UBI - UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME

CONGRATS https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/17/marshall-islands-launches-universal-basic-income-scheme-offering-cryptocurrency-in-world-first Marshall Islands launches world’s first universal basic income scheme offering cryptocurrency Quarterly payments of $200 to be offered via stablecoin or traditional currency in a scheme designed to ease cost of living pressures in the Pacific nation The Marshall Islands has introduced a national universal basic income (UBI) scheme that offers payments via cryptocurrency, alongside more traditional methods, which experts say is the first scheme of its kind in the world. Under the program, every resident citizen of the Marshall Islands will receive quarterly payments of about US$200 as part of a government effort to ease cost of living pressures. The first instalments were paid in late November and recipients can choose whether the money is paid into a bank account, by cheque, or delivered as cryptocurrency on the blockchain through a government-backed digital wallet. “We the government want to make sure no one is left behind,” Marshall Islands’ minister for finance David Paul told the Guardian. Why universal basic income still can’t meet the challenges of an AI economy “$200 per person per quarter, which is about $800 a year, does not compel you to quit your job … but it’s actually like a morale booster for people.” An archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, the Marshall Islands lies between Hawaii and Australia, and has a population of about 42,000. Paul said the payments were intended as a “social safety net” as the country faces rising costs and citizens leaving. The UBI scheme is financed by a trust fund created under an agreement with the United States, which in part aims to compensate the Marshall Islands for decades of American nuclear testing. The fund holds more than $1.3bn in assets, with the US committing a further $500m through to 2027. Dr Huy Pham, associate professor and crypto-fintech lead at RMIT University, said the Marshall Islands scheme “is the world first for a national rollout of a UBI program.” He said the use of blockchain technology is “unique in terms of a nation-wide implementation.” The cryptocurrency delivery option – which involves the transfer of a digital token known as a stablecoin, pegged to the US dollar – was designed to address the practical challenge of delivering the money across hundreds of remote islands. “We saw the opportunity in what the blockchain has to offer,” Paul said. But according to Pham, digital payments alone do not necessarily provide financial inclusion, especially in a country like the Marshall Islands where internet connectivity is patchy and frequently disrupted. “Improving internet coverage, improving smartphone penetration – all these kinds of things are the minimum for a blockchain-based economy,” he said. Most recipients are choosing to receive payments through conventional channels. According to the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration, about 60% of the first round of payments were deposited directly into bank accounts, with the remainder issued as paper checks. Only a small number of people – about 12 so far, officials say – have signed up to receive payments on their digital wallet. The ministry of finance says the first sign-ups formed part of a small pilot programme, which met 100% of its initial targets. Anelie Sarana, the finance manager involved in the rollout, said over the past year her team has travelled to the outermost islands of the country to register people in the scheme. Sarana said many recipients were using the money immediately for basic needs, like food and essentials, while others used the $200 to pay for celebrations to commemorate the annual Gospel Day holiday which coincided with the first distribution.“ I know they’re happy, because you can see in the streets, there’s so much traffic, it’s like there’s a big something happening,” she said. This is not the first time the Marshall Islands has experimented with using cryptocurrency. In 2018, the government attempted to create a national cryptocurrency known as the Sovereign, or SOV. The plan ultimately stalled after warnings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF has cautioned that while the technology underpinning the latest scheme is innovative, the blockchain-based delivery of universal basic income carries “financial, fiscal, legal, reputational, and financial integrity risks”, particularly if governance and oversight are not robust. Dr Monique Taylor, a lecturer in world politics at the University of Helsinki, said it was hard to predict if the Marshall Islands’ experiment with a universal basic income and a cryptocurrency delivery system would succeed. “Universal income schemes are rare, particularly at national scale, and there are no direct precedents that combine this fiscal architecture with a digital delivery component in a small island state,” she said. But, she believed the scheme did present benefits for small island nations. “In a geographically dispersed island state where conventional banking infrastructure can be limited, a digital wallet may lower frictions and make transfers more accessible, particularly in outer atolls,” she said.

EARTH CURRENCY - TOWARD A UNIVERSAL CURRENY

universal currency There is no official universal world currency, but the United States Dollar (USD) serves as the de facto global currency. It is the most widely held reserve currency by central banks, accounts for the vast majority of international debt, and is the primary unit of pricing for global commodities like oil.While no single tender is used universally, the global financial system relies on a few major currencies and specialized global assets to manage international trade and reserves:U.S. Dollar (USD): Dominates the global economy, making up nearly 60% of allocated central bank foreign exchange reserves. It acts as the primary medium of exchange for global trade.Euro (EUR): The second most important global currency, utilized by the Eurozone and heavily used in international reserves and foreign exchange transactions. THE WORLD NEEDS A UNNIVERSAL CURRENCY ASAP THE ONLY THING MISSING IS AN APPROPRIATE NAME... The BRICS nations are interested in creating a new currency to compete with the US dollar, and recently announced plans for a blockchain-based payment system. Learn about the developments thus far and how investors can prepare for the possibility. https://investingnews.com/brics-currency/ The BRICS nations, originally composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have had many discussions about establishing a new reserve currency backed by a basket of their respective currencies. The creation of a potentially gold-backed currency, known as the "Unit," as a US dollar alternative is also under consideration by BRICS members. However, whether or not these countries can fully separate themselves from the ruling global currency is up for debate even amongst themselves. A potential BRICS currency would allow these nations to assert their economic independence while competing with the existing international financial system. The current system is dominated by the US dollar, which accounts for about 89 percent of all currency trading. Traditionally, nearly 100 percent of oil trading was conducted in US dollars; however, in 2023, one-fifth of oil trades were reportedly made using non-US dollar currencies. Central to this situation is the US trade war with China, as well as US sanctions on China and Russia. Should the BRICS establish a new reserve currency, it would likely significantly impact the US dollar, potentially leading to a decline in demand, or what's known as de-dollarization. In turn, this would have implications for the US and global economies. If BRICS watchers were hoping for more fireworks at the 2025 BRICS meeting held in Brazil this July, they were sorely disappointed. Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were not in attendance, and talk of a BRICS currency was much more muted. On top of this, according to Modern Diplomacy, that topic may be even less of a concern at next year's BRICS meeting; it will be held in India, which has sought to distance itself from a move away from the US dollar. It's still too hard to predict if and when a BRICS currency will be released, but it's a good time to look at the potential for a BRICS currency and its possible implications for investors.

WALK WITH PURPOSE & GOD

NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE BEFORE YOU THINK ABOUT THIS https://www.facebook.com/reel/786359937777917

PALESTINIAN-ARAB-HOLOCAUST

THE ONLY THINIG MISSING ARE THE OPEN-AIR PUBLIC GAS CHAMBERS AND OVENS/CREMATORIUMS... ISRAELI JEWS NEED TO LEAVE PALESTINE ALONE & END THIS 75+ YEAR ARAB-HOLOCAUST ASAP WHERE ARE THE UNBELIEVABLY FILTHY RICH ARAB-OIL-DRENCHED GULF STATES IN ALL OF THIS? & THE CATHOLICS, CHRISTIANS, MORMANS, BUDDHISTS ETC... ARE NOWHERE TO BE SEEN... PALESTINE SHOULD BE A STATE ASAP Holocaust, the systematic state-sponsored killing of six million Jewish men, women, and children and millions of others by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II. The Germans called this “the final solution to the Jewish question.” Yiddish-speaking Jews and survivors in the years immediately following their liberation called the murder of the Jews the Ḥurban, the word used to describe the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 bce and the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 ce. Shoʾah (“Catastrophe”) is the term preferred by Israelis and the French, most especially after Claude Lanzmann’s masterful 1985 motion picture documentary of that title. It is also preferred by people who speak Hebrew and by those who want to be more particular about the Jewish experience or who are uncomfortable with the religious connotations of the word Holocaust. Less universal and more particular, Shoʾah emphasizes the annihilation of the Jews, not the totality of Nazi victims. More particular terms also were used by Raul Hilberg, who called his pioneering work The Destruction of the European Jews, and Lucy S. Dawidowicz, who entitled her book on the Holocaust The War Against the Jews. In part she showed how Germany fought two wars simultaneously: World War II and the racial war against the Jews. The Allies fought only the World War. The word Holocaust is derived from the Greek holokauston, a translation of the Hebrew word ʿolah, meaning a burnt sacrifice offered whole to God. This word was chosen because in the ultimate manifestation of the Nazi killing program—the extermination camps—the bodies of the victims were consumed whole in crematoria and open fires. https://www.britannica.com/event/Holocaust REPEAT THE ONLY THINIG MISSING ARE THE OPEN-AIR PUBLIC GAS CHAMBERS AND OVENS/CREMATORIUMS... https://www.yadvashem.org/holocaust/about/what-was-the-holocaust.html

