#it's nearly 60 kilos

[nexus-nebulae]

wow i WILDLY miscalculated the difference between kilograms and pounds

[somethingusefulfromflorida]

In honor of Moon Landing Day, I'm considering buying some lunar regolith simulant. Real moon rocks are in, shall we say, limited supply, but you can buy Earth-made stuff that is nearly indistinguishable from the real deal from the University of Central Florida. It's not cheap, something like fifty or sixty bucks per kilo for the good stuff, well over a thousand per kilo for the REALLY good stuff, and they don't sell it by the gram (you can get 100g of the really good stuff, or 10g of the crap stuff), so you'll really want to think it over before committing. It's mostly bought by universities to study the effects of sandblasting their instruments with Moon dust or Mars dust, but I think it would be neat to have a jar full of the stuff as a paperweight. It's a high fidelity facsimile, which is up my alley, but I don't know if I want it enough to justify the price tag. $60 is close to a week worth of food for me, so maybe I'll save up and get some for Christmas instead, just in time for Apollo 17's Moon Landing Day (December 11).

[beardedmrbean]

An STT news agency report, carried by Oulu's Kaleva (siirryt toiseen palveluun), notes that a new package of military aid announced on Tuesday is the eleventh Finland has provided to Ukraine since Russia's invasion on 24 February.

The shipment is valued at 28.8 million euros, bringing the total of Finland's military aid to Ukraine to 189.2 million euros since the start of the conflict.

"Ukraine's defensive stuggle continues. The need for defense equipment is great. We will continue our support," Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen (Cen) was quoted as saying in a ministry release.

The most recent previous military aid package for Ukraine, worth more than 55 million euros, was announced in November. These figures are based on the sums needed to replace equipment being sent to Ukraine.

The paper reports that in addition to materials, Finland's Defence Forces are continuing to provide training to the Ukrainian armed forces. The training, which is being carried out in the UK, will continue until the end of next year.

Finland said in August that it would offer about 20 instructors for the training programme. The Ministry of Defence confirmed to STT that the number of personnel will remain unchanged. It had been previously announced that Finnish participation would end this year.

Help needed in agricultural sector

Looking at the government's planned measures aimed at helping people meet the rising cost of energy bills, the farmers' union paper Maaseudun Tulevaisuus (siirryt toiseen palveluun) points out that there will be no compensation given to companies, but they are being promised flexibility in paying their power bills.

In a morning editorial, the paper says that from the point of view of the agriculture sector, it is essential whether farms are equated with households, industry or with neither.

MT writes that the government has acted as if the electricity crisis came as a surprise. The escalation of the problem has been visible for more than half a year. However, the seeds of the crisis were sown years ago and now the harvest of the decisions of previous years is being reaped.

Domestic energy production, MT argues, has not been properly managed. The change has been too rapid, with old power plants being closed and not enough replacement of basic production.

According to the paper, electricity subsidies for agriculture were being prepared by the cabinet, but the matter has not progressed.

The government must be able to decide on electricity price subsidies for agriculture and also for the foodstuffs industry quickly, writes MT. "This is a matter of security of food supply for everyone. If you don't want to protect [the agricultural sector], the government may also be surprised by a food crisis."

Hufvudstadsbladet, meanwhile, reports that a survey (siirryt toiseen palveluun) published by the Consumers’ Union of Finland shows that around 80 percent of people want a price ceiling for electricity. About 60 percent said that they are experiencing financial difficulties, while 16 percent stated that they have no extra problems due to higher energy costs.

Sixteen tons and what do you get?

If you're talking about illegal tobacco products, the answer is not only "older and deeper in debt", but also "prison time".

Snus is a type of oral tobacco product that is legal in neighbouring Sweden, but banned in the rest of the EU.

Iltalehti (siirryt toiseen palveluun) reports on the trial of six men who smuggled 16,000 kilos of snus from Sweden into Finland between 2016 and 2018.

Five of them have now been to sentenced prison terms for smuggling and aggravated tax fraud. They were also ordered to pay approximately three million euros, with interest, to the state for the aggravated tax fraud.

A sixth man, who acted as a look out at the border for the gang, was also convicted on tax fraud charges.

Still hope for a (mostly) white Christmas

Ilta-Sanomat (siirryt toiseen palveluun) tells readers that updated warnings from the Finnish Meteorological Institute now caution motorists of hazardous driving conditions across the country, while pedestrians are being warned of the dangers slippery streets, all because of freezing rain, snow or sleet.

Helsingin Sanomat (siirryt toiseen palveluun) writes that according to FMI Meteorologist Eerik Saarikka, mild weather will continue for some time, but Christmas still looks like it will be very wintry, and new snow may also be seen in southern parts of the country.

There is, however, a small risk that southwestern Finland will not be white this Christmas.

[tealcrush]

I had a hysterectomy last year, and mentioned not needing pap smears anymore and turns out that's incorrect! They told me they still need to swab to assess for cancer in the cells of the vagina. It's much less uncomfortable than it was when I still had a cervix though. See during the hysterectomy, they cut just below the cervix to remove the uterus, then sew up the end of the vagina inside so it's sort of like a pouch. You still need to be checked for cancer where it's sewn up. I think my recovery nurse called it a "vaginal cul-de-sac"? Or maybe she said pouch. Either way. Still get swabbed after you have it taken out!

Edit to add: I was only 32 when I found out I needed a hysterectomy due to aggressive fibroids and ovarian cysts, which could easily have gone on to become cancerous if ignored. By aggressive I mean the uterus measuring like I was 14 weeks pregnant in August, then in November it measured like 20 weeks size. Just fibroids. Just the uterus growing extra crap because it could. They removed nearly a kilo of tissue, when the uterus is normally supposed to weigh around 60 grams. I'm mentioning this to point out that like @the-apocrypha said, don't think just because you're young means you don't have to worry about it yet. Get checked out, catch things early.

Attn: People With Cervixes!

When was your last Pap smear?

Because I am tired of seeing young people (think 40 year olds!) die horribly of an almost completely preventable disease, and I haven't seen the obligatory Tumblr PSA about it, so I'm making my own.

1. CERVICAL CANCER IS REALLY BAD

Cancers that have a good prognosis are usually cancers that can be caught early--like skin cancer, which is easily seen, and therefore usually treated very early. Cervical cancer does not give you symptoms until you have very advanced disease, which means unless someone is regularly testing your cervix, you will likely not be diagnosed early. More than half of people diagnosed with cervical cancer present with advanced disease. 75% of them will be dead within 5 years. For comparison, when caught in the earliest stage, there is a 90% 5 year survival rate. Treatment for those diagnosed is chemo and radiation, and believe me, those are not fun. If you do happen to be in the lucky 25% of survivors, if your cancer comes back, you have an 85% chance of dying within a year. Also! We think of cancer as something that happens to old people, but the average age of diagnosis for cervical cancer is 50.

2. WHO GETS CERVICAL CANCER?

Cervical cancer used to be the most common cause of cancer-related death in women in America, but at this point it's basically a disease of People Without Pap Smears--developing countries, immigrants, low socioeconomic status, BIPOC, rural communities, LGBTQ, etc.

3. HOW DO PAP SMEARS SAVE YOUR LIFE?

A Pap smear is a screening test for two things: HPV, and your cervical cells. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. Literally half of the people in America have some strain of HPV on their body. Most HPV infections go away on their own (in people with healthy immune systems), but some strains are Very Bad, and some people are just Very Unlucky, and the HPV starts causing your cervical cells to turn cancerous. 91% of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. So a Pap smear looks to see if your have HPV, and if so, is it one of the bad ones? And also, do you have any cancerous cells hanging about in your cervix? And! It takes 10-30 years for HPV to turn those cells into cancer, which means you have a really really long time to catch it before it becomes cancer and cut those pre-cancer cells out!

4. WHAT ABOUT THAT VACCINE?

The thing my dad said I shouldn't get because it might make me a slut. Yes! There is an HPV vaccine! You should get it! It protects you against the nine most common cancer-causing types of HPV. It's recommended starting at age 11, and you can get it up to age 45 now! (It used to be 26, but as of 2020, it's now extended.)You can get it from most primary care doctors, or from Planned Parenthood, CVS, Walgreens, etc. If you get the vaccine you still need Pap smears.

5. I HEARD YOU CAN ONLY GET THE VACCINE IF YOU'RE A VIRGIN

Fake news. While the vaccine does not treat old infections of HPV, it does prevent new ones, so while the benefits are theoretically decreased in those who have already been sexually active, it does not mean you will not benefit from having it!

