The Halloween Candy Poisoning Myth

 

The fear that people are passing out poisoned candy is a myth. Parents still are concerned about their children getting poisoned from Halloween candy. The only documented case of a child being killed by poisoned Halloween candy was in 1974. Ronald Clark O' Bryan murdered his son by contaminating his candy with cyanide. The motivation of Ronald Clark was to collect a life insurance policy worth $ 31,000. Law enforcement erroneously thought it was done by a stranger. Despite rare cases of children being poisoned during Halloween, the media created a panic. Parents became terrified, even if the criminal act was not by a random stranger. The majority of crimes that happen on Halloween are either theft or vandalism. Children are at low risk from harm. A random stranger would be caught if they attempted such an act. Assuming they are living at a permanent residence, all an investigator would need to to is retrace the steps of the homes visited. Depending on the number of homes visited it would a large number of suspects. The parents accompanying their children would have seen the faces of those distributing candy. Moral panics are a projection of   anxieties of the public. Regardless of facts, the public will be more responsive to sensationalist news reporting. The hysteria about poisoned candy relates to a myth about Halloween sadism. The myth claims that the holiday sees an increase in crime and depravity. Data does not show that more crime occurs on Halloween. The public continues to believe the Halloween candy poisoning myth, even though criminology discredits it.  

The Democratic Republic of the Congo Seeks Changes To The Constitution

The Democratic Republic of the Congo might be seeking to change the DRC  Constitution. President Felix Tshisekedi revealed a commission is being set up to draft a new constitution.  The argument made is that the current DRC Constitutions has certain flaws. President Tshisekedi asserts that it was originally drafted by foreigners. This was done as a measure to help stabilize the country after the Second Congolese Civil War from 1998 to 2003. The concern by some is that it could extend presidential terms or alter the term limits. The presidency is somewhat limited in comparison to regional governments and parliament. The desire for more centralization could be a means of preventing future civil wars. The M23 rebel attacks evoke memories of previous civil wars. Reforms could also be made in the electoral system. This should not generate condemnation as long as it ensures all citizens can vote. The current DRC Constitution has been used since 2006. A total of six constitutions the DRC has used. The seventh version would probably be used either late 2025 or 2026. This will certainly be a topic of debate in the next presidential election. A new constitution would not be a problem if the intent was known. A pattern with some African nations is that constitutional reforms are a way to extend presidential power. The political opposition rejects the DRC constitutional commission for this reason.   

 

The 2024 BRICS Summit

 

BRICS met for its sixteenth summit in 2024. It was hosted in Kazan, Russia. BRICS is expanding with more nations seeking to join. The challenge is that there are some tensions between some members. Venezuela and Brazil are experiencing a decline in diplomatic  relations. Brazil vetoed Venezuela's entry into BRICS. President Lula Da Silva questioned Venezuela's election results and appears to be drifting further away from President Nicolas Maduro. China and India do have border disputes. The atmosphere was different. Global South nations are asserting their economic independence. Since 2009 BRICS was an informal association of emerging economies in Asia, South America, and Africa. Since then it has become an important factor in the world economy. Attempts made by NATO to isolate Russia internationally were not successful. Seeing as the Russian Federation faces hostility from the European Union, diplomatic ties are sought elsewhere. A growing movement has emerged for creating a new currency and replacing the dollar. African and Asian nations are going to be a great force in the 21st century. Natural resources and a new currency are methods of challenging the dominance of EU countries. More members can be an advantage, but it brings complications. Argentina was set to join, yet reversed it decision. The reason was the country elected a right-wing libertarian President Javier Milei. Saudi Arabia has not taken the offer to become a member. Being a member of BRICS remaining western aligned would be difficult. Most EU countries and the United States see BRICS as an adversary. BRICS could also shield against sanctions unfairly placed on countries from Europe and North America. The 2024 BRICS summit marks an important geopolitical shift.   