RENAMING CNN

CUT TO THE CHASE & GET TO THE POINT - CNN IS A JEWISH NEWS NETWORK - SO CALL IT JNN / JEWISH NEWS NETWORK - PERIOD HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF SOME CURRENT DRIVEL THAT TRIES TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE OBVIOUS JEW-DOMINATION OF AMERICAN MEDIA ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Executive Summary The claim "Jews own most of the USA media" is an oversimplification that conflates representation in leadership with concentrated ownership and invites conspiratorial readings; available analyses show some Jewish overrepresentation in executive roles but not numerical ownership dominance or monopoly across U.S. media. Recent examinations and datasets emphasize corporate complexity, diffuse public ownership, and differing definitions of "Jewish" identity, producing estimates of notable but limited percentages of Jewish individuals in senior roles rather than evidence that Jews collectively control most American media 1. How the Claim Emerged and Why It Persists — Leadership vs. Ownership Drama Public lists and viral claims often point to Jewish CEOs and senior executives at major conglomerates as evidence of control, creating a narrative that leadership equals ownership and consensus control. Several modern write-ups enumerate Jewish executives at big companies like Comcast, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount, feeding the impression of dominance [3]. Yet corporate reality is more complex: these media giants are largely publicly traded or part of diversified holding structures where ownership is diffuse among institutional investors, pension funds, and thousands of shareholders, and decision-making power is structured through boards and markets, not a single demographic bloc [3] [4]. The gap between visible executives and ultimate control is central to the misunderstanding. 2. What Empirical Studies Actually Show — Overrepresentation, Not Monopoly Careful analyses quantify Jewish representation in leadership without supporting the claim of ownership majority: a 2022 study found roughly one-quarter of top CEOs and around one-fifth of leading officers in top media companies identified as Jewish, with lower percentages when focusing strictly on U.S. news media and those “ultimately in control” [1]. Older internet memes claiming that "six Jewish companies own 90–96% of American media" trace to debunked or outdated pieces and are treated skeptically by modern researchers because they ignore corporate mergers, public shareholding, and evolving ownership since 2009 [2] [1]. These studies demonstrate statistical overrepresentation in certain roles but fall far short of proving a coordinated ownership majority. 3. Data Gaps and Definitions that Skew Interpretations — Who Counts as 'Jewish' and What Counts as 'Media'? Analysts warn that results hinge on two fuzzy definitions: the criteria for classifying someone as Jewish, and the boundaries of "media" (broadcast, film, newspapers, streaming, digital platforms). Studies highlight that Jewish identity can be religious, cultural, or ancestral, and public biographies or surnames are poor proxies; misclassification can inflate or deflate counts [1]. Simultaneously, the media ecosystem includes Big Tech platforms, local broadcasters, niche publishers, and nonprofit outlets; focusing on a small set of conglomerates or executive lists ignores the plurality of owners across hundreds of markets and platforms [5] [6]. These definitional choices materially change findings and the story they support. 4. Historical Context and the Risk of Dangerous Narratives — Concentration vs. Conspiracy Public concern over media concentration is legitimate: research shows industry consolidation and large corporate influence in content distribution, which raises democratic concerns about diversity of voices [7] [6]. However, framing concentration through an ethnic or religious lens revives long-standing antisemitic tropes that attribute coordinated control to Jews, a narrative repeatedly criticized by scholars and watchdogs [2]. Responsible analysis separates structural concentration—measurable market share and regulatory outcomes—from attributing a collective agenda to a religious group; the available evidence supports the former as a policy issue and rejects the latter as an accurate description of ownership. 5. Practical Bottom Line for Consumers and Policymakers — Focus on Ownership Mapping, Not Ethnic Attribution For an accurate assessment, policymakers and the public should prioritize transparent ownership mapping, disclosure of major shareholders, and attention to platform power, rather than using religion as a proxy for influence. Media-ownership projects and indices aim to expose concentration across mainstream, nonprofit, and digital sectors and to inform antitrust or disclosure remedies; these efforts do not find a homogeneous Jewish ownership bloc controlling most outlets [5] [7]. Addressing democratic risks means regulating concentration and improving media literacy, not promoting narratives that conflate individual representation with collective control [6] [1]. 6. Where Reporting Disagrees and What to Watch Next — Methodology Matters Divergent sources reflect methodological differences: lists of Jewish executives produce alarming headlines, while peer-reviewed or systematic ownership studies produce more modest estimates of representation and highlight corporate diffusion [3] [1] [4]. The story to watch is not whether a religious group "owns" media, but how market concentration, ownership disclosure, and governance structures shape information ecosystems; future updates should track large mergers, activist investor actions, and transparency initiatives that materially alter who controls what. https://factually.co/

RUSSIA IS A NATION WITH UKRAINE BUT ONLY A COUNTRY WITHOUT

RUSSIA NEEDS TO RETAIN UKRAIN SIMPLY FOR ITS GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION AND RESOURCE LANDMASS; Russian Ends and Means Effective strategy requires the alignment of ends, or objectives, and means to achieve those objectives.5 Putin’s primary objective is to bring Ukraine back into Russia’s sphere of influence, either directly by militarily conquering and annexing Ukraine (as Russia has done in some areas of eastern Ukraine) or indirectly by installing a Russian ally in Kyiv. In addition, Putin seeks to prevent further NATO expansion eastward, either through NATO membership or an expanding U.S. or European sphere of influence. Putin has been clear and consistent in claiming—falsely—that Ukraine is not, and has never been, an independent country with a distinct culture, history, religion, or language. In his article “On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians,” Putin misleadingly noted that Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarussians are descendants of Ancient Rus and “bound together by one language (which we now refer to as Old Russian), economic ties . . . and—after the baptism of Rus—the Orthodox faith.”6 Putin continued that “there was no historical basis” for “the idea of Ukrainian people as a nation separate from the Russians.”7 After failing to bring Ukraine back into Russia’s orbit by seizing Crimea in 2014 and then using a combination of regular and irregular military units in eastern Ukraine over the next several years, Putin resorted to a conventional invasion in February 2022. But the Russian military was unable to swiftly defeat Ukrainian forces through a blitzkrieg campaign and has resorted to a strategy of attrition warfare. https://www.csis.org/analysis/russias-grinding-war-ukraine

TRUMP THREATENS 15 MILLION DEPORTATIONS ...

DJT SAYS HE WILL DEPORT 15,000,000 ILLEGALS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3jqALQgBzw CAN'T BE DONE. ONCE THEY ARE IN YOUR COUNTRY YOU ARE STUCK WITH THEM ... TALL BLONDES AND BRUNETTES ARE WELCOME HOWEVER - EVEN SOME RED-HEADS LOL

Please TRUMP - Acquire Newfoundland and Labrador ASAP (Or Am I Wrong lol)

I bought www.newfoundisland.com and think Newfound-Islanders should consider joining America ... The Trump administration is reportedly considering purchasing the strategically important Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean. See more President Donald Trump is reportedly setting his sights on a new territorial acquisition, and this time it's not Greenland. The administration is exploring a deal involving a strategically vital island chain in the Indian Ocean. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly raised the idea to Trump. Donald Trump reportedly considering buying Chagos Islands The White House is reportedly weighing a plan to purchase the Chagos Islands, The Independent reported on Sunday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent directly raised the idea with President Donald Trump. The Chagos Islands comprise dozens of islands located in the Indian Ocean. The territory hosts Diego Garcia, a joint U.S.-U.K. military base of major strategic importance. A U.S. official told The Independent that the Trump administration opposes the U.K. "giving away the British Indian Ocean Territory." The official called Diego Garcia "a vital and indispensable military installation of significant importance." The U.K. has controlled the Chagos Islands since 1814. Trump previously called the U.K.'s planned cessation of the islands to Mauritius "an act of GREAT STUPIDITY." The U.K. delayed legislation completing that transfer after the U.S. withdrew support in January. Multiple sources told The Telegraph that Bessent presented the purchase as one option for Trump. The plan was reportedly not the president's "leading" option at the time, sources said. Diego Garcia sits in a highly strategic location, enabling missions across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The base supports U.S. efforts to counter Chinese military activity while also enabling strikes on Iran. Under the previous U.K. plan, Diego Garcia would have remained under joint U.S.-U.K. control. Since returning to the White House, the president has increasingly focused his foreign policy on territorial acquisitions. His earlier push to acquire Greenland from Denmark ended after strong resistance from European and NATO leaders. He also threatened to annex Canada, Venezuela, Panama, and Cuba during his second term. The post Donald Trump Eyeing Another Territory After Greenland — Report appeared first on Mandatory. https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/donald-trump-eyeing-another-territory-075919819.html

TRUMPZZZZZZ

I COULD NOT LAST 48HRS IN HIS SHOES. AND IT IS REVEALING HOW PEOPLE ARE TEARING INTO HIM AND DESPARAGING HIM ABOUT HIS LACK OF ENERGY AND SLEEPING SPELLS... PEOPLE ARE SO QUICK TO KICK YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOWN. HANG IN THERE DT!!! PG STILL LOVES YOU XO President Donald Trump is showing off a new portrait painted for his upcoming 80th birthday — and users are pointing out an obvious inaccuracy. “‘Why are his eyes open? It’s not natural,’ one user commented on X, while another posted a photo of the president with his eyes closed in the Oval Office, appearing to be asleep, writing, ‘This is a far more accurate depiction…’” reported The Daily Beast's Wiktoria Gucia. Another person was reported as posting “What’s wrong with this one?” while attaching a picture of Trump with his eyes closed. Still another user was reported as quipping, “Well at least he’s awake.” https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/other/trump-s-new-birthday-portrait-is-torn-apart-for-what-it-hides/ar-AA253fQz?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a260bf13a3e41b49f8d64946d75fc2a&ei=24

How 2 Live Longer & Healthier

I disagree on 1 suggestion as a small meal at Bedtime which is a Scandinavian and Finnish Tradition usually makes for a Good Night's sleep... https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/other/a-longevity-doctor-said-you-should-add-3-habits-to-your-health-portfolio-to-slow-aging/ar-AA23Apao?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a261064a7204c439cf06f4dd2de5e02&ei=7 A top longevity doctor said you have more control over healthy aging than you think. She recommends simple lifestyle changes to boost sleep and metabolism for a longer life. Invest in your health with small tweaks like not eating before bed and optimizing your workout. Good genes are one of the biggest factors in living a long, healthy life: up to 50% of longevity is inherited, new research suggests. Still, DNA doesn't have to be your destiny when it comes to aging and illness.Take Dr. Florence Comite. As an identical twin, she's seen firsthand how our unique life experiences can shape our health and, more importantly, what we can do about it. "If we're identical twins, why do I love sushi and sashimi, and she doesn't really eat fish? I murder plants, and she's an amazing gardener," Comite quipped to Business Insider. "By understanding all the factors that make up who we are and thinking of it as a proactive approach, you identify risk before symptoms, and you can stop it in its tracks and even reverse it," she said of aging. Comite is a top longevity doctor, the founder of the Comite Center for Precision Medicine, and author of the new book "Invincible: Defy Your Genetic Destiny to Live Better, Longer." She's also an expert in epigenetics, the study of chemical changes that influence gene activity, including those that may affect the aging process. "Being able to turn switches on and off by the choices we make is the way we can give the control back to ourselves, she said. Comite said that today's decisions can make a huge difference in our ability to thrive for decades to come. "We begin to show changes of aging below the surface at the cellular level in the 30s. And we can do something about it to really protect our health for life because the earlier we do it, the better off we're going to be," she said. Comite shared some of the best health changes she's made to her own routine that you can add to your own "health portfolio" for a longer, healthier life. 1..Ditch the bedtime snacks (I disagree as a small healthy meal atround Bedtime is normally Healthy and improves zzzzzz... Comite said she saw major benefits after triumphing over her own personal health nemesis: the late-night snack. "I'm a grazer. At night, I would just sit and snack on fruit, chocolate, ice cream, whatever. When I gave that up, and I made myself aware of the fact that I just have to stop eating an hour or two before bed, it was a world of difference," she said. Cutting out nighttime eating may support digestion and sleep quality, including deep sleep, the time when your body can repair cellular damage to support your metabolism, immune system, and other essential functions. That's why quality sleep is essential for long-term health, helping stave off age-related decline. "In your 20s, you can sort of burn the candle at both ends, and your body can compensate. That's no longer possible in your 30s," Comite said. 2. Cut your alcohol intake in half - I disagree and say rarely if ever consume alcohol because essentially it is FUN POISON If you're winding down for the night with wine, whiskey, or beer, you may be doing more harm than good. Alcohol has increasingly been tied to serious health risks like cancer, heart disease, and dementia. Recent evidence suggests there may be no safe amount of alcohol. To minimize the risk of drinking, stick to no more than one serving per day for women and two for men, according to the CDC. Comite said a simple way to cut back is to swap in a glass of plain water between boozy beverages, halving the amount of alcohol you consume. If you enjoy a drink, consume in moderation and stay hydrated with plenty of water to protect your health. "If you like alcohol, cut it back. If you drink two glasses, have one glass and a glass of water because alcohol will cause your blood sugar to go up and then go down while you sleep," Comite said. For more precise insights on your blood sugar, Comite recommends wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which can give real-time data on your body's unique response to different types of food and beverages. 3. Combine cardio and strength training - PG says add stretching / yoga and meditation (thinking time) Another way to optimize your longevity routine is to diversify your fitness, Comite said. "I make time for exercise. Three days a week, I'm in the gym for an hour, and I mainly do weights. There's a little bit of high intensity and aerobic," she said. Between sets of weighted exercises, Comite said she'll spend some time on the rower for longevity-boosting cardio. Comite said she also prioritizes high-intensity interval training (HIIT), such as sprint sessions. The right HIIT workout can maximize your time by tapping into key fitness metrics like VO2 max to make the most of every minute you spend exercising.

