Research Suggests Humans Could Live Up To 150 Years

 

The journal Nature Communications made the suggestion that human life span can go up to 150 years. This was determined by the number of step counts and examination of blood cells. What was seen is that blood cells gradually lose the ability to return to a stable condition. There might be a pace of aging and as people age the ability to recover from certain diseases or other events become more complicated. Overtime the body loses biological resilience.  The study however, should be subject to the scientific method. The question remains why has no one reached 150 so far. There are other organisms that outlive humans. Bowhead whales and Greenland sharks can live over 200 years. The oldest person documented is Kane Tanaka. She is currently 119 years old. Jeanne Calment  was 122 when she died in 1997. This would suggest that 150 years would not be attainable by natural means . There is a limitation to human life span. If it were to go any further, some form of life extension technology would have to be utilized.  Those who do live long are of interest to health science and gerontology . Certain habits, environments, and genetics could all be factors in longevity. The study analyzed blood cell counts and number of steps by the samples compiled by age groups. It did not take into account factors such as diet  or if  exercise was part of their daily routine. What can be said with certainty is that cell physiology might have a link to aging and life span. 

Madeleine Albright Supports Sanctions on Iraq (1996)

 

Madeleine Albright (1937-2022)  who served as Secretary of State under the William Jefferson Clinton administration, supported sanctions on Iraq. The sanctions resulted in high amounts of death and a decline in Iraq's living standards. When asked about this in a CBS interview, she stated the price was worth it. Such blatant disregard for human life demonstrates a lack of concern for human rights. Arms embargoes and sanctions against government officials is legitimate. Harming the population is nothing more than an act of warfare. Albright was instrumental in pushing NATO expansion and intervention in the Balkans. The results of this were the bombing  of Kosovo  and  the loss of trust among Russia. This policy of continuing sanctions only made it easier for the Bush administration to launch an aggressive war. Assertive multilateralism was nothing more than a policy of various countries invading others for the sake of geopolitical ambitions. Her image was one of a humanitarian and feminist icon, but her actions were in service to ensuring US hegemony in both Europe and the Middle East. That image was more so a creation of the American press. Iraqis would continue to suffer under sanctions from 1991 to 2003.  

A Sarcophagus Was Discovered Under The Notre Dame Cathedral

 

The restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral has resulted in a discovery. A lead sarcophagus along with other ancient tombs have been found under the floor. This add more to French history and tells more about this iconic building. The church could hold more mysteries than previously thought. The foundation was established in 1163 by Pope Alexander III. These recent discoveries might not have happened if it were not for the fire incident in 2019. Since then, efforts have been made to make repairs to Notre Dame and get it reopened by 2024. The body in the sarcophagus has not been identified. The conjecture is that it might have been a church dignitary. The age of the artifact is estimated to be about 700 years old. Another opening was found below the cathedral floor. Archeologists suspect that has been around since 1230. Fragments of a choir screen were found. Sculptures were also in the area with their plant still intact. More artifacts could be hidden in Notre Dame Cathedral. It is just that it is not possible to get to them all or find them. Visitors will be delighted to see these items if they are put on display for the  reopening.   

The Mystery Around The Location of Joseph Kony

 

Joseph Kony of the Lord's Resistance Army has never been captured. The rebel group  has been active in Uganda, the DRC, South Sudan, and the African Central Republic. Despite warrants for Kony's arrest, finding him has been a challenge. The rebel group has been around since 1987, but the release of Kony 2012 made western audiences familiar with the rebel group. The documentary gave a simplistic analysis of a complex conflict related to the Ugandan Civil from 1986 to 1994. Rebel groups were seeking the removal of the President Yoweri Museveni. The Acholi were an ethnic group that faced persecution by the government. The Lord's Resistance Army formed in response to this. The myth is that the organization wants to liberate all Ugandans and establish democratic rule. The real agenda is to create a state based around their own version of Christian fundamentalism. The LRA is still active, but not as powerful as it was in the 1990s. The sudden interest of the US to capture the warlord is not out of  altruism. The ICC already issued a warrant for his arrest in 2005. The United States wants to have a larger military presence in Africa. This is designed to counter both Russian and Chinese influence in Africa. By acting like it is a humanitarian mission the US can send advisors to the African Central Republic. The Lord's Resistance Army also provides Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni with an excuse to maintain an authoritarian political structure. It has been speculated that Kony is based in the Central African Republic. Nothing is certain, however his activities provide an excuse for abuses by world powers and authoritarian regimes.    