6. WHO GETS PAP SMEARS?

Everyone with a cervix starting at age 21, until you lose your cervix or until you're 65. You should get them every 3-5 years (depending on your exact age and what test your doctor does).

7. BUT I GOT THE VACCINE

Nice! You still need Pap smears.

8. I HAD ONE AND IT WAS HORRIBLE/I'M SCARED OF THE EXAM

Talk to your doctor about this in advance! Good gynecologists (and other providers) will work with you to minimize discomfort as much as possible. They can use a small speculum and lots of gel, prescribe anti-anxiety medications to take in advance, and some people will even use numbing creams and/or laughing gas.

9. BUT I DON'T HAVE/CAN'T SEE A GYN

Most primary care physicians can do them! So do a lot of urgent care centers!

10. BUT I'M A LESBIAN

HPV can be transmitted through oral/genital contact, hand/genital, and even hand-to-hand-then-genital, so you still need Pap smears.

11. BUT I'M A VIRGIN/ASEXUAL

You still need Pap smears. HPV can be transmitted not just through penetrative sex, but also through oral/genital, hand/genital, and hand-to-hand-then-genital, and also 9% of cervical cancers are not caused by HPV.

12. BUT I'M A TRANSGENDER MAN

If your cervix was removed, then congrats! You do not need Pap smears. Otherwise, unfortunately, you are still at risk for cervical cancer and need to be screened.

13. BUT I'M A TRANSGENDER WOMAN

Neovaginas do not need Pap smears! Congrats! Consider getting the vaccine, though, to prevent spreading HPV to others.

14. BUT I'M A CIS-GENDERED MAN

Congrats! You do not need Pap smears! You should still consider the vaccine though, not only to prevent the spread of HPV to others, but also because HPV causes 50% of all penile cancers as well.

In summary: please please please go get your pap smear. Go get vaccinated. The spread of HPV can be prevented, and cervical cancer can be caught and treated before it even becomes cancer.

DON'T FEAR THE SMEAR

[gnore]

Damn, just read about how this obese woman from France - weighing nearly 400 kilos - had to be evacuated from her home with the help of 60 people... in a special ambulance. They even had to remove parts of the ceiling and walls. 😳

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazil Goes After Poachers and Illegal Traders of Protected Amazon Fish

In the latest crackdown on illegal fishing, Brazil’s environmental agency (Ibama) seized nearly one tonne of the protected arapaima fish - one the world’s largest freshwater species. During raids of a local market and several fishing boats, officers also found at least 800 kilos of seafood and 11 Amazon River turtles.

Authorities targeted poaching on waterways and illegal wildlife trading at local markets in the Amazon.

The operation targeting poachers and illegal arapaima trade was carried out in the Javari valley - Brazil’s second largest Indigenous territory - where indigenous activist Bruno Pereira and British journalist Dom Phillips were ambushed and shot dead last June.

Pereira served as coordinator with the Brazilian National Indian Foundation (Funai) and had made many enemies because of his strong stand against environmental crime groups in Indigenous lands. He ordered the destruction of about 60 ferries connected to illegal mining in the Amazon. Phillips was writing a book on how to save the Amazon.

Continue reading.

[argumentl]

The Freedom of Expression Ep 60 - Complaints about TV eating contest. 

K: Hi, this is Dir en grey's Kaoru, with this week's episode of The Freedom of Expression. Joe, Tasai, welcome. Uh, do remember YG who came on the show before, whose whole band caught Covid?

J: Yes

T: Yeh yeh

K: There's a rumor going around that he is going to run for election to the House of Representatives.

T: But, yeah...

J: His hairstyle was unique.

K: Yeah, haha

T: This is true, Kaoru. Its the truth.

J: Tokyo Sports have investigated?

T: We checked. He will run in the next House of Representatives election for Hiroshima Ward 3..

J: The by-election, right?

T: Yeah, the by-election ...He will be supported by the NHK party (The Party That Teaches People How Not To Pay The NHK Licence Fee). Hahaha

J: Incredible! Eh? You're laughing?!

K: Hahaha

T: Im just wondering whether he will get in, haha. Well, he has policies..he says that there is ¥1300 trillion worth of underground resources in the sea off Okinawa, and that it should be dug up and used for Japan.

J: Ehh?

T: And he'a using this policy to run in the election.

Kami: ¥1300 trillion, thats incredible, right?

J: Yes, Kami, it is, isn't it?

T: Yes, it is, Kami.

Kami: How much would we get out of ¥1300 trillion?

J: Well, ¥1300trillion? He's working for ¥1000 per hour, so he can't comprehend these big numbers.

K: He always takes the bait when it comes to money.

J: He really does.

Kami: Does it seem like we would get ¥1300 trillion?

J: It doesn't means we, ourselves would get it!

Kami: The guy who say's he'll give out ¥100,000, will definitely give out ¥100,000 right? *1

K: Give out ¥100,000? Haha

T: Like, the guy who gave it out*1...I wonder? Im curious to know how seriously he is thinking about it.

J: Yeh, me too. But, it is a unique policy.

T: Well, its a good thing to shine a light on issues from different viewpoints.

J: Well, since he appeared on this show, we'll have to keep watch and see what happens.

T: Yeah, keep an eye on it.

Kami: Its tough for his senpais too. Working under the same company, and having this happen.

K: I don't know what you are talking about.

T: Haha, right.

K: I just want him to do well.

Kami: Well, if he gets in, use your senpai status to tell him to give out the money.

J, T: Hahaha

T: Well, Tokyo Sports will report on it.

J: Yes please.

K: Ok, Joe...lets have this week's..

J: Yes, this week's news. This time its 'Complaints about eating contest on TV' - Broadcast on March 10th on TV Tokyo, the content of the variety show 'Uchimura no Tsuboru Douga/内村のツボる動画' has attracted criticism. The material broadcast contained a plan for Max Suzuki and others in the big eaters club, to challenge themselves to eat giant food. The plan caused suffering to this group of well-practiced big eaters. The place offering the food this time was sushi chain 'Kappa Sushi', who executed a plan to baffle the competitors with giant sushi, using the acronym TDMO (tabenikui demo meccha oishii/Difficult to eat but really delicious). They are said to have done a lot of research into this before filming. The food that appeared exceeded the viewers' already high expectations of what was to come. Dishes introduced included a tuna nigiri with 1kilo of rice and a giant slice of tuna on top, a three layered sushi with 500g each of sea urchin and salmon roe, and a 1kg salmon and avacado sushi with a huge amount of mayonnaise. Up until this point all the dishes had been evolved from the regular menu, but next to be seen was a sushi with 1 kilo of steak on top of 1 kilo of egg. Cries of 'Thats not sushi!', and, 'This isn't fair!' were heard from the big eaters themselves, and also from Uchumura Teruyoshi and gang, who were in the studio. After this sushi rolls were brought out with a gross weight of 7kg. A really tricky-to-eat squid and whole cucumber roll, as well as one filled with deep-fried items which nearly defeated the eaters in the end. The menu provided only just stayed within the rules. Viewers' concerns were also raised, such as, 'Thats not fair', 'I feel sorry for them with that fried stuff at the end', 'I thought they should have cooked the whole cucumber', and, 'They are showing the food no love'. In the end, it was probably the staff of 'Tsuboru Douga' who instructed the plan, Kappa Sushi merely provided the ingredients. It has been said Kappa Sushi have just been caught up in this. There were apparently a large number viewers who wanted this sushi chain challenge to be about simple, basic sushi, not meat or fried food.....Ah, there is a lot of eating challenge shows, isn't there?

K: Yeah, there is recently. Whenever you turn on the TV its either eating challenge or spicy food challenge.

T: Oh, there are a lot of spicy challenges, yeah.

J: I wonder if that means these kind of shows pull in viewer numbers?

T: It appears they do, when you ask anyone in the TV sector.

J: Really?

T: Yeah, they say shows about pets or food pull in the most views.

J: Ahh, yeh. Pets are interesting, but is it actually fun watching someone eat?

T: Well, I end up watching this kind of thing quite a bit.

J: Oh, do you?

T: It has an impact, a huge load of food.

K: Well, yeh.

T: And even these competitive eaters, if they look like they are suffering while eating, they feel it more. But if they make themselves look happy eating, its like the eaters themselves are evolving.

J: Oh, if you look happy eating, you can eat more?

K: TV channels and stuff used to be dirtier.  Like.. *imitates stuffing food forcefully into his mouth*

J: Haha, yeh. So that kind of style of eating challenge is disappearing?

T: Its quite different now. Like you just said, um, do you remember the competitive eater Akasaka (Takako) san?

K: Oh, yeahhh.

