#heat exhaustion in africa

[adastra-sf]

Climate change-driven heatwaves threaten millions

Extreme record-breaking heat leads to severe crises across the world.

Already in 2024, from Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria in the West; to Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and the Philippines in the East; large regions of Asia are experiencing temperatures well above 40°C (104°F) for days on end.

The heatwave has been particularly difficult for people living in refugee camps and informal housing, as well as for unhoused people and outdoor workers.

Using the Heat Index Calculator, at that temperature and a relative humidity of 50%, residents see a heat index of 55°C (131°F) - a temperature level humans cannot long survive:

In February, the southern coastal zone of West Africa also experienced abnormal early-season heat. A combination of high temperatures and humid air resulted in average heat index values of about 50°C (122°F) - the danger level, associated with a high risk of heat cramps and heat exhaustion.

Locally, temperatures entered the extreme danger level associated with high risk of heat stroke, with values up to 60°C (140°F):

Even here at Ad Astra's HQ in Kansas, last summer we saw several days with high temperatures of 102°F (39°C) at 57% humidity, resulting in a heat index of 133°F (56°C):

Of course, the major difference in survivability in Kansas versus some of the places suffering extreme heat right now is that air-conditioning abounds here. Those who live somewhere that faces extreme heat but can escape it indoors are a lot more likely to survive, but a person who lives somewhere without such life-saving gear faces not just discomfort, but heat stroke and even death.

This includes unhoused and poor people here in the wealthier parts of the world, who often do not have access to indoor refuge from the heat.

About 15% of US residents live below the poverty line. Many low-wage earners work outside in construction or landscaping, exposed to the ravages of heat. Many do not own an air conditioner, and those who do might need to budget their body's recovery from heat against cost to purchase and run cooling equipment. Because heat stress is cumulative, when they go to work the next day, they’re more likely to suffer from heat illness.

Bad as that is, for those living on the street, heatwaves are merciless killers. Around the country, heat contributes to some 1,500 deaths annually, and advocates estimate about half of those people are homeless. In general, unhoused people are 200 times more likely to die from heat-related causes than sheltered individuals.

For example, in 2022, a record 425 people died from heat in the greater Phoenix metro area. Of the 320 deaths for which the victim’s living situation is known, more than half (178) were homeless. In 2023, Texans experienced the hottest summer since 2011, with an average temperature of 85.3°F (30°C) degrees between June and the end of August. Some cities in Texas experienced more than 40 days of 100°F (38°C) or higher weather. This extreme heat led to 334 heat-related deaths, the highest number in Texas history and twice as many as in 2011.

The Pacific Northwest of Canada and the USA suffered an extreme heat event in June, 2021, during which 619 people died. Many locations broke all-time temperature records by more than 5°C, with a new record-high temperature of 49.6°C (121°F). This is a region ill-suited to such weather, and despite having relatively high wealth compared to much of the world, many homes and businesses there do not have air-conditioning due to a history of much lower temperatures.

Heatwaves are arguably the deadliest type of extreme weather event because of their wide impact. While heatwave death tolls are often underreported, hundreds of deaths from the February heatwave were reported in the affected countries, including Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

Extreme heat also has a powerful impact on agriculture, causing crop damage and reduced yields. It also impacts education, with holidays having to be extended and schools closing, affecting millions of students - in Delhi, India, schools shut early this week for summer when temperatures soared to 47°C (117°F) at dangerous humidity levels:

At 70°C (157°F !), humans simply cannot function and face imminent death, especially when humidity is high. This is the notion of "heat index," a derivative of "wet-bulb temperature."

Though now mostly calculated using heat and humidity readings, wet-bulb temperature was originally measured by putting a wet cloth over a thermometer and exposing it to the air.

This allowed it to measure how quickly the water evaporated off the cloth, representing sweat evaporating off skin.

The theorized human survival limit has long been 35°C (95°F) wet-bulb temperature, based on 35°C dry heat at 100% humidity - or 46°C (115°F) at 50% humidity. To test this limit, researchers at Pennsylvania State University measured the core temperatures of young, healthy people inside a heat chamber.

They found that participants reached their "critical environmental limit" - when their body could not stop the core temperature from continuing to rise – at 30.6°C wet bulb temperature, well below what was previously theorized. That web-bulb temperature parallels a 47°C (117°F) heat index.

​The team estimates that it takes between 5-7 hours before such conditions reach "really, really dangerous core temperatures."

On March 5, 2024, Hong Kong saw temperatures of 27°C (80°F) with 100% humidity, which results in a heat index of 32.2°C (90°F) - seemingly not so bad until considering it's higher than the critical wet-bulb temperature. Also, if you watch the video, imagine the long-term effects of water accumulating in residences, such as dangerous mold.

We are witnessing the effects of climate change right now, all around the world, and rising temperatures are just the most-obvious (what we used to call "global warming"). Many, many other side-effects of climate change are beginning to plague us or headed our way soon, and will affect us all.

Unfortunately, those most affected - and those being hit the hardest right now - are people most vulnerable to heatwaves. With climate crises increasing in both intensity and frequency, and poverty at dangerous levels, we face a rapidly rising, worldwide crisis.

We must recognize the climate crisis as an international emergency and treat it as such. So much time, creative energy, resources, and life is wasted in war and the pursuit of profit or power - consider how much good could come from re-allocating those resources to ensuring a future for Earthlings, instead.

(Expect to see a "Science into Fiction" workshop on climate change coming soon - SF writers have a particular responsibility to address such important topics of change and global consequence.)

[basementdoll]

Spanish Inquisition

Wednesday 13

What does this part-time Murderdoll, chicken lovin’, eyebrow shavin’, horror movie watchin’ dread head have to say for himself when Cardinal Doran asks him your questions and applies the thumbscrews? Read on and find out. Noose of the world: Brother Naki.

Weds: “Right, you must be here to ask me lots of offensive questions?”

Hammer: Usually when we do this we only get questions about how gay are you or how much dick do you love to suck, but this time we’ve only got questions about chickens.

Weds: “Cool! Questions from real fans!”

READ THAT YOU HAD A PET CHICKEN, OMAR. DID YOU JUST GET SICK OF LOOKING AFTER HIM AND EAT HIM?

Pear Black, Via Email

Weds: “No. Unfortunately, not being farmers or anything and not knowing how to take care of chickens, he died. We had a little chicken coop at the side of our guitar amps and our drums. It was the summer, we’d go to practice and leave him and he died of heat exhaustion. So I chopped off his legs and made a little memorial for him by hanging them off my guitar but they got ripped off during one gig. Peace Omar.” [Thumps heart emotively.]

Hammer: What benefits are there to having a chicken instead of a normal pet like a cat?

Weds: “None. The reason I got the chicken was cos when I was a kid people always told me that people like Ozzy Osbourne and Alice Cooper used to bite the heads off chickens live on stage and drink their blood. So for me, I’ve always associated chickens with rock’n’ roll. I never wanted to kill the chicken, I just always wanted it to be there. I'd recommend your readers get a cat instead.”

Hammer: But chickens are good for voodoo rituals as well.

Weds: “And for feathers…”

Hammer: Say if you were going to cook a chicken, what recipe would you use?

Weds: “I’m a big fan of Cajun chicken. I bake chicken pretty much every day of my life, except when I’m on tour because you don’t have access to a stove. You put the chicken in the oven and sprinkle it with salt, pepper and spices and cook it until it isn’t pink in the middle - unless you want to get sick.”

WITH ERIK JOINING NAPOLEON BLOWNAPART, BEN IN NOCTURNE, ACEY IN TRASH LIGHT VISION AND JOEY IN SLIPKNOT, IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR THE MURDERDOLLS GETTING BACK TOGETHER?

Decaying Wench, Hell, Third Door On The Left

Weds: “Well, yeah. There’s always hope. Everybody’s doing their own thing. Joey went back to Slipknot and I started doing this so everybody had to find something to do. I can only speak for myself, because I don’t know what the other guys are doing, but I’m putting 100 per cent into this and it is my number one priority, I’m going to tour this record for as long as I want to. But when the time comes right, everybody feels like doing another Murderdolls record and everybody is on the same page, then yeah, I’ll do it. But there’s no way it’ll happen next year.”

Hammer: How has the material off ‘Transylvania 90210’ been going down?

Weds: “Amazing. I was expecting to get raked across the coals but the kids have been digging it and the reviews from the journalists have been really good as well. People are telling me that it’s much more diverse than the Murderdolls; a lot more like a rollercoaster ride and it’s got many different levels to it.”

HEY TUESDAY, DON’T YOU THINK THAT THE MURDERDOLLS SOUNDS LIKE A REALLY BAD GOFF PORN WEBSITE?

Dan, Chiswick

Weds: “I don’t go to goth porn websites and I don’t think it sounds anything like one. Frankenstein Drag Queen sounds more like a goth porn website.”

Hammer: What are your views on pornography?