Veoh Will Cease Operation

 

Veoh will end its operations in November. The video sharing website was another alternative to users who did not want to use Youtube. Options are becoming limited as it appears video sharing transforms into a monopoly. Those who have Veoh accounts will not lose their uploaded videos. The owner of Veoh known as FC2 inc.  will transfer accounts to its host portal website. Users can opt to not have accounts and data transferred. Veoh launched around 2005, the same year as Youtube. The question remains why did it fail to be a formidable competitor. Certain business decisions, disputes over copyright, and marketing are possible factors. Users are least not likely to try a video sharing service they are unfamiliar with. When Google purchased Youtube, the company got an advantage. Algorithms could be adjusted to feature Youtube at the top of the search engine list. Veoh was accused of copyright violations related to music and various videos. The copyright cases ruled in Veoh's favor that they were taking required steps to stop copyright violations. When it came to marketing, Veoh was not as recognizable. More people would have knowledge about other platforms than Veoh. Attempts to attract content creators were limited. Poor choices related to business resulted in layoffs and filing chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2010. The venture capital arrangements were not utilized to a degree that made the company secure. Veoh could have rivaled Realplayer. The problem was the Veoh Player was prone to glitches and was not that innovative. Although Veoh will no longer exist, its contributions to early video sharing cannot be underestimated. Video sharing has become a major part of the tech industry.  

Sudan's War Induced Balkanization

 

Sudan is balkanizing due to civil war. The Rapid Support Forces control a significant portion of the eastern section of  the country. The RSF is not the only group fighting. The Sudan Liberation Movement and the Sudan People's Liberation army are active in combat. Those two rebel factions control the least amount territory. The Sudan Armed Forces is fighting a war to keep Sudan whole. A victory by the Sudan Armed Forces does not mean liberation from oppression or violence. Sudan is under the rule of a military regime. President  Abdel Fattah al-Burhan will use the civil war as an excuse to maintain power. Even if the RSF is defeated, the military regime will make a justification for restrictions rights and political opposition. President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan at the UN accused the RSF of atrocities, but ignored the army's role in violence. His demand is that the RSF withdraw from the land they have taken if  they want a peace deal. There are indications that the United Arab Emirates and Egypt have some degree of involvement in the conflict. The UAE has been accused of supporting the RSF. Egypt was accused by Mohamed Dagalo of conducting airstrikes on the behalf of the Sudan Armed Forces. What happens in Sudan will effect its neighbors. Large numbers of people are constantly being displaced.  The Sudan Armed Forces continue to fight despite efforts to make a ceasefire. The objectives are to regain lost territory and subdue the RSF. The next step is to take back the capital Khartoum. If the government fails either the RSF takes over all of Sudan or it breaks up into smaller countries. After RSF violence a portion of Sudanese will never accept the RSF as a legitimate government. The map of East Africa could be changed depending on the war's outcome. 

Psychologist Philip Zimbardo' s Perspective on Pornography (2019)

 

Philip Zimbardo (1933-2024) had a long career as a psychologist and educator. He was known for the Stanford prison experiment and being the author of various psychology textbooks for students. Some of his assertions could be debated.  Zimbardo appeared in a video in 2019 claiming pornography is a harmful influence. Philip Zimbardo stated that men are giving up on life and are retreating to a world of virtual reality. His concern is that pornography is warping the minds of men. Pornography has existed since ancient history and this argument is just as old. Normally, it would either be a religious fundamentalist or radical feminist that would be talking about the alleged danger of pornography. Zimbardo claims that pornography consumption makes physical intimacy less satisfying. Zimbardo never cites studies that support the claim men would be sexual failures if they watch pornography. Zimbardo never even questions why some men prefer a virtual world. It is harder for men to have sexual encounters. Establishing relationships has become more difficult. Women reject more men in comparison. If men are not having their sexual needs met then they look elsewhere. Philip Zimbardo also makes the error that sexual intercourse equates to love. Two people can copulate without loving one another.. Philip Zimbardo does not even consider people of different sexual orientations. Philip Zimbardo appears to be blaming pornography for challenges facing young men. Isolation and economic difficulties are making it harder for men to have interpersonal relationships. 

