjoy the special company she brings."

Toji snorted at the sight of your friend's disgusted expression. "And, that's my cue to leave you with the drunk weirdo."

After your friend left the apartment, Toji chose to linger at your room. He began to think on the words that Aki told him earlier as he brushed off a stray strand of your hair from your face.

Honestly, it shouldn't surprised him, but it did. It's hard to tell especially with the eccentric outlook you had towards in life. Maybe, you did express it at some point throughout the months he lived with you. His job as an assassin prevented him from contacting you, or telling you when he would be back.

Because of it, you always ended up waiting for him.

He knew couldn't always be there for you, but heavens knew he would raise hell if something bad happens to you because of him.

His train of thoughts were derailed when he heard you groan from your sleep. He watched your eyes fluttered open as you try to sit up on your bed.

"Toji? Ish…zhat..you?" The alcohol in your system slurred your words. "I neeeeeed you…."

With a small smile and hands on his waist, Toji asked. "What is it that you need from me, doll?"

Without any word, you jumped onto him, throwing off Toji's balance. You both fell on the wooden floor with a heavy thud.

Fortunately for you, you landed on top of your roommate. As for Toji, he couldn't tell if it's a blessing or a curse to have you straddled on him. The disheveled look didn't help either. Your shirt was too big for you, showing the strap of your bra on one of your shoulder.

"Toji~" You sang his name, grasping the ends of his shirt. "I'll take a quick peek of it, okay?"

Winking at him, you pulled his shirt up, revealing his well toned muscles.

Your index finger lazily traced the outline of his defined abdominal muscles. Eliciting a groan from Toji much to his dismay. He bit his lip to prevent any more sounds coming from him as your lips became dangerously closer towards his stomach.

It took every ounce of his will to restrain the temptation to flipped you over and took you on the floor. His pants became tighter with frustration when your hand accidentally brushed against one of his thighs.

Fuck! Why was he acting like some horny teenager right now?!

"If I bite into this," You looked up, meeting his gaze while giving a quick lick to your lips. "Will it be firm?"

Before anything else could happen, whether it would escalate into sex or not, you passed out. Toji shook your body a couple times, only for him to confirm you're dead asleep from the soft snores he kept hearing.

Once he tucked you back in bed, Toji released probably the biggest sigh in his life. The frustration he felt knew he would have to spent a long time in the cold shower later.

'What the fuck did I do in my past life to experience this?'

-------------------------------------------------

The next day had arrived, and not so surprisingly, you woke up with a banging headache like someone ran you over with a truck.

Maybe you did, and by some miracle, you came out of the ER unscathed. Man, that would be one hell of a story to tell to Aki.

As you got out of your room, you gave your arms and legs a nice long stretch before noticing your roommate. He's currently sitting at the living room, but you noticed the slight dark circles underneath his eyes.

"Morning," You yawned loudly as you wiped the tears from your eyes before rubbing them. "You're back…how was the mission?"

Instead of an answer, he replied with a question of your own.

"Do you remember anything last night?"

"Let's see…I knew I went out drinking with Aki…" You closed your eyes, trying to recollect any memories that happened after your stupidity took over your senses. "My brain got fucked over by four full glasses of shochu, then I don't remember after that…"

Once you opened your eyes, it landed on a brown paper bag. It's sitting nicely on your dining table. Suddenly, you remembered what happened next.

"Oh!" You exclaimed, pulling out a a single piece of bread roll from the brown paper bag. "We went to a bakery for me to get something for today's breakfast, and then- Toji? What's the matter?"

"Nothing," Toji shook his head. "I'm a bit tired from yesterday's mission."

"Then, let me take care of today's breakfast…unless you want to get take out." You scratched your cheek. "I just remember I have a commission due next week."

'Out of all the people, it had to be this oblivious weirdo.' Toji thought.

[newstfionline]

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Climate Scientists Warn of a ‘Global Wildfire Crisis’ (NYT) A landmark United Nations report has concluded that the risk of devastating wildfires around the world will surge in coming decades as climate change further intensifies what the report described as a “global wildfire crisis.” The scientific assessment is the first by the organization’s environmental authority to evaluate wildfire risks worldwide. It was inspired by a string of deadly blazes around the globe in recent years, burning the American West, vast stretches of Australia and even the Arctic. “The heating of the planet is turning landscapes into tinderboxes,” said the report, which was published on Wednesday by the United Nations Environment Program. The report, produced by more than 50 researchers from six continents, estimated that the risk worldwide of highly devastating fires could increase by up to 57 percent by the end of the century, primarily because of climate change.