T: She was eating ramen with her glasses on, and her glasses fell off into the ramen soup, but she carried on.

J: Hahaha

T: In the past, people used to like watching that kind of real angle. But now, its all about eating a lot and enjoying it.

J: Ehhh? Really?

T: Joe, have you ever done an eating challenge?

J: I think I ate wanko soba a long time ago...but I can't really eat a lot.

K: Yeh.

J: To eat and eat just one type of food, its hard isn't it? If I had a lot of things to choose from it might be ok, but just continuously eating one food...like, wanko soba was difficult...and in this case, its like giant food...its not appetizing to begin with.

T: Hahaha

J: At my age I just wanna eat a little amount of delicious food.

T: Yeah

J: I'm over 52 years old...What about you Kaoru? Can you eat a lot?

K: Err..no.

J: Right?

K: Yeh, I can't eat that much.

J: Well though, if pets and food pull in the viewers...shouldn't we do an eating challenge on here?

K: Hahaha

T: We were lacking that idea.

K: But you and I have just said we can't eat a lot!

J: Kaoru, you have to eat with a smile on your face!

K: Haha

J: You can eat more if you smile.

T: Either that or we could get a cute cat in here to stroke

K:??? *2

J: Or, do an eating challenge while stroking cats!

K: Oh, incidentally, don't we have plans to go on location?

J: Oh yeah!

K: Well, it might be tough to do an eating challenge at that place though.

J: Ah, yeah. ???*3

K: We can't do it unless they are offering it.

J: But if we told them about it first..

T: I think there are quite a lot of places that do this though...like tempura challenges and stuff.

J: Oh no, fried food?!

K: Thats the kind of thing it is!

J: Well, yeah, haha.

T: Or stuff like dam curry, with a big load of curry, or tonnes of tonkatsu..

J: Uaghh.

K: I don't think we'll be able to eat that much.

J: Right?

K: We could manage a medium eating challenge.

T, J: Hahaha

T: Medium eating challenge?

J: Yeah, cause we naturally don't eat a lot.

K: We could just try one extra large portion of a certain thing or something?

J: That would be enough, yeah.

K: We could test ourselves to see if we could finish an extra large portion of one thing off the regular menu.

J: Ahh, yeh, that sounds good.

K: You'd end up leaving a a lot otherwise, right? 

J: Yeh, its a waste if lots is left over, so..

T: I remember one bentō store which did like an extra large bentō, a meat bentō or something. I can't remember what it was called now.

J: It'll be good though, 'Medium eating challenge!'.

T: Haha

J: I can't tell whether its great or terrible. haha With 'Big eating challenge' you get the sense they are really trying hard, but with 'Medium eating challenge' ...its like 'what..?' haha.

K: Isn't there anyone among us who can eat a lot?

J: Can't you, Tasai?

T: No, I can't eat that much either, well, when I was in high school though..there's Mcdonalds, right? We all bought about 35 cheesebrgers between us once, and I ate 20 of them *4

J: Really?!

T: But I was 18 then.

J: No, you can still do it, you are in good shape!

K: You could manage 10 though, right?

T: I might be able to manage 10.

K: Incredible.

J: Yeah.

T: I've never tried an eating challenge , maybe I should.

J: Ok, lets do it..we'll watch you, we could do it live.

T: I don't know if I could enjoy it though.

K: We would cheer you on.

J: Yeah, like 'You can do it!'

T: Really?

J: And then, I'm not sure, but we could have a woman in a bikini standing over here..

T: Ah, really?! Haha

J: Yeah.

T: What are you talking about...'a woman in a bikini'? hahaha

J: I don't know, haha. So you'd try to keep looking cool while eating...or something like that.

K: Hm, a food project..?

J: Yeah.

K: I wanna try it though.

J: Yeah, lets do it...Well, we're going on location first...but an eating challenge..

T: Like, if we do a live broadcast, I could be eating with you two chatting in the meantime. I won't talk, just eat.

K: Like, simultaneously?

T: Yeah, yeah, haha.

J: That sounda like it could work.

T: I'd just carry on eating, haha.

J: Ahh, but its tough on your health though. Still, I think we should try it, all of us.

K: Well, yeah

T: Yeah, lets try.

J: On the Freedom of Expression.

K: I think we can do it. Well, lets finish here for this week. Thank you very much.

*1,4 Not 100% sure im right.

*2,3 Couldn't catch/figure out.

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[skyfire85]

FLIGHTLINE: 196 - MIG 1.44/1.42 (FLATPACK/FOXGLOVE)

- The MiG 1.44 demonstrator on display at the 2015 MAKS show. | Photo: Hornet Driver

Intended as an answer to the US's Advanced Technology Demonstrator, the MiG 1.44 stumbled through a long gestation, then was unceremoniously canceled.

The USAF's Advanced Technology Demonstrator program sought to replace the F-15 Eagle, and the Air Force's requirements included a number of cutting edge technologies such as supercruise (the ability to travel at Mach 1+ without afterburner) and stealth. The Soviet Union took note of the program, and set its OKBs (Опытное конструкторское бюро" – Opytnoye Konstruktorskoye Byuro, "Experimental Design Bureau") to work designing a replacement for the Su-27 that would challenge the new US jet. The MiG OKB set to work designing two aircraft, a light fighter (LFI - Lyogkiy Frontovoy Istrebitel, "Light Frontline Fighter"), and a multirole heavy aircraft (MFI - Mnogofunksionalni Frontovoy Istrebitel, "Multifunctional Frontline Fighter"). Tests were carried out at TsAGI (Tsentralniy Aerogidrodinamicheskiy Institut, "Central Aero- and Hydrodynamic Institute") to refine the designs of both aircraft, which included canards and delta wings in an aerodynamically unstable design, which is useful for improving agility. As the programs progressed, MiG settled on an intake ramp below the cockpit, with variable geometry ramps to control airflow and thrust vectoring nozzles on the engines, which improved both maneuverability and short takeoff performance. Further testing at TsAGI validated the designs' estimated radar cross-sections and flight profiles. In 1987 MiG submitted both the LFI and MFI for official VVS (Soviet Air Force) review. While both aircraft were approved, MiG dropped the LFI project to concentrate dwindling funding on the MFI, now designated Isdeliye ("Item") 1.42. Testing advanced to radio-controlled wind tunnel models, which showed that the 1.42's design was controllable at angles of attack approaching 60°. By 1988 the specifications of the MFI had been set, and second review by the VVS was completed in 1991, with MiG being given the go-ahead to begin construction of a full-scale technology demonstrator, designated the MiG 1.44.

SPECIFICATIONS

-Orthograph of the MiG 1.44 MFI. | Illustration: bagera3005

The MiG 1.44 was a twin-tailed, canard and delta winged fifth-generation multirole fighter design, although some elements of its design are unconfirmed due to the cancellation of the program. It is known that the airframe was of aluminum-lithium alloy (35%), steel and titanium alloy (30%), composite (30%) and other material (5%) construction. The aircraft was 21.7 meters long, with a wingspan of 17 meters and a height of 4.5 meters. Empty weight was 18,000kg, while design max takeoff weight was to be 37,000 kilos, with a fuel capacity of 13,000kg. The twin vertical stabilizers continued below the wing, with the upper portions canted outwards (likely for RCS control). The two AL-41F afterburning variable-bypass turbofans, designed for the MFI project, produced 177 kN of thrust, which was expected to push the 1.42 to a maximum speed of 2,480kmh (Mach 2.35) at 17,000 meters altitude, with a supercruise of Mach 1.5. The intake ramps and ducts were lined with radar-absorbent material (RAM) to reduce the aircraft's RCS. The exhaust nozzles were lined with ceramic tiles to reduce the infrared signature of the MFI, and could be asymmetrically vectored in both pitch and yaw planes, which was anticipated to give the 1.44/1.42 great maneuverability and STOL performance.

-The exhaust nozzles of the AL-41F turbofans. The lighter inner portions are the ceramic tiles. | Photo: Military Parade

Range was estimated at 4,000km, although if that is with or without stores is unclear. The production 1.42 would have been armed with a 30mm GSh-30-1 autocannon, as well as R-37, -73 and -77 air-to-air missiles in an internal weapons bay, as well as an undetermined suite of ground attack munitions. Munitions and auxiliary fuel tanks could be carried under the wings as well, at the cost of increasing the RCS. The 1.44's cockpit (painted the de rigueur VVS turquoise) featured all digital controls and displays, with an integrated computer-stabilized fly-by-wire system. The 1.42 was projected to have an N014 radar, which had a passive electronically scanned array antenna with Pulse-Doppler look-down, shoot-down capacity. Range of the radar was estimated at 420km, and the system was able to track 40 targets while attacking 20.