Weds: “It happens. I don’t find myself ringing lines or going on websites but if that’s what people do and it makes them happy then more power to them. You won’t be finding me turning up in any porn films by the way. Unlike Fred Durst.”

Hammer: He didn’t come out of that looking well.

Weds: “Fred Durst doesn’t come out of anything looking well.”

SAW YOUR TATTOOS IN METAL HAMMER AND WANTED TO KNOW THE TATTOOIST’S NAME?

Chris, South Africa

Weds: “There was this old guy that I used to go to in my home town of Charlotte, North Carolina but the guy pissed me off and I don’t go to him any more. My new guy is called Mark Evans, who did my stitches which are healing up and he did the new Michael Myers tattoo. I don’t promote my old guy because he was a douchebag.”

Hammer: Did you weep like a six year old girl watching ET when you got them done?

Weds: “No. As I was getting them done I was watching Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure so I was laughing. They hurt though. The ones on the wrists, I think I would have been better just chopping my hands off and sewing them back on: it would have hurt less. It was pretty painful.”

AS THE FUTURE PRESIDENT OF KFC, WHICH DO YOU PREFER: POPCORN CHICKEN OR A FAMILY BUCKET?

Cyhiraeth 13, Via Email

Weds: “Family bucket. Popcorn chicken is different here. In America it is actually just what is left over from the other chicken in the bottom of the tray dumped into a bucket. But also the way you guys cut chicken here is totally different. It baffles me, I don’t know what I’m eating. In America you have a leg, a breast, a thigh and a wing. Over here you have a throat, an ass, an elbow…”

Hammer: We don’t have chicken’s elbows.”

Weds: “What the hell am I eating here? It’s all fucking mixed up, I think I had a throat today!”

Hammer: Just say you developed a food intolerance to chicken what would you do then?

Weds: “I’d eat turkey. I’d just move from one bird to another. And turkey’s better for you.”

Hammer: You should try ostrich. Terminator X, the old DJ from Public Enemy, is now an ostrich farmer in the USA, that’s why he doesn’t go on tour with them because someone’s got to stay home and look after the ostriches.

Weds: “I can’t say that I’ve seen a Kentucky Fried Ostrich restaurant yet but when I do I’ll stop by. I fancy a KFO.”

RECENTLY MY MUMMY BROUGHT HOME A BABY CHICK. AS YOU USED TO HAVE A PET CHICKEN, CAN YOU GIVE ME A FEW TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE IT BE QUIET? ITS TWEETING IS DRIVING ME INSANE.

Eddie, London

Weds: “There’s no way to keep them quiet. Keep them out of the heat. Don’t feed them after midnight. They will actually eat anything you put in front of them. They’ll eat chicken, so give your chicken some KFC and watch it become a cannibal.”

IF YOU COULD REMAKE A HORROR MOVIE AND STAR IN IT, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHICH CHARACTER WOULD YOU TAKE?

Charlotte Humphreys, Andover

Weds: “Probably The Abominable Dr Phibes and I would be Dr Phibes because he was the master of revenge and it is my favourite Vincent Price movie. He didn’t really even have to talk to be frightening.”

HEY WEDNESDAY, I WAS WONDERING IF YOU MANAGED TO EAT ONE MILLION PIECES OF FRIED CHICKEN IN 2004 LIKE YOU PREDICTED YOU WOULD?

Storm McCracken, Paraparaumu, New Zealand

Weds: “There’s a good possibility, yeah. I lost count along the way but probably. Not this year though because I turned over a new leaf and now I only eat grilled chicken. I’ve been trying to make sure that I don’t have a heart attack before I’m 30.”

Hammer: Speaking as a bit of a tubby bastard, I was wondering how you stay so slim on such a chicken rich diet?

Weds: “It is basically not eating fried chicken. I went on a diet and I lost 40lbs which shows you how bad it can be.”

COULD A REGULAR PERSON KILL A SHEEP WITH JUST ONE PUNCH TO ITS FACE? I DON’T THINK SO.

Ken B Wild, The Fields 

Weds: “Hmmm. It depends on the person. Me? No. I can’t punch a sheep to death but say you’re Tor Johnson from the Ed Wood films, the big guy, he could probably hit a sheep once and break its spine.”

Hammer: I reckon The Thing from The Fantastic Four could waste a sheep.

Weds: “Well, Tor Johnson is probably the closest a human has ever got to being The Thing.

Hammer: What is the biggest creature that you’ve ever killed? Purposefully, that is. Not just forgetting that you’ve left a chicken in a hot room.

Weds: Probably a grasshopper. I don’t hurt animals. When I was a kid I used to do mean stuff but I don’t now. I go out of my way not to hurt stuff.”

DO YOU STILL BELIEVE IN THE EASTER BUNNY?

Goldfinger Rule 502, Via Email

Weds: “Hell yeah! He just came to my house a couple of months ago. He brought my kid a box of candy and $20.”

Hammer: What are your favorite kinds of sweets?

Weds: “I love peanut M&MS. Those things are addictive. I will eat about 10 bags a day if I don’t watch it.”

DEAR WEDNESDAY 13, ARE THINGS STILL TENSE BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR RIVAL THURSDAY 14?

Antibody, Via Email

Weds: “Yeah, we’re still going head to head. One day we’ll meet and slug it out but I will win.”

Hammer: It’s Wednesday the 13th soon, do you do anything out of the ordinary on those days?

Weds: “Not normally but this year we are doing the London show so that should be really remarkable.”

DOES YOUR MOTHER FEEL ASHAMED THAT HER GROWN UP SON FEELS THE NEED TO DRESS LIKE A SPAZZ AND WEAR BAD MAKE-UP?

Eyen, Poshland

Weds: “My mom’s pretty proud of me. She goes out and buys all of the magazines and everything else. She is totally supportive of me and is into what we’re doing.”

WHO WOULD WIN IN A FIGHT BETWEEN A GRIZZLY BEAR AND A SIBERIAN TIGER?

Bobby G, Via Email

Weds: “A grizzly man! You can’t fight a bear! I’ve seen a bear- you can’t fight them.”

Hammer: You saw a bear?

Weds: “On TV. In a zoo. You can’t fight them.”

Hammer: My Chemical Romance got attacked by a moose once. What is the biggest animal you’ve ever been attacked by?

Weds: “I got attacked by a Doberman when I was eight years old. And they can kill you. The dog had cancer and it had this giant tumour on its side and they were going to put it to sleep in a few weeks. But it came up to me while I was on my trampoline and put its legs up and started growling. I was like, ‘Oh shit, what do I do?’ So I decided to try and run down the hill to get home and the dog jumped at me, knocked me down and I ate grass. It never bit me but it stayed right on my ass growling and I just cried all the way home. Which is OK if you’re eight: a Doberman could bite your arm off!”

Hammer: If you say so. Are you nervous about dogs now?

Weds: “I’m not a big dog fan. I like cats and small dogs but big dogs give me the old phobia.”

ISN’T WEDNESDAY A GIRL’S NAME, LIKE THAT BINT OUT OF THE ADDAMS FAMILY? SHOULDN’T YOU BY RIGHTS BE CALLED PUGSLEY 13?

Mr D Monkey, No Fixed Abode

Weds: “Well you know, I don’t have to buy the rights to be named after the day of the week and yeah, I was totally inspired by the character out of The Addams Family, I’ve always admitted that and never tried to hide it. She was always much cooler than Pugsley because he was a little fat guy.”

WHY DON’T YOU HAVE A JASON VOORHEES TATTOO?

War Machine, Via Email

Weds: “It’s in the process. I’m getting Voorhees and Freddie very soon. So gimme some time dude!”

WEDNESDAY, WHY DO YOU SHAVE YOUR EYEBROWS OFF? IT MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE A PLOPHEAD.

He Man, Reading

Weds: “A plophead? A guy with a plop on his head? What is that? If you mean shit head, say shit head. You know, I shave my eyebrows off for one simple reason: my hair is blond. When my eyebrows grow out they are blond, it just doesn’t look good. I don’t have cool eyebrows, so I shave them off. You can hardly see them anyway. I do notice not having them because of the sweat. If you ever see me on stage squinting like this [scrunches up face as if in agony] that means my eyes are burning out of my fucking head.”

[tamiisnthere]

Crossover Universe - Gepardia Town Lore

I have to say it was a bit of a chore to describe the town/city, but I enjoyed it I confess. Although I feel like it's not quite perfect as always.

The important thing I have to say is that visuals are concepts, because I have no idea exactly what this town and coat of arms should look like yet. Should there be something missing or you've got some idea, feel free to tell me. 😊

Enjoy! (⌒_⌒;)

Concept Coat of arms:

(made in Armoria by Azgaar)

About the town:

Population: around 4000, but the number is gradually increasing

Area: 20.43 km2 (square kilometres) | 7.89 sq mi

Highest Elevation: 131 m | 429.79 ft

Racial diversity: The most common races are humans and night elves, who make up nearly three-quarters of the city's population. In smaller numbers are trolls, dwarves, gnomes, orcs, taurens and several others.