Can a city be too liberal for Californians? San Francisco tests limits. (CSM) Before the pandemic, before San Francisco closed its public schools for a year or more, Beth Kelly was on a political “cusp” between identifying herself as a progressive Democrat and a moderate one. Not anymore. This environmental lawyer and mother of two young children says she’s now “solidly in the moderate camp.” That move may not sound like much of a change to people outside the Golden State. But it’s a significant shift in this famously liberal city where voters are pushing back against progressive policies that they see as ineffective. On Tuesday, Ms. Kelly and other angry voters overwhelmingly recalled three members of the San Francisco school board. During a historical pandemic shutdown, the board made national headlines for its focus on renaming 44 schools, including those named after Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, while elementary schools were closed for 12 months and high schools for 17. In June, the city faces another test in a special election to boot District Attorney Chesa Boudin, one of a new cadre of progressive prosecutors across America. In December, the city’s mayor, London Breed, declared a state of emergency in the downtown Tenderloin district, vowing to end “the reign of criminals who are destroying our city.” Could it be that San Francisco, where Republicans are only 6.7% of registered voters, has found the limits of liberal idealism? From her home in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset District, Ms. Kelly describes “a shift rightward,” or at least “still left, but maybe less left” than before the pandemic. “People are getting fed up with ineffective policies, and homelessness and drugs.”

New Jersey Needs New Pipes (ABC News) In July 2021, New Jersey passed the Lead Service Line Replacement Law, which requires that all water lines containing lead be replaced by 2031. Last week the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced it is notifying 186,830 homes and businesses that they are receiving drinking water from service lines contaminated with lead. The DEP said the lead service lines it’s identified feed into buildings all over the state. Service lines are the portion of a pipe that connects a water main to a building inlet. They could be serving multiple units within a property, and could be serving both residential and commercial properties, so the total number of people affected is unknown.

Russia postpones Cuba debt payments amid warming relations (Reuters) Russia has agreed to postpone some debt payments owed to it by communist-run Cuba until 2027, its lower house of parliament said on Tuesday, just days after the two countries announced they would deepen ties amid the spiraling Ukraine crisis. The loans, worth $2.3 billion and provided to Cuba by Russia between 2006 and 2019, helped underwrite investments in power generation, metals and transportation infrastructure, according to a statement from the lower house, or Duma. Russia’s decision to soften the loan terms comes as Cuba wrestles with a dire social and economic crisis that has led to severe shortages in food and medicine, and it follows protests last year believed to be the largest since Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution.

EU advises further relaxing travel rules for foreigners (AP) European Union member countries agreed Tuesday that they should further facilitate tourist travel into the 27-nation bloc for people who are vaccinated against the coronavirus or have recovered from COVID-19. The European Council is recommending that EU nations next month lift all testing and quarantine requirements for people who received vaccines authorized in the EU or approved by the World Health Organization. Individuals who received the last dose of their primary vaccination series at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before arrival, or who have received a booster dose, would be eligible along with those who recovered from COVID-19 within 180 days of travel.

Russia attacks Ukraine as defiant Putin warns US, NATO (AP) Russian troops launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine on Thursday, as President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to “consequences you have never seen.” Ukrainian border guards released footage of what they said were Russian military vehicles moving in, and big explosions were heard in the capital Kyiv, Kharkiv in the east and Odesa in the west. As the Russian military claimed to have wiped out Ukraine’s entire air defenses in a matter of hours, Ukrainians fled some cities and European authorities declared Ukrainian air space an active conflict zone. World leaders decried the start of a long-anticipated invasion with far-reaching consequences, as global financial markets plunged and oil prices soared. Russia’s actions could cause massive casualties, topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government and upend geopolitics and Europe’s post-Cold War security balance. Governments from the U.S. to Asia and Europe readied new sanctions after weeks of failed efforts for a diplomatic solution — but global powers have said they will not intervene militarily to defend Ukraine.