This Land CNN

Interesting https://www.cnn.com/this-land As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, This Land traces the dramatic story of how a fragile nation on the Atlantic coast expanded across a continent through six defining frontiers that reshaped the country forever. Blending immersive vérité storytelling with intimate access, the series journeys from the Louisiana Purchase and the rise of New York City to the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevada, Alaska, and the contested borderlands of the American Southwest — revealing how ambition, conflict, resistance, and power redrew the American map. Through expert perspectives and the voices of descendants connected to these pivotal moments, including the families of William Clark, Sacagawea, James Monroe, John Brown, Crazy Horse, and Kit Carson, This Land uncovers a history that remains deeply contested and continues to shape America today.

BEDTIME PROTOCOL FOR LONGEVITY

FINNS USUALLY HAVE A SNACK BEFORE BEDTIME... however, cutting out nighttime eating may support digestion and sleep quality, including deep sleep, the time when your body can repair cellular damage to support your metabolism, immune system, and other essential functions. That's why quality sleep is essential for long-term health, helping stave off age-related decline. "In your 20s, you can sort of burn the candle at both ends, and your body can compensate. That's no longer possible in your 30s," Comite said. Cut your alcohol intake in half If you're winding down for the night with wine, whiskey, or beer, you may be doing more harm than good. Alcohol has increasingly been tied to serious health risks like cancer, heart disease, and dementia. Recent evidence suggests there may be no safe amount of alcohol. To minimize the risk of drinking, stick to no more than one serving per day for women and two for men, according to the CDC. Comite said a simple way to cut back is to swap in a glass of plain water between boozy beverages, halving the amount of alcohol you consume. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/other/a-longevity-doctor-said-you-should-add-3-habits-to-your-health-portfolio-to-slow-aging/ar-AA23Apao?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a261064a7204c439cf06f4dd2de5e02&ei=7

SLEEPY TRUMP

I COULD NOT LAST 48HRS IN HIS SHOES. IT IS REVEALING HOW PEOPLE ARE TEARING INTO HIM AND DESPARAGING HIM ABOUT HIS LACK OF ENERGY AND SLEEPING SPELLS... PEOPLE ARE SO QUICK TO KICK YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOWN. HANG IN THERE DJ TRUMP!!! PG STILL LOVES YOU XO President Donald Trump is showing off a new portrait painted for his upcoming 80th birthday — and users are pointing out an obvious inaccuracy. “‘Why are his eyes open? It’s not natural,’ one user commented on X, while another posted a photo of the president with his eyes closed in the Oval Office, appearing to be asleep, writing, ‘This is a far more accurate depiction…’” reported The Daily Beast's Wiktoria Gucia. Another person was reported as posting “What’s wrong with this one?” while attaching a picture of Trump with his eyes closed. Still another user was reported as quipping, “Well at least he’s awake.” https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/other/trump-s-new-birthday-portrait-is-torn-apart-for-what-it-hides/ar-AA253fQz?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a260bf13a3e41b49f8d64946d75fc2a&ei=24

UKRAINE MESS

Ukraine is a terrible mess. Seems the Russians and Ukrainians really hate each other ... Since February 24, 2022, the United States has committed over $118 billion in assistance to Ukraine, including roughly $65 billion in immediate military aid. In early 2023, the Biden administration approved the provision of increasingly advanced weaponry, such as the Patriot air defense system, crucial for defending against Russian airstrikes, and top-tier battle tanks. U.S. troop presence in Europe has also increased to more than one hundred thousand soldiers. Despite continued condemnation by key international actors, Russia continues to build valuable partnerships; North Korea and Iran share intelligence and military equipment, while others, namely India and China, have begun purchasing Russian oil and gas at discounted prices. On June 23, Putin faced a major internal challenge when Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the former leader of the Wagner Group of mercenaries, accused the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) of shelling his forces and announced a “march of justice” to unseat the military leadership. The mutiny followed months of tensions with the MoD. Wagner forces quickly occupied Rostov-on-Don, seized Russia’s southern military headquarters, and subsequently advanced more than halfway to Moscow. Putin declared the march “treason” and offered amnesty for soldiers who stopped. On June 24, Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko negotiated for Prigozhin and his Wagner soldiers to relocate to Belarus. Two months after the revolt, Prigozhin died in a private plane crash outside of Moscow. U.S. officials believe an explosion ordered by Putin likely brought it down. https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-ukraine

GF WANTED

HI. THIS IS A PERSONAL SUNDAY NIGHT POST. I'd like to have a Scandinavian GF THIS SUMMER... so any available Lady from NORWAY, SWEDEN, ICELAND OR DENMARK FEEL FREE TO MESSAGE ME paymentguy@gmail.com BTW (FINLAND IS NOT SCANDIAVIAN ALTHOUGH THEY THINK THEY ARE LOL) feel free to message me or email me at paymentguy@gmail.com LOL

TRUMP OWNED BY RUSSIANS

SHITTY BUT SEEMINGLY TRUE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwvjkJXaIJE

MORTGAGE IN RETIREMENT

MORTGAGE IN FRENCH MEANS "SLOW DEATH" BTW LOL PG SAYS "WEALTH IS A STATE OF MIND" & "YOU ARE ONLY AS WEALTHY AS YOU ARE HEALTHY" https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/posthaste-more-retired-canadians-mortgage-120125910.html Twenty-two per cent of retirees polled still have a mortgage, more than half of which do not expect to pay it off in under 10 years. More than 20 per cent of retirees and 12 per cent of pre-retirees do not expect to be able to pay off the mortgage at all. Household indebtedness has been rising for all Canadians, making it more likely that a bigger share of the population will enter their retirement years carrying debt. According to Statistics Canada, the number of senior families with debt rose to 42 per cent in 2016, up from 27 per cent in 1999. The proportion with mortgage debt almost doubled. About two-thirds of the total increase in debt for seniors was attributable to an increase in mortgage debt, said the agency. Since then the challenges have only increased. In another survey by EQ Bank this week more than half of Canadian homeowners aged 45 and older said their retirement savings have been negatively impacted by economic uncertainties over the past year. And there have been plenty of those, including the U.S. trade war that has battered Canada’s economy and the Iran war that has sent fuel prices soaring. Inflation tops the list of Canadians’ concerns about their retirement in Fidelity’s poll at 80 per cent, followed by turmoil in world politics and a weaker economy or recession in Canada at 60 per cent. More than a third of retirees said that they have moved their assets into more conservative investments such as GICs, bonds and cash because of worries about global conflicts and volatile stock markets. Canadians are also concerned about their social safety net. “Nine in 10 Canadians expect to rely on government programs for retirement income. But far fewer expect these programs to remain as generous as they are today,” said the Fidelity report.

