Volvo Uses Blockchain to Track Car Battery… – The News Wheel

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Added on November 29, 2019The News WheelBlockchain , lithium-ion batteries , TechnologyPhoto: Volvo

Following the launch of its first all-electric car, the XC40 Recharge, Volvo has announced it will use blockchain technology to track the use of cobalt in its batteries, the first automaker to do so.

The Swedish company says that traceability of raw materialsused in the production of lithium ion batteries, such as cobalt,is one of the main sustainability challenges faced by car makers.

Blockchain is a digital ledger technology that should, intheory, greatly enhance the transparency and reliability with which the originof a material can be determined.

Developed to support the bitcoin cryptocurrency, blockchain was quickly identified as a method organizations could use to store data that is inherently resistant to modification, such as hacking.

A blockchain is essentially a list of records in which eachblock contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, ensuring that anyoneseeking to maliciously alter a block would have to hack the entire chain,making it highly unrealistic.

Volvo says that in its case, data in each block wouldinclude the origin of the cobalt used in a battery as well as key attributes,such as its size and weight. It would also include the chain of custody andinformation establishing that participants behavior is consistent with OECDsupply chain guidelines.

The automaker is working with Chinas CATL and South KoreasLG Chem, which globally supply its batteries, as well as with leading globalblockchain technology firms to implement this enhanced traceability of cobalt.

We have always been committed to an ethical supply chain for our raw materials, said Martina Buchhauser, head of procurement at Volvo Cars. With blockchain technology we can take the next step towards ensuring full traceability of our supply chain and minimising any related risks, in close collaboration with our suppliers.

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Volvo Uses Blockchain to Track Car Battery... - The News Wheel

Classic Game Book Series to be Revived to Blockchain – PR Web

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LONDON (PRWEB) November 30, 2019

What happens when you combine a team from Eidos, Fable and Microsoft to revive a best-selling game book using the latest trend of technology? Rumours are we'll certainly find out.

'The Way of the Tiger' was a best selling classic in the 1980s, written by award-winning author Jamie Thomson and Mark Smith. It isset in the fantasy world of Orb where the reader takes the part of a youngninjaon a quest toavenge his foster father and recover stolen scrolls. The revived game book is to be renamed 'Arena of Death' and will pit player against player in fantasy card battles, with the same characters, skills and magic of the original series.

The CEO of the new brand, and original authorJamie Thomson, decided to bring the ninja-fuelled, samurai-packed game to blockchain because he believed "It felt like the right time. We were going to relaunch the series into a computer game format but this new technology (blockchain), just made more sense. Imagine playing Magic the Gathering but knowing if you owned a card, it really does belong to you. Or if we say there are only 100 editions of an item or skill, you know there really are only 100 editions".

In the last two years, the concept of owning what are called Non-Fungible Tokens as part of the gaming world, has become increasingly popular with revenues of hundreds of millions. Games such as Gods Unchained and Neon District have taken full advantage of this technology in order to bring more value to cards and items.

'The Way of the Tiger' will launch on the VeChain Thor blockchain, a blockchain which has been largely associated with enterprises and supply-chain management. The blockchain was chosen 'due to its ability to scale, and create our cards and items without having to deal with all the crypto stuff". Jamie is referring to fee delegation utilised by VeChain which removes the need for crypto currency in order to create cards.

'The Way of the Tiger' will be releasing their promotional materials and roadmap December 1st 2019 and looks set to be a top contender for the gaming world in 2020.

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Classic Game Book Series to be Revived to Blockchain - PR Web

What businesses dont know about the dark side of blockchain – TechTalks

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Entrepreneurs should take a cautious look beyond the hype surrounding blockchain and assess the true capabilities of the innovation at this early stage in its development.

In theory, blockchain has enormous potential for business applications. However, once you see beyond the holy grail hype of blockchain theory, you may experience a sobering epiphany.

Since Satoshi Nakamotos 2008 unveiling of the technology, researchers have supported blockchain as a viable security solution in a world where humans are struggling to keep up with technology.