Trolley school helps Philippine children keep studies on track (Reuters) A brightly decorated wooden trolley rumbles down a little-used rail track in the southern Philippines carrying four young teachers, two on the front and two in the back pushing it along with their feet. Kitted out with a whiteboard, colourful charts, and a stack of books, the tiny, mobile school slides along from village to village three times a week, bringing education to impoverished children near the city of Tagkawayan as the COVID-19 pandemic keeps schools shut in much of the Southeast Asian archipelago. Remote learners in the Philippines have been challenged by a lack of computers, phones and internet, along with uneven education quality. Some children have had to climb onto roofs to get data signals. Pushing the trolley like a scooter, the volunteers teach math and reading to over 60 children as they go. They started their initiative in November and have collected learning materials from donations to use for their classes.

Tonga’s internet finally restored 5 weeks after big eruption (AP) Tonga’s main internet connection to the rest of the world has finally been restored more than five weeks after a huge volcanic eruption and tsunami severed a crucial undersea cable. The fiber-optic cable is now fully operational again after being reconnected Tuesday, said Samiuela Fonua, the chairperson at Tonga Cable Ltd., the state-owned company that owns the cable. Fonua said the crew aboard a repair ship replaced about 90 kilometers (56 miles) of cable that had been damaged by the tsunami. His company didn’t have enough spare cable, Fonua added, and needed to borrow some from other companies.

Another cyclone batters Madagascar (AP) Cyclone Emnati crashed into the southeastern coast of Madagascar in the early hours of Wednesday, ripping roofs off houses and raising fears of flooding and food shortages in a region still recovering from the destruction inflicted by another tropical storm just weeks ago. More than 30,000 people were moved to safe accommodation before Emnati arrived and Madagascar’s National Office for Risk and Disaster Management estimates more than 250,000 people could be impacted by the latest cyclone. There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries from Emnati as authorities waited for the worst to pass, but local officials and witnesses reported extensive damage to houses and other buildings in at least one southeastern city.

Most open to spiritual conversations, few Christians speaking (Baptist Press) Americans are curious about the religious devotion of others and are willing to discuss the topic, but most say they rarely have conversations about faith with their Christian friends. An Evangelism Explosion study conducted by Lifeway Research found Americans are widely receptive to spiritual conversations in a variety of settings. “This study reveals that most Americans are open to talking about faith,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “It really isn’t about religious liberty, people not wanting to hear, or religion being off-limits. The reason conversations are not happening about the Christian faith is that Christians are not bringing it up.” Half of Americans (51 percent) say they’re curious as to why some people are so devoted to their faith, including 60 percent of the religiously unaffiliated. Curiosity is also more likely among younger adults. Those 18 to 34 (61 percent) and 35 to 49 (55 percent) are more likely than those 50 to 64 (43 percent) and those 65 and older (40 percent) to say they’re curious about others’ religious devotion. Amid this curiosity, however, most say their Christian friends don’t often bring up their religious beliefs.

[for-the-brokenhearted]

a new kind of world

3/29/20

It’s crazy how much can change in just a little less than 2 months.

last time i wrote i was going into my CS interview, and i was so freaking nervous. i think it was to my detriment because i psyched myself out and cut myself down when i really shouldn’t have. it has caused me to have a warped perspective on what i can and can’t do and has definitely hurt my self esteem. I say all of this because I’m writing to you now going into my 4th week as a CSM.

pretty unbelievable right? I am so thankful to GOD for the fact that this even happened. just reminds me how blessed i am. 

i’ve also gotten to see my grandparents twice in a month. i’ve spent so much quality time with them and so thankful they’ve made it back to NY safely....

i’m kind of not being straight to the point. if you were someone reading this post tomorrow, you would be shocked i havent mentioned it yet.

the world is changing right now and it’s all very very obvious. when i last wrote about a month and a half ago, we were living in totally different times. 

Back then, i was still in an office environment, i could go to a bar with my friends, i could pick up toilet paper and everything i needed no problem, i could cough and sneeze without getting looks...wow, how nice it would be to just go to any store during business hours and get what i wanted/needed. but no, i can’t. because every business is temporarily shut down due to the social restrictions society has placed on the general public to avoid the spread of germs even further.

back in february, it didn’t feel that close to home. now going into my 3rd week straight working from home, feeling the restrictions of where i can’t go first hand, and just feeling the stress around me is making me feel the gravity and the seriousness of this sickness.

