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Saturday, June 13, 2020

Risk of new lockdowns rises with fear of second COVID-19 wave

Fears of a second wave of COVID-19 infections grew on Friday with a record daily increase in India, warnings against complacency in Europe and word from half a dozen U.S. states that their hospital beds were filling up fast.

Health officials worldwide have expressed concerns in recent days that some countries grappling with the devastating economic impact of lockdowns may lift restrictions too swiftly, and that the coronavirus could spread during mass anti-racism protests.
Wall Street took its biggest dive in three months on Thursday on worries of a resurgence and on Friday, shares around the world extended a four-day losing streak.
In China, where the new coronavirus originated, two new cases of COVID-19, the disease it causes, were recorded in the capital, a day after the city government delayed plans for some students to return to school.

Quarantine Century Ago



Lockdown laugh


Best Places in USA

Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is an essential stop on any Maine road trip, but you can—and should—visit the park even if you're not already in the area. Those photogenic lighthouses and sunrises atop Cadillac Mountain are certainly worth traveling for.

Best Bridges in the World

Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy
A bridge has existed here since at least 966, though Ponte Vecchio in Florence has been devastated by flooding twice in its history. It's not clear what year the present construction dates to, but it's now one of Italy's most recognizable bridges. There have been stores on the bridge for centuries too, but while they were once predominately butchers' shops and fishmongers, they now sell jewelry and souvenirs.


PJ of the Day

The doctor told me I had to start walking three miles a day to get fit
It's been two weeks and I don't know how to get home.

Khardungla Pass


National Network

Cityblog Science Club Link of the Day

Frontline Soldiers

Facebook Engineer Resigns

Friday, June 12, 2020

Not set in stone: Statues fall as Europe reexamines its past

From Confederate monuments in the United States to statues of British slave traders, memorials erected in honor of historical figures have become a focus of protests around the world.
The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers has sparked a reexamination of rigid injustices and inequalities underpinning many countries' histories that often were exalted in stone or bronze.
A look at some contested monuments across Europe:
The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers has sparked a reexamination of rigid injustices and inequalities underpinning many countries' histories that often were exalted in stone or bronze.
A look at some contested monuments across Europe:

Pandemic Century Ago


Lockdown Laughs


Remotest Places on the Earth


Palmerston Island, Cook Islands

Around 2,000 miles northeast of New Zealand sits the self-sufficient island of Palmerston. One of the 15 Cook Islands, the atoll has a population of around 35 people, all of whom permanently reside on one of the most isolated communities on the planet.

Best Bridges of the World


Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the striking 2,762-foot-long (842m) Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi certainly makes a statement with its curved arches and mammoth size. It soars to 197 feet (60m) above sea level at its tallest point, and looks best after dark when it's illuminated with colored lights.

PJ of the Day


What do you get when you cross a dog and an octopus?
A reprimand from the Scientific Morals and Ethics Committee and an immediate cessation of your grant funding.

Musicians Together


MPC News

National Network

Cityblog Science Club Link of the Day

Mystery in Ratnagiri

Maths Equations Explained by Images

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Brazil's biggest cities start reopening as COVID-19 surges


Brazil's most populous state Sao Paulo reported a record number of COVID-19 deaths for the second day running on Wednesday even as its metropolis allowed shops to resume business and prepared to reopen its malls.



Sao Paulo, the epicenter of the pandemic in Brazil, recorded 340 new deaths in the last 24 hours, raising the state's confirmed death toll to 9,862, a fourth of the country's total fatalities, the governor's office said.

That did not stop shoppers flocking to the 25 de Março shopping district where around half of the businesses were open on Wednesday. Although stores considered essential, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, have remained open, most shops in Sao Paulo have been shut since March.

Pandemic Century Ago


Lockdown Laugh


Remotest Places on the Earth

Supai, Arizona, USA
Often referred to as the most remote community in the United States, the secluded community of Supai is located within the Grand Canyon in an area known as Havasu Canyon. Only accessible by helicopter, mule or on foot, it sits eight miles from the nearest road and feels like extreme living at the end of the Earth.

Beautiful Bridges of the World

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, USA
San Francisco’s most famous landmark, the 1.7-mile-long (2.7km) Golden Gate Bridge is an instantly recognizable structure. One of the "Seven Wonders of the Modern World" according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the bridge opened in 1937 and was painted in International Orange to provide visibility in the fog for passing ships. You can discover the most impressive bridge in every state too.

PJ of the Day

A robber walks into a bank and points the gun at the receptionist
"Give me all your money or you're Geography!" '
Receptionist: “Don't you mean "or you're History?”
"*DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT!"*

Muhammad Ali


MPC News

National Network

Cityblog Science Club Link of the Day

Breathless on Jaltarang

Tata health

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Confusion reigns as UN scrambles mask, virus spread advice

It's an issue that's been argued about for months, both by experts and by people strolling through parks all over the world: Can people who don't feel sick spread the coronavirus, and if so should we all be wearing masks to stop it?