NEARLY TEN YEARS WAIT FOR LESS THAN FORTY MINUTES OF FLYING...

Construction of the 1.44 was approximately 50% complete when the USSR collapsed in 1991, which led to an indefinite freeze of the MFI program. Some static test articles, including a full mockup, were completed, which enabled MiG to undertake some testing while the tech demonstrator languished. In 1994 the still-incomplete airframe was shipped to Zhukovsky Airfield for flight tests, and by the end of the year enough work had been completed to allow ground tests, including high-speed taxi tests.

-The MiG 1.44 at an unknown field. The dark gray wingtips are dielectric fairings containing ECM/ESM equipment. | Photo: MiG OKB

Funding dried up again in 1995, bringing a halt to testing. MiG lobbied to have the MiG MFI declassified so that the aircraft could be displayed at the annual MAKS airshow in order to interest foreign clients, but this was denied. A second request prior to the 1997 MAKS show met a similar fate. That same year, the Russian government officially canceled the MiG 1.42 MFI, citing the high unit cost, lack of mission, and surplus of Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft. The program was declassified the following year, with pictures appearing in domestic and foreign press, and on 12 January 1999 the 1.44 was officially rolled out for the Russian military and government, as well as journalists from Russia and around the world.

-Journalists photograph the MiG 1.44 during its roll-out in 1999. | Photo: Military Parade

Testing was again delayed, and the first flight did not occur until 29 February 2000. The flight lasted eighteen minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 1,000 meters and a speed of 600kmh; test pilot Vladimir Gorboonov later described the aircraft as a docile flier. A second flight on 27 April the same year lasted twenty-two minutes, but apparently uncovered critical issues, allegedly with the engine, as no further test flights were undertaken. The 1.44 was retired to the Gromov Flight Research Institute, although it was later refurbished and displayed at the 2015 MAKS, 17 years after MiG originally requested it. Although never advancing beyond the initial test phase, the MiG 1.44 was given the NATO codename Flatpack, while the production 1.42, unofficially referred to as the MiG-35 or -39, was given the codename Foxglove.

-Rendering of a pair of production Foxgloves on patrol. | Illustration: Anynobody

-The Flatpack from head on, at the 2015 MAKS show. | Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin

[bearificationtransformations]

Pavel had always been skinny, maybe even scrawny. He was sick of it, but he never had the appetite to really pack on any more weight, nor the dedication. He went to the gym on occasion , but never stuck with it.

He was turning 28 next month and he hated that he was still a twink. Sure, some guys liked him skinny and smooth, but he was tired of how skinny he was. 60 kgs on his 1.75m height was just not enough.

It was on a porn site where he heard about a new formula “bulk up instantly- massive weight gainer”. Pavel had seen adverts for similar “instant “ formulas come up in the past on that porn site before, but he didn’t buy into it. They were sometimes posted in the comments but always disappeared quickly, scrubbed from the site.

This time, however, it seemed different. Sure maybe it wasnt anything, but he clicked on it. It launched his email immediately with a subject line already filled out “request- massive weight gainer”

No way, this was suspicious as hell.

He thought he closed the tab, and his email, and didn’t think anything more of it.

Not even 5 minutes later he got an email from a strange email address with the like “Re: request- massive weight gainer”

“50€ for the full dose, 35€ for a half dose. Take with exercise.”

Pavel was pissed, the bastards had grabbed his email address and now he was getting spam.

Pavel ignored it.

An hour later another email popped in, from the same spam-ish looking sender:

“Pavel, spécial discount for you! 35€- full dose. Get huge “

How did they get his name?

He wrote back “take me off the email list”

And just moments later “Pavel, this weight gainer can make you enormous like you’ve always wanted. We will send it to you for free, just promise to take photos of your progress and it’s yours.”

Pavels dick stirred a bit. The idea of getting enormous did turn him on. He looked at his scrawny build and before he even finished typing his mailing address in the response another email came in.

“Your free dose of massive weight gainer is in the mail. It will be sent to

34 Rue de Sans Souci

1040, Ixelles, Belgique

Please use in conjunction with rigorous exercise”

Now Pavel was spooked. How had they known his full address? He turned off his computer and went to bed.

A small box came the next day from “Énorme, a division of Mass. Inc.”

He was too freaked out to try it. For days the unopened package sat on his desk. About a week after the mysterious package arrived he recieved another unsolicited email:

“Thank you for choosing Énorme, a division of Mass inc. Please go ahead and try the formula you have been sent. You will enjoy the huge bulk it will add to your frame. You will enjoy growing enormous. You will love your new size. Please respond to this email with your progress pictures.

Best,

The Énorme team.”

Pavel couldn’t believe it. What were they even talking about? As he read and re read the words in the email he felt himself getting turned on. He had to try it, he had to get enormous. Fuck he was getting hard as hell thinking about what that formula would do to him. He was all in on it. Suddenly, instead of uneasy, Pavel wanted to go all in. He wanted to get huge. He stroked his dick at the thought of it.

He opened up the package, found the vial and downed it without hesitation. He started jerking off imagining his thin frame blowing up.

Within the hour Pavel saw changes to his body. His thin frame was getting ever so slightly bigger. He was starting to fill out. He stepped on the scale. 63 kgs.

He was growing, the formula was working. Pavel jerked off a second time thinking about it. As the minutes passed he could feel himself getting heavier, adding more and more chunk to his frame, his ass filling out. Three hours after drinking the entire formula, he was up to 70 kilos and gaining fast. A small little belly was starting to form on his formerly flat stomach. He was ballooning up. By 14 hr he was 80 kilos and his belly was starting to really make itself known. His frame was widening, but he was growing chubbier without adding much muscle.

That evening as he jerked off the 6th time to his growing belly and fattening form, he realized he needed to workout, per the instructions. Fuck! No wonder he was just getting fat.

Pavel headed to the gym and began a half hearted workout in the biggest clothes he could find. His now nearly 100 kg frame was dominated by a new belly. Pavel was never one for working out, but he gave it a shot. He took the selfie requested by the Énorme team. His arms looked bigger and his shoulders had some suggestion of muscle- but mostly it was his belly. A big growing belly that was taking up more and more space in front of him.

Fuck! He really was getting huge. He couldn’t believe how thick he was getting. His belly was getting so round and heavy. He could feel his new weight slowing down his steps. He could feel his new body still expanding as he lifted weights.

115 kgs was what the scale said at the gym. He was huge! There weren’t any men as chunky and thick as him anywhere in the gym. He looked at himself, turned on by his much fatter, rounder form. He looked like one of those fat American gainers he liked.

Wait, what? He liked gainers? Fuck. He was so turned on by his transformation. He did like gainers. He loved gainers.

Back at home he couldn’t do anything but explore his new growing form and jerk off. He could more muscle mass being added to his build- his shoulders were growing wider and his arms were getting much thicker. He liked what he saw. A fat man with muscle as his foundation. Fuck, this was him now. A thick, strong looking fat man. Huge belly, thick arms. He obsessed over his new body. Feeling himself growing... gaining.

He didn’t sleep that night, so was too worked up. After around 3 am, he could feel the growth was coming to an end. He knew it was wearing off. The only thing that still fit him were his elastic gym shorts, and even they were incredibly tight.

Pavel tried to weigh himself on his scale, but got an error message. He now exceeded the 150 kilo weight limit. Fuck, he was so blown up. He felt like a blimp and he loved every second of it. Pavel snapped the second pic to get a sense of his new size.

He sent off the pics to Énorme that morning.

They were right, Pavel did love being enormous. Now the question was, what was he going to wear?

[just-want-to-be-skinny-pls]

So, fact is i just avoided going on tumblr because i was in denial about my BED relapse! I have eaten like a normal person and sometimes a little more! Guess what, I gained nearly 5 kilos over the last few weeks, which is really bad!

But i got back on track and i am on hour 64 of my 60 hour fast, but i try to keep going as long as possible!

I am going to break my fast by eating 2 rice cakes and sliced cucumbers, which is one of my fav snacks!But i hope to keep going till tomorrow at least

xxx

[smartlife]

WEN 56200i 2000-Watt Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator

Analysis  WEN 56200i:

I currently have a Yamaha EF2000is. Saw the WEN 56200i on specials recently and couldn't pass it up for the price. I could have bought two and changed what I paid for the Yamaha.

 The reason I bought the WEN 56200i is that the motor is a Yamaha clone, it's very similar inside and the wiring diagrams are pretty much the same, so I think I can connect the two generators in parallel. 