 Coronavirus (COVID-19) has completely altered how we interact each other on a long term, temporary solution for carrying out our lives unchanged day in and day out. take out is the only option. want to go to a happy hour? tough shit. hop on a zoom call with your friends bc all the bars are boarded up and shut down. 

no one can get haircuts, massages, manicures, etc. There are stickers placed on the floors of big public places 6 feet apart as a reminder to keep your distance. 

at first i didnt take this seriously which i feel terribly about now. that is an extrenely selfish way to live because who knows how many times i could have (or have) exposed people who are weaker and more susceptible to the germs, just because my body was a carrier. It is so important today to remain vigilant, be considerate of others, and prevent the spread of germs as much as possible.

i saw toilet paper for the first  time in public in over 2 weeks. unbelievable. this time is changing how society will operate. for example, movies premiered for the first time at home and not in theatres because of coronavirus. one day, people will look bakc and think that it was so old school to actually go to the movie theatre to watch new movies because that was the only way. 

food delivery services are offering so many discounts asz well as vod streaming platforms. ALL SCHOOLS ARE CANCELED. many are teaching/learning from home. great for rev tbh b/c of their sudden need for captions ASAP. i feel for my sister, who’s start date for her first professional job got pushed back to july when in reality it was supposed to be tomorrow.

sean was telling me how she won’t be able to do all the fun things seniors do at psu bc she has to go back to new york and take classes from home to help contain the virus. also in NY it’s the worst, there are 30k cases in that one state and the next worst state’s cases are around 3k. it’s spreading so badly.

i got a cnn notification today on my phone that the death toll in the us went fromn 1k-2k in a matter of two days. austin has been in a shelter-in-place state since last tuesday (3/24). i’m so bored so whenever i need to talked to people i c all up craig and go to his house.

we all got so drunk last night. its been fun being ‘quarantined’. there ar some perks and some downsides but for the most part i love it. i dont mind it at all unless i actually want to get something done. we’ve been living like its a different time. the whole world has slwoed down. gyms are closed so people are exercising and biking/running outside. i havent worked out this much in ages. most people are working form home so theres no traffic, so less pollution. 

this is an interesteimng time were living in. i cant believe im experiencing it first hand, i want to document this as much as i can but im afraid i’ll forget.

[nbafunnymeme]

High school hoop star's 92-point game ignites debate online and IRL

Ball drives on Los Osos.

Image: Louis Lopez/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

LaMelo Ball, a lanky high school sophomore from Southern California, scored 92 points in a high school basketball game. That is an absolutely astounding, astonishing, incredible and damn-near inconceivable amount of points for anyone to score in a basketball game much less coming from a high school sophomore.

But if only this story were quite that simple.

SEE ALSO: The most dad-ass dad sneaker of all time just became even more dad

Ball is a 6-foot-2, 160-pound point guard for Chino Hills High School who’s ranked 16th nationally in class by ESPN.com. He took 61 shots in Tuesday’s 32-minute game against Los Osos High and made 37 of them. He shot a scintillating 30-39 from two-point range and a not-that-good 7-22 from three-point range, according to a box score posted online after the game.

@MELOD1P drops 92!! (That’s a Ball Family record) in the @basketball_chhs win over Lososos 146-120 final @latsondheimer @SGVNSports pic.twitter.com/yr6kre1g4k

Tommy Kiss (@TomKiss64) February 8, 2017

Big, big numbers. But Los Osos coach Dave Smith sounded pissed after the game, and not just because his team got lit up for 92 points by one player in a 146-123 loss.

We’ll get to the controversy in just a sec, though. First, here are the highlights.

Smith called Ball’s performance a “joke” after the game, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Chino Hills players intentionally fouled Los Osos players to stop the clock when Los Osos was on offense and thus allowed Ball more time to add to his point total, Smith said, according to the Times. A closer look at the video also shows Ball frequently committing the major basketball party foul of cherrypicking that is, not bothering to get back on defense in order to catch a long pass off the rebound from a teammate for an easy layup.

“Thats wrong,” Smith said per the Times. “It goes against everything CIF [California Interscholastic Federation] stands for. The Ball boys are very talented and great players, but its embarrassing to high school athletics. Ive been coaching for 35 years, and weve turned high school athletics into individualism. Its amazing to watch a kid score that many points. But its tough to say thats what CIF athletics is about.”