A GENERATION THAT CANNOT AFFORD TO RETIRE

FASCINATING Nick Lichtenberg Sun, June 7, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. NDT 10 min read The Baby Boomers have most of the wealth and power in America, so why are they so angry when this gets pointed out? In recent weeks, a collection of economic data and explanations of structural forces preventing important things like housing affordability, household formation and economic mobility have provoked many responses—some thoughtful, some angry, some even defensive, but increasingly urging me to look beyond the reliable generational framing. “Your article is gross,” one wrote to me. “There is no balance in the world we live in!” another said, adding, “a golf ball is a golf ball no matter how you putt it. So is the economy! Adapt!” Another gave me a sense of the angst felt when broad macro strokes don’t capture the reality on the ground for every micro-case: ” You write like every boomer is sitting on a McMansion and a seven‑figure IRA,” one bereaved Boomer wrote to me. “A lot of us are one bad diagnosis away from losing everything.” Still another wasn’t much of a hater at all, but wrote with wistfulness about what’s gone down. “Many boomers are poor, scared, and anxious about the life they have left,” they wrote. “They were led to believe that if they worked hard and climbed the corporate ladder you would eventually be able to be financially secure and retire at 65 and enjoy their ‘golden years.’ Many tried this approach but ran into misfortune along the way.” Either there was a layoff at 55 to 60 years old, unanticipated health issues, or others. “Life happens. For many boomers, the golden years are not golden, and they don’t have much to look forward to. Their bodies are broken and they are still in debt. They are trapped in a life without a way out and their future does not look golden. Yes, they live longer, but for too many of them, not better and certainly not in a way they expected when they were younger.” It speaks to the very real sense many Boomers have that things weren’t supposed to end up like this. The generation that rode cheap college, rising home prices, and the 401(k) revolution into late career was expected to bow out gracefully, freeing up houses and jobs for their kids and grandkids. Instead, millions are hanging on—staying in big homes they can’t quite afford to leave and in jobs they can’t quite afford to quit—because they’re confronting a grim reality: in financial terms, they are broke and living too long. A generation that can’t afford to retire Roughly 30 million “peak boomers” are turning 65 between 2024 and 2030. Two‑thirds of them will not be financially prepared to maintain their pre‑retirement lifestyles, according to an analysis by ALI Retirement Income Institute economist Jason Fichtner and colleagues that modeled their assets, expected lifespans, and spending needs. More than half have $250,000 or less in retirement savings—before health shocks, market downturns, or long‑term care—which means they will lean heavily on Social Security and work income to get by. Vanguard’s research on “young baby boomers” reaches a similar conclusion from a different direction. Only about 40% of workers in their early sixties are on track to sustain their standard of living in retirement; the typical near‑retiree faces about a 24% income gap, roughly $9,000 a year. Other surveys find that nearly half of boomers have less than $100,000 saved and about a quarter have nothing set aside at all, despite being at or near traditional retirement ages. For a generation that could easily spend 20 to 30 years in retirement, the math does not pencil out. Dan, a 71-year-old who retired in 2021, wrote to me of his “head-down and plow-in-the-dirt mentality,” claiming he never missed a day of work in 18 years at a mechanic shop (third shift.) But in the past two or three decades, “we all (not just Baby Boomers) saw our spendable income shrink. How far is it going to shrink? No one knows. Not only that, many of our benefits have been substantially reduced or completely taken away.” Although it’s true that he has acquired what look like “substantial bank accounts,” he worries about assisted living costing $10,000 a month. “No Baby Boomer wants to be in that situation but it is always in the back of our minds.” The only recourse is to keep working or to hang onto what they worked for — there is no choice about passing on wealth to the next generation when the economy feels precarious. Dan gets at the core mismatch. A Stanford Center on Longevity analysis notes that a healthy 60‑year‑old woman today has more than a 50% chance of living to 90 and roughly a one‑in‑three chance of reaching 95; men aren’t far behind. Yet surveys as far back as the mid‑2010s found that only about 30% of workers aged 55 and older had accumulated $250,000 or more in retirement savings, even as actuaries were projecting 25‑ to 30‑year retirements as increasingly common. Even if Boomers planned well for retirement, then, how could they plan for an explosion in lifespan and cost-of-living crisis? A widely cited survey from the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council found that 60% of boomers thought they needed less than $1 million to retire comfortably, and large shares underestimated their likely lifespan and overestimated their Social Security benefits. That combination—optimism about benefits, pessimism about how long they would live—helped produce a cohort that, on paper, owns more wealth than any in history, but in practice includes tens of millions of people who will struggle to finance the last third of their lives. Stuck in big houses The housing market is where this financial anxiety becomes concrete. Boomers and older Gen Xers own a disproportionate share of the nation’s three‑bedroom‑plus homes, including many in desirable urban and suburban neighborhoods. They bought those houses when prices were lower and interest rates were modest; many now hold mortgages with rates below 4% or own their homes outright.The reason boomers don’t move isn’t just sentiment—most boomer homeowners (about 54%) have no mortgage at all, so there’s little financial pressure to sell. A Redfin analysis of 2024 Census data found that empty-nest baby boomers (one- to two-adult households) own 28% of U.S. homes with three or more bedrooms, compared with 16% for millennial households with kids. Housing economists talk about a “mortgage lock‑in” effect: when you have a low fixed rate and a large unrealized gain, selling and buying even a smaller place can raise monthly costs once you factor in today’s higher rates, taxes, and fees. That’s exactly what many older homeowners describe. A couple in Phoenix wrote that they “cannot afford to sell our home and move,” noting that one‑bedroom apartments now rent for more than their mortgage and that senior living facilities are out of reach. “We are not rich, just comfortable at the moment,” they said—emphasis on “at the moment.” This attitude extends down to generations, based on a darkly funny exchange I got with a certain Gen Xer. “I do live in a 6400-sq-ft house with a $3 million view that’s paid off. I just want to say that if my continued existence can possibly make any younger people more miserable, broke, and whiny, then it’s all worth it. Sincerely, a Gen X who worked hard and has no problem with the younger generation paying high rent for crappy apartments while they build zero equity. Did you hear that sound? It was my heart breaking for the younger generation(s) (not).” When I followed up to ask why younger generations seem whiny, I got a nice picture of that $3 million view, and the explanation, “I have no idea, but anytime I go on social media young people are complaining about their inability to buy a house or a car. I worked seven days a week most of my life for what I have; no one ever heard a single complaint out of me and they never will. And for the record, I am a hard-core liberal Democrat and always have been.” An unequal pig in the python None of this is evenly distributed. Wealth data show extreme inequality among older Americans: early work using the AHEAD survey found that households with someone 70 or older in the top tenth of the wealth distribution held around 2,500 times as much wealth as those in the bottom tenth, and more recent work finds that inequality has widened further since the late 1990s. Older Black and Latino households, renters, and those with chronic health conditions are far more likely to enter late life with low assets and high debt. The letters reflect that divide. At one end is the anxious, under‑saved retiree doing everything possible to stretch limited assets. At the other is the California homeowner who bought for just over $1 million and now sits on a home worth more than $4 million—but worries that selling would trigger close to $1 million in combined federal and state taxes. In the middle is a broad group that describes itself as “fine, but not secure” and treats staying in place—physically and professionally—as the only rational option. A system built for shorter lives It is easy to frame this as a morality tale about selfish boomers strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire. The reality is more structural, and in some ways more damning. Over several decades, the U.S. shifted retirement risk from employers and the state onto individuals just as lifespans were lengthening and housing and healthcare costs were exploding. Defined‑benefit pensions gave way to 401(k)s; long‑term care remained largely uncovered; tax and housing policy rewarded holding onto appreciating property rather than making room. Boomers largely followed the script they were given: work hard, buy a house, save in tax‑advantaged accounts, rely on Social Security to fill in the gaps. Many are now discovering in their late 60s and early 70s that the script did not account for a 90‑plus lifespan or for the cumulative effects of wage stagnation, market crashes, and runaway medical costs. Seen from the outside, they look like a wall of retirees hoarding houses and jobs; seen from the inside, they look like a generation quietly terrified of running out of money before they run out of years. To then be blamed for this structural issue, instead of recognizing its reality, seems a bridge too far. A 69-year-old real-estate consultant wrote to me to say that this reporting echoes conversations he often has with his two millennial children and five millennial nieces and nephews. “I have systematically and factually compared my affordability when I bought my first house with them,” he wrote. “In every analysis, the cost of homes were less, interest rates were much higher, the quality of the homes and the areas I could afford were not close to what they want.” Most millennials, he argues, are unwilling to do what needs to be done to get a house,” whether that’s save more to buy a house in a nicer neighborhood or pursue a house somewhere less fashionable. Overall, the added, this is “not a generational issue (though that’s is one the influences), but one of economics. It’s the sheer number of Boomers that creates the problem you describe, not the Boomers themselves.” https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/posthaste-more-retired-canadians-mortgage-120125910.html This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

HABBO HELD FOR SALE

AZERION is selling off HABBO Winding down the segment after divesting Whow Games The year-over-year drop in our discontinued operations is the result of divesting Whow Games, which previously made up the vast majority of this segment. The remaining € 2.6 million in revenue comes from the portions of our Premium Games segment that are held for sale (e.g. Habbo Hotel and Hotel Hideaway). https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/azerion-publishes-interim-unaudited-financial-053000713.html

Moderate Livelihood Defined

Key Elements of the Livelihood Scope of Income: The Supreme Court defined a moderate livelihood as a way to meet basic day-to-day needs. It equates to generating a modest income (often cited by fishers as enough to provide basic necessities rather than engaging in massive commercial expansion This equates to "Enough is Enough" in English IMO ... https://kukukwes.com/2019/05/13/defining-a-moderate-livelihood-part-1/

Is Happiness A Moderate Livelihood?

Is this the key to living a Happy Life? i.e.; Pursing a "Modeate Livelihood" as defined by the supreme court of Canada? The concept of a moderate livelihood in Canada refers to the constitutional right of certain Indigenous groups—primarily in the Maritimes—to hunt, fish, and gather to provide for the "necessaries of life" (such as food, clothing, and housing) plus a few amenities, but it does not extend to the accumulation of wealth.The Marshall Decision (1999)The phrase stems from the landmark Supreme Court of Canada R. v. Marshall decisions. The court ruled that Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet), and Peskotomuhkati peoples have an established treaty right to hunt and fish for a livelihood, based on the Peace and Friendship Treaties of 1760-1761.Key Elements of the LivelihoodScope of Income: The Supreme Court defined a moderate livelihood as a way to meet basic day-to-day needs. It equates to generating a modest income (often cited by fishers as enough to provide basic necessities rather than engaging in massive commercial expansion).Federal Management vs. Treaty Rights: While the highest court affirmed the right, it also clarified in subsequent rulings (Marshall II) that the federal government can regulate this right for reasons like conservation, provided it justifies the regulations and accommodates the treaty rights.Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO): The DFO works directly with First Nations to negotiate and implement community-developed "Moderate Livelihood Fishing Plans". These plans often authorize community members to fish during established commercial seasons to ensure sustainability and avoid escalating tensions with non-Indigenous commercial fishers.On-Going TensionsDespite rulings dating back to the late 1990s, the exact definition of a "moderate livelihood" and how these fisheries should be regulated remain heavily debated. The implementation of self-regulated Indigenous fisheries outside of federally mandated commercial seasons has periodically led to conflict, equipment seizures, and legal battles.For a look at the ongoing conflicts and court challenges surrounding the moderate livelihood fishery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnolCFeO93c

BOOMERS HOARDIING MONEY

NOT SUCH GOLDEN YEARS AFTER ALThe Baby Boomers have most of the wealth and power in America, so why are they so angry when this gets pointed out? In recent weeks, a collection of economic data and explanations of structural forces preventing important things like housing affordability, household formation and economic mobility have provoked many responses—some thoughtful, some angry, some even defensive, but increasingly urging me to look beyond the reliable generational framing. “Your article is gross,” one wrote to me. Advertisement “There is no balance in the world we live in!” another said, adding, “a golf ball is a golf ball no matter how you putt it. So is the economy! Adapt!” Another gave me a sense of the angst felt when broad macro strokes don’t capture the reality on the ground for every micro-case: ” You write like every boomer is sitting on a McMansion and a seven‑figure IRA,” one bereaved Boomer wrote to me. “A lot of us are one bad diagnosis away from losing everything.” Still another wasn’t much of a hater at all, but wrote with wistfulness about what’s gone down. “Many boomers are poor, scared, and anxious about the life they have left,” they wrote. “They were led to believe that if they worked hard and climbed the corporate ladder you would eventually be able to be financially secure and retire at 65 and enjoy their ‘golden years.’ Many tried this approach but ran into misfortune along the way.” Either there was a layoff at 55 to 60 years old, unanticipated health issues, or others. “Life happens. For many boomers, the golden years are not golden, and they don’t have much to look forward to. Their bodies are broken and they are still in debt. They are trapped in a life without a way out and their future does not look golden. Yes, they live longer, but for too many of them, not better and certainly not in a way they expected when they were younger.” It speaks to the very real sense many Boomers have that things weren’t supposed to end up like this. The generation that rode cheap college, rising home prices, and the 401(k) revolution into late career was expected to bow out gracefully, freeing up houses and jobs for their kids and grandkids. Instead, millions are hanging on—staying in big homes they can’t quite afford to leave and in jobs they can’t quite afford to quit—because they’re confronting a grim reality: in financial terms, they are broke and living too long. A generation that can’t afford to retire Roughly 30 million “peak boomers” are turning 65 between 2024 and 2030. Two‑thirds of them will not be financially prepared to maintain their pre‑retirement lifestyles, according to an analysis by ALI Retirement Income Institute economist Jason Fichtner and colleagues that modeled their assets, expected lifespans, and spending needs. More than half have $250,000 or less in retirement savings—before health shocks, market downturns, or long‑term care—which means they will lean heavily on Social Security and work income to get by. Vanguard’s research on “young baby boomers” reaches a similar conclusion from a different direction. Only about 40% of workers in their early sixties are on track to sustain their standard of living in retirement; the typical near‑retiree faces about a 24% income gap, roughly $9,000 a year. Other surveys find that nearly half of boomers have less than $100,000 saved and about a quarter have nothing set aside at all, despite being at or near traditional retirement ages. For a generation that could easily spend 20 to 30 years in retirement, the math does not pencil out. Dan, a 71-year-old who retired in 2021, wrote to me of his “head-down and plow-in-the-dirt mentality,” claiming he never missed a day of work in 18 years at a mechanic shop (third shift.) But in the past two or three decades, “we all (not just Baby Boomers) saw our spendable income shrink. How far is it going to shrink? No one knows. Not only that, many of our benefits have been substantially reduced or taken away.” https://ca.yahoo.com/finance/news/golden-years-not-golden-boomers-113000201.html