President Maia Sandu Signs Application For Moldova's Membership Into The EU

 

President Maia Sandu has announced she signed a formal application for Moldova's membership into European Union. Sandu has been politically aligned with the West. The question remains how this will benefit Moldova's population. The economic benefits might only be limited to a select few, rather than the majority.  This movement to EU membership is not a new one. Moldova was part of the Soviet Union and became independent in 1991. Most of the former Soviet Republics have either become EU members or joined NATO. The reason for pushing this forward may be due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Rumors of Moldova being dragged into the conflict have been circulating.  There are no indications that Moldova will join NATO in the future. Refugees are coming into Moldova , which shows the war has reach beyond Ukraine. The fear of  invasion by both Belarus and the Russian Federation has been raised as a concern. The unresolved issue of the Transnistria might escalate. The region is attempting to break away and has been aided by Russia. President Maia Sandu must address these concerns. Her response to the conflict was to place Moldova in a state of emergency and close the country's airspace. President Maia Sandu's move to the EU block could put the country at risk in comparison to neutrality. Favoring either a European Union or Russian block has limitations. 

Russia Today Gets Banned In The EU and RT America Shuts Down

 

The Russian state owned international news network is being banned in the European Union. RT America has shut down after ten years in operation. The American staff was dismissed and programs cancelled. The claim is that RT was being used as a platform for spreading disinformation. The motivation behind this ban is due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The channel does provide a Russian perspective, but is also critical of EU and US foreign policy. The channel has produced documentaries regrading the Iraq War and The Afghan War. The ban on media based on its country of origin is more like xenophobia rather than a concern about disinformation. This goes against the values of press freedom and free speech. Viewers should have the right to access multiple sources of information no matter which country it originates from. The purpose of fact checkers is to expose false information. Prohibiting RT is more of a political gesture to express anger with the Russian Federation. Censorship is a threat to free press and this will reverberate. BBC and Voice of America are restricted in Russia. These were steps in retaliation for the RT restrictions .   Disinformation is being used as an excuse for censorship. Ultimately, the consumers of news around the world are put at a disadvantage. With few sources of information,  it becomes difficult to make sense of  of world events. RT still remains on  Facebook and Youtube. 

The Status of The Trial of Jeanine Anez

 

The former interim president of Bolivia is going on trial. She has been changed in being an accomplice in the coup that deposed Evo Morales. Currently, she is being held in prison before the trial. Anez has been there for a total of 11 months. The conservative leader claims she is a victim of political persecution. There is a strong case that she illegally assumed the presidency, which would be a constitutional violation. Other charges include violence directed at the public. Jeanine Anez was not elected she declared herself president in 2019. Losing the elections in 2020, it was clear Anez was not a popular public figure. President Morales was not removed by legal means. He was forced to go into exile in Mexico. The claims of electoral fraud from the OAS report have been questioned regarding Morales' fourth term win. So far, there has not been evidence found that there was electoral fraud in the Bolivian 2019 election. That means the legitimate government was overthrown. Based on this information, Anez would have difficulty proving innocence. Combined with the fact that violence was directed at the indigenous population during the protests, more charges makes it a challenge for her lawyers. A narrative is being created that President Luis Arce is using the trial to strengthen his administration. The armed forces backed Jeannie Anez's seizure of power. Taking power by force and instigating violence are serious and should not be ignored. Whatever the outcome, this could further divide Bolivia. Currently, the trial is suspended. If found guilty, Jeanine Anez faces up to 12 years in prison.