Ball already had a high profile in the basketball world before his controversial 92-point outing. His older brother, LiAngelo, a senior at Chino Hills, scored 72 points in a game earlier this season. His oldest brother, Lonzo, is a freshman phenom at UCLA who’s projected to be among the top five picks in this June’s NBA Draft. Both LiAngelo and LaMelo have committed to play for UCLA in college as well.

Well I mean that’s one way to bounce back after a loss… I see you lil bro 92

Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) February 8, 2017

Moreover, highlights of Chino Hills games are frequently posted to YouTube by BallIsLife and other mixtape outlets. Those videos have already been viewed millions upon millions of times this season. The upshot is Chino Hills is currently America’s most high-profile high school basketball team by far.

But Smith wasn’t the only one who found Ball’s 92 points or more accurately, the way he accumulated them suspect. Backlash also came online.

This edit, for example, shows what we’ll generously call a lax attitude toward defense or even running back down court to pretend to play defense.

This is so lame haha pic.twitter.com/iEcrl1opDJ

NBA All Access (@nballaccess) February 8, 2017

Others critiqued as well.

92pts is impressive but.. 7/22 from 3 is not good Most his 2s were open lay-ups Didn’t play D NO good HS team lets opponent score 80+pts

Drew Hanlen (@DrewHanlen) February 8, 2017

NBA player Glenn Robinson III rated the performance three crying emoji.

https://t.co/qHJVWzmjvx

Glenn Robinson III (@GRIII) February 8, 2017

Many called the way in which Ball racked up his points a “joke.” Even pornstar-turned-sports-columnist Mia Khalifa weighed in.

Am I the only one not impressed by Lamelo Ball’s 92 point game? His talent level already surpasses everyone on the court, it’s almost unfair

Mia Khalifa (@miakhaIiifa) February 8, 2017

But maybe there’s a different explanation for all this?

Ball told ESPN after the game that his outburst was in honor of Chino Hills classmate Alexis Anderson, who’s currently hospitalized. For that reason, according to ESPN, teammates rallied to help him score more and more points. (A GoFundMe page set up to help Anderson’s family with medical costs has so far raised $28,000 toward a goal of $100,000 in four days. About 80 of 281 total donations had come after Ball’s game, a GoFundMe rep told Mashable.)

92 points #love4lexi

SwaggyMelo (@MELOD1P) February 8, 2017

Backlash to Ball’s 92-point-game then spawned a counter-backlash (“He’s a kid!” “It’s 92 points!” “Stop hating!”) because the internet always eats its own tail, but we’ll leave it at that for now.

Here’s the upshot.

Anyway you slice it, 92 points in a high school game is damn impressive. Would the feat have been more impressive if it hadn’t come in such a gimmicky way? Of course. But LaMelo Ball still has two years of high school basketball left, then college hoops, then who-knows-what after that so rest assured this isn’t the last time he’ll become a topic of internet debate.

BONUS: Air Jordan 1-31

Read more: http://mashable.com/2017/02/08/lamelo-ball-92-points/

http://nbafunnymeme.com/nba-news-and-higlights/high-school-hoop-stars-92-point-game-ignites-debate-online-and-irl

[newstfionline]

Headlines

Nature is a balm (CSM) Some people look for laughter in times of stress. Others seek distraction. But in this time of self-isolation, many are finding respite in nature. Beyond the promise of fresh air and a change of scenery, spending time with nature invites a sense of calm. The rhythms of the natural world serve as reminders that life goes on, even as we humans are consumed by uncertainty, says Patricia Hasbach, a clinical psychotherapist. It is a reminder that the world is greater than us and our stress. Even quick trips outside can bring wide-ranging benefits, says Lisa Nisbet, assistant professor of psychology at Trent University in Ontario. In fact, she says, a few brief moments in nature can help restore focus and concentration. So for folks working from home, a quick walk around the block at lunchtime might make for a more productive afternoon.

As life moves online, the offline fall behind (CSM) As endless social media feeds and YouTube videos emphasize that “We’re all in this together,” a huge swath of the population is finding itself digitally erased from the conversation. Some 42 million Americans, and a quarter of all rural residents, lack access to broadband, according to a February 2020 report from BroadbandNow. Even among those who live in places where broadband is offered, for many, it remains out of reach: Just 41% of households with incomes below $20,000 have broadband at home. As the coronavirus pandemic forces Americans out of their workplaces, classrooms, and social spaces, and into their homes, the internet has become, for many, the only link to society. Amid a steady stream of news stories about teleconferencing, remote learning, and Netflix binging, those without reliable online access are finding themselves shut out.