History: A few residents from the capital, Ashte'quel, decided to leave and find a new home in the southeast as the city began to become overpopulated. A small group wandered through Wildebeest's Plains, struggling to survive. They were fleeing from lions, hyenas and occasionally theropod dinosaurs and finding water in the barren savannah was difficult.

One night a giant cheetah (Acinonyx pardinensis) came to their camp, and amazingly, unlike the other predators, it was friendly to the travelers and guided them to their new home. It helped them find water, food and safe places to camp.

The journey took 38 days, the exhausted travelers made their way through the Cheetah's Valley to the coast where was the best soil for growing crops and they settled there. But after that the cheetah disappeared and no one ever saw it again.

Travelers mourned over it and in its honour, the Czech artist František Burian named their new home Gepardia and built the statue of that giant cheetah that still stands in the town square today. Since then, in general, the cheetah has become the sacred animal not only of Gepardia, but also of the whole island.

About 380 years later, a queen of Havaykia named Inya Lunabloom proclaimed Gepardia as a town.

Architecture: The architecture is similar from the Middle East and Africa (mainly Morocco, Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania). Thanks to these types of buildings, residents are simply protected from the great summer heat. It's mixed between medieval and modern architecture.

Culture: The culture in Gepardia is diverse since many immigrants are living there. Most of the residents are huge nature enthusiasts and educate the public about conservation. Districts and quarters of the town are named after recently extinct animals from Earth. Festivals such as the Lunar Festival, which is mainly celebrated by night elves and taurens, and the Day of Freedom, which celebrates their liberation from the wars and cruelty of their former homes and worlds.

Cuisine: It is very diverse, but some of the favourites are Asian, Italian and Slovak cuisine. The most popular dish in town is the Slovak dish: Egg-coated bread in several ways.

Religion: It's diverse, but there are mostly atheists and believers who worship Mother Nature. The Night Elves believe that Thansuokria's moon is their goddess Elune from Azeroth, who is watching them. The bodies of the deceased are cremated to ashes, which are placed into urns and placed in underground cemeteries, which some incorrectly call catacombs. In late autumn, relatives of the deceased go to visit their urn. Havaykians believe that souls are indestructible and live forever in their own afterlife world and can travel through all universes freely.

Sport: Badminton and baseball are the town's most popular sports. The National Badminton Championships are organised every year. Gepardia's most famous baseball team is called the Swift Turtles, who have won the National Baseball Three-Week Tournament four times, which is played every three years in the late spring.

Transport: There are no cars in Havaykia, instead there are animals like horses, sabercats and dinosaurs that are suitable for traveling on land. They either are mounted or they pull carriages. In the town they walk on foot or take the train, which has tracks above the ground to avoid accidents. The seas are traveled by boats and ships (obviously). The newest added transport is the subway, which resides underground of the island and travels quickly and safely to distant towns and cities. There is no cost for transportation at all.

Criminality: Although Gepardia has the lowest crime rate on the island, there are still issues. Alcohol, cigarettes and similar drugs are very limited and gambling is strictly illegal in Gepardia. The guardians of the town are called Sentinels, who mostly solve problems like good cops without violence, but are still armed Kaldorei soldiers. Unfortunately since the Assassins and Templars got into Gepardia and the Sentinels were replaced by the Templar Knights, the crime rate has gradually increased as the two factions fight each other there. The prisoners are taken into the capital, where the prison is guarded by the Wardens.

Other informations:

The financial currency in Havaykia are cooper, silver and gold coins.

In general Havaykia and Gepardia strive to enable inhabitants to live a healthy and happy life.

Politicians and civilians are legally equal, and if a politician has extremist views at the polls, they are immediately voted out.

Healthcare is not paid, most doctors work for the passion of helping others, but of course they are paid by the government as long as they do an excellent job.

The maximum working time is 6 hours and 4 people per 24 hours. Taxes and insurance are paid only once a year and surprisingly it is not expensive. Wealthy residents have a so-called financial limit for example they can have a maximum of 100,000 golds and the extra is donated to poorer households and charities. This prevents unemployment and homelessness.

Ads don't exist at all in Havaykia because it's annoying for everyone.

Map and additional information:

Made on Medieval Fantasy City Generator by Watabou

Xerces Blue Butterfly Wood: Meadow park, which is named after an earth-extinct species of blue butterfly. Mostly it is a resting place for locals and tourists, but during the holidays there are festivals.

Nightjar Market District: Named after a small nocturnal bird that just happens to be common on the Earth, but some believe the district is actually named after a critically endangered (potentially extinct) species of nightjar called the Jamaican poorwill (Siphonorhis americana). This is a popular place to shop in the town, where farmers and traders sell their quality goods. There is also an assassin bureau where Altaïr and Malik work.

Thylacine District: Named after the extinct carnivorous marsupial. Although it is the smallest district of the town, the richest residents live there. The isolated building in the south of town was once an orphanage, which later moved into Giant Gecko Quarter. Badminton tournaments will be played in the southern part of the district.

Passenger Pigeon Park: A forest park where there are actually huge flocks of passenger pigeons and other species of pigeons and doves.

Gepardia Fortress: Home to the Mayor and their family who is protected by walls and Sentinels. That's where the lawsuits happen. It's the oldest building in the town.

Giant Gecko Quarter: A quarter named after the largest species of extinct gecko. There are kindergarten to high school, children's hospital and later orphanage.

Golden Toad District: The largest district and named for an extinct toad. There live most of the residents and hotels and pensions for tourists. There are the best restaurants, interesting monuments and a hospital. Naya and her father Mayur are living there.

Baiji Harbour: A harbour named after a possibly extinct freshwater dolphin. Ships transport resources into and from the capital, and tourists travel here. It was at this harbor that the Assassins stepped foot on Havaykia's land for the first time.

Gepardia Museum: It's built in front of the town square and contains the University of Natural Sciences and the administration.

Map in 3D:

Made on City Viewer by Watabou

Mayor Nythelar Evensky:

"This new town is not built for money, power or rulers! But it's only built for its people!"

Nythelar Evensky was born in Falahnaar to a night elf mother and human father. Since childhood he was bullied by the other Kaldorei children since he is half elf and half human, but still he believed that he in one day change society for the better at least somewhere else.

In his early twenties, he moved to Gepardia, where he immediately fell in love with the place. Years later, as Gepardia was becoming a town, he campaigned for mayor. He promised a better future for the residents of the newly formed town, and he won the election as a result. After that he fulfilled all his promises and for that the people of Gepardia respected and loved him.

Only years later, Robert de Sablé and the Templars arrived in the town and warned the mayor of the assassins who planned to kill him and take over Gepardia, heading for a dictatorship. This made Nythelar paranoid and he had no choice but to allow the Templar's guards to patrol the town so that they could protect the civilians while the town Sentinels guarded him in the castle.

Yet he doesn't realize he made a mistake…

[thestonecuttersguild]

Finished this Academy P-51A in 1/48. The box kit had all markings for USAAC in North Africa World War II. Since I already have an A-36 in those same markings, I decided to try something different with this one. Since I purchased the kit at the EAA Museum, I thought I would finish the kit like the museums XP-51. The kit doesn't really match the XP-51, but it's fine, it's for my own bookshelf.

I've always been a rattlecan man, and have been trying to figure for years about how to do painted silver, since the bare metal I build is itself painted silver. In the end, I ended up just brushing the painted silver bits (wings and fabric surfaces) in a dove grey. I also brush painted the rudder stripes. Decals were just the roundels from a Monogram T-6, and the serial numbers from another P-51 kit. Not too much weathering on this since it's meant to be factory fresh, just some exhaust heat stains. Simple kit, fun quick build.

[mariacallous]

Countries have spent decades building critical infrastructure that is now buckling under extreme heat, wildfires, and floods, laying bare just how unprepared the world’s energy and transportation systems are to withstand the volatility of climate change.

These vulnerabilities have been on full display in recent weeks as record-breaking temperatures broil the world, straining power grids, threatening water supplies, and warping roads. July was the hottest month ever recorded—according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service—with intense heat searing Europe, North Africa, Antarctica, and South America, where it is currently winter. Even the world’s oceans haven’t been spared, with all-time high surface temperatures in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic decimating coral reef systems and threatening marine life.

If regions aren’t being scorched, there’s a good chance that they are underwater. China was drenched by its heaviest downpours in 140 years, which triggered massive floods that killed dozens of people and destroyed crop fields. In Slovenia and Canada, surging floodwaters have battered communities and submerged villages; glacial flooding in Alaska has carried entire homes away. Cities in Spain have been flooded worse than Noah and his brood, while southern Sweden is grappling with its heaviest rains in more than 160 years.