It is made in China, but the Yamaha has a label on the inside indicating that it is also made in China. The smartest tools also have the Yamaha engine, but they are all "Powered By Yamaha". 

I don't know if WEN 56200i has a license for this engine or if it is a counterfeit. I bet both units can be made side by side in the same Chinese factory.

Review  WEN 56200i:

I received it and let it run for a few days and I really liked it. First, it is very attractive. Inside, it almost seems to have the quality level of the Yamaha, although there are differences. 

The engine has the same design but has a dipstick, while the Yamaha only has a plug. Spark plugs use different sized wrenches. The Yamaha inverter has a shell, but the components on the circuit board are open on the WEN 56200i . 

One thing I like about the Yamaha that is missing from the WEN 56200i is the small door that allows you to access the oil fill hole without removing the entire side cover.

I greased it, gassed it, and then slowly pulled the starter rope a few times. Then I shot twice and it started. I ran it through several short cycles with alternating loads and then refrigerated it to break it down.

 Then I got it to work next to the Yamaha testing it with the same loads. I think the Yamaha is a little quieter, but not by much. When the automatic throttle is engaged, Yamaha responds more quickly to charging, while the WEN 56200i flashes its overload light for a few seconds as it reaches a 1500 watt charge from idle mode. But there really seems to be very little difference in the performance or noise level of the two units. The WEN also weighs a few kilos more.

Update 01/04/2017 - A few years ago I gave away my Onan generator in my Class C motorhome and replaced it with more batteries, an inverter/charger, and solar panels. I always get lost and never get addicted. 

I don't want to turn on a generator every time I want to microwave or make a cup of coffee. I carry the WEN56200 on the bus for when the solar energy isn't enough and I don't drive enough to charge the vehicle's generator battery bank. I turn on the WEN and let it run for a few hours at 90% load (with a tachometer included).

 I never carry extra gas with me because I have never returned from a camping trip where he used half of his tank. After a year, the WEN 56200i still works very well and starts up all the time. My Yamaha EF2000is is collecting dust in my workshop.

I ran it for several hours yesterday with a 40 amp battery charger that charged both 12-volt batteries in my big truck. It spun at 1/4 throttle and was barely audible from 15 yards away.

I just received the WEN Parallel Kit and yesterday tested the WEN56200i in parallel with my Yamaha EF2000is. Both generator sets ran in parallel without any problems. They split the load well with nearly identical RPMs. 

Both gensets independently or coupled maintained a good constant speed of 60 cps. The maximum the gensets could charge in parallel was 3,000 watts before the overload light on the WEN 56200i came on. 

The Yamaha is a bit stronger. See attached image. I've used them with two 1,500 watt heaters in different settings, as well as my air compressor. The little-known secret is that any brand name inverter generator capable of parallel operation can be paralleled with any other brand. Honda, Yamaha, WEN 56200i , smarter tools, etc.

Pattern Name: Generator

Brand WEN 56200i

Power 1600 watts

Item Dimensions LxWxH 18 x 11 x 18 inch

Item weight 48 lbs

Black and orange color

Voltage 120 volts

Engine type 4 stroke

Displacement 79.7 cubic inches

Output power 2000 Watts

Tank capacity 1 gallon

About this article

Dimensions: 18" x 11" x 18" | Weight: 48 lbs.

Noise level: 53 dB in operation

EPA III and CARB compliant 79.7cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces 2000 peak watts and 1600 watts nominal

Ideal for campsites, construction sites, back doors, and power outages.

Produces clean energy to work safely and prevent damage to sensitive electronic devices such as phones, tablets, televisions, and computers.

Includes two three-pin 120V receptacles, one 12V DC receptacle, and one 5V USB port.

I am really happy with this generator as it suits this purpose. We still have all of our food, not struggling to find gas or ice, and we're sleeping cool and have hot coffee and the DirecTV is getting us news. I can't speak to the long-term reliability of the unit and some of the negative reviews had me nervous, but four days of constant use have me writing this positive review. Very pleased. Hate Irma, love the WEN 56200i.

If you want to know more information about WEN 56200i 2000 Clock it

[beardedmrbean]

A 60-year-old man faces several drug charges after authorities say enough fentanyl to kill 12 million people was found in his Fullerton home.

Alfonso Gomez-Santana was charged Friday with a felony count of sale or transport of a controlled substance and two felony counts of possession of sale with intent to sell, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Gomez-Santana was pulled over near South Lemon Street and Orangethorpe Avenue Wednesday and arrested after officers found four kilos of fentanyl in his vehicle, authorities said. According to the district attorney's officials, search of his home in Fullerton turned up 20 more kilos of fentanyl, $250,000 in fentanyl pills, and 122 grams of methamphetamine.

As little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, and the amount that Gomez-Santana said was enough to kill 12 million people, nearly four times the population of Orange County, officials said.

"It is unconscionable that someone who has the ability to kill 12 million people is facing just a handful of years in jail," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement.

Gomez-Santana is being held on more than $3 million bail and is scheduled to make his next court appearance on July 5. If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of 6 years and 8 months in jail.

[crazy4tank]

Here's Why The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Is Worth Over $500,000

New Post has been published on https://coolcarsnews.com/heres-why-the-lamborghini-aventador-svj-roadster-is-worth-over-500000/

Here's Why The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Is Worth Over $500,000

Lamborghini flagships have always had an unique road presence thanks to their particular crazy looks and lively engines. This wasn’t consistently the case with Lamborghinis from the past. Back in the day, Lamborghini wasn’t nearly crazy looks since Ferruccio wanted a direct competitor towards the Ferrari Berlinettas; therefore convenience played a vital role in their style. Lo and behold, the particular Lamborghini 350 GT had taken center stage with its Ferrari-rivaling qualities.

This wasn’t until the Miura that will Lamborghini shifted their whole ethos to flamboyance . A few years later, the Countach took the idea and switched it to eleven. Quick forward a couple of decades plus we’re at the Aventador. In 2018 the dynamically superior Aventador has been unveiled; the Super Veloce Jota . The Aventador SVJ is currently the most intense Aventador on sale, outperforming the older brother, the SV. Annually later the SVJ Roadster was revealed to the public.

Using a base price of $576, 1000, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster is far from becoming the one for errands . This here is something exclusive, a rewarding splurge for your wealthy. Here’s a nearer look at the most advanced open-top Aventador currently on sale.

Much like the Aventador LP-700, the SVJ utilizes a naturally aspirated V12, even though in a different state associated with tune. The engine actually isn’t all that different from the particular SV. The 6. 5l engine produces 740 hp and 509 lb-ft torque capacity in the SV while the SVJ makes 759 horsepower plus 531 lb-ft. Transmission will be the rather clumsy 7-speed single-clutch gearbox albeit with modified shift times in the SVJ.

Aside from getting a slightly powerful motor, the particular significant mechanical difference involving the two is the rear-wheel-steering plus weight savings. While the SV was a good 50 kgs lighter than the LP-700, the particular SVJ takes it more with 100 kilos on the SV. All-wheel-drive is the regular platform and despite the SVJ’s power advantage, both included similar 0-60 times associated with 2 . 8 seconds. Lamborghini has confirmed that the Aventador’s successor will have some form of hybridization and the V12 in the SVJ Roadster will be the last to be naturally equiped .

RELATED: Supercar Pull Race: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Takes On Huracan Performante

The SVJ’s interior is exclusive but not all that different from the particular SV it replaced. Each are exactly the same apart from “SVJ” replacing the “SV” embelleshment. Another addition to the interior will be the “Ego” drive-mode setting. Released in the Aventador S, Pride is Lamborghini’s version of the custom driving mode in which preferences can be individually chosen. The interior is beyond impressive and with the Roaster’s open-top encounter, the drama is only-ever amplified. That said, from a common perspective the SVJ”s inner surface is starting to look a little dated and shows just how old the Aventador system is in this day and age of touchscreens and gesture controls.

However , that is not the case with the exterior. It is anything but obsolete. The SVJ’s sumptuous style is carried over to the particular Roadster with not much lack of character . If anything at all things have only enhanced with more sculpture emphasizing the particular looks especially from the B-pillars towards the rear. The SVJ is all about aerodynamics. While the SV was technically a lot better on managing airflow than the LP-700, it had a few weak points. Firstly, the SV was obviously a bit light at the front plus used to lift at increased speeds.

The particular SVJ takes care of that along with intakes that resemble the Formula One “S-duct. ” Along with this, the SVJ includes the ALA system that will debuted in the Huracan Performante. Part of the ALA package was your ridiculously sculpted rear side. Visually, the SVJ acquired broader air intakes and comes with a high-mounted exhaust as opposed to the cheaper exit unit in the SV. The revised exhaust positioning meant shorter pipes may be used which in turn leads to better combustable and faster exhaust launch.