All the numbers add up on a whiteboard, but so far applying the technology as a security solution has proven much more challenging than conceptualizing various use cases.

Hypothetically, blockchain could disrupt information management across a range of industries. The technology can enable enterprises to manage data with heightened efficiency and transparency.

What blockchain currently does well is shift trust from people to technology. However, it will never eliminate the need for human intervention. Any practical application of blockchain must work with some variant of traditional information management.

The decentralized nature of blockchain considerably enhances data security. Also, because blockchain does not incorporate identifying information, its inherently anonymous. Moreover, theres a built-in trust component with blockchain because of the decentralized network of computers needed to resolve its complex algorithms.

In logistics, for instance, supply chain companies could use blockchain to track the movements of goods from manufacturers to the end-user. The technology would also simplify the transfer of shipments.

Alternatively, manufacturers could use blockchain to ensure quality assurance and conduct investigations with ease. Also, blockchain could prove useful for accounting because it protects data from tampering. It produces an audit trail that personnel can trace easily.

In a recent Deloitte survey, 39 percent of responding executives expressed their intent to invest at least $5 million into blockchain development. But is that too much faith in blockchain?

According to Alan Amling, blockchain expert and teaching fellow and University of Tennessees supply chain management program, industry 4.0 technologies, including blockchain, are redefining business processes in the digital economy. Whether $1 million, $5 million, or $10+ million is the right amount of investment depends on the size of the company and the issues and opportunities they need to tackle.

I think blockchain will be one of those Wait wait wait wow, that was fast innovations and companies need to be ready. As standards for public blockchains become implemented, a rising tide will lift all boats. When that happens, you want to make sure you have a boat, he says.

For supply chain and logistics managers specifically, how much trust should they put in blockchain? Amling suggests that companies should trust but verify.

Many companies are taking the pragmatic steps of conducting pilots to understand the technology and the highest payback applications. Now were beginning to see positive ROI use cases appear, especially in private blockchains. However, there are still many blockchain applications that could be better served by existing technology.

The highest payback applications tend to be those that include sharing data with a vast network of parties, where data provenance and audit trails are highly valued, and all parties can agree on the rules for sharing access.

Technology issues aside, theres another problem regarding the commercial application of blockchain technology. Initial coin offerings (ICOs) are a way that businesses can use bitcoin to raise capital.

Blockchain isnt yet a mainstream technologyhowever, plenty of snake oil dealers who use the technology to make billions using fraudulent ICOs. Resultantly, you may want to think twice before staking a corporate claim on the bitcoin landscape.

So far, the blockchain vertical isnt delivering as desired. Of 43 major blockchain ICOs, not one has successfully created a product, and according to the first annual Cryptocurrency Anti-Money Laundering Report, cybercrimes executed using digital coin exchanges surged from $125 million to $356 million in just six short months in 2019.

In theory, blockchain is a phenomenal innovation. In practice, however, the technology isnt entirely living up to its reputationat least not yet.

The blockchain industry is still in its beginning stages. Resultantly, enterprises have yet to develop ample best use cases for the technology.

However, companies that experiment with blockchain without a quantifiable definition of success will fail to reap a return-on-investment, according to a report published by McKinsey and Company business consultancy. Accordingly, decision-makers must determine why they are investing in blockchain development before beginning research.

For some enterprises, the studies conducted by their industry competitors provide a foundation to begin with. For answers, stakeholders can examine the limited research and development information of their industry peers. While there is limited data available, some early adopters have at least established the relevancy of the technology for their vertical.

Also, its not necessary for blockchain to replace human mediators to generate value. A blockchain-powered future will most likely always require human mediatorsalbeit in a diminished capacity. For now, blockchain provides value in that it reduces costs, rather than completely transforms enterprise business models.

Furthermore, analysts forecast that the deployment of blockchain at scale is still years away. To date, companies have found a considerable challenge in scaling up to a full-size live environment where humans still have sufficient control over transactions. In this matter, theres a valid cause for blockchain research and development for most enterprises.