U.S. Food Supply Chain Shows Strain as Virus Spreads (NYT) The nation’s food supply chain is showing signs of strain, as increasing numbers of workers are falling ill with the coronavirus in meat processing plants, warehouses and grocery stores. The spread of the virus through the food and grocery industry is expected to cause disruptions in production and distribution of certain products like pork, industry executives, labor unions and analysts have warned in recent days. The issues follow nearly a month of stockpiling of food and other essentials by panicked shoppers that have tested supply networks as never before. Industry leaders and observers acknowledge the shortages could increase, but they insist it is more of an inconvenience than a major problem. The food supply remains robust, they say, with hundreds of millions of pounds of meat in cold storage. There is no evidence that the coronavirus can be transmitted through food or its packaging, according to the Department of Agriculture. Still, the illnesses have the potential to cause shortages lasting weeks for a few products, creating further anxiety for Americans already shaken by how difficult it can be to find high-demand staples like flour and eggs.

Cities, counties fear losing out on US virus rescue funding (AP) The $2.2 trillion federal rescue package could fail to deliver badly needed financial aid to thousands of smaller cities and counties where a majority of Americans live, according to documents and interviews with local officials. The coronavirus outbreak has blown holes in the budgets of communities as the costs of battling the outbreak skyrocket and critical sources of revenue like sales and income taxes plummet. The Coronavirus Relief Fund uses a formula based on population to parcel out tens of billions of dollars to the states while allowing local governments with more than 500,000 residents to apply directly to the Treasury Department for cash infusions. But localities below the half-million population threshold are in limbo. Of the nearly 3,100 counties in the United States, 130 have populations of more than 500,000, according to the National Association of Counties. There are 36 cities over the half-million mark, the National League of Cities told President Donald Trump in a letter last week. More than half the country’s population lives in cities, towns and villages of fewer than 50,000 people, the letter noted.

Virus exposes US inequality. Will it spur lasting remedies? (AP) The sick who still go to work because they have no paid leave. Families who face ruin from even a temporary layoff. Front-line workers risking infection as they drive buses, bag takeout meals and mop hospital floors. For years, financial inequality has widened in the United States and elsewhere as wealth and income have become increasingly concentrated among the most affluent while millions struggle to get by. Congress, the Trump administration and the Federal Reserve have mounted the largest financial intervention in history--a full-scale drive that includes mandating sick leave for some, distributing $1,200 checks to individuals, allocating rescue aid to employers and expanding unemployment benefits to try to help America survive the crisis. Yet those measures are only temporary. And the disaster that is igniting what’s likely to be a deep recession also raises the question of what happens once life begins to edge back to normal. Will the U.S. remain an outlier among wealthy countries in providing limited protections for the financially vulnerable? Or will it expand the social safety net, as it did after the Great Depression of the 1930s but largely did not after the Great Recession that ended in 2009?

COVID and prisons (Worldcrunch) “What if I never get to see my family again?,” asks Kenneth Hogan, an inmate at Eastern New York correctional facility in a letter to The Guardian. With precautionary measures such as the suspension of outside visits, a grimmer than usual mood is setting in on the U.S. inmate population. Experts say that prison and jails are particularly ripe for propagation, like “petri dishes for coronavirus,” for inmates and staff alike. In California for instance, CNN reports that the number of infections in the state’s prison facilities grew by more than 700% in just over a week.

Bears are having a ‘party’ in shuttered Yosemite National Park (Washington Post) The global pandemic has been good news for bears in Yosemite National Park, where they are thriving in the absence of tourists, according to park workers. “The bear population has quadrupled,” Dane Peterson, who works at the popular Ahwahnee Hotel inside the park, told the Los Angeles Times on Monday. He and the few other essential workers left in the park have also noticed bobcats and coyotes that usually lurk in the shadows are now boldly prowling around employee housing. The animals have always been there, rangers say. It’s just that they’re finally coming out of hiding. With humans gone, the animals are having “a party,” one ranger explained. And instead of going out of their way to avoid large crowds, they are ambling down roads where it’s usually more common to encounter bumper-to-bumper traffic than wildlife.