RELATED: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster With Ferocious 759-hp V-12

This is where the SVJ feels like an entirely different vehicle. If you recall the Nurburgring record set by the SVJ, it shows how much of the leap it was over the SV. That’s not to the SV was any bit sluggish. The Aventador Super Veloce was only a few seconds from the million-dollar Porsche 918 Spyder ski jacket, a member of the holy trinity. The SV was an amazing car to drive on a monitor but was dreadful in and around the town.

For one, the particular horrendous turning radius intended taking a wider line plus three-point turns. The SVJ on the other hand felt a lot more able to be used thanks to the rear-wheel-steer. Both of these are a joy to your sensory faculties once under load. All of us personally prefer the rather melodious tone of the SV rather than the raucous SVJ. In any case, a person won’t be disappointed is vital takeaway. The experience is only increased without the roof and the episode of an angry V12 is definitely an aural pleasure that is the best.

Sources: Youtube . com, Top Gear

NEXT: Here's Why The particular Aventador SV Is A Much better Investment Than The SVJ

[newstfionline]

Monday, March 15, 2021

Call of the wild: Great outdoors is great escape in pandemic (AP) For those venturing off the beaten path, be advised—it’s a little crowded out there. By nature’s standards, anyway, as the great outdoors has become the great escape. Hiking trails, parks and other open spaces were packed in 2020 with a cooped-up population searching for fresh air during the coronavirus pandemic. Locked down, shut in or just fearful of crowds, people took up hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, camping, tennis and golf—to name several—in significant numbers. 8.1 million more Americans went hiking in 2020 compared to ‘19, according to a preview of an upcoming outdoor participation report from the Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic wing of the Outdoor Industry Association. 7.9 million more went camping last year. 3.4 million more participated in freshwater fishing. The foundation’s research also reflected a decline in inactivity for most age groups and across all income levels.

U.S. airport passengers hit highest level since March 2020 (Reuters) The Transportation Security Administration said it screened 1.357 million U.S. airport passengers on Friday, the highest number screened since March 15, 2020, as air travel begins to rebound from a pandemic-related drop. Covid-19 has devastated air travel demand, with U.S. airline passenger demand down 60 percent in 2020 and down 63 percent in January. But with a growing number of Americans getting vaccinated, demand and advanced bookings have started to rise in recent weeks. Friday’s numbers were still down 38 percent over pre-Covid-19 levels.

Winter storm closes roads in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska (AP) A powerful late winter snowstorm intensified over the central Rocky Mountains on Sunday with heavy snow and wind leading to airport and road closures, power outages and avalanche warnings in parts of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska. The National Weather Service in Wyoming called it a “historic and crippling” winter storm that would cause extremely dangerous to impossible travel conditions through at least early Monday. Major roads southeast of a line that crosses diagonally from the southwest corner of Wyoming to its northeast corner were closed Sunday, including roads in and out of Cheyenne and Casper. Farther south, a record of over 2 feet (61 centimeters) of snow had fallen just outside Cheyenne by noon Sunday, the weather service reported. A SNOTEL site at Windy Peak in the Laramie Range reported 52 inches (1.3 meters) of snow in a 24-hour period ending Sunday morning, the weather service said.

FEMA to help manage unaccompanied minors at US-Mexico border (AP) The Biden administration is turning to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for help managing and caring for record numbers of unaccompanied immigrant children who are streaming into the United States by illegally crossing the border with Mexico. Government figures show a growing crisis at the border as hundreds of children illegally enter the U.S. from Mexico daily and are taken into custody. The Homeland Security Department is supposed to process and transfer unaccompanied minor children to the Department of Health and Human Services within three days so that they can be placed with a parent already living in the United States, or other suitable sponsor, until their immigration cases can be resolved. But more children are being held longer at Border Patrol facilities that weren’t designed with their care in mind because long-term shelters run by the Department of Health and Human Services have next to no capacity to accommodate them. Children are being apprehended daily at far higher rates than HHS can release them to parents or sponsors.

Spanish Police Seize Submarine Built to Carry Drugs (WSJ) Spanish police Friday said they had seized a 30-foot long narco-submarine that could carry 2.2 tons of narcotics, a sign of the lengths cartels are going to transport illegal drugs to the booming European market. Police said they discovered the narco-sub in Malaga on Spain’s Costa del Sol last month as part of an international police operation that led to the arrest of 52 people and seizure of more than 400 kilos of cocaine, along with other illegal drugs and cash. The vessel was made of fiberglass and plywood and powered by two 200-horsepower engines, although it had never sailed, police said. Narco-subs are semisubmersibles that float mostly below the waterline and have long ferried cocaine from Colombia to Central America. In 2019, Spanish law enforcement discovered a narco-sub off Spain’s Atlantic coast, confirming persistent rumors that they can reach Europe.

Italy prepares for an Easter lockdown as Covid-19 cases grow exponentially (CNN) Italy is facing another lockdown, as the government attempts to contain a recent surge of coronavirus cases, marred by the presence of new variants. Half of Italy’s 20 regions, which include the cities Rome, Milan and Venice, will be entering new coronavirus restrictions from Monday, March 15. The measures will be effective through April 6, according to a decree passed by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s cabinet on Friday. In regions demarcated as “red zones” people will be unable to leave their houses except for work or health reasons, with all non-essential shops closed. In “orange zones,” people will also be banned from leaving their town and their region—except for work or health reasons—and bars and restaurants will only be able to do delivery and take-away service. Additionally, over Easter weekend, the entire country will be considered a “red zone,” and will be subject to a national lockdown from April 3 to 5.

Born in Soviet Exile, They Might Die in a Russian One (NYT) Long lines of people waiting to buy milk, toilet paper and other essentials disappeared from Russia decades ago. But one line has only grown longer—the one Yevgeniya B. Shasheva has been waiting in. For 70 years. That is the time that has passed since her birth in a remote Russian region. Her family was sent into exile there from Moscow during the height of Stalin’s Great Purge in the 1930s, when millions were executed or died in prison camps. Throughout the past seven decades, Ms. Shasheva says, she has been waiting to move home to the Russian capital. A 2019 ruling by Russia’s Constitutional Court ordered that the government make this happen, mandating that such “children of the gulag”—around 1,500 of them, according to some estimates—be given the financial means to move to the cities from which Stalin banished their parents. But the process has stalled completely, leaving Ms. Shasheva with nearly 55,000 people ahead of her in line for social housing in Moscow. So she waits 800 miles away in Nizhny Odes, a town so far off the beaten track that wild bears appear regularly on the streets.

US-Turkey reset faces long list of hurdles (AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has toned down his anti-Western and anti-US rhetoric in an apparent effort to reset the rocky relationship with his NATO allies, but so far he’s been met by silence from U.S. President Joe Biden. Nearly two months into his presidency, Biden still hasn’t called Erdogan, which some in Turkey see as a worrying sign. By contrast, former President Donald Trump and Erdogan spoke just days after the 2016 election. Ties between Ankara and Washington—which once considered each other as strategic partners—have steadily deteriorated in recent years over differences on Syria, Turkey’s cooperation with Russia and more recently on Turkish naval interventions in the eastern Mediterranean, which U.S. officials have described as destabilizing. Despite tensions, many within Erdogan’s government were hoping for four more years of the administration led by Trump, who had a personal rapport with Erdogan and didn’t give him any lectures about Turkey’s human rights record. Biden drew ire from Turkish officials after an interview with the New York Times in which he spoke about supporting Turkey’s opposition against “autocrat” Erdogan. Analysts say it’s going to be very difficult to reset the relationship, given the range of issues where the two countries don’t see eye to eye.

At least 39 killed in Myanmar district after Chinese factories burned, media say (Reuters) Security forces killed at least 22 protesters in the poor, industrial Hlaingthaya suburb of Myanmar’s main city on Sunday after Chinese-financed factories in the area were set ablaze, according to local media. A further 16 people were reported killed elsewhere in Yangon and other parts of Myanmar and state television said a policeman had died in one of the bloodiest days of protests against the Feb. 1 military coup against elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. China’s embassy said many Chinese staff were injured and trapped in arson attacks by unidentified assailants on garment factories in Hlaingthaya and that it had called on Myanmar to protect Chinese property and citizens. As plumes of smoke rose from the industrial area, security forces opened fire on protesters in the suburb that is home to migrants from across the country, local media said.