TRUMP LOSES IT ON SUNDAY TV

Trump is unravelling ... and to think he was my HERO since I was 14 ... sad; President Donald Trump lasted through probing questions about his Iran war strategy and repeated weather disruptions during an interview with US broadcaster NBC -- but angrily stormed out when confronted over his unfounded claims of election fraud. "You're a one-sided, crooked network. Sorry. Let's call it quits because I've had enough. Thank you, darling. Have a good time," Trump told "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker before standing up and walking out of the interview that aired Sunday. The interview, filmed Friday, was conducted on a farm in Wisconsin, where Trump was addressing farmers. A tractor and hay bales served as a backdrop. The interview was interrupted several times by weather and audio issues as torrential rain pounded the roof, making it difficult to continue the conversation. "Is that wind or what?" Trump asked at one point. "Hear that sound?" he said later. "That sound of thunder, lightning, rain." Welker asked her technical crew if they should stop. "No. People will understand -- we're on a farm," the president replied. Several questions followed about Iran, nuclear weapons and his campaign pledges to keep the United States out of foreign wars. "First of all, I didn't guarantee no war. Why would I have built the strongest military in the world?" he said, then accusing Welker of being "a big liberal, a big progressive." "No, I'm just a journalist," she countered. https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-storms-tense-rain-plagued-192419262.html

SECOND LIFE

CHECK OUT https://secondlife.com/

Early Newfoundland History

The Rock has a slong and storied History. Wikipedia has some good references like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_St._John%27s_history Newfoundland's (I CALL IT NEWFOUNDISLAND LOL) name has been attributed to the belief that John Cabot sailed into the harbour on the Nativity of John the Baptist in 1497, although it is most likely a legend that came with British settlement. A more realistic possibility is that a fishing village with the same name existed without a permanent settlement for most of the 16th century.[11] Indicated as São João on a Portuguese map from 1519, it is one of the oldest cities in North America.[12][failed verification] It was officially incorporated as a city in 1888. With a metropolitan population of approximately 239,316 (as of 16 January 2025), the St. John's Metropolitan Area is Canada's 22nd-largest metropolitan area and the second-largest Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in Atlantic Canada, after Halifax, Nova Scotia.[13] The city has a rich history, having played a role in the Seven Years' War, the American Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in St. John's.[14] Its history and culture have made it into an important tourist destination.[15] St. John's was referred to as Baile Sheáin (Johnstown), in the poetry of Donnchadh Ruadh Mac Conmara (1715–1810), and among speakers of the Irish language in Newfoundland.[16] 15th Century 1497 – Tradition declares that St. John's earned its name when explorer John Cabot became the first European to sail into the harbour, on June 24, 1497 — the feast day of Saint John the Baptist.[1] 16th Century 1519 – The earliest record of the location appears as São João on a Portuguese map by Pedro Reinel. 1527 – When John Rut visited St. John's in 1526 he found Norman, Breton and Portuguese ships in the harbour (during his New World voyage). 1527 – On August 3, John Rut wrote a letter to King Henry on the findings of his voyage to North America; this was the first known letter sent from North America. St. Jehan is shown on Nicholas Desliens' world map of 1541 and San Joham is found in João Freire's Atlas of 1546. It was during this time that Water Street was first developed, making it the oldest street in North America.[2] 1583 – On August 5, Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed the area as England's first overseas colony under Royal Charter of Queen Elizabeth I. At the time, he found 16 English ships with 20 French and Portuguese vessels using the harbour; at the time, settlement had developed on the north side of the harbour.[3] There was no permanent English settler population, however, and Gilbert was lost at sea during his return voyage, thereby ending any immediate plans for settlement. The Newfoundland National War Memorial is located on the waterfront in St. John's, at the purported site of Gilbert's landing and proclamation. 1585 -- Bernard Drake's Newfoundland Expedition uses St. John's as a base to supply its ships as it warns English fishermen of a Spanish embargo on their trade and decimates the Spanish and Portuguese fishing-industry in the area. 17th Century 1620 – By 1620 the fishermen of England's West Country had excluded other nations from most of the east coast. 1627 – St. John was "the principal prime and chief lot in all the whole country". 1665 – The town's first significant defenses were probably erected due to commercial interests, following the temporary seizure of St. John's by the Dutch admiral Michiel de Ruyter in June. 1673 – The inhabitants were able to fend off a second Dutch attack. 1675 – St. John's was by far the largest settlement in Newfoundland when English naval officers began to take censuses around 1675. 1680 – Fishing ships (mostly from South Devon) set up fishing rooms at St. John, bringing hundreds of Irish men into the port to operate inshore fishing boats. 1689 – The British government began to plan fortifications around 1689, and these were constructed following the retaking of St. John's after the French admiral Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville captured and destroyed the town late in 1696. The French attacked St. John's again in 1705 and 1708, and devastated civilian structures with fire. 1699 – Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador founded. 18th century 1705 – The town was besieged by the French in Queen Anne's War (War of the Spanish Succession). 1709 - 1 January 1709 [O.S. 21 December 1708], during Queen Anne's War, (the Battle of St. John's) the town was captured and burned by the French. The French, however, left and the town was reoccupied by the British later that year. 1711 - Abortive British attack on Placentia, Newfoundland. 1713 - Treaty of Utrecht removes French from Placentia. Subsequently, British fortifications decay. 1743 - Major reconstruction of Fort William by the British. 1745 - Naval squadron from Newfoundland sent to support successful Anglo-American attack on Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. 1756-63 - Seven Years' War, (French and Indian War) 1762 – French capture Bay Bulls and St. John's in June. British Forces under command of Colonel William Amherst recapture town in September; the final battle of the Seven Years' War in North America at the Battle of Signal Hill. 1763 - Fort William rebuilt and construction begins on Queen's Battery, Crows Nest Battery and Fort Amherst. Treaty of Paris forces France to abandon all her possessions in North America except the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon and fishing rights on the north west coast of Newfoundland 1781 – Government House (Newfoundland and Labrador) completed. 1789 – The first Congregationalist Church in Newfoundland was built on the site of the LSPU Hall.[4] 19th century 1800 - United Irish Uprising in Newfoundland 1804 – Anderson House (St. Johns) built. 1812 – St. John served as a naval base during both the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. 1817 - St John fires 1819 - St John fire 1839-55 – Basilica of St. John's the Baptist, St. John's built. 1846 - Great Fire of 1846 1849 – Bank of British North America Building built. 1850 – Colonial Building opened. 1856 – The Veiled Virgin was transported to Newfoundland. 1860 - Arrival of Edward, Prince of Wales for first North American royal tour 1873 – George Street United Church built. 1881 – St. Patrick's Church (St. John's) completed. St. Patrick's Church was consecrated on August 28. 1885 – Cathedral of St. John the Baptist completed in September. 1892 – Great Fire of 1892, The most famous major fire in St. John in the 19th century 1894 – Masonic Temple (St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador) built. 1897 – Cabot Tower (Newfoundland) built. 20th century 1901 – Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message in St. John's in December from his wireless station in Poldhu, Cornwall.[5] 1907 – Nickel Theatre opened on July 1. 1919 – St. John's was the starting point for the first non-stop transatlantic aircraft flight, by Alcock and Brown in a modified Vickers Vimy IV bomber, in June 1919, departing from Lester's Field in St. John's and ending in a bog near Clifden, Connemara, Ireland.[6] 1924 – National War Memorial (Newfoundland) unveiled on July 1. 1925 – Newfoundland Margarine Company Limited opened. 1946 – Newfoundland Herald founded on May 12. 1959 – Confederation Building (Newfoundland and Labrador) was built and replaced the Colonial Building. 1966 – Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre founded. 1967 – Avalon Mall opened. 1979 - Oil discovered in the Grand Banks. 1982 – Hotel Newfoundland opened. 1995 – St. John's Hindu Temple built. 21st century 2000 – Grace General Hospital, the first maternity hospital in the province, closed its doors for good. 2001 – The former Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre, located on Janeway Place, closed its doors permanently, as a new Janeway location was established in the Health Sciences Centre. 2001 – Mile One Centre established. 2001 – Nickel Film Festival created. 2002 – Johnson Geo Centre established. 2003 – Railway Coastal Museum established. 2005 – The Rooms established. 2005 – In July, the flight was duplicated by American aviator and adventurer Steve Fossett in a replica Vickers Vimy aircraft, with St. John's International Airport substituting for Lester's Field (now an urban and residential part of the city).[7] 2010 - Popular show Republic of Doyle is created and produced out of St. John's. 2020 – COVID-19 pandemic in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Newfoundisland.com

newfoundisland.com is mine! Domain registration in progress. Almost ready for action. Time to create my Virtual + Real Island NEWFOUNDISLAND. So if you are an available Developer and/or Carpenter, pleasse text me; Some features of NEWFOUNDISLAND.COM / NFLDISLE; 1. Physical Space is a 1km sq Island on Sandy Lake off Lunch Point and located in Howley NFLD https://townofhowley.weebly.com/ 2. Virtual Platform is based on Phillip Rsedale's Genius www.secondlife.com 3. Virtual Currency will ne called NEWFEES issued in 1NL, 2NL, 5NL, 10NL, 20NL, 50NL, 100NL, 250NL, 500NL, 1000NL denomiations 4. Virtual Construction commences tomorrow 9am June 8, 2026 5. Physical Construction consists of lot excavation, tent(s) pitched and boat dock construction summer JUNE, JULY, AUGUST 2026 Stay tuned. PG