“It’s just an unbelievable summer,” said Peter Gleick, a climate scientist and senior fellow at the Pacific Institute. “It’s the kind of extreme weather that we climate scientists have been warning about for decades—it just now seems to be happening everywhere, all at once.”

Climate change, driven by human activity, makes extreme heat and precipitation more frequent and intense—fueling the floods, heat waves, and wildfires that have been wreaking havoc around the world. The fallout has spotlighted how the infrastructure systems underpinning global development weren’t constructed to withstand this increasingly extreme climate reality, and what investment has been carried out has been less than helpful.

China’s massive Belt and Road infrastructure plan has built more coal plants across Eurasia, among other things. Germany shuttered its nuclear power stations, not its coal plants. Florida actually banned state officials from investing public money in green endeavors. The Biden administration’s big clean-energy package angered allies and sparked concerns of a trade war. Meanwhile, Ford sold an F-series pickup truck every minute of last year.

“We have entire cities and transportation hubs that were all built for climate that no longer exists,” said Katharine Hayhoe, the Chief Scientist at the Nature Conservancy. “That’s why we’re seeing terrible things happen.”

China’s most recent bout of flooding, for example, exposed key gaps in its drainage infrastructure. Across Europe, where home air-conditioning units aren’t the norm, extreme heat has throttled communities, strained power grids, and sparked government health warnings—particularly after the continent’s heat wave last year killed an estimated 61,000 people. In Phoenix, Arizona, one flight was canceled because the plane’s internal temperature became unbearably hot, prompting three passengers to faint from heat exhaustion.

Yet even as these threats become more pronounced, experts say countries are still struggling to turn away from fossil fuels and build resilience into their infrastructure systems. In March, an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report warned that the world was on track to barrel past a key threshold in the next decade—warming 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels—unless industrial governments rapidly cut greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions. “Changes in climate are coming more rapidly than expected,” Jim Skea, the head of the IPCC, said this month.

“The real challenge is that so far, we’re nowhere near addressing climate change with the seriousness that is required to really move the needle,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA. “If we don’t actually do the hard work of deeply addressing this, then it will continue to get worse. We will see more years like this one, and then eventually years that are significantly worse than this one,” he added.

There are some bright spots: The Netherlands, for example, has spent the last few hundred years building dikes and is now spearheading efforts to build further resilience into its infrastructure amid rising sea levels. More than half of the country’s territory lies below sea level, and the Dutch government has worked to develop a robust water management scheme and implement novel flood control strategies.

“The Netherlands are incredibly vulnerable to sea level rise,” Hayhoe said. “Their water plan is very advanced because they understand the threat, and they’re taking action to ensure that as sea level rises, that they will still have their infrastructure, their homes, places to live, places to grow food.”

Like the Dutch, many governments are increasingly focusing on adapting their infrastructure systems, from incorporating climate modeling into water management to developing heat mitigation strategies. But unless countries take more concerted efforts to both slash carbon emissions and ramp up adaptation measures, experts warn that more suffering lies ahead.

Adaptation “efforts have not been anywhere near to the level to match the threat,” said Alice Hill, a former senior director for resilience policy under the Obama administration currently at the Council on Foreign Relations. “We just haven’t made the kind of necessary investments to protect ourselves and our communities from these extreme events—and with that kind of destruction comes a lot of grief, loss of life, and then economic loss.”

Part of the problem is that retrofitting decades-old infrastructure can come at a steep price. A 2013 study of the world’s 136 largest coastal cities, for instance, found that it would cost $350 million annually in each city to improve defenses against flooding fueled by climate change. While that number pales in comparison to the price of inaction—which by some estimates can run up to hundreds of billions or trillions of dollars—it can be a difficult economic and political tradeoff for many governments.

“We’re talking huge price tags, and we’re also talking something that has not been done systemically before,” Hayhoe said. “We’ve never had to cope with changes this fast in the entire history of human civilization, and so we’re asking people, cities, states, governments, organizations, businesses to do something they’ve never had to do before.”

Physical preparedness is also only one part of the adaptation equation, said Stéphane Hallegatte, a senior climate advisor at the World Bank who was one of the authors of the 2013 study. Beyond infrastructure, a robust response also means developing social systems to help vulnerable communities on the front lines of the climate crisis.

“Adaptation is not only infrastructure,” Hallegatte said. “Adaptation is also insurance, social protection systems—also helping people [have] access to financial tools to borrow when they’re affected.”

Hayhoe likened the urgency of combating climate change to a longtime smoker who needs to quit. Although they may have impaired breathing and spots on their lungs, she said, they are still alive—and every day matters.

“So when’s the best time to stop? As soon as possible. How much? As much as possible,” she said. “Why? Because the sooner we stop, the better off we will be.”

[cheonmayasudasayo]

Of course not everyone saying one thing is everyone saying another and all, but it really doesn't even surprise me at this point that the same site that has so many users acting like climate change outside of western countries isn't a big deal because it's not them dealing with it and like 50-70 degrees celcius weather isn't a big deal in places like asia or africa or latin america or anywhere where there's a desert can't handle 32-35 degrees celcius weather according to a poll. The hottest weather these motherfuckers can handle is spring weather in much of their own country (the united states) and some of those same people act like people dying in india and so on from heat exhaustion and dehydration isn't a big deal.

[slifarianhawk]

RESIDENT EVIL: ARCHANGEL

chapter one: not a monster

I was deep in thought, what would have happened if I hadn't met him. I'd probably be dead or even far worse off. I'd most likely would have been a soul less corpse wandering hungry for the flesh of another person. I have been under since 2005. He "recruited" me to work on his research. Little did he know that I was playing a role of myself that he had never seen. The role I made to take down Albert Wesker.

The year was 2006. I was running, the town was full of people. I had sneaked in to the town during the night hours. I knew there was a research facility not too far from my location, thanks to the backup drives of Umbrella notes and case files. To think I'd be out hunting him is a shock. My heart wants me to call out and yearn for him, but after that incident, I had no faith that he would even know I was alive.

Surgei altered the files on the experiments he ran on me, not to mention the one i was after had shot me. I tucked into the sewers and sighed. I'd stay here till night fall. I needed to get my facts straight. I was going to use the name of my former student who Vladimir had killed. She stole the files I needed from him of her own volition saying that she wanted me to be happy.

Alistar was a fool. She should have known that I wouldn't have been able to protect her. I found a heating area surrounded by a fence. I took a step back and thought of where I should hide. It was honestly the best idea for me to hide. If I got caught they'd try to kill me and I'd have to show what I truly was. I jumped up and over the fence. I placed a B.S.A.A emblem next to me and huddled up in the corner exhausted. My mind raced back to her death scene. She bleed out in my arms handing me the backup drives of the Wesker project, the Angelis project and mostly all of the rest of umbrellas files.

I closed my eyes to stop tears from flowing down my face, reaching for my necklace. I flicked it open and looked at the pictures in it. My little brother and sister was on one side and my fourteen year old son, Jake, on the other side. I sobbed as I stared at my brother's picture.

"I might as well." I pulled out my phone and dialed his work number.

It started to ring, and I wished he didn't pick up. I heard and click and groaned inwardly. He picked up.

"Redfield." He said.

"Hey...." I mumbled.

"Who is this?" he asked.

"Take a guess... and don't get on me how long it's been since I last called." I sighed tears running down my cheeks.

"T..." he remained silent for a few minutes, "where are you?"

"I'm in Africa, I have some lose ends to tie up before I truly join the B.S.A.A". I said quietly.

"Look I'm sure he isn't alive... I watched him plummet with Jill. You have to give up this obsession. It's clearly putting you through more than you need to." He said, "I already have the paper work ready, and Rebecca said she can't wait to help you make the vaccines."

"I'm not sure anymore Chris after the Harperville g outbreak I saw tricell collect the sample of the g virus. I saw the same sample on the black market not three weeks later by a man named Irving. I'm going to bring down every last one of umbrellas creations." I snapped quietly.

"You don't have to do this alone anymore! I'm here Claire is here we are here for you!" Chris shouted.

"I'M A MONSTER CHRIS I'M NO BETTER THAN HIM! I'M JUST ANOTHER ONE OF UMBRELLAS FAILED EXPERIMENTS!" I yelled back my voice echoing through the metal halls, "I'm just better off dead."

Chris sighed, "you're not a monster, you're my older sister and I want to make sure you don't get yourself killed just because..." He stopped before he could finish. I already knew what he was going to say and he knew how I felt about it.

"Look Chris I'm sorry I'm worrying you and everyone else but I want to make sure that umbrella and all its creations are destroyed" I said softly to him.

"I know you do but I can't let you do this alone please let me help T." he cried out. I would let him help but I'm afraid either ill hurt him or he'll get killed, and I won't lose another loved one.

"I'm sorry Chris I can't risk you getting killed because of me." I sobbed memories flashing back to her body.