In China, millennials embrace Spanish (NBC News) Yilin Ye, a student from Anji, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, China, is spending time abroad at the University of Zaragoza in Spain. Ye, 25, said she first started learning Spanish after having heard about its “excellent reputation.” She said she feels she takes on a slightly different persona when she speaks Spanish. “It’s a really beautiful thing, really fascinating,” she said. “When I’m speaking Chinese, I’m more calm. When I’m speaking English, I’m probably a bit more open, and when I speak Spanish, I’m very ‘wow.’” Just how popular is the world’s second-most-popular spoken language in China? There are about 50,000 Spanish speakers in China, a figure scholars say is growing by the year. “The Spanish language is making waves in China,” Lu Jingsheng, an author and national coordinator of Spanish for the Chinese government, said in an interview.

China Eases Visa Rules for Foreigners Who Get Chinese Vaccines (Bloomberg) The China-made vaccine is becoming the ticket to enter the mainland. China said it will ease visa application requirements for foreigners seeking to enter the mainland from Hong Kong if they have been inoculated with Covid-19 vaccines made in China. Foreigners visiting the mainland for work will face less paperwork in visa applications if they are able to show they have received vaccines produced in China. With the vaccine certificates, these travelers will also be able to skip the requirement for a Covid-19 test or fill out a travel declaration form. The rule also expands the scope of applicants eligible for a visa due to humanitarian needs, such as taking care of family or attending funerals, if they have received Chinese vaccines. Other applicants should still follow the earlier visa procedure, according to the statement.

Mysterious attacks on at least a dozen tankers carrying Iranian oil are reportedly due to covert Israeli operations (Business Insider) Israel has used water mines and other weapons to sabotage at least a dozen tankers carrying Iranian oil and bound for Syria, according to a Wall Street Journal report, which cited US and regional officials. In violation of US and international sanctions, Iran has continued trading oil with Syria. Israel is reportedly concerned that the profits from these sales help fund terrorism in the region, and has targeted the tankers as a result. These tankers tend to carry hundreds of millions of dollars worth of oil, per the Journal. A shipping professional told the Journal that Israel conducted three strikes against ships carrying Iranian oil in 2019, and a separate shipping professional said six ships used by Iran were targeted last year. There are not any known instances of ships being sunk as a result of these suspected operations, but at least two were forced to return to Iran. The alleged Israeli attacks may represent a new front in the conflict between these two historic adversaries.

[ketobhbreviews12-blog]

KETO BHB REVIEWS – SCAM OR DOES IT REALLY WORK FOR WEIGHT LOSS?

Keto BHB Weight Loss is a effective formulation that melts fat inside days. Considering the recognition of weight reduction pills, sometimes it seems like supplements have turn out to be a fashion and their weight reduction blessings are uncertain.

This is real for most of the goods however now not every complement is shady; to discover an powerful product, it’s miles vital to go through product information or study its opinions. The growing call for of weight reduction supplements has brought about an boom in the availability of weight loss dietary supplements manufacturers within the market. Among many other supplements, the Keto BHB Weight Loss components is immensely famous because of its efficacy in losing weight.

What is Keto BHB?

Keto BHB Trial is thought to supplement the burden management weight loss program and aid in achieving higher consequences concerning the weight intention. This supplement is a powerful weight reduction formulation that burns fats thru the technique of ketosis. The release and breakdown of fat from the shops evidently increase energy, permitting a person to love the manner he feels.

The Keto BHB Review weight loss pills come interior a sealed bottle. There are 60 tablets in every bottle which suggests that the daily dosage is handiest two pills. Use pills each day with water, as according to commands, and do no longer overdose it.

Ingredients internal Advanced Keto BHB drugs

This USA-made supplement includes a hundred percent herbal ingredients that include pure exogenous BHB (Beta-Hydroxybutyrate) ketones. Keto BHB consists of a special blend of substances that makes it safe for accomplishing ketosis without causing any aspect consequences that are commonly seen because of a typical ketogenic diet.

How Does It Make You Lose Weight?

The kingdom of an man or woman’s frame in which it burns fat for power as opposed to carbohydrates is known as ketosis. It is tough to reap ketosis with out using supplements and a body can also take weeks to accomplish this country. Exogenous ketones in Keto BHB Trial facilitates to achieve ketosis fast and allows the body to burn fat for energy manufacturing.

Carbohydrates are usually considered as an simpler supply of energy for the body to perform its functions. With carbs contributing to most of the people of an person’s nutritional intake, the frame turns into conditioned to make use of carbohydrates for strength in area of fat.

How does this supplement paintings?

Instant fat burn: Advanced Keto BHB helps the frame through freeing saved fat. It does so by burning fats for strength in location of carbohydrates. This miracle product can assist people to lose nearly 5 pounds of weight by simply the use of it for one week. Accelerated fat burn: Using this product for even a very short time frame can bring about a drastic alternate in weight. Keto BHB containing BHB ends in multiplied fats burn and a weight loss of up to twenty kilos can be predicted all through the primary month of its use. Transform your body: Taking Keto BHB Review for three to five months after the fulfillment of weight reduction purpose can assist in stabilizing weight loss plan. Moreover, it may also help people in keeping and remodeling their new, narrow frame.

Final thoughts on Advanced Keto BHB Reviews

Though ketogenic diets have won recognition in weight loss packages and absolute confidence they have got helped individuals in reaching their goals for weight reduction by bringing the frame inside the state of ketosis. But one cannot overlook the fact that attaining ketosis via most effective using such diets calls for plenty time. No doubt, this eating regimen provides many useful effects, but with the passing time, it will become difficult to observe it always.

In comparison to such diets, the Keto BHB Weight Loss method is a miles better option for those aiming to shed pounds. BHB (one of the three ketone our bodies) present in this formulation no longer handiest lets in the body to obtain the state of ketosis earlier however also promotes speedy weight reduction with out requiring any main modifications inside the weight loss program which include limit of carbs.

[whump-tr0pes]

This is a series. Start here. Continued from here. 

First @badthingshappenbingo!!! I wrote Sam as already having pneumonia at this point, so this next bit just kinda...happened. I’m not usually a sicfic gal but laaawd did I enjoy writing this. 

Red X is for written and posted, white X is for requested. Enjoy!!!

AO3

Honor bound - 13

The sound of Sam’s labored breathing woke Finn up. They turned on the lamp beside the bed and rolled over, feeling blearily for Sam. When Finn’s hand touched them, Finn flinched away. Their skin was burning.

“Oh no, no no no, no, Sam…” They sat up and rolled Sam over onto their back. Their skin was slick with sweat, hair plastered to their forehead, clothes soaked beneath the blankets. Sam’s eyes were glazed over and unfocused. In the light of the lamp Finn could see their pulse jumping in their neck. Too fast. They felt Sam’s wrist. Way too fast. “Shit, shit, shit.”

They pulled the blankets off Sam, exposing them to the chilly air in the safehouse. Sam shivered and blindly reached for the covers, eyes lazing over the ceiling, unseeing. Finn dashed to the living room where Ellis and Vera were slumped on the couch asleep and Gray was stretched out on the floor. The team had elected to give Finn and Sam the bed so Sam could be comfortable and Finn could monitor them during the night. I was supposed to watch out for them and I failed. Shit!

“Ellis,” they hissed. Ellis stirred on the couch, slowly lifting their head and looking around. “Ellis,” they whispered. “Get up, I need you.” They didn’t look back as they rushed out the door to the car, grabbing their med kit and dashing back inside. Ellis was still sitting on the couch, groggy and confused. “Come on.” Finn pulled their arm, pulling them up off the couch and into the bedroom, Ellis weakly complaining the whole way. As soon as they saw Sam, they fell silent, frozen. They were shaken out of their reverie by Finn tossing the blood pressure cuff and stethoscope at them. “Get me a blood pressure,” they said without looking up from the bag. Ellis shook themselves and jumped onto the bed beside Sam, pulling their arm out of their sleeve.

Finn pulled out an IV kit and tied the tourniquet around Sam’s arm. Sam stirred, mewling weakly at the touch and at the cold. While the veins filled, Finn passed a thermometer over their forehead. Then again, disbelieving. They shook their head. Again. “104.2. Shit.” They assembled the IV set-up and sanitized the inside of Sam’s elbow. Too quickly for Sam to even flinch, Finn had the needle in, withdrawn, and connected to the extension set. They taped the IV down and turned to Ellis. “What have you got?”

Ellis shook their head, taking the stethoscope out of their ears. “Um…76/48?”

“Take it again.”

Hands shaking, Ellis pumped up the cuff and tried again. Finn’s heartbeat seemed to deafen them as they watched Ellis, holding their breath.