Healthy high achievers

The fuel that powers healthy high achievers Many young people today are motivated by the fear that if they fall short, they will be less loved or accepted, as if their value hinges on their performance. In 2021, I partnered with a Baylor University researcher to investigate the impact of achievement culture among young adults. Our survey — which was published in my book "Never Enough" — of nearly 500 students revealed a sobering finding: More than half believed their parents' love fluctuated based on their performance. Psychologists call this "conditional regard," or parental affection that depends on a child meeting certain expectations, whether academic, athletic, or behavioral. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/personalfinance/i-ve-studied-hundreds-of-high-achieving-kids-the-no-1-secret-to-their-success-and-parents-should-teach-it-early/ar-AA1KXBNO?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a25c0ac3af64db78afe31e487c73e6b&ei=13

HABBO HAS 2.4 Million

https://www.habbo.com/ They need more collectable offline analogue payment systems ... HABBO CARDS anyone? lol

1 Million Russian KIA in Ukraine

WOW!!! Even I never though the Ukrainians couold resist and hold out this long let alone kill 1 Million Russians and their allies; Ukrainian drones now pummel industrial targets across Russia nightly, shutting down oil refineries, snarling logistics, and forcing airports to close for days at a time. More than 1 million Russians have been killed or badly wounded in the war, a toll too great to hide—almost every family has been affected. https://archive.ph/jNjCp

Pretty Baby

https://kopse.org/?p=20782

February 11 2050 Birthday

How much time until my Birthday in 2050? 23 years 8 months 4 days or 284 months 4 days or 1235 weeks 5 days or 8,650 days or 207,600 hours or 12,456,000 minutes or 747,360,000 seconds

Tiger Woods A Wreck

He used to have it all ... "Life is better with you by my side!" Woods has endured numerous physical and personal challenges in recent years, including multiple surgeries and the devastating 2021 car crash that left him with serious leg injuries. Some sources suggest that these experiences have made him more emotionally vulnerable, while also highlighting Vanessa's role as a significant source of support in his life. "There are so many broken parts in Tiger. His ability to engage in extracurricular activity and hobbies is extremely limited," the insider said. "Being with Vanessa was seen as his only salvation. If anything happens to her, it will totally devastate him." https://ca.yahoo.com/news/tiger-woods-reportedly-stressed-girlfriend-173000157.html

Aiming For 80

When will I be 8o? I will be 80 Years old on: Sunday February 11, 2052 That is 25 years 8 months 4 days from now

28.5 Years Left

This Age Calculator says I have 28.5 years left.. so what do I do in the ineterim? https://lifeannuities.com/life-expectancy-table.html

TRUMP WANTS GREENLAND

The US needs Lebensraum / Living space President Donald Trump’s remarks about Greenland have been misinterpreted, a top diplomat claimed Friday. Andrew Puzder, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, insisted that the U.S. was never interested in invading the autonomous territory of Denmark—after months of threats from the 79-year-old American president. “It got interpreted that we were somehow threatening Greenland’s territorial integrity,” but “the president never said we were going to invade,” Puzder said at the Brussels Economic Security Forum, reports Politico. Trump has been unequivocal about his desire to take over Greenland. In March 2025, just months into his second term, Trump told a joint session of Congress that he had been “working with everybody involved to try and get it.” “But we need it really for international, for world security, and I think we’re going to get it. One way or the other, we’re going to get it,” he said. Best Law Degree in Canada - Studyin - Study Law in Canada Best Law Degree in Canada - Studyin - Study Law in Canada lp.gostudyin.com The president doubled down on those statements in January, telling reporters, “Look, we’re talking about acquiring, not leasing, not having it short term. We’re talking about acquiring. And if we don’t do it, Russia or China will. And that’s not going to happen when I’m president.” In a Truth Social post that month, Trump continued to argue that the U.S. needs Greenland “for the purpose of National Security.” “NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES. Anything less than that is unacceptable,” he wrote. His comments sparked a firestorm at home and abroad, with European leaders condemning the U.S. push to annex Greenland. Danish politician Anders Vistisen, from the right-wing Patriots for Europe party, didn’t mince words in a scathing response to Trump.

25 Years Left (Maybe?)

I used various Calculators to estimate I have approximately 25 - 20 years left... Both may parents turned 80 recently. So what do I want to accomplish??? In 24 years on 2050 @ June 6th my age will be: 78 years 3 months 27 days or 939 months 27 days or 4086 weeks 4 days or 28,606 days or 686,544 hours or 41,192,640 minutes or 2,471,558,400 seconds Should I set some goals? Make a new daily routine and schedule? Set some life deliverables? Suggestions? I was going to try and connect with my kids who live in Finland but hey dont seem interested and seem content talking to m parents. So I am better off disowning them and the rest of my Family excluding my Mom, change my Christian and Family names and just do a complete START-OVER.

Live Everyday Like Your Last

Is there a Tool where you can predict how much time / how many days you have left? There are various age calculayors and using one tells me that atm I am: Age: 54 years 3 months 27 days or 651 months 27 days or 2834 weeks 2 days or 19,840 days or 476,160 hours or 28,569,600 minutes or 1,714,176,000 seconds I'd like a tool that calculates how much time I have left as a average single Canadian Male at this age... suggestions? According to the lifeannuities.com/life-expectancy-table.html It recommends What science says: His routine hits all the right ageing markers For men over 50, experts recommend: Resistance training 3x/week Daily movement Cardio intervals Mobility training Outdoor activity Cold exposure (optional) Putin’s routine naturally hits these markers. Swimming + gym = functional strength Extreme sports = high-intensity stimulus Martial arts = mobility + balance Cold water = metabolic boost It’s not glamorous, but it’s remarkably effective for longevity. Lessons for anyone who wants to age like an athlete, not a spectator Consistency beats intensity Daily movement keeps the system primed. Strength training matters after 50 Muscle is the best anti-ageing tool. Cardio doesn’t have to be boring Swimming, skiing, biking — pick something fun. Cold exposure improves stress tolerance Even a lukewarm post-shower splash works. Adventure keeps the brain young Risk stimulates creativity and confidence. PG

Putin Fitness

He is in great shape but still a midget; This reputation isn’t accidental. Long before the shirtless photos and rugged photo-ops went viral, Putin openly linked his physical routine to mental strength, emotional balance and longevity. In a 2010 conversation with Naomi Campbell for GQ, he spoke with surprising simplicity about how he stays fit: daily movement, structured exercise and discomfort as a lifestyle habit. Unlike celebrities who obsess over bulking, transformation or diet trends, Putin’s approach is old-school: move consistently, push your limits occasionally, and treat fitness as part of identity, not a seasonal project. Putin’s daily routine: Gym for strength, swimming for stamina When Campbell asked for his workout plan, Putin didn’t hesitate: “I go to the gym, I swim daily, and from time to time I meet with friends and do extra-curricular stuff.” The key habits are simple, but important: Strength training in the gym Weight training maintains: muscle mass joint stability balance metabolic rate For ageing men, this is crucial because muscle loss accelerates after 50, contributing to weakness, bone density loss and slower metabolism. Daily swimming Swimming is one of the best ageing-friendly full-body exercises because it improves: cardiovascular health mobility and flexibility lung capacity posture and core stability It’s also low-impact, reducing joint strain, ideal for later decades of life. Putin’s swimming isn’t leisurely; he famously swam the butterfly in a Siberian river in 16–17°C water, which he joked was simply an attempt to get out fast. What’s notable is his embrace of cold exposure, known to: Boost circulation Improve recovery Support mental resilience Increase fat metabolism Cold-water swimming has recently become a global longevity trend; Putin was doing it years before it was fashionable. High-intensity outdoor hobbies: The adrenaline advantage Putin’s interest in outdoor adventure isn’t just optics. Campbell listed his routine: “white-water rafting, motor racing, skiing, hunting.” For older adults, these activities offer major physical benefits: Anaerobic bursts of strength Balance and coordination Heightened reflexes Cardiovascular stress adaptation They also stimulate neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to build new pathways, which declines with age. And psychologically, they provide the one thing most gym workouts don’t: novelty and adrenaline, both linked to active ageing and emotional wellbeing. Martial arts since teen years: A lifelong fitness identity Putin has practised judo since he was 14, not casually, but competitively. Combat sports build: Agility Reaction speed Core strength Spatial awareness Emotional control Long-term martial artists often remain fitter than casual exercisers because their sport becomes a lifelong discipline, not a trend. The value of ego-free competition and resilience Putin claims he has been mostly injury-free, but admits breaking a finger in a student street fight, and frames it as punishment, not heroism. When Campbell teases him about being tough, he refuses the label: “I’m not the tough guy; those guys are.” Whether staged humility or authentic philosophy, the message fits his broader fitness mindset: strength is not domination, it’s endurance. And endurance, in ageing populations, is a survival skill. What science says: His routine hits all the right ageing markers For men over 50, experts recommend: Resistance training 3x/week Daily movement Cardio intervals Mobility training Outdoor activity Cold exposure (optional) Putin’s routine naturally hits these markers. Swimming + gym = functional strength Extreme sports = high-intensity stimulus Martial arts = mobility + balance Cold water = metabolic boost It’s not glamorous, but it’s remarkably effective for longevity. Lessons for anyone who wants to age like an athlete, not a spectator Consistency beats intensity Daily movement keeps the system primed. Strength training matters after 50 Muscle is the best anti-ageing tool. Cardio doesn’t have to be boring Swimming, skiing, biking — pick something fun. Cold exposure improves stress tolerance Even a lukewarm post-shower splash works. Adventure keeps the brain young Risk stimulates creativity and confidence. Putin is one of the few global leaders who treats physical performance as a lifelong commitment, not a midlife experiment. At an age when most people scale back activity, he maintains a routine built on strength, mobility, and challenge, a formula that science increasingly recognises as the foundation of healthy ageing. For anyone looking to stay fit in their 60s and 70s, the message is simple: Lift. Move. Swim. Try hard things. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/fitness/vladimir-putin-73-keeps-a-routine-tougher-than-men-half-his-age/ar-AA1XMwvg