"We are family we're supposed to look out for each other regardless of what we think." He said calmly

"Chris there's something I want to tell you. "I said calming down, "Jill's still alive I found documentation of her location nearby."

"Do you have it on a flash drive or a PDA?" He asked in shock.

"No, sadly I couldn't find one but I'm sure they haven't deleted the files yet but from what I saw they plan on turning her into a B.O.W and test a new virus using her as the first subject." Before he could respond I heard yelling coming from down the hall, "fuck they found me."

"T wait." Before I could hear him finish I tossed the phone and smashed it to pieces. I pulled the sunglasses over my eyes and hood of my cloak over my head. Pulling myself out of the corner, I jumped over the fence rolling when I landed.

"There she is!" a small white man called out. I quickly stood up and glanced behind me. There was eighteen men in armored body plating and holding AK 47 assault rifles. They were being led by a man I knew to be a black market arms dealer, Ricardo Irving.

I ran as fast as I could so fast I didn't think they could see me, but they still fired the guns anyway so I ran toward one of the majini and snapped his neck. When the dead majini collapsed on the ground I saw the one person I didn't want to see at that moment Albert Wesker. When I saw his crooked smile and dark sunglasses I ran as fast as I could to avoid him. Try as I might to out speed him. he was faster than me and ended up hitting me in the chest with the cobra strike. it wasn't enough to knock me out. I fell face first onto the ground and I was stunned. Wesker turned me on my back and said "you are becoming a nuisance" then he stomped on my head and knocked me out.

[midori-laboratories]

Flowers and Ash, Chapter 1

First chapter of Book 1, Calendula Chronicles series.

Story synopsis: When the eldest daughter of Edward Ashford accompanies her father and brother on a last-minute trip in 1968 to secure their legacy, an act of spite turns into a boon for the family. When tragedy and scandal strike, the survivors will have to be clever if they are to live long enough to pick up the pieces of their lives. Pre-slash/Gen.

CW for eventual violence, implied death of family member, isolation, dissociation, and violence

September 1968: an undisclosed location in Africa

The sheer weight of the summer heat bore down on the occupants of the all-terrain Jeep making a steady, careful path through the marshes. The mercenary at the wheel had blinked at the pair deplaning at the airfield. Practically kids, he’d sneered to himself. Who'd send for their kids to visit them in a war zone?

Alexander Ashford, seventeen and severe, had attempted to turn the full weight of what he must have seen as aristocratic hauteur on the grizzled veteran of the recent Kijiju…well, incident was a word. Cleansing was Lord Spencer’s favored term, and no one had corrected him within earshot. 

The elder man smirked at the little lordling and mockingly touched his brow. “Ashford, all then? The whole clan coming in?” The two porters struggling behind them with cases of equipment blanched and hurried past to the car. Two more minutes and this wouldn’t be their problem anymore.

A cool voice intervened. “Yes. Colonel Connor, I presume?” The girl at his side was a hair taller than the boy, lithe and neoclassical in appearance the way most women whose titles had survived the war seemed to be. Her long, dark blonde hair was tucked into a neat bun, looking exhausted but composed. Her eyes flicked from his face to his jacket, badges identifying him as such. “Lovely. My brother and I are not quite used to travel and rather delighted to be back on solid ground. Are you to escort us to the site right away?” Her voice held the tone of a woman who was deciding the color palette for her sitting room.

It was also the tone of a woman who would be delighted to spend an afternoon filing paperwork should he decide to antagonize the little lordling further. As fun as that might be, the look in her eye suggested that poking at that particular hole would have him come away with a bloody hand. Colonel Connor grunted, and they all climbed into the Jeep and took off through the marshes.

The road was rough. If the Colonel happened to hit more of the potholes than strictly necessary, well, what of it?

Alexander yelped and started to shout on the fourth major jolt in ten minutes, then again when the girl’s hand lashed out like a cobra and pinched him on the leg, hard. He looked at her, wounded. “Marigold, what’s wrong-“

Marigold, nineteen and fresh off the debutante line, silenced him with a look that might have turned men to stone. “Try not to piss off the men with guns,” she hissed back. “You don’t know the situation here. Have you not ever picked up a newspaper?” Riots and unrest seemed to blanket this part of the world. The fact that they had sent mercenaries to clear the way for the ‘great men of science’ was not particularly encouraging. The roar of the engine made it harder to eavesdrop on them here, but still…

But then again, years of smiling and etiquette and mastering the ‘feminine arts’ in a Swiss boarding school had crafted her into a mercenary of a softer variety. The Queen Charlotte’s Ball in London, a shadow of its Victorian glory, had done well enough to get her into society, and the apprenticeship as the young lady of the manor had begun at once.

And then, abruptly, ended. The world was not kind to highly visible young women who made youthful mistakes. Marigold Ashford had been no exception to that particular rule. Her body was still healing from the aftermath of that little mistake. Her father, as doting on his only daughter as he was ruthlessly expectant of his only son, had insisted that she accompany her brother at the last minute, 'to give her some time away'. 

Alex made a face at her, clearly inured to her Gorgonesqe stare. As brilliant as her little brother was- and he truly was- Alexander Ashford was sometimes equally as gifted at clinging to idiocy. “I’m not the one ducking scandals back ho-ooooow fine I’ll stop.”

Shooting him one last look, she smiled pleasantly at the rearview mirror and nodded to the Colonel. He seemed to be making an effort not to laugh at the sight of two teenagers bickering in his backseat. “Forty minutes more, miss.” The man called back. “ Marigold smiled wanly in response and leaned back, focusing on keeping her stomach in check as the Jeep lurched towards their destination.

---

The main encampment sprawled fifty feet from the mouth of the cave. Generators and cables wound around the entrance to the cave’s cavernous mouth. Mercenaries held the entrance and patrolled through the camps.

The siblings worked hard to match pace with the cantankerous Colonel. “So much security,” she said as softly as she could manage, given their pace. “This is normal?” Open-ended, carefully framed to not offend the planners.

Connor had thawed very slightly since seeing the private display of sibling dominance in play. There was enough ego on this site between the blue blood and the brains that the thought of another young hormonal genius to chivy about had been a headache-inducing one. He could tolerate a fancy little lady about if her job were to slap some sense into the fuckwits who thought they were too good to mind the perimeters at night. “It was a long, rough spring, miss. Can’t be too careful.” He walked on. She blinked at the brush-off, then followed.

“They’ve already set up the lab equipment,” Alexander noted. Marigold knew his earlier pique had been from impatience and exhaustion, now temporarily forgotten. The ink on his doctorate was still drying, so to speak, and he had leapt at the invitation to meet their father down here, at this secret site in hostile territory.

Marigold smiled back at him, brighter and more genuine this time. “Meaning that you’ll be able to get down to work so much quicker, yes?” Alexander grinned back, and she kept moving forward, smile falling off of her face as she kept pacing the colonel.

Please, let them finish the work quickly, she thought with a deeper fervor than she thought possible.

“Ah, the heirs approach,” a voice drifted on the late afternoon haze as they approached a moderate pavilion. Three men were seated around a table, gin and tonic firmly at hand. Wouldn’t do to let malaria into the party when you have a virologist on hand, Marigold thought. Aloud, she called out, “Father, we’ve arrived!”

Lord Ashford, chief virologist in the expedition, smiled broadly at his children and rose from his seat the greet them. Alexander first- clapping the young man on the shoulder. They talked in animated tones about the boy’s doctoral work- the timing, really couldn’t have worked out better if they had tried. The elder Ashford, generally nearly clinical in manner, made an exception when connecting through science, and Alexander had strived to nurture that genius thread as much as possible.

Marigold stepped to the side, watching them fondly. Lord Ashford really hadn’t known what to do with a daughter, but that was common for the type of girls she had grown up with. She had been sent to a boarding school for the children of the supposedly idle rich. She had worked to make friends- no, allies- while learning how to be effective wives for the next generation’s up-and-coming young men. She blanched internally at the thought, holding her indulgently thoughtful mask steady. Surely she wouldn’t have had to be carted all the way here for that.

Lord Ashford turned to her, eyes still shining with pride for Alexander. Sometimes, the reflected light from that was enough. She smiled back. “Father, it’s good to see you. The invitation was a surprise, be welcome nonetheless.” And still a mystery. Why?

He smiled back, touching her cheek as if she were made of spun sugar. The delicate way he handled her had always amused Alexander, and he managed to make use of the insured angle he held to cross his eyes at her. She huffed at him, not without fondness. Doctor or not, he was such a kid sometimes. She was glad of it.

Her father lowered his voice. “I heard about London. Are you alright?” Marigold smiled at him, though a tightness crept into her voice. “We can discuss that later.” Shifting her tone to something more genial, she said more loudly, “I’m not sure what I can really do out here, but a change of scenery was a lovely idea.”

Lord Spencer - uncle, she was supposed to call him, remember- toasted the teens in an unusually effusive move for him. Today must have been a productive one. “We’re quite lucky to have to pleasure of your company, both of you. Miss Ashford, I heard that you completed your term in Geneva?”