Around the world, business leaders want to know how they can leverage blockchain to gain a competitive advantage. Despite obstacles, blockchain technologists are making remarkable research and development breakthroughs.

Companies such as American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Goldman Sachs have all invested in blockchain R&D. In the automotive industry, manufacturers are researching blockchain deployments for autonomous vehicles, electric-powered mobility, and other applications.

The Toyota Research Institute, for instance, is leading in research for using blockchain to decentralize the trade of autonomous vehicle data. A breakthrough in this area will make it impossible for dealers to rollback odometer mileage.

In aviation, Airbusas part of the Hyperledger Consortiumresearched blockchain for jet plane part tracking, and Air France is conducting blockchain research to track maintenance supply chains and workflows.

Maersk is researching blockchain for logistics monitoring, and in telecom, industry leaders are researching ways to deploy blockchain to manage the rapid proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

The IoT universe is expanding rapidly, but security for the network of connected devices lags far behind. Meanwhile, Cisco is experimenting with blockchain as a way to verify the identity and trustworthiness of IoT devices.

Recent years have resulted in a fast upshift of blockchain research and development activities. Analysts forecast this trend will continue.

Rather than conduct pure experimentation, however, enterprises now want to learn how to extract strategic value from the technology. As more studies conclude, blockchain will most likely go mainstream as researchers produce clear and tangible results that they can relay to non-technical executive managers.

As the race to leverage blockchain wages on, more organizations with aligned interests will join forces to figure out how to make use of the technology. Very soon, the bodies of work resulting from blockchain R&D will enable enterprises to address critical pain points and compete on yet another tear of technological excellence.

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What businesses dont know about the dark side of blockchain - TechTalks

Using the power of blockchain to combat deepfake videos – Open Democracy

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Dr. Alexander Adam shares more insights on how deepfakes can be counteracted with the help of AI. Machine learning algorithms are great at recognising patterns in large amounts of data. ML can provide a way to detect fake audio from real audio by using classification techniques that work by showing an algorithm large amounts of deepfake and real audio and teaching it to distinguish the difference in the frequency composition between the two.

For example, by using image classification on the audio spectrograms you can teach an ML model to spot the difference. However, as far as I am aware no out-of-the-box solution exists yet.

Adam continues: In part, this may be because audio deepfake hasnt been regarded as being as much of a threat as video deepfake. Audio deepfake are not pitch perfect and you should be able to tell the difference if its tailored to a specific person that you know.

That said, interference across phone lines or staging general outside background noise could probably be used to mask a lot of this. And as there has been so much high profile media attention on deepfake videos, the public is perhaps less aware of the potential risks of audio deepfake. So, if you have a reason to be suspicious, you should always validate its who you think it might be.

How is the future shaping up in this regard? We expect that the creation and use of audio deepfake for malicious purposes will increase in the coming years and become more sophisticated.

This is because there is a better understanding of machine learning models and how to transfer what was used on one model to another person and train it quickly. But, its worth noting that as the generation of deepfake content gets better, typically so do the detection methods, concludes Dr. Alexander Adam.

Modex BCDB, a new take on blockchain technology

Currently, the majority of blockchain solutions present on the market are oriented towards blockchain as a service, limiting themselves to a rigid view and application of the technology. A company or the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of a company can come to the realization, after a bit of study that their business can solve several issues and streamline back-end processes by implementing blockchain.

The problem is that in order for a company to implement blockchain technology only through its own tech team, they need to invest a significant amount of time and resources to study what type of blockchain is most suited for their needs, and commence a lengthy process of learning the development specificity of the respective blockchain, as well as scouting for developers proficient in the technology.

Modex BCDB is a new take on blockchain technology which removes the need to invest resources in blockchain training and facilitates fast adoption of the technology in businesses. The solution proposed by Modex is a middleware that fuses a blockchain with a database to create a structure which is easy to use and understand by developers with no prior knowledge in blockchain development.