The Challenges Facing President Xiomara Castro

 

Honduras is still recovering from the coup that occurred in 2009. President Xiomara Castro faces both domestic and external challenges. The end of the extradition treaty with the United States signals a major shift. Honduras is asserting its national sovereignty and independence. Latin American nations that are politically left no longer want to align themselves with the United States. The internal affairs of Honduras show that there is internal opposition that does not want change. A video was made pubic which showed her brother-in-law allegedly asking for campaign donations from a drug trafficker. The video is at least a decade old. It was not President Xiomara Castro asking for donations or seeking help from criminal elements. Charges have not been made and no trial has taken place. This has not stopped some who want to see her resign. The National  Anti-Corruption Council appears to be pushing for the president's removal. The National  Anti-Corruption Council has not provided evidence of criminal activity. Without evidence or an investigation the claims are nothing more than accusations. The sudden accusations many suspect are politically motivated. Carlos Zelaya might be guilty of aiding gangs, but nothing in the video suggest President Xiomara ordered the transaction. Speculation also arises that there is a plot  from the United States to have President Xiomara Castro removed. President Xiomara Castro faces internal threats from gangs and the right-wing. The United States is the biggest external threat, seeing as Honduras wants to assert itself in South America.      

The Link Between Alcohol Consumption And Cancer

 

Alcohol has been linked to certain health concerns. While most  know about the damages it can do to the liver, a link to cancers has been reported. The Word Health Organization stated previously there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption. There has been an increase in breast and colon cancer. The new reports suggest that high consumption of alcohol is linked to six different types of cancer. This includes liver, stomach, and esophageal cancer. The disturbing trend  is people under 50 are having higher cancer rates. Drinking  is a part of culinary culture of certain societies. The youth could be harming their health by staring a pattern of overconsumption. The new information also proves the error of previously accepted positions. Medical professionals used to assert that moderate drinking was fine. The claim even held that some alcohol could protect the heart and circulatory system. Some thought alcohol would be a way to prevent cardiovascular disease. New information demonstrates that is false. Alcohol is now reaching the status  cigarettes and cigars. No amount of smoking is safe or healthy. The data continues to show the same for alcohol consumption. This means the effects of alcoholism are more severe than once thought. Oncologists might have to examine alcohol more extensively as a means treating various cancers. The information might not stop people's drinking habits, but it provides a warning of the risk. Nutrition facts and food labeling must be updated to reflect the new health information.  

Israel Invades Lebanon

 

Israel continues to disturb the peace in West Asia. The invasion of Lebanon has opened another front in the Israel-Gaza War. The invasion has nothing to do with fighting Hamas. Hezbollah does show solidarity with Palestinian resistance. This is not designed to undermine the fight against occupation. Israel is seeking to expand its borders. The consequences of fighting both Hamas and Hezbollah gets Israel closer to a full scale confrontation with Iran. The motivation is to become the most dominant power in the Middle East region and clear space for Israeli settlement. Other Arab states should be concerned about growing Israeli aggression. Jordan, Iraq, and Syria are at risk. Saudi Arabia could one day face violence from Israel. Yemen continues to resist with Houthi fighters. The expansion of the war has created a dire humanitarian crisis. Ethnic cleansing and genocide are occurring in both the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank. The violence is part of the Greater Israel project. Although the Movement for Greater Israel ended in the 1970s, the ideas remain. The desire to conquer and replace Arabs with European Ashkenazim Jewish populations. If the war keeps going it may force Arab states to intervene. The citizens of those populations are expressing much anger about the deaths caused by the IDF. Beirut has sustained bombings from Israel. The invasion of Lebanon has only isolated Israel diplomatically. These acts of  military aggression are the start of  a Zionist empire. Lebanon now has to fight to for its sovereignty against an invading nation.      

Turkmenistan And EU Seeking An Agreement On The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform

 

The European Union is seeking more economic ties to Turkmenistan. The diplomatic talks that happened this October focused on the establishment of  the  Coordination Platform. This is designed to make trade through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor more efficient. Other Central Asian and  South Caucasus countries sent diplomats and representatives to the meeting. The agreements focused on development of infrastructure, the transport of cargo, and investment. Part of the objective is to promote economic growth in Central Asia and the EU. The construction of the Coordination Platform is set to launch in 2025. This does have benefits for Turkmenistan, but the concern relates to even distribution of them. Employment should be the first priority related to Turkmen. Wealth that is acquired from the project might not reach the average citizen. It might become part of the Berdimuhamedow family's assets. The country has been ruled by the father and son since 2022. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was president from 2006 to 2022. The power sharing agreement was more of the establishment of co-ruling governance. It is unknown how much influence Serdar has on government. Gurbanguly still remains Chairmen of  the People's Council of Turkmenistan. Economic policy appears to be going in the direction of more investment and  association with the European Union.