The other man at the table was perhaps in his mid-twenties. The botanist, she recited mentally, Dr. Marcus. American. He’d been removed from his posting at a Swiss university due to some sort of academic scandal, and Spencer had snapped him up. She’d known a few American girls at finishing school. They were often more gregarious but had a sense of restlessness about them. This particular one seemed to be repressing a sneer, looking up sharply at the mention of Geneva and eyeing her suspiciously. He wasn’t doing a particularly good job of it, but he clearly felt otherwise. Best not dispel that particular myth on first meeting. Privately she noted to look further into the matter. Knowing a partial story seemed fraught, somehow.

He was also the reason that she wished Spencer hadn’t mentioned Geneva, but the barb was already delivered. “Last year, really.” She did her best to appear oblivious to the younger botanist. “London was chaos most of this spring, I’ve really barely come up for air,” please let him assume I’m not smart enough to know how much of his fall had clung to him, she silently begged. She kept her eyes on Spencer.

He held her eye for a long moment, then nodded, seeming to approve. The tension slowly began to seep out of the moment. A test, then? So it would be one of those visits. She’d grown up on tales of Dame Sark holding off the invading Germans through etiquette alone. This was hardly the family parlor, but it seemed like she wouldn’t be kept entirely idle on this trip.

Twenty minutes and a few polite excuses later, the young pair were led off to their quarters for their stay. Edward Ashford watched the leave with a fond look that almost threatened to break into a smile. “Alexander’s up to date with the latest in gene expression,” he said to the other two almost as an afterthought. It’s a shame the virus doesn’t have an active sample to work from, but working from the point where the body fails is still data.” None mentioned the population of warriors who had died in their temple cavern in a last-ditch effort to be the one worthy to lead. “We ought to be able to map the structure of the virus from that point. Oswell…are you quite sure about your weapons angle? The pharmaceutics side is an easy enough pitch, is it not?” They had been arguing this point enough that summer that

Spencer did little more than sigh at this point. “It is, and we’ll need directors on that side. People to broker the relationships we’ll need for growth.” He sipped his drink, grimacing at the quinine taste. “Loyalty’s harder to cultivate than training, given decent enough instincts. Did you tell her about the Umbrella project?”

Edward frowned. “I told Alexander, of course.”

“Hmm. I keep getting letters from London asking about the exciting new company that has no details that your boy is somehow in the middle of.” Spencer smiled. It was a cruel expression on his face. “The whole thing had filtered through the grapevine of the social season quite thoroughly. I wonder what a little political and business acumen would generate for accessing the defense budgets.”

Marcus’ sneering reply seemed to evaporate at this last point, and his mouth snapped shut. Of course. Spencer had poured a large chunk of his fortune into the Arklay facility. Someone would have to get the machinery of investment going, for the little storefront facade these two were building around the working, and how to hunt for the proverbial white whales who would want the true product.

Still. Ashford had seemingly materialized from a silent partner to bringing his entire line in on the project. He had gone from running his own lab and project with Spencer’s support to being relegated to a junior partner in the enterprise. Spencer's offer to trade his access to the academic world for full research support had changed the balance of power in their little circle. In the lab, he didn't care much, but the gap was already visible. 

His assistant, George Bailey, was still with him, for now. Spencer had been pulling George aside more and more this year. Spencer had put it down to the necessities of building support for his research. Scaling the business was an inevitability.

Ashford seemed not to notice the tension at the table. “Industry events are dreadful affairs,” he mused. “I wouldn’t mind going to fewer conferences if someone were able to do that bit of legwork.” Alexander was still rising in his field, of course. Still, the company itself would need representation out in the world, and his daughter, practically tailor-made for such things, needed something to do with her time. She'd run wild quite enough this past year. Ashford relaxed further, satisfied for now.

They had been friends since their shared youth, united in vision and, with a new generation ready to take the baton, on the cusp of a great era of discovery.

Whatever could go wrong?

[iwonderandthinkof]

And i may have a heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Central Valley, CA (108f) it's hotter than most of Africa

one of these days we're gonna wake up to the sun already shining and when we step outside we won't have to bring jackets with us! and at 8pm the sun will still be there with us, by the way

[tmr-blogs2]

Optical Brighteners Market to Reach Value of US$ 2.6 Bn by 2031

The global optical brighteners market is prognosticated to reach a value of US$ 2.6 Bn by the end of 2031. Furthermore, the study highlights that the market is expected to develop at a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period, from 2022 to 2031.

The optical brightener’s market outlook by TMR delivers exhaustive assessment on key factors influencing the market growth. Thus, readers gain exhaustive insights on the growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, R&Ds, and emerging trends of the optical brighteners market. In addition, the report sheds light on important statistics such as volume, share, revenues, and sales of optical brighteners market.

Optical brighteners are easy to use and they help in making the fabric softer. Owing to these advantages, the use of these products is being increasing in the recent years. They are also known as artificial whiteners. Optical brighteners are being used in the textiles, laundry detergents, plastics, and papers. This wide product application suggests that the global optical brighteners market is prognosticated to expand at notable pace during the forecast period, notes a TMR study.

Request Sample Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=13883

Optical Brighteners Market: Key Findings

Optical brighteners find wide application in the laundry care. Laundry detergents are gaining immense popularity owing to their ability to impart a blue light effect to the clothes and make them look white, notes a TMR study on the optical brighteners market. Hence, optical brighteners in detergent are used to make cloths appear brightener and whiter. Moreover, optical brighteners are gaining traction owing to their ability to make cloths resistant to chemical reactions and heat.

The demand for laundry and detergent is being increasing in the recent years owing to a rise in the global population. This factor is expected to boost the sales growth in the global optical brighteners market during the forecast period. Moreover, optical brighteners are widely utilized in hospital laundry sections owing to the increasing use of white fabrics in hospitals and the healthcare industry.

In the paper industry, optical brightening agents are being utilized as an additive that helps in advancing the natural whitening properties of paper. Hence, the expansion of the paper industry is anticipated to fuel the sales growth in the global optical brighteners market during the forecast period.

Optical Brighteners Market: Growth Boosters

Increase in worldwide utilization of laundry detergents is expected to boost the demand growth in the optical brighteners market

Surge in the product use in the uncoated and coated paper industry is projected to lead to largest opportunity for optical brighteners market

Optical Brighteners Market: Regional Analysis

The optical brighteners market is expected to gain significant avenues for business in Asia Pacific during the forecast period owing to a surge in the application of optical brighteners in emerging economies including India and China

The market for optical brighteners is expected to gain notable growth prospects in Europe in the near future owing to the presence of many key manufacturers in the region

Optical Brighteners Market: Key Players

Some of the key players profiled in the report are:

Huntsman International LLC

Dayglo Color Corp

Clariant AG

BASF SE

Aron Universal Limited

Rudolf GmbH

Meghmani Group

Archroma Brand & Performance Textile Specialties

Blankophor GmbH & Co. KG

Brilliant Group

Kolorjet Chemicals Pvt Ltd.

Paramount Minerals & Chemicals Limited

Optical Brighteners Market Segmentation

Chemical

Stilbene

Coumarin

Diphenyl Pyrazoline

Others

Application

Detergents

Textiles

Papers

Cosmetics

Plastics

Others

Regions Covered

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

Buy this Premium Research Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=13883&ltype=S

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques to gather and analyses information.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

Contact:

Transparency Market Research Inc.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTER DOWNTOWN,

1000 N. West Street,

Suite 1200, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 USA

Tel: +1-518-618-1030

USA – Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453

Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com  

[gadgetrevive]