As a result, any developer who knows to work with a database system can operate with our solution, without needing to change their programming style or learn blockchain. Through our blockchain component, Modex BCDB is able to transform with minimal changes any type of database into a decentralized database which holds the same valuable characteristics inherent to blockchain technology: transparency, increased security, data immutability, and integrity.

Modex BCDB doesnt work by deleting the existing database or data entries. The database is maintained intact throughout the process, data integrity is ensured by calculating the metadata of the records and storing it on the blockchain.

The system does not restrict access to the blockchain or to the database, so when a developer needs to make a reporting or ETL transformations, they can perform warehouse analytics by accessing the database directly. This is because Modex BCDB has been purposely designed to be agnostic. With our solution, clients are able to set up a network, regardless of the type of database employed. In a consortium, each company can maintain what type of database they prefer and connect them through a blockchain-powered network to ensure cohesion while protecting corporate interests.

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Using the power of blockchain to combat deepfake videos - Open Democracy

‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Roger Ver Supports Arrested Ethereum Dev, Calvin Ayre Accuses Him of Treason – U.Today

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The former Bitcoin Jesus Roger Ver tweeted to supportthe Ethereum research team member Virgil Griffith. He has beenarrested for travelling to North Korea in April this year to partake in the local blockchain and cryptocurrency conference wherehe reportedlyshowed the audience how the Ethereum blockchain could be used for averting the impact of the US sanctions.

Roger Ver tweeted:

People opposing sanctions are opposing war.

In the comment thread, the venture investor Calvin Ayre who is a major supporter of the Bitcoin SV chain and the self-proclaimed Satoshi Craig Wright wrote that Roger Ver is going against his own government and that is normally considered treason. With capital punishment to follow, he adds.

Calvin Ayre and Roger Ver are on the opposites sides of the war field, since back in November 2018, Ayre supported Craig Wright in conductingthe Bitcoin Cash hard fork and the Bitcoin SV creation. That event made the Bitcoin price plunge and caused a long lasting bloodbath in the crypto market.

Virgil Griffith was arrested by FBI for providing data to North Korea on how to evade the US sanctions.

The press release from the US authorities states:

As alleged, Virgil Griffith provided highly technical information to North Korea, knowing that this information could be used to help North Korea launder money and evade sanctions. In allegedly doing so, Griffith jeopardized the sanctions that both Congress and the president have enacted to place maximum pressure on North Koreas dangerous regime.

Earlier this year, when Griffith announced his intention to go to the conference in North Korea and asked whether anyone wanted to join him, Vitalik Buterin replied to him: Enjoy.

A prominent Tron supporter and the CCO of BeatzCoin, Misha Lederman, assumes that the current situation may do serious harm to the reputation of Ethereum which will be hard to correct.

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'Bitcoin Jesus' Roger Ver Supports Arrested Ethereum Dev, Calvin Ayre Accuses Him of Treason - U.Today

The cost of freedom: Daughters of the American Revolution honor local patriots – Chicago Daily Herald

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The Daughters of the American Revolution -- made up of those who can trace their lineage to early Americans who contributed to the Revolutionary War effort -- once had the reputation of an over-the-hill social club, members of a local chapter admit.

"I think most people thought it was just a bunch of old ladies sitting around drinking tea and having cookies," said Jane Gregga, of Elk Grove Village, who has been a member of the Arlington Heights-based Eli Skinner chapter for 15 years. "But we really are a service organization."

Take their involvement earlier this month in a Stand Down event, where chapter members gave away 700 winter hats to homeless veterans. Many of the hats were handmade by the Daughters working on an assembly line of sewing machines during a recent meeting.

And three or four times a year they deliver carloads of cookies to veterans at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago.

But perhaps one of their biggest volunteer efforts in years is a current undertaking to place wreaths on the graves of all veterans and first responders in Elk Grove Cemetery, and an associated history project that will detail the life stories of all 300 or so people laid to rest in the historic cemetery.

It fits in well with the Daughters' stated goals: to encourage patriotism, preserve American history and promote the education of children.