“78/50.”

“Shit.” They felt for a pulse. “132 on the pulse. No no no…” Their hand went to Sam’s forehead, sweeping the hair back from their face. They held out their hand for the stethoscope and listened to Sam’s lungs. The lower part of the right side rumbled with infection.

“What are we gonna do?” whispered Ellis.

“They’re septic,” moaned Finn. “They need antibiotics. And a lot of other things but…antibiotics mostly. And I don’t have any…” Their face fell into their hands. “None of the last four groups we ran into were selling, either. But I…” They looked helplessly at Sam. “If they don’t get them, they’ll die. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe sooner.”

Ellis reached for Finn’s hand. “Let me go find some.”

“No.” Finn’s voice was hard. “It’s too dangerous. Gavin’s people might be out there looking for us right now. No way.”

Ellis squeezed. “Either I risk that, or Sam dies. Right? There’s no way they could survive without antibiotics?”

Finn shook their head. “Well…probably not, but…we could find…we could do something…” They grabbed Ellis’ hand with both of theirs. “You’re my partner.”

Ellis smiled crookedly. “Don’t I know it. I can’t get rid of you.” They got off the bed. “But I’m going. I love Sam, too.” Their eyes swept Sam’s body, hot and flushed and trembling on the bed.

Finn opened their mouth to protest, then let it close with a sigh. “You’re right. Let me follow you out so I can grab my stuff. Take a radio with you. Don’t go far. If you’re gone for longer than a day, it won’t matter.” Their breath caught in their throat, shame chilling their insides. “I mean…”

“I get it.” Ellis took Finn’s chin and made them look at them. “I know you have to be that way with patients. Right now, Sam’s your patient.” They turned to leave the bedroom. Finn followed right behind.

Finn was proud of their cache of equipment. It had taken them a long time to collect and had cost more than all the team’s other needs combined, but it was worth it in times like this. They grabbed the cardiac monitor they had had to trade a car for and their sack of saline bags. Ellis grabbed the oxygen concentrator that was Finn’s prized possession, and the extra batteries for it.

As they carried the equipment inside, Gray stirred. “What’s goin’ on?” they mumbled. Finn walked right past them into the bedroom.

Ellis dropped to one knee and whispered so as not to wake Vera. “Sam got worse. Finn is gonna do what they can here, and I’m gonna go get antibiotics.”

“I’ll go with you.” Gray clumsily got to their feet.

“No.” Finn poked their head into the hall, having dropped their equipment. “Too dangerous. I hate risking Ellis. I can’t risk you, too.”

“I’m of more use helping Ellis than I am here,” Gray whispered back.

Finn hesitated in the doorway for a moment. Then they sighed. “Take the radio, let me know what you find. Don’t be gone longer than 24 hours.” They disappeared back into the room.

Ellis and Gray left silently, trying to let Vera sleep. It had been days since any of them had gotten proper rest. No use in waking her up if it wasn’t necessary.

Finn looked down at Sam and watched their eyes move slowly under the lids. Then they swallowed hard and got to work.

Finn covered Sam back up with only the thinnest blanket on the bed. Sam was already starting to shiver, but it was better to let them cool off a bit than to let them sweat under the covers. They spiked a bag of saline and hung it from a nail in the wall. They assumed it once held a picture, but whatever was there before was gone. They attached the saline to Sam’s IV and let it run wide open.

Finn dug a portable pulse ox out of their bag and clipped in onto Sam’s finger. They waited for the little machine to beep, normalize, get a reading… 89%.

They cursed silently and reached back into their bag for a nasal cannula. They put it on Sam’s face and plugged it into the oxygen concentrator. They turned it on and within minutes the number on the pulse ox was rising. 91%...94%...96%... Finn pulled up some IV Tylenol, checked the dose, and ran it into the IV.

No one on the team had ever been this sick before. They had treated scrapes and cuts, broken bones, even sutured a graze from a bullet that nearly killed Ellis when they first met, but they’d never done anything like this. Finn wasn’t deluded. They knew their team trusted them too much to take care of them. They knew if someone took a bullet to the gut, or got a concussion bad enough, or got an illness that couldn’t be treated with Tylenol and fluids, they would die without a hospital. And hospitals were run, almost without exception, by the syndicates. The only safe hospitals were inordinately expensive. Finn shook their head wearily. They were a stopgap. A glorified band-aid distributor. The pharmacy aisle at a convenience store could help more than they could.

They buried their face in their hands, tears of frustration burning their eyes. They’d signed up to be a combat medic when they were 18, when the governments were still pretending to fight the criminal organizations that now ran the world. They’d gotten through their first three weeks of medical training when their base had been attacked and destroyed. Every person found on the base, military or not, had been shot execution style where they stood. Finn was one of the only ones that escaped. They’d been on the run ever since. They couldn’t remember much of anything they learned in basic training, and most of the medicine they knew was what they had picked up along the way. The only difference between them and anyone else on the team was that three weeks of training. A monkey could do what I can do, and be almost as successful. A tear ran down their cheek.

Snap out of it, idiot. There was no time for self-pity when Sam was dying. They couldn’t do much without antibiotics, but they might be able do enough to keep Sam alive until they arrived.

Content for now, Finn turned to their bag to do a quick inventory. Aside from their regular med kit, they had 12 bags of saline left, 4 lithium ion batteries for the oxygen concentrator, and one extra battery for the monitor. They did some quick math in their head. If Sam is 60 kilos, give or take, they’ll need 1800 mL fluids in the first three hours, or is it 1200 mL, shit, why can’t I remember this right now…this is when I need to know this stuff… They glanced at the liter of fluid hanging from the wall. Half of it was already gone. Screw it. I keep their blood pressure up. If they need similar boluses after that then I’ll have a little less than 24 hours before I run out. They closed their eyes. I guess it won’t matter after that. I told them they have 24 hours. Their hands reached vaguely towards the lithium batteries, thinking. Each battery lasts for four-ish hours, give or take, so including the one already running we’ll have…20 hours of O2, minimum. They ran a tense hand through their hair. That’s more than cutting it damned close.

They pumped up the blood pressure cuff and took another pressure. 80/54. They could pretend it was improvement.

I can’t think of another damned thing I can do for them. Most of their equipment was for trauma, anyway. They wracked their brain for another moment before they slumped, giving in to their worry.

They crawled next to Sam and lay down next to them over the thin blanket, flinching at the heat coming off their skin. They laid their head next to Sam’s and wrapped one arm around their waist, reaching across them and holding their hand.

“You know,” Finn whispered against Sam’s ear, “we’re gonna get through this. You’re gonna get better, we’re gonna get Isaac back, and we’re all gonna run away together somewhere safe. Somewhere Gavin can’t find us. Someday this is all gonna be some terrible memory. Maybe you can go to college, would you like that? I could actually become a medic. Or maybe even do medical school. Who knows. Vera could get that dog she’s always talking about, and we could all go over to mine and Ellis’ house on the weekends to have cookouts and go swimming in our pool and watch movies. Ellis could be safe, they could go to therapy, they could…I don’t know, maybe write their book?” Finn laughed gently. “Isaac can finally relax and figure out what he wants to do. You know, I’ve never once heard him talk about what he would do if we were safe? Anyway, we’d be far away from the crime and the death and the running, we’d be safe, maybe we could have a garden, a cat… What would you go to school for? I don’t think I remember. I know we’ve talked about it. You’ll have to tell me when you get better.” They pressed a kiss against Sam’s temple. “You know I hate it when they leave me behind? Drives me insane. I just want to help, I just want to contribute like they do, and they say it’s because I’m an asset but anyone could do what I do…honestly, not complicated…maybe if I had some actual medicines to work with but…with what I have to work with…” They sighed. “I just want to be in it with you. I want to feel how it feels to raid a compound, pull the trigger and watch some piece-of-shit murderer go down, I want to feel the way you all do when you work together and pull off a mission…” They pressed their lips together and tried to ignore the tears running down their face and into the pillow.

“I’m so sorry we let this happen to you.” Their voice was shaking. “I know Isaac blames himself, but it’s all of our faults. We left you unprotected. We should never have expected you to…” They shook their head. “Once we get you better, I swear to you, we will keep you safe, we’ll never put you in danger again. Just…hold on for us, Sam. Hold on for me. You just have to hold on until they get back with the antibiotics…just for a few hours, I promise…” They soothed their sweat-soaked curls away from their face. “Please, Sam. Please just fight this. Please stay alive.”

As they put their hand back in Sam’s, Finn felt them squeeze weakly. They smiled through their tears and squeezed back.

Continued here.

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