Venezuela’s Maduro, Used to Crises, Faces His Toughest One Yet (NYT) Only a month ago, President Nicolás Maduro seemed to be consolidating his autocratic rule. The opposition was fading into irrelevance, international pressure was waning and the country’s devastating economic woes were finally easing, if only a bit. Then, suddenly, a global pandemic shut down what’s left of the economy, the collapse of global oil prices wiped out Venezuela’s main remaining economic lifeline and the United States mounted a determined, new effort to oust Mr. Maduro. The Venezuelan leader now confronts one of the most complex crises of a seven-year rule that has been filled with them. At stake are the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in South America’s poorest nation, who face a seventh consecutive year of economic calamity, a new bout of hyperinflation and the deadly threat of the coronavirus.

European countries slowly begin opening up (Foreign Policy) Spain made its first step in easing lockdown restrictions as it allowed roughly 300,000 non-essential workers to return to work, mostly in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The number of new daily coronavirus cases in Spain has dropped in recent days, and on Monday the country recorded its smallest increase in cases since March 22. It is the beginning of a gradual relaxation of strict lockdown procedures in Europe as well as a test of whether countries have succeeded in flattening their coronavirus curves: In Austria, small shops will reopen today, and in Denmark, schools and childcare centers will reopen on Wednesday. France is not following the trend, as French President Emmanuel Macron announced that schools and shops would remain closed until May 11.

Putin warns Russians to brace for ‘extraordinary measures’ in coronavirus fight (South China Morning Post) President Vladimir Putin on Monday warned officials to brace for “extraordinary” scenarios in the coronavirus pandemic as Moscow tightened its lockdown measures and Russia reported its highest daily infection figures yet. Putin’s warning came as mainland China battled to contain imported cases, especially from neighboring Russia. In a video conference with officials on Monday, Putin said the next weeks would be “decisive” for Russia’s fight against the virus as the situation “is changing practically every day, and unfortunately not for the better.” He told officials that they need to “consider all scenarios for how the situation will develop, even the most complex and extraordinary.”

Ukraine says Chernobyl fire extinguished (Reuters) A huge blaze that tore through forests around the defunct Chernobyl nuclear plant has been put out, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday, saying hundreds of emergency workers had used planes and helicopters to douse the flames. Environmental activists warned that the fire, near the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 1986, posed a radiation risk.

India extends world’s biggest lockdown (Reuters) India extended a lockdown on its 1.3 billion people until at least May 3 on Tuesday and Prime Minister Narendra Modi said economic sacrifices were needed to save lives as the number of coronavirus cases exceeded 10,000.

Coronavirus Fears Terrify and Impoverish Migrants in the Persian Gulf (NYT) Qatar has locked down tens of thousands of migrant workers in a crowded neighborhood, raising fears it will become a coronavirus hotbed. Companies in Saudi Arabia have told foreign laborers to stay home--then stopped paying them. In Kuwait, an actress said on TV that migrants should be thrown out “into the desert.” The oil-rich monarchies of the Persian Gulf have long relied on armies of low-paid migrant workers from Asia, Africa and elsewhere to do the heavy lifting in their economies, and have faced longstanding criticism from rights groups for treating those laborers poorly. Now, the coronavirus pandemic has made matters worse, as migrants in Gulf States have found themselves locked down in cramped, unsanitary dorms, deprived of income and unable to return home because of travel restrictions. Some are running out of food and money and fear they have no place to turn in societies that often treat them like an expendable underclass.

Libya’s war escalates despite international calls for ‘humanitarian pause’ amid pandemic (NYT) One year after an offensive was launched against the Libyan capital Tripoli, Libya’s war is intensifying, and hundreds of thousands of civilians are besieged amid increased shelling and massive water and electricity cuts. Hospitals are being targeted just as the coronavirus is threatening an already shattered health system. The United Nations, the United States and other countries have pleaded with the warring sides for a “humanitarian pause” to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Instead, both sides appear to be determined to take advantage of the international focus on the pandemic and try to gain more territory. After initially agreeing to the “pause,” the warring sides returned to combat within days. The increasing violence is raising alarms within the United Nations and humanitarian agencies. There are now 24 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and one death. And Libya’s health system has been decimated by the war.