"It's important that the memories of those that helped found our country and fight for our freedom are not forgotten," said Gregga, who is coordinating the project with chapter regent Mary Arvidson. "We want children to understand what freedom costs. To have an event like this at a cemetery with veterans from pretty much every war -- it's a great teaching opportunity."

Gregga suggested her local Daughters chapter -- which numbers 180 strong -- sponsor a local wreath-laying ceremony in conjunction with Wreaths Across America, which promotes similar events at cemeteries in all 50 states. This fall, she led an online campaign to collect donations for 50 some wreaths at $15 a piece.

What better place to host the ceremony than Elk Grove Cemetery, she thought, since it is the resting place of the local chapter's namesake, Eli Skinner, one of two Revolutionary War patriots buried there.

Skinner, who died in 1851 at the age of 90, enlisted in the Massachusetts militia at 14, and because of his young age, was given the task of playing the flutelike fife instrument as soldiers marched into battle. He didn't arrive in Elk Grove until the end of his life, settling in the area for its good farmland.

The other colonial-era veteran, Aaron Miner, was in the Connecticut militia, who died in 1849 at the age of 92.

He is the namesake of a local chapter of the Children of the American Revolution. Members of that group, with the Sons of the American Revolution and Elk Grove VFW Post 9284, will also be participating in the wreath-laying ceremony at noon Saturday, Dec. 14.

Local historians believe Skinner and Miner are the only two known Revolutionary War veterans buried in Cook County, which underscores the historical significance of their final resting place: a tiny cemetery of some 300 graves tucked in between a Nicor gas pipeline, Arlington Heights Road and the Jane Addams Tollway.

It's a history that has captured the attention of Arvidson, who -- as an outgrowth of the wreath-laying campaign -- decided to dig into online databases, library records and newspaper archives to find out as much as possible about all those buried there.

The graveyard, which dates to the 1830s, is a who's who of Elk Grove history -- with names like Busse and Cosman -- but little is known about many of the others buried there. Arvidson found obituaries for about 100 people but says she still has more work to do. She eventually hopes to give the Elk Grove Historical Society and the private association that maintains the cemetery a binder with a page about each person.

"The survival of that cemetery is a miracle in and of itself when you discover that little piece of land holds an incredible amount of history," she said.

Arvidson, a retired Navy master chief from Palatine, began scouring records to find how many of those buried served in the military and law enforcement, so the Daughters would know how many wreaths they needed.

Her search yielded about 50, including two unknown soldiers, who are unnamed. Arvidson believes they may be veterans of the Civil War or Spanish-American War.

They, like all the others, will receive special treatment during the Dec. 14 ceremony, when volunteers and any known descendants and relatives will mark the graves with the memorial evergreens.

"We'll say the name of person, and stop for a moment, so they are remembered," Arvidson said.

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The cost of freedom: Daughters of the American Revolution honor local patriots - Chicago Daily Herald

Bostons Freedom Trail guides are staging their own rebellion – The Boston Globe

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The guides, who work for a nonprofit foundation, got so fed up with their working conditions that they voted to unionize in February. Their main demands: the ability to use microphones, to cancel tours during bad weather, and to call in sick without feeling they have to find their own replacements.

Whats more, their base pay $45 for a 90-minute public tour hasnt increased in 12 years, the guides said.

With the frigid New England winter approaching, improving their working conditions is an increasingly pressing matter. But as negotiations stretch into their ninth month, little progress has been made.

Unionization has been part of this country since the beginning, guides point out. Their union, the Bellringers Guild, is named for the workers association Paul Revere helped create in the mid-1700s when he was a bell ringer at the Old North Church.

How are we going to be talking about the Boston Tea Party and people overthrowing this oppressive authority without doing it ourselves? said Margaret Ann Brady, a 12-year guide who plays Mary Clapham, a widow who ran a boarding house near the Old State House.

Suzanne Taylor, executive director of the Freedom Trail Foundation, which employs the guides, did not directly respond to questions regarding the unions complaints, but she said in a statement that the foundation has been and continues to negotiate with our employees in good faith in order to reach an agreement for an initial collective bargaining agreement. We respect their right to collectively bargain and to free speech as we continue to work towards an agreement.