Putin's Fitness Routine

In the 70s, people generally lose their strength, but the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, leads by example, following a demanding routine even at 73. According to Financial Express, Vladimir began his fitness journey at age 11, when he started practicing judo. Over time, Putin developed an interest in martial arts and eventually earned a black belt. Judo helped him stay focused, build discipline, and strengthen his body. The most shocking part of Putin’s routine is that he works out 7 days a week, without a rest day. His daily regimen includes 2 hours of morning swimming sessions, which help him maintain his cardiovascular health. After swimming, another constant ritual in Putin’s life is lifting weights regularly. To increase the level of physical challenges, he got into ice hockey at the age of 60. This choice of sport helps him maintain healthy blood pressure and control his diabetes. A very unique wellness routine followed by the Russian president is contrast bathing. He likes to start his day with alternating hot and cold baths, which help reduce soreness, make him feel more energetic, and aid recovery. In fact, on September 11, 2025, zar.vladimirputin posted a 2015 video on Instagram in which Vladimir was seen indulging in an intense workout session alongside the then-Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev. In the video, the Russian president performed movements such as: Machine Shoulder Press Cable flyers Seated Hip Abduction Chest Press Ab Roller Crunch This highlights that Putin has prioritized his health for many years, which has helped him remain fit in his early 70s. However, there’s another key factor that helps him stay fit and active at his age. Vladimir Putin’s Diet Putin likes to have a clean, simple, protein-dense, and low-sugar diet to maintain his fitness. His diet helps him recover from muscle injuries quickly and provides nutritional support as well. At breakfast, Putin has: A bowl of porridge, Tvorog with honey Raw quail eggs He also enjoys a juice made by combining horseradish juice and beetroot, which provides iron and a lot of vitamins. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/fitness/vladimir-putin-73-keeps-a-routine-tougher-than-men-half-his-age/ar-AA1XMwvg

RUSSIA Losing +30.000 Soldiers Month

From Zelensky; Yesterday, I received a report on the losses of your army on the front in Ukraine during May. Once again, the number exceeded 30,000 Russian soldiers killed and seriously wounded. We have been maintaining that level month after month, and we have video confirmation of every one of your losses – these are not empty claims. We know that 63% of your battlefield losses are killed, while only 37% are wounded. In the 21st century, no army can afford such a ratio. And the share of those killed will continue to grow. It is not as if we in Ukraine are concerned about the fate of Russian soldiers after everything your war has brought to our country. But I do care about Ukrainians. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/05/volodymyr-zelenskyy-open-letter-to-putin-full-text-russia-ukraine-war

Zelensky Letter To Putin

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an open letter to the Vladimir Putin, has called for a face-to-face meeting with the Russian president to end his war against Ukraine. The letter sets out Zelenskyy’s view of the four-year-old conflict and says that while Ukrainians’ resilience remains intact, most Russians have grown weary of its effects and are ready for peace. The Ukrainian president has rarely addressed Putin directly, but has repeatedly called for a meeting with him, saying it is necessary for any agreement on territory. Putin has previously ruled out such direct talks, falsely calling Zelenskyy an “illegitimate” leader and saying he would meet him only to finalise a deal agreed beforehand. Here is the full text of Zelenskyy’s letter, which is published on the president’s website and his office says has been sent to other countries including the US. 4 June 2026 – 21:20 Open Letter To the President of the Russian Federation From the President of Ukraine When you came to power in Russia more than 26 years ago, many people in Ukraine viewed you positively. That is how it was. But that is now in the past. Now, the overwhelming majority of Ukrainians view it positively that our long-range drones paid a visit to the opening of your forum in St Petersburg, covering a distance of more than 1,000 kilometres. As you know very well, that distance is not the limit of our capabilities. Cars near a banner for the economic forum, with black smoke rising in the distance Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg as ‘Russian Davos’ opens in city Read more For 26 years, your time in power has completely changed the agenda of relations between Ukraine and Russia. From discussions about trade and other civilian matters, our nations have moved to talking almost exclusively about strikes and losses. You have spent nearly half of your 26 years in power in Russia waging war against Ukraine. Whatever you may say about Nato, geopolitics, or the Russian language, this war is your personal choice – a war without a real cause. That is how history will remember it. Those years could have been very different. We often hear that you are comfortable with this war. Of course, not in those cases when it comes to the security of your residence in Valdai or your parade in Moscow. Your own life is valuable to you. But now we can all see that Russians are finally becoming less comfortable with this reality – with the fact that the war is bringing more and more negative consequences to Russia. They do not like our drones and missiles. They do not like gasoline shortages and constantly rising prices. They do not like constant restrictions. They do not like your intention to launch a second wave of mobilisation in order to expand the war into another direction in Ukraine or to use it against other countries neighbouring Russia. They do not like the fact that there is no end in sight to your war. Yes, you can still force Russians to exist this way. But your resources are shrinking significantly. You will not have enough money or political capital to keep buying the loyalty of Russians the way you have for the past 26 years. And we will do everything we can to ensure that the world helps bring that moment closer. As you yourself like to say, “we need to run the numbers.” Yesterday, I received a report on the losses of your army on the front in Ukraine during May. Once again, the number exceeded 30,000 Russian soldiers killed and seriously wounded. We have been maintaining that level month after month, and we have video confirmation of every one of your losses – these are not empty claims. We know that 63% of your battlefield losses are killed, while only 37% are wounded. In the 21st century, no army can afford such a ratio. And the share of those killed will continue to grow. It is not as if we in Ukraine are concerned about the fate of Russian soldiers after everything your war has brought to our country. But I do care about Ukrainians.... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/05/volodymyr-zelenskyy-open-letter-to-putin-full-text-russia-ukraine-war

Ukraine Bombing St. Petersburg

Right on NATO's doorstep!!! I lived in Helsinki in some amazing 5 Star Hotels for 10 years btw ... A large-scale Ukrainian drone attack targeted St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, on Saturday morning, with residents told to remain indoors . The strike shows Kyiv's increasing capability to hit deep within Russian territory. St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov specifically warned of potential disruptions to mobile internet services. The latest attacks came a day after Putin on Friday rejected a proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a face-to-face meeting on the four-year-old conflict, saying he sees "no point" in it. Thursday's letter, the first public message Zelensky has written directly to Putin since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, was a sweeping critique of the Russian leader's 26 years in power, as well as some taunts about his age. Regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko claimed 141 drones were intercepted over the Leningrad region, while Russia's Defence Ministry stated its air defences shot down 376 Ukrainian drones. While no casualties were immediately reported, this renewed assault on St. Petersburg delivers a further embarrassing blow to President Vladimir Putin's attempts to portray the conflict as a distant event, detached from the daily lives of Russians. https://www.aol.com/articles/ukraine-hits-st-petersburg-again-140751000.html

Putin Cancels Meeting With Zelensky

Zelensky and Putin really hate each other lol ... https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-putin-speech-petersburg-economic-forum/ Mr. Putin said that he sees “no point” in such a meeting, especially after a May 22 drone attack by Ukraine on a college dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region that Moscow said killed 21 and wounded scores of others. In response to Mr. Zelensky’s barbs about his age and long stay in power, the 73-year-old Mr. Putin pointed at other global leaders who are older, adding that “the main thing isn’t age; the main thing is the ability to work.” Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes loaded with symbolism He also mocked Mr. Zelensky’s rocky Oval Office meeting in 2025 and thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for “educating” Mr. Zelensky “before the eyes of the whole world” and teaching him a proper dress code. “There is still a lot to be done,” he said. Mr. Zelensky acknowledged shifting U.S. priorities, saying it would be wrong to simply wait for the Trump administration to return its attention to ending the fighting in Ukraine while it remains heavily focused on the Iran war. In Washington, Mr. Trump said Thursday it “would be great” if Mr. Putin and Mr. Zelensky meet. Mr. Putin has previously offered for Mr. Zelensky to come to Moscow for talks, an offer that the Ukrainian leader pointedly rejected. Mr. Putin said last month he doesn’t exclude a meeting in a third country, but only when there is a deal to sign. On Thursday, Mr. Putin again rejected Mr. Zelensky’s push for an immediate ceasefire, arguing that Moscow wants a comprehensive settlement, not a temporary truce. Mr. Putin said Russia is open for a compromise on Ukraine in line with understandings reached at his last year’s summit with Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, adding that Ukraine needs to accept them to make a deal to end the conflict. “Naturally, the Ukrainian side would like us to suspend the advances made by Russian troops,” he said. “But it would be better to end the war by agreeing to the compromises that were discussed in Anchorage.” Asked about Iran, Mr. Putin voiced hope for an eventual deal to secure lasting peace. He shrugged off claims that Moscow provided Iran with satellite images, saying that Tehran could use widely available commercial ones. “As for weapons, Iran hasn’t asked us for them and we haven’t supplied any weapons to Iran,” he said, adding that Russia stands ready to take enriched uranium for storage as part of a potential peace deal, and that Moscow has stayed in contact with Iran, the U.S. and Israel.

2 Salvation Amry Churches Merged in Western Newfoundland

Salvation Army Corps in Corner Brook, N.L., Merge The new Corner Brook Community Church unites two congregations. by Abbigail Oliver Two long-standing Salvation Army corps in Newfoundland and Labrador, Corner Brook Temple and Corner Brook Citadel, have officially merged to form the newly established Corner Brook Community Church. In February, the church held its first service with both congregations coming together as one, marking the start of a new chapter for The Salvation Army in Corner Brook. Corner Brook Community Church now operates out of the former Corner Brook Temple building under the leadership of four corps officers, Majors Bertha and Wilbert Abbott and Majors Brian and Valerie Wheeler. According to Majors Wheeler and Abbott, the discussion of a merger had been in the works for many years, driven by a vision of mission effectiveness and resource consolidation. Both corps were relatively small, with 50-80 congregants on a given Sunday. But by sharing financial, leadership and other resources, they could be better positioned for growth. The transition allows the church to enhance its outreach in the community, improve efficiency and ensure a more sustainable future for the Army in Corner Brook. “This merger was meant to bring us together in strength instead of survival,” says Major Brian Wheeler. “We want to build from here and grow together.” According to Major Bertha Abbott, Corner Brook Citadel had an older congregation lacking in youth and youth leadership, and this merger strengthens the future of the corps with more young people involved. “We’re hoping that by joining forces, we’re going to have a stronger identity in the community. We feel positive about this,” she says. “Being unified in the city will make us stronger,” adds Major Wilbert Abbott. “There is an opportunity here to pool our resources and capitalize on the special talents and spiritual gifts of our corps leadership, personnel and congregations.” The inaugural service of Corner Brook Community Church drew a congregation of approximately 120 people from both former corps. The worship service featured music from both corps worship teams and a blended band. “I heard a lot of positive comments about the worship,” says Major Valerie Wheeler. “There were several people at the mercy seat and one man gave his heart to the Lord. To me, that was God saying, ‘I’m here.’ It was affirmation that God is at work in Corner Brook.” To support the transition, efforts were made to incorporate elements of Corner Brook Citadel’s worship environment into the new church. The platform was redesigned to resemble the citadel’s, including bringing over platform chairs and a holiness table. According to Major Brian Wheeler, the goal was to blend the history and identity of both corps, ensuring that all feel welcome and at home in the worship space. Beyond internal unity, the corps officers and leadership teams are prioritizing community outreach. “It’s great to worship together, but our purpose is to reach out and bring new people in,” says Major Wilbert Abbott. “We want to be intentional about training and outreach so we can make an impact beyond the walls of our church.” “We’re looking for that vibrant community—a congregation that has strong discipleship and ministries within the community,” says Major Brian Wheeler. “There’s so much more we can accomplish. I think we need to build on the excitement. We’re in a small enough community that the two Salvation Army corps coming together is news. People hear about it and are curious about it. They’re looking at us, and we have an opportunity to show them who The Salvation Army is in our community.” https://salvationist.ca/articles/salvation-army-corps-in-corner-brook-n-l-merge/

