Miscellaneous News

The NIH monograph concluded, with moderate confidence, that higher levels of fluoride exposure, such as drinking water containing more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter, are associated with lower IQ in children. The NTP review was designed to evaluate total fluoride exposure from all sources and was not designed to evaluate the health effects of fluoridated drinking water alone. It is important to note that there were insufficient data to determine if the low fluoride level of 0.7 mg/L currently recommended for U.S. community water supplies has a negative effect on children’s IQ.

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FriedButter said:

Those rebels are have been active since the mid 1960s and aren’t all of them supported by Venezuela.

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More than 80 people killed in Colombia as truce between rebel groups collapses​

At least 80 people have been killed and thousands displaced in north-east

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after the collapse of a fragile truce between rebel groups vying for control of the one of the country’s largest cocaine hubs.
Violence between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of

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(Farc) has rapidly escalated in the lawless region bordering Venezuela since Thursday, forcing at least 5,000 people to flee their homes.

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School has been suspended indefinitely as classrooms have been converted into emergency shelters for families fleeing their homes and the region has requested emergency humanitarian assistance, said William Villamizar, governor of the Norte de Santander region.
Dozens of civilians have been injured and 20 people, including 10 women, have been kidnapped, according to Colombia’s ombudsman office.
At least 3,000 people have been displaced in the municipality of Tibú, said the local mayor, Richar Claro.
“We are seeing innumerable families who have lost children and even sadder still, children who have lost their parents,” Claro said. “Kids and the elderly are crying as they are leaving their farms and crops behind. It’s absolutely heart-wrenching.”

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“We can’t even give the victims a dignified burial as we cannot get into the areas to reclaim the bodies due to ongoing violence.”
The current clashes are the among the worst Colombia has seen since its first leftist president Gustavo Petro took office in 2022

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On Thursday, Petro cut off on-off talks with the ELN, Colombia’s oldest active armed group, after the rebels were accused of killing five members of a rival drug-trafficking faction.

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Eventine said:

Economic warfare is different from military warfare. US sanctions aren't an embargo and won't provoke embargoes from China. The real question you need to ask is how does China respond to an US economic attack on one of its national champions. With Huawei, we saw that the Chinese response was almost entirely defensive. Huawei lost its global smart phone / smart watch / gadgets business and pivoted. China did nothing to Apple's global supply chain.

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Maikeru said:

PRC still needs to get Melissas Chen, Chan and Ching-Chong on board.

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9dashline said:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1883655345932992892

China weaponized AI!!!!!!

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Ceasefire by Easter, Peace by May 9. Political circles discuss "Trump's 100-day plan"​

In recent days, the political and diplomatic circles of Ukraine have been actively discussing the allegedly already drawn up schedule of the war by Trump and his team for ending in 100 days. It is claimed that it was handed over by the Americans to a number of European diplomats. And from them it came to Ukraine. It should be noted that, at the moment, we have no confirmation of the authenticity of this "plan". However, given the public's attention to the topic of peaceful settlement, we decided to publish it. Moreover, some of its provisions coincide with what Trump and Kellogg have already stated.

So, according to the "schedule," Trump is said to be planning a phone call with Putin in late January or early February. In early February, he is planning to discuss the plan with the Ukrainian authorities.

Following Washington’s discussions with Moscow and Kiev, the negotiations may either be paused (if no common ground can be found) or continued (if such ground is found).

In the second case, the following further schedule is provided.

Zelensky must cancel the decree prohibiting negotiations with Putin.

In February-first half of March 2025, it is proposed to hold a meeting between Trump, Zelensky and Putin (a trilateral meeting or two bilateral meetings will be decided separately). The meeting should approve the main parameters of the peace plan, and then continue working on the agreement at the level of special representatives.

While negotiations are underway and hostilities continue, Trump does not block the sending of military aid to Ukraine.

It is proposed to declare a truce along the entire front line from April 20, 2025 (Easter, which all Christian denominations celebrate on the same day this year). At the same time, all Ukrainian troops should be withdrawn from the Kursk region.