The tour guides are part of a wave of workers who have reached out to Unite Here Local 26 on their own in recent years, said spokeswoman Tiffany Ten Eyck. Millennials and professionals are bringing new energy to a movement that used to be largely working class. Public support for unions is at a 15-year high, according to Gallup, bolstered by a string of high-profile strikes, including Unite Heres national Marriott strike of 2018 that resulted in historic gains for Boston hotel workers.

The 30-plus guides work year-round, taking visitors to 16 historic sites along the 2 -mile Freedom Trail, including Paul Reveres house and the site of the Boston Massacre. During peak times, there might be more than 14 tours a day, with groups ranging from as small as one or two people in the winter to 50 during the summer.

More than 4 million people tour the trail every year, according to the foundations website, and the numbers keep growing. This year, some 21 million people will visit Boston, up 1 million from last year, according to the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau. And as the size of the tours grow, so does the pressure on guides. And that includes straining their voices to be heard over the din of a noisy city.

Providing portable microphones would solve this, the guides say, but the foundation owns only four and is reluctant to let guides use them. The nonprofit says it takes away from the historical experience.

The idea is absurd because if [visitors] cant hear, that takes them out of the experience, said Emma Wiegand, who has been a guide for four years and portrays Lydia Mulliken, the fiancee of Samuel Prescott, a doctor who was part of Paul Reveres midnight ride.

The honking horns and Dunkin Donuts shops along the trail also arent historically accurate, the guides point out.

Many of the professionally trained guides have side jobs, but the Freedom Trail work is often their primary source of income. In addition to stagnant base pay, they say, discounted tickets also take a toll. Guides receive $2 for each full-price ticket sold on public tours after the first 10 people, but they get only $1 when guests buy reduced-price tickets.

Between April and October, Wiegand estimated, she has lost $407 from discounted tickets.

Guides are also calling for clearer policies for canceling tours when theres lightning or extreme cold or heat. When Tim Hoover started giving tours in 2009, he said, guides were allowed to cancel tours when the temperature dipped below 20 degrees. But they no longer have that discretion.

The foundation directors response: We try not to cancel tours.

Working outside in foul weather can also lead to people getting sick, and tour guides said they are expected to find their own replacements when they are ill. As if thats not hard enough, they said, they are also expected to be entertaining.

You have to walk through freezing rain and make jokes about Benjamin Franklin, said Anna Waldron, a former Freedom Trail tour guide who said management made her come into work when she couldnt find a substitute.

The foundation abides by the state sick time law, Taylor said, which forbids employers from requiring employees to find their own replacements.

The tour guides arent asking for much, said Local 26s Ten Eyck just consistent policies that will preserve their health and safety and its offensive that the Freedom Trail Foundation isnt being more responsive.

In the meantime, guides have used their expertise in history and entertainment to spread awareness about their contract fight. Over the summer, they handed out fliers reading: We cant wait to tell you about the enslaved man who spearheaded smallpox inoculation. . . . We would just prefer to not be sick while doing it.

The guides emphasized they wouldnt be doing this if they didnt love their jobs.

We want to make this the best possible workplace for everyone, Brady said. We want the foundation to succeed.

On a recent sunny day, guide Gabriel Graetz , who plays renowned Colonial-era painter John Singleton Copley, led a tour of 40 people through the centuries-old downtown streets.

Part of being in a living, breathing city is you might get run over, he said, ushering the group to the side of the footpath as a large truck drove onto Boston Common.

Tereza Jurikova , a coordinator of educational tours in Prague, was impressed with what she saw.

I admire the dedication and enthusiasm, she said of Graetz. It seems like the hardest tour guide job Ive encountered anywhere during my travels.

Maysoon Khan can be reached at maysoon.khan@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @maysoonkhann. Katie Johnston can be reached at kjohnston@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ktkjohnston.