50 Hours in Africa: A Journey of Challenges and Heartwarming EncountersThe adventure began with a lively trip to Kenya, marking the first of many anticipated ventures for the Bet Squad. Excitement was in the air as they boarded the plane, eager for the journey ahead. Upon arrival, they were warmly welcomed by the Water Project team with smiles and flowers, setting a positive tone for the trip.Their first stop was a hotel in Kakamega, about an hour and a half from the airport. Despite the jet lag, the team’s spirits remained high as they anticipated the challenges ahead. The next day, they visited the regional service hub of the Water Project, greeted by enthusiastic local staff and community members. The warm welcome included music, dancing, and heartfelt greetings, making the squad feel at home.The first challenge took place at Ematiha Primary School, where each squad member had to teach a lesson. AJ, Mr. Triangle, proved to be the most popular teacher, winning the students' votes. The experience was both humbling and inspiring as they connected with the children and shared laughs.Next, the team headed to Lubino Primary School for a football match against a local team. The turnout was immense, with the entire school seemingly present to cheer. Despite the intense heat and the skilled opponents, the squad played with determination. The match ended in a draw, leading to a penalty shootout where Shaki scored the winning goal. The squad, in a heartwarming gesture, decided to give the victory trophy to the local team, acknowledging their incredible effort and sportsmanship.After the football match, the squad visited Humphrey's home for dinner. The hospitality was overwhelming, providing a perfect end to an exhausting but fulfilling day. Humphrey's family welcomed them warmly, and they enjoyed a meal together, sharing stories and laughter.Day two started with another challenge: fetching water from a distant stream, simulating the daily struggle many locals face before water pumps were installed. The walk was long and arduous, making the squad appreciate the work done by the Water Project even more. They then visited a nearby well, where they were shown how the pumps are repaired. The experience was eye-opening, highlighting the importance of clean water access.The day continued with a visit to Moraba Primary School, where they were once again welcomed with songs and dances. The next challenge was to match outfits with their teammates within a budget. Divided into two teams, they roamed local markets, negotiating and bargaining for the best deals. In the end, AJ and Nik won the challenge, showcasing their knack for finding great outfits.Their final challenge took them to Nairobi for a safari. Each squad member picked three animals they hoped to see, competing in a game of animal bingo. Despite the excitement, the safari was underwhelming, with the team spotting only a few animals. The rough terrain and mosquito bites added to the struggle, but the experience was still memorable.As their trip concluded, the squad reflected on their journey. They were moved by the love and hospitality they received and the impactful work of the Water Project. The visit to Kenya was more than just a series of challenges; it was an enlightening experience that left them with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the local communities and their resilience.Before heading back to the UK, they expressed their gratitude to Humphrey and the Water Project team. The adventure ended with a heartfelt message encouraging viewers to support the Water Project's efforts, emphasizing the incredible difference clean water can make in these communities.Their journey in Kenya was a blend of fun, challenges, and heartwarming encounters that left a lasting impression on the Bet Squad. They returned home with memories of an unforgettable experience and a renewed commitment to making a positive impact.

[namansharma0950]

Monel Market Size, Share, Analysis, Growth, Key Players, Trend and Forecast to 2034

In 2023, the global Monel market reached around 21 thousand tonnes and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% through 2034.

Introduction:

Monel, a group of nickel-copper alloys, is renowned for its outstanding corrosion resistance, high strength, and durability. These properties make it a preferred material for various demanding applications. In South Africa, the Monel Market is poised for growth as industries seek high-performance materials to enhance their operations. This article explores the dynamics of the Monel Market in South Africa, focusing on its applications, market trends, and impact on industrial development.

Click Here: https://www.chemanalyst.com/industry-report/monel-market-4171

Industrial Applications and Demand:

Monel alloys are utilized across a wide range of industries, including marine, chemical processing, oil and gas, aerospace, and power generation. Their unique properties make them ideal for applications requiring robustness, longevity, and resistance to harsh environments. The industrial landscape of South Africa, characterized by significant activity in these sectors, drives the demand for Monel alloys.

Marine Industry:

In the marine industry, Monel alloys are used for components such as propeller shafts, pump impellers, and seawater valves due to their excellent resistance to saltwater corrosion. As South Africa continues to develop its maritime infrastructure and enhance its naval capabilities, the demand for Monel alloys in shipbuilding and offshore engineering is expected to increase.

Chemical Processing:

Monel's resistance to a wide range of corrosive environments makes it ideal for the chemical processing industry. It is used in equipment such as heat exchangers, reactors, and piping systems that handle aggressive chemicals. With South Africa's chemical industry focused on expanding production capacities and ensuring operational safety, the need for reliable materials like Monel is on the rise.

Oil and Gas Sector:

The oil and gas sector requires materials that can withstand extreme conditions and resist corrosion from hydrocarbons and seawater. Monel alloys are employed in various components, including valves, pumps, and piping systems. As South Africa seeks to enhance its oil and gas exploration and production activities, the Monel Market is poised for growth, driven by the need for durable and high-performance materials.

Aerospace and Defense:

In the aerospace and defense sectors, Monel alloys are used for components that require high strength and corrosion resistance, such as turbine blades, exhaust systems, and fuel tanks. As South Africa aims to bolster its aerospace and defense capabilities, the demand for advanced materials like Monel is expected to grow, supporting the development of more resilient and efficient systems.

Click Here: https://www.chemanalyst.com/industry-report/monel-market-4171

Power Generation:

Monel alloys are used in power generation equipment, including nuclear reactors and steam generators, due to their ability to withstand high temperatures and corrosive environments. With South Africa investing in expanding and modernizing its power infrastructure, the market for Monel alloys in this sector is set to expand, driven by the need for reliable and efficient materials.

Market Trends and Growth Drivers:

The Monel Market in South Africa is influenced by several trends and growth drivers. These include the increasing demand for high-performance and corrosion-resistant materials, advancements in manufacturing technologies, and the push for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions. The growing focus on infrastructure development, energy efficiency, and industrial modernization also drives the adoption of Monel alloys across various sectors.

Significant players in the Global Monel market are Special Metals Corporation, Alleima, Deutsche Nickel GmbH, VDM Metals GmbH, Alloy Wire International, Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals, AEETHER, Raajratna, Central Wire Industries, Sandmeyer Steel Company, ESAB, Elektrisola, Radcliff Wire, and Others. 

Challenges and Strategies:

Despite its advantages, the Monel Market in South Africa faces challenges such as high production costs, competition from alternative materials, and supply chain disruptions. Addressing these challenges requires strategic initiatives such as investing in research and development, enhancing local production capabilities, and fostering collaborations with global suppliers. These efforts can help stabilize supply, reduce costs, and drive innovation in the market.

Conclusion:

The Monel Market in South Africa represents a crucial component in advancing industrial performance and resilience. With its exceptional properties and wide-ranging applications, Monel alloys support key sectors like marine, chemical processing, oil and gas, aerospace, and power generation. By leveraging market opportunities, addressing challenges, and fostering innovation, South Africa can harness the full potential of the Monel Market, driving industrial growth, technological advancement, and economic development in the region.

[farhan1012]

Fire Alarm And Detection Market Insights 2024, Trend Analysis, Business Trends, Development Factors and Forecast by 2034

The Fire Alarm And Detection market report offered by Reports Intellect is meant to serve as a helpful means to evaluate the market together with an exhaustive scrutiny and crystal-clear statistics linked to this market. The report consists of the drivers and restraints of the Fire Alarm And Detection Market accompanied by their impact on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of prospects available in the market on a global level. With tables and figures helping evaluate the Global Fire Alarm And Detection market, this research offers key statistics on the state of the industry and is a beneficial source of guidance and direction for companies and entities interested in the market. This report comes along with an additional Excel data-sheet suite taking quantitative data from all numeric forecasts offered in the study.

Get Sample PDF Brochure @ https://www.reportsintellect.com/sample-request/2903547

Key players offered in the market: Emersion Electric Co Fike Corporation Gentex Corporation Halma PLC Siemens AG Hochiki Corporation Honeywell International

Additionally, it takes account of the prominent players of the Fire Alarm And Detection market with insights including market share, product specifications, key strategies, contact details, and company profiles. Similarly, the report involves the market computed CAGR of the market created on previous records regarding the market and existing market trends accompanied by future developments. It also divulges the future impact of enforcing regulations and policies on the expansion of the Fire Alarm And Detection Market.

Scope and Segmentation of the Fire Alarm And Detection Market

The estimates for all segments including type and application/end-user have been provided on a regional basis for the forecast period from 2024 to 2034. We have applied a mix of bottom-up and top-down methods for market estimation, analyzing the crucial regional markets, dynamics, and trends for numerous applications. Moreover, the fastest & slowest growing market segments are pointed out in the study to give out significant insights into each core element of the market.

Fire Alarm And Detection Market Type Coverage: - Conventional Systems Addressable Systems Flame Detectors Smoke Detectors Heat Detectors

Fire Alarm And Detection Market Application Coverage: - Commercial Industrial Residential

Regional Analysis:

North America Country (United States, Canada) South America Asia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea) Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy) Other Countries (Middle East, Africa, GCC)

Also, Get an updated forecast from 2024 to 2034.

Discount PDF Brochure @ https://www.reportsintellect.com/discount-request/2903547

The comprehensive report provides:

· Complete assessment of all opportunities and threats in the global market.

· Fire Alarm And Detection Market recent advancements and major events.

· A thorough study of business policies for the growth of the Fire Alarm And Detection Market leading players.

· Concluding study about the growth plot of Fire Alarm And Detection Market for upcoming years.

· Detailed understanding of Fire Alarm And Detection Market particular drivers, restraints, and major micro markets.

· Favorable impression inside vital technological and market latest trends hitting the Fire Alarm And Detection Market.

Reasons to Purchase Fire Alarm And Detection Market Research Report

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· Plan for new product promotion and portfolio in advance

Covid-19 Impact Analysis: Our research analysts are highly focused on the Fire Alarm And Detection Market covid-19 impact analysis. A whole chapter is dedicated to the covid-19 outbreak so that our clients get whole and sole details about the market ups & downs. With the help of our report the clients will get vast statistics as to when and where should they invest in the industry.