Even the World Health Organization can't seem to get it straight. On Tuesday the U.N. health agency scrambled to explain seemingly contradictory comments it has made in recent days about the two related issues.
The confusion and mixed messages only makes controlling the pandemic that much more difficult, experts say.

Pandemic Century Back


Lockdown Laugh


Remotest Places on Earth



Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

The small town of Ittoqqortoormiit in Greenland is the most remote inhabited community in the western hemisphere. Its closest neighbor is the Northeast Greenland National Park, the world's largest national park. Overrun by polar bears, reindeers and walruses, the only human presence in the park is the Sirius Sled Patrol, a Danish naval unit, so residents really are all on their own here.

Best Bridges of the World


Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Budapest, Hungary

Budapest’s most famous bridge, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge links Buda and Pest, the western and eastern sides of the city, across the River Danube. Its hulking towers usually draw tourists in their droves, but it's not just one of the city's most photogenic sights – it's also a symbol of unity between Budapest's two halves.

PJ of the Day

Man says to his boss, "Can we talk? I have a problem."
Boss: "Problem? No such thing, we call it an opportunity!"
Man: "Ok, I have a serious drinking opportunity."

Humanitarian Work


MPC News

National Network

Cityblog Science Club Link of the Day

Adventure Goes Wrong

Nitrogen Isotope found

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Brits cheer toppling of slave trader statue but are divided over tagging of Winston Churchill as racist


When Black Lives Matter protesters toppled a bronze statue of 17th-century British philanthropist, politician and slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol on Sunday, many cheered. Even the mayor of the city acknowledged that he had never liked its prominent placement, which he called "an affront."

But after demonstrators in London’s Parliament Square tagged a prominent statue of Winston Churchill with graffiti branding him “a racist,” the reaction was much more heated and divided.

For his wartime leadership, his role in the salvation of the British Isles and the defeat of the Nazis, Churchill remains, by popular acclaim, one of the greatest Britons of all time.

Amita Nene's Yummy Expressions: Tomato and Pasta Salad



Tomato and Pasta Salad

I love my daily dose of dal tadka and a subji so rich full of spices and aroma with warm rotis served straight from the griddle to the plate. This staple fare presents me with the satisfaction of having had a sumptuous gratifying meal.  My favourite health food writer and diet specialist totally endorses the health benefits that the staple Indian food provides - the right dose of carbs, proteins, essential fats as well as probiotics and antioxidants.
But who doesn’t love a change, especially if it is going to be healthy and yummy at the same time?! In my house, we all love trying out cuisines of the world; with a local touch of course. And I end up creating fusion versions of these global dishes when I experiment them at home, as I would tweak the ingredients either to suit the local palate or to the availability of fresh locally grown veggies.
Here is a localised fusion version of a pasta based salad… The Chicken & Tomato Pasta Salad…


Pandemic Century Ago


Remotest Places on the Earth

Oymyakon, Russia
It's so remote, the town of Oymyakon in Russia is closer to the Arctic Circle than it is to the nearest city and could almost be described as an inhospitable location. Frostbite blights the lives of the local residents in the isolated village that has been labelled the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth.

Best Bridges of the World

Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic
The Czech Republic’s famous bridge is just one of many striking sights in the capital city of Prague. Built over 600 years ago, Charles Bridge stretches across the Vltava River, and is decorated with 30 stone statues of saints. The Gothic Old Town Bridge Tower stands proud at its eastern end.

PJ of the Day

When I see lovers' names carved in a tree, I don't think it's sweet.
I just think it's surprising how many people bring a knife on a date.

Marathi Plays


MPC News

National Network

Cityblog Science Club Link of the Day

Iceland

Remote Learning Didn't Work

Sunday, June 7, 2020

White House orders substantial withdrawal of US troops from Germany

The White House has asked for a substantial reduction of US military personnel stationed in Germany, according to a US defense official.
The official said that the exact size of the reduction has not been decided but a cut of 9,500 is the current tentative planning figure. The formal order to begin moving troops has yet to be given but is expected soon.
There are approximately 34,000 US troops stationed in Germany.

COVID 19


COVID 19


Remottest Places in the World

Coober Pedy, Australia
Located in the Australian Outback, one of the most hostile places on Earth, is the town of Coober Pedy. 526 miles north of Adelaide, the landscape is often described as moon-like due to being dotted with shafts from mining.

Best Bridges in the World

Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York, USA
Completed in 1883, Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York City's most famous sights and it has a rich history too. Given the bridge's lengthy span, New Yorkers were initially nervous of setting foot on the structure, and this fear was heightened after a stampede on the bridge killed 12 people. To help quell these anxieties, notorious circus man P. T. Barnum paraded 21 of his elephants across the length of the bridge to prove that it was safe. Now thousands of vehicles and pedestrians cross this East River bridge on a normal day.

PJ of the Day

A teacher sees a knife in Jimmy's backpack
"Don't worry sir, it's only a kitchen knife."
“And that?"
"Kitchen gun."

Yuvi, Bhajji, Viru


MPC News

National Network

Cityblog Science Club Link of the Day

Window Birding

Green Lake Austria