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KALEV: Netanyahu’s Indictment Could Be A Game-Changer For Freedom Of The Press – The Daily Wire

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Last week, Israeli prosecutors charged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with three counts of corruption. At the core of the indictment is an accusation that Netanyahu accepted bribes in the form of positive press coverage (or more precisely, reduction in negative coverage). In exchange, Netanyahu allegedly advanced the interests of two powerful Israeli media organizations.

The unprecedented designation by prosecutors of press coverage as a currency for bribery has far-reaching implications on the freedom of the press, and could curtail journalists ability to report the truth.

For example, the morning after Netanyahus indictment, several prominent journalists and editors called for Netanyahus immediate resignation, thereby creating public pressure for his removal. If Netanyahu resigns, and one of those journalists later receives some sort of benefit from the new government, such as an exclusive interview, then according to last weeks precedent, that journalist could be exposed to charges of bribery.

Another challenge to freedom of the press that arose from last weeks indictment relates to journalists complex, multi-layer relations with their sources a process that certainly includes a lot of give and take. A journalists interaction with sources, including politicians, is now suddenly under scrutiny criminal scrutiny! With such restrictions, it is possible that many journalists headline-grabbing exposures, such as Watergate, would have not been uncovered.

There are those in Israel who dismiss this by arguing that the indictment has nothing to do with freedom of the press, but rather with Netanyahus corruption. For decades, alas, Israeli prosecutors and investigators sought to find wrongdoing by Netanyahu and his family. This is the best they could come up with, explained one commentator about the prime ministers indictment. Decades of searching for misconduct now resulting in such a bizarre charge could paradoxically be interpreted by some as a testament to Netanyahus integrity. Indeed, many around the world were quick to condemn the Israeli prosecutors action. For example, Mark Levin tweeted: Ive carefully reviewed these charges and theyre outrageous. This is an assault on freedom of the press and the investigation was corrupt.

But there is also another side to the story. Israel is a hub for global innovations: Turning air into water, saving lives through medical breakthroughs, generating cutting-edge ideas that alter long-held beliefs. In this realm, perhaps the revolutionary treatment of press coverage by Israeli prosecutors, who are revered around the legal world for their high professionalism, awakens the issue of the power of the press and brings it for debate in the global public square.

After all, the media shape peoples minds. Why should it not be held accountable? Should journalists and media outlets be investigated about what really motivates their coverage? For example, the BBC, which influences millions of British citizens, has long been perceived to have a positive bias toward the European Union (EU) and to give negative coverage to the Brexit campaign. It was then revealed that the BBC has allegedly been the recipient of millions of Euros from the EU. Similar realities exist with other news outlets around the world. Some are open about their bias and are even proud of it.

Decisions by journalists and editors can make or break the careers of politicians and influence the outcomes of elections. Nowhere is this more paramount than in the case of Netanyahu, who, along with his family, has been a subject of a smear campaign by the Israeli media for over 25 years now. The negative press has been so extreme that even Netanyahus arch-rival, Arab Joint List Knesset Member Ahmed Tibi, who was a close associate of PLO leader Yasser Arafat, came to Netanyahus defense in 2010. Tibi denounced what he labeled the inhuman treatment of Netanyahus wife. In an emotional speech from the podium of the Knesset, he stated: I will do whatever it takes to unseat you, but will never use attacks on your wife and family to do so.

With media outlets deploying their enormous power to achieve their objectives, such as to unseat Netanyahu or to reject Brexit, perhaps Israeli prosecutors taking the lid off the sanctity of the freedom of the press should not be brushed off so quickly.Granted, there are other problematic aspects of Netanyahus indictment, such as the allegation of selective enforcement (many politicians received positive coverage, but none were indictment). Alan Dershowitz, for example, argued earlier this year that to bring down a duly elected prime minister on the basis of an expansive and unprecedented application of a broad and expandable criminal statute, endangers democracy.

No matter what one thinks about the merits of the indictment, one thing is clear: A historic debate about the freedom of the press has been launched.

Gol Kalev analyzes trends in Zionism, Europe and global affairs. For more of his articles: europeandjerusalem.com.