At the end of April 2025, the International Peace Conference should begin its work, which will record an agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on ending the war with the mediation of the United States, China, a number of European countries and the "Global South". At the end

of April, the exchange of prisoners will begin according to the formula "all for all".

By May 9, the International Peace Conference is expected to issue a declaration on ending the war in Ukraine based on agreed parameters.

After May 9, Ukraine is offered not to extend the martial law regime and mobilization.

Presidential elections are held in Ukraine at the end of August, and parliamentary and local elections at the end of October.

The proposed parameters of the agreement to be concluded within the framework of the International Conference:

1. Ukraine will not be a member of NATO and declares neutrality. The decision to ban Ukraine from joining the Alliance must be approved at the NATO summit.

2. Ukraine will become a member of the EU by 2030. The EU undertakes obligations for the post-war reconstruction of the country.

3. Ukraine does not reduce the size of the army. The United States is committed to continuing support for the modernization of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

4. Ukraine refuses military and diplomatic attempts to return the occupied territories. But does not officially recognize the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over them.

5. Some sanctions against the Russian Federation will be lifted immediately after the conclusion of a peace agreement. Some - over the course of three years, depending on Russia's compliance with the parameters of the agreement. All restrictions on the import of Russian energy resources to the EU will be lifted. But for a certain period of time, it will be subject to a special duty by the Europeans, the proceeds of which will be used to restore Ukraine.

6. Parties that advocate for the Russian language and peaceful coexistence with Russia must be allowed to participate in elections in Ukraine. All actions against the UOC and the Russian language must be stopped at the state level.

7. The point about the European peacekeeping contingent after the end of military actions is highlighted as particularly problematic. On the one hand, Kyiv demands this as a guarantee of security. On the other hand, the Russian Federation is categorically against it. Separate consultations between all parties should be held on this point.

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3. Ukraine does not reduce the size of the army. The United States is committed to continuing support for the modernization of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

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4. Ukraine refuses military and diplomatic attempts to return the occupied territories. But does not officially recognize the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over them.

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5. Some sanctions against the Russian Federation will be lifted immediately after the conclusion of a peace agreement. Some - over the course of three years, depending on Russia's compliance with the parameters of the agreement. All restrictions on the import of Russian energy resources to the EU will be lifted. But for a certain period of time, it will be subject to a special duty by the Europeans, the proceeds of which will be used to restore Ukraine.

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Temstar said:

Oh dear:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1883541206816211119

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Eventine said:

My argument is that, contrary to what many people seem to believe, the US still does have a lot of cards to play.

On this particular topic, it has two powerful cards: 1) a virtual monopoly on software platforms for phones and PCs (in the form of IOS, Android, Windows, and even Linux if we go by the recent removal of Russian contributors from Linux's code base), 2) being the sole financial super power of the world, controlling the flow of the vast majority of global capital through its SWIFT system, stock market, and currency.

There's a reason no one outside of China and Russia really dare to do business with a sanctioned entity - the US can completely crush them in retaliation just by either freezing their financial assets (almost always in dollars), or by just banning them from the IOS and Android App. Stores, if they're a software company. The wealth of the so called "global elite" outside of China and Russia is almost entirely in the hands of US banks and trading houses. That's why the US can isolate and contain countries like Iran and Cuba with the stroke of a pen.

In short, the US is not helpless, and that's why a negotiated settlement favorable to the US may, in fact, happen.

That doesn't mean I agree with it. But dismissing it out right is foolish and ignores the advantages the US does have.

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Temstar said:

Oh dear:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1883541206816211119

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Eventine said:

Economic warfare is different from military warfare. US sanctions aren't an embargo and won't provoke embargoes from China. The real question you need to ask is how does China respond to an US economic attack on one of its national champions. With Huawei, we saw that the Chinese response was almost entirely defensive. Huawei lost its global smart phone / smart watch / gadgets business and pivoted. China did nothing to Apple's global supply chain.

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