About Us: Reports Intellect is your one-stop solution for everything related to market research and market intelligence. We understand the importance of market intelligence and its need in today’s competitive world.

Our professional team works hard to fetch the most authentic research reports backed with impeccable data figures which guarantee outstanding results every time for you.

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[fandbtrends]

Global Automotive Oxygen Sensor Market Analysis, Cost Structures, Market Status and Forecasts to 2030

Overview

Global Automotive Oxygen Sensor Market was valued at USD 14.4 billion in 2023 and is slated to reach USD 27.86 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 8.60% from 2023-2030.

Automotive Oxygen sensors are utilized to measure the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine in an automobile. These sensors can check whether the air-to fuel ratio lean or rich, and dynamically adjusts the air-fuel ratio so that catalytic convertor can work properly. Automotive oxygen sensors market has very rapid growth in commercial market. It is begin adopted for measurement of oxygen across the globe.

 Market Drivers

Increase in urbanization and rise in population is expected to fuel the global automotive oxygen sensor market growth. Furthermore, stringent rules and regulations imposed globally by regularity bodies on carbon emission of automobiles are anticipated to boost the global automotive oxygen sensor market growth.

Also, rise in alternative fuel vehicles will support the market growth over the forecast period. Rise in electrification in automobile industry is expected to boost the market growth. Moreover, rise in use of automotive oxygen sensors with increase in automotive vehicles as well as increase in demand for these products due to improved standard of living which is expected to drive the market growth during this forecast timeline.

Market Restraints

Increase in manufacturing cost is the major restraint which is expected to hamper the global automotive oxygen sensors market. Also, fluctuations in chemical prices are likely to slow down the global automotive oxygen sensor market growth during this forecast period.

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫t  : https://qualiketresearch.com/request-sample/Automotive-Oxygen-Sensor-Market/request-sample

Market Segmentation

Global Automotive Oxygen Sensor Market is segmented into type such as Unheated, and Heated, by application such as Powertrain, Exhaust, Chassis, Body Electronics, and Others. Further, market is segmented into vehicle type such as Passenger Car, Heavy Commercial Vehicle, and Light Commercial Vehicle.

Also, Global Automotive Oxygen Sensor Market is fragmented into five regions such as North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.

Market key Players

Continental AG

 STMicroelectronics N.V.

NXP Semiconductors N.V.

 Analog Devices, Inc.

 Sensata Technologies, Inc

Allegro Microsystems, LLC

Infineon Technologies AG

Delphi Automotive PLC

Denso Corporation

 Robert Bosch GmbH.

𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 : https://qualiketresearch.com/reports-details/Automotive-Oxygen-Sensor-Market

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[serafaina]

That's 1) undershirt underwear 2) a thermal Henley 3) an actual dress shirt 4) a jacket and lastly 5) an over coat.

This is actually a normal amount of layers for (1) cold British man. Please consult hilarious historical texts of the British wearing shit like this in Africa and dying of heat exhaustion and then also, in the artics, where it wasn't warm enough either and refused to wear fur like"barbarians" and also died.

speaking of ten people always draw him with the classic suit n tie combo How come no one draw him in the iconic 3 Shirts 2 Jackets Fit :( ?

[briamichellewrites]

88

Wah! Mike was getting used to hearing Shiloh cry. He knew newborns cried a lot, even in the middle of the night. But experiencing it was different. Crying was the only form of communication she had. She was completely helpless. He was exhausted! That was why he was so grateful for his parents being there to help out. Someday, he and Brad would be helping her with her newborn. Every generation took care of the next. That was how he was raised.

When his parents became older, he and Jason would take care of them. That was the Japanese culture. They were family-oriented. In Japan, the elderly lived with their sons or daughters and their families. For now, they were all taking care of Shiloh. Changing diapers and giving bottles were getting easier, as he was got the hang of it.

They also made sure Misty received attention. She was curious about the tiny human. Every time she cried, she wanted to make sure she was okay. When she was near her, she was always gentle. She treated her like she was her puppy. A weird-looking puppy. She thought she smelled funny, especially when she needed a diaper change. The four of them took her out for a walk. It took a while for him and Muto to figure out the stroller. It was so needlessly complicated.

The stroller had a large cotton zip-up sleeping bag to keep her warm. She was placed inside and then zipped up to her shoulders. Misty looked back every so often to make sure her tiny human was still behind her. Shiloh fell asleep in the comfortable sleeping bag. She had her pacifier in her mouth, which she sucked on. He and Brad learned they helped prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

They got a package of twelve of them because they had a feeling they would eventually end up disappearing around the house. He put one in the diaper bag that went underneath the stroller. Donna helped him pack it with diapers, extra wipes, an extra pair of clothes, a ready-made bottle, a burping cloth, a changing pad, and hand sanitizer. She also threw in an extra bib. Muto looked into the stroller to check on his granddaughter and saw she was asleep.

“She’s asleep.”

“She needs her energy to be awake at six in the morning”, Mike joked.

They laughed. At home, Bria just woke up from a very long nap. It was three hours long. She was just so exhausted. Her body was adjusting. She was told that she would have depression-like symptoms for a week or two because of hormones. If her symptoms lasted longer than that, she should be evaluated for possible postpartum depression. She was encouraged to sleep and rest as much as possible.

It was okay for her not to feel like cooking or cleaning the house. She should also make sure she ate because that was important. Bradley texted her to see how she was doing. She responded saying she had just woken up and was completely out of it. Did she eat anything yet? No, not yet. She was still in bed. He was coming over to make her something to eat. With that, she got out of bed and went downstairs to wait for him. The cats were happy to see her awake.

They meowed at her for food. She went to get their food from the cupboard. After putting it in their bowls, they started eating. Bradley arrived shortly after. He hugged his girlfriend. She looked like she was physically exhausted. Her beautiful hair was messy and she had bags under her eyes. He kissed the side of her head before having her sit down.

Once she had, he started looking around in her refrigerator and freezer for leftovers. He found a salmon and potato soup she made a few days before she went into labor. It was dished into a bowl and then heated up in the microwave. It tasted delicious! If she did say so herself. He sat down next to her. In a month, they should go on a vacation together to relax. She thought that sounded wonderful! Where would they go? He didn’t know. It didn’t matter to him, as long as it was tropical.

“Maybe someplace that’s once in a lifetime, like Africa.”

He laughed. “As long as it’s safe.”

“Well, yeah. I’ll look into it when I’m done eating. I thought I read somewhere that they have nice beaches there.”

Kenya. That would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience! He looked into how long it would take to get there. A flight to Kenya would take almost twenty-four hours. He found a hotel on a private island that looked interesting. They would need an updated passport and visa. The remote island meant it was a lot safer than being in one of the big cities. He would do more research before making a decision. Until then, they looked at other destinations, just for a backup plan.

Spain, Jamaica, the Philippines, Hawaii, the French Polynesian islands, the Caribbean, and Mexico were all possibilities. As well as going to the beach, they also wanted to do some sightseeing and exploring. Maybe going scuba diving, surfing, or something else they had never tried before. She joked she felt relaxed just thinking about it. He laughed.

Shiloh slept for two hours. When she woke up, she was hungry again and her diaper needed to be changed. Misty was on alert in case she cried. She did. It was coming from upstairs. She climbed the steps and followed the crying to her room. Mike was changing her diaper. Muto said hello to Misty when he noticed her. Mike told her he would feed her in just a minute. That’s not why I came up here, human. She was just wanting to make sure the tiny human was okay.

How is it going? – Brad

I’m so happy to be home but so tired lol. But I wouldn’t change this for anything! When you get home, it’s your turn. I love you. – Mike

Haha, I love you too. I’ll bring you both something from Vegas. How about we take a vacation together? Just us. We can see if your parents can watch Shiloh and Misty for a week or two. Maybe Bria and Bradley can also help out. – Brad

That would be amazing! – Mike

Brad was having fun on the set of Oceans Eleven. He and the cast hung out together at their hotel. Because of that, he and George Clooney became good friends. They talked about women, his becoming a father, and his relationship with his boyfriend. He also mentioned their friend, Bria. She was a girl you only met once in your life! How old was she? She was in her early twenties and was dating his good friend, Bradley Cooper. He and his boyfriend hired her as their surrogate.

He shared a picture of her about six months pregnant. It was taken at her baby shower. Her stomach had popped out and she was wearing a sash that said, MOMMY TO BE. Everyone thought she looked adorable! George thought she was beautiful.

How old was his daughter? She was three days old. Did you leave your newborn baby? Yeah, he had to. His boyfriend’s parents were there helping him out. What was his name? Mike. He met him through his friend, Bria. Mike was the kind of guy who everyone looked up to. He would have to meet him and Bria when they got back to LA. I will do that.

@zoeykaytesmom @feelingsofaithless @alina-dixon @fiickle-nia