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This government must be held to account on press freedom. It’s not to be taken lightly – The Guardian

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This year, for a brief moment in the history of Australian journalism, every significant news organisation in this country put its competitive instincts and its differences to one side and united as one voice to stand against an unacceptable step down the road to authoritarianism. Authoritarianism unchecked can lead to fascism. Fortunately in this country were a long way from that yet, but a study of history amply demonstrates how fascism begins. Freedom is usually eroded gradually. It might happen over years, even decades. Its loss is not necessarily felt day by day, but we will certainly know when its gone.

So far the Morrison government has resisted the industrys appeal for fundamental protections of a free and robust press to be enshrined in legislation at the very least not placing journalists above the law but enshrining in a practical and meaningful way their special place as a crucial pillar of democracy.

Perhaps the government is intending to wait us out, waiting for the issue to go away in the hope that most people in this country are so consumed by bread and butter issues, so consumed by their own lives and personal struggles and challenges, that they wont care enough, when the chips are down, to support something as abstract as the spirit of democracy or the spirit of freedom because you cant cash in the spirit of something at the bank, as you might a tax cut.

So far the Coalition has resisted the industrys appeal for fundamental protections of a free and robust press

That is why we have to remain resolved to keep this campaign going, and not let it go, even after a few months, because those of us who have witnessed and experienced and reported on repression in other countries, some of them not too far from our own shores, understand the solid reality of democracy as well as the strength or weakness of its spirit. Some of our colleagues have paid the ultimate price for exposing abuses of democracy, and lost their lives.

Australias foreign minister, Marise Payne, recently chastised China on its human rights record, observing that countries that respect and promote their citizens rights at home tend also to be better international citizens.

I would add to that: countries that dont respect and promote their citizens rights at home are living in glass houses and have diminished their right to be taken seriously when they try to preach to neighbours from a high moral ground they have surrendered.

This also comes at a time when the spirit of freedom of information laws, if not the letter, is being abused and there are more allegations of corruption being investigated officially than ever before.

Theres another inconsistency that needs to be called out. This government is fond of saying, as it did in seeking to distance itself from the decisions by Australian federal police to raid the ABC and the home of News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst that it cant interfere in police operational matters. Yet, in seeking to assuage the concerns of media companies and journalists after the raids, the attorney general, Christian Porter, promised that he would actually be prepared to become involved in the process to the extent of insisting on the director of public prosecutions getting his personal consent before seeking to prosecute a journalist.

Sorry Mr Porter, that is not reassuring. The judgements you might bring to bear will not be independent of the governments own self-interest, and we all know that self-interest of any stripe, political or otherwise, can be a powerful deterrent from doing the right thing. That is not understanding the spirit or the concept of free speech, nor materially guaranteeing free speech or a free press.

But we have to practice what we preach. Our work across the breadth of all media and all communities should speak for our integrity from the smallest story to the biggest. Individually and collectively. And if it doesnt that should make us uncomfortable, in the very least. Because if we are going to stand on our dignity and defend press freedom as a fundamental pillar of democracy, then we have to be sure that our actions are defensible, that we do what we say we do. And at the heart of the Walkley Foundations work is the protection and promotion of integrity in journalism.

There is one other issue I want to acknowledge tonight. In 2011 Walkley judges awarded a Walkley to Wikileaks, with Julian Assange as its editor, for its outstanding contribution to journalism. The judgement was not lightly made that Assange was acting as a journalist, applying new technology to penetrate the inner workings of government to reveal an avalanche of inconvenient truths in a global publishing coup. Those inconvenient truths were published far and wide in the mainstream media. As we sit here tonight, Julian Assange is moldering in a British prison awaiting extradition to the United States, where he may pay for their severe embarrassment with a life in prison. Again, this government could demonstrate its commitment to a free press by using its significant influence with its closest ally to gain his return to Australia.

Another challenge our industry faces is the trend towards the polarisation of our craft the attempts by some to paint us as either of the left or of the right which has to be resisted, because I firmly believe that for the vast bulk of us, that is not how we practise our trade. We do not arrive in the nurseries of journalism as budding ideologues