Hulk Hogan RIP

Died @ 71 of Natural Causes... A Real American Hero ... 'Following an exhaustive review of the statements, medical records, surveillance footage from within the residence, and a visual inspection of Mr. Bollea's body, there has been no evidence to indicate the death of Terry Bollea was anything other than natural,' investigators wrote. 'Through the course of the investigation, there has been no evidence to indicate any criminal wrongdoing related to his death.' Investigators spoke to several witnesses - including Hogan's occupational therapist - and reviewed various recordings from the scene. It was initially ruled that he had suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, before passing away at a local hospital. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/police-report-on-hulk-hogan-s-death-is-finally-revealed-nearly-a-year-after-wwe-legend-passed-away/ar-AA24WwcS?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a24943107a6495483365c0f8e6b026d&ei=24&cvpid=6a2562353ef04a38a207ba1ec52720d5

Build Your Personal Brand

I built mine circa 2006 when a California Billionaire asked "Who's that PAYMENTGUY?" So 20 years ago... https://smarter.cnbcmakeit.com/p/how-to-build-a-personal-brand?utm_source=cnbc&utm_medium=makeitarticle&utm_campaign=bottom

Solitude Is Necessary

For your mental health you need constructive Alone-Time: Solitude is also useful for those moments when you feel stuck. Leonardo da Vinci was a contemplative genius, reportedly staring at The Last Supper for hours before adding a single brushstroke and walking away. How to harness solitude for a stronger brain, some hints: There's no definitive guide on the perfect amount of solitude. But, as a general rule, the more time you can spend alone, especially when you really feel like being alone, the better it will be for your brain. 1. Just go Planning a solo trip or retreat can seem daunting at first, with concerns about loneliness or boredom creeping in. But the act of stepping away from your daily routine and immersing yourself in a new environment can be incredibly liberating. It forces you out of your comfort zone, stimulates your senses in unexpected ways, and provides the perfect backdrop for introspection and creativity. 2. Start small Begin with as little as 10 minutes of solitude per day. Find a quiet spot where you can be undisturbed, and use this time to simply sit and breathe. This small step can help ease the brain into a state of relaxation and begin the process of activating the default network. 3. Be selective about your social time Ensure that when you do socialize, it's meaningful, good-quality socializing. Many of us spend time with people we shouldn't — bad friends, frenemies, a toxic family member — but we do it because we feel obliged to. This raises levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the brain, which damages our social circuitry and harms the good-­quality relationships we should be enjoying. 4. Reflect and reassess Use part of your solitude time to reflect on your experiences and feelings. This could involve meditating on your thoughts or even writing them down. The act of reflection helps in processing emotions and thoughts, allowing for a deeper understanding of yourself. 5. Engage in solo activities Do things that are made to be done alone and that encourage mindfulness, such as walking, journaling, or practicing yoga. These activities not only provide the benefits of solitude but also help in grounding you in the present moment, further relaxing the brain. PG Over & Out ...

Genius Loners Flourish

Genius flourishes in solitude: Cognitively speaking, solitude can boost creativity by offering the necessary space for ideas to flourish. Whether it's writing, playing the piano, painting, gardening, praying, or meditating, being alone is often what the brain needs to perform these activities well. In these moments of isolation, the default network is busy forging new synaptic connections, strengthening our skills and ability to absorb new information, and nurturing our creativity more effectively. Some of the most intelligent people enjoyed solitude Many of the world's most successful and intelligent people preferred to be alone. It's a ritual observed by Bill Gates, for example. Twice a year in the early days of Microsoft, the billionaire philanthropist would retreat to a cabin for a week with nothing but a stack of books for company. He called it "Think Week" — a period for reflection, learning, and uninterrupted thoughts. No outside visitors were allowed, including family and employees. During one week, according to The Wall Street Journal, the work he did led to the launch of Internet Explorer in 1995. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB111196625830690477

Why Russia Invaded Ukraine

No Russian thinker has worked harder than Aleksandr Dugin to rationalize the invasion of Ukraine. Long before it started, Dugin came up with a whole philosophical system, known as “neo-Eurasianism,” to explain why Russia, the country with the largest landmass in the world, would need to steal land from its neighbors and kill many thousands of people in the process. His books and lectures on the subject earned him the nickname “Putin’s brain.” That overstates his closeness to the Russian president. But his views reflect the mood among the war’s cheerleaders in Moscow, how firmly they support the conflict, and how they try to justify it to themselves (and everyone else). Judging by Dugin’s most recent pronouncements, they have run out of cogent stories to tell. When Dugin attempted to explain the war’s rationale last week to Ksenia Sobchak, a Russian social-media influencer with millions of followers, he could not make any sense of it. Even a softball question—“What is worth fighting for today?”—led the philosopher down a spiral of inanity so bizarre that Sobchak, long rumored to be the goddaughter of Vladimir Putin, could not listen with a straight face. Dugin’s description of Russia after the war sounded postapocalyptic. “First of all, it’s an image of life on the land,” he said. “It is an enormous exodus from the cities, an almost religious exodus, like the Jews from Egypt.” The cities of Russia, he continued, would turn into “neo-ancient ruins,” and the people would return to living in the countryside, communicating with one another through “an internet of Russian villages, closed off and guarded from the toxic incursions of the enemy.” The Russian state has often forced its people into strange contortions of the mind. By law, Russians are prohibited from publicly calling the war a war rather than a “special military operation,” and Putin has urged them to believe that Ukraine started it. Still, the national capacity for self-deception has its limits, and recent developments suggest that Putin has found them. https://archive.ph/jNjCp#selection-634.0-711.379

Pete Griffin Obituary Tribute

It's Sunday morninng in Western Newfoundland and I was thinking of one of the coolest guys I ever knew @ breakfast. Out of respect will post his Obituary. RIP PG; https://fillatre.ca/tribute/details/10845/Peter-Griffin/obituary.html Peter John Griffin Aug. 13, 1961- Sept. 16, 2021. It is with a heavy heart that we say good-bye to our much loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend; Peter John Griffin. He was known as Peter by family, Pete by friends and Scallywag or Queerstick by his mother. Those of us who loved him remember a man with many passions. He drag raced on the quarter-mile, pushed sleds and motorcycles beyond their limits, cooked the finest cut of meat to perfection and enjoyed the company of his many friends. His strength was legendary and his words unfiltered. He protected those he loved with a fierce devotion. In his company you felt safe. Peter had a deep compassion for anyone who was vulnerable but refused to allow himself the same. He adored his children and held a deep pride for their many accomplishments. He glowed with joy upon the privilege of making them laugh. Peter found his true love. Her adoration knew no limits and her love no bounds. His final days were spent in her arms. He was kind to animals and they were always a part of his life. He made us laugh and cry and had a smile that could light up any room. In the end, he wrestled death like the champ he’s always been, forbidding us to cry and forcing himself to rise again and again. He fought like a warrior until he decided it was time to leave us. Then he passed with a smile on his face. Peter John Griffin leaves to mourn his wife Darlene; his three children: PJ, Stephanie (Carl) and Patrick; his grand-daughter Sophia; his brother Myles (Phyllis); his sisters: Theresa (Peter Straubel) and Patti (Randy Heppell) ; nieces and nephews: Jamie, Leah, Jill, Cheryl and Brady; his dog Spike and many other relatives and friends. He is predeceased by his parents Patrick and Miriam Griffin. Peter’s final resting place will be with his wife and children in Fort McMurray. Rest In Peace My Brother. You're the color of the sky Reflected in each store-front window pane You're the whispering and the sighing of my tires in the rain You're the hidden cost and the thing that's lost In everything I do Yeah and I'll never stop looking for you In the sunlight and the shadows And the faces on the avenue That's the way love is Jackson Browne

3 Viable Self-Defense Moves

Having worked in 6 Bars as a Doorman in Halifax (2 Bars - Misty Moon & Palace) and Newfoundland (PJ's and others owned by Pete Griffin), I know these are effective; https://www.facebook.com/reel/1020346283670774

Men After 50 Are Lonely

Interesting but personally I'm horny as ever lol; On the surface, everything seems normal: A stable job, family, and sometimes even more free time after the children have left home. But beneath the surface, a much more complex reality emerges. A new survey indicates that for many men aged 50 to 70, a sense of emptiness, loneliness, and lack of fulfillment becomes an inseparable part of daily routine. The most prominent figure is the sense of missed opportunity: About 63% of men report that they are not realizing their potential, with one in five experiencing this frequently. This is a deep and ongoing feeling precisely at a stage when many expected to reach stability and satisfaction. Alongside this, about 59% of men report a decline in joy of life and about half note a decrease in sexual desire. These figures reflect a broad impact on the sense of vitality, energy, and quality of life. In addition, about 22% report a feeling of distress or worry that appears often. One of the most worrying findings is the sense of loneliness: About 45% of men testify that they experience loneliness, and about 40% indicate a decline in self-confidence. This is a deep emotional pattern of withdrawal and distancing, alongside a lack of support systems. When comparing men and women, a significant gap becomes clearer. Women do identify the difficulties in their partners, but at a lower intensity. For example, fewer women believe that their partners are not realizing themselves, compared to a much higher rate among the men themselves. This gap indicates that male distress is sometimes hidden from view. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/wellness/the-silent-crisis-of-men-this-is-what-life-looks-like-after-age-50/ar-AA22TgHu?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a24b90d350343ce86d116e4f82abfe1&ei=24&cvpid=6a254d795dfd479e8bb502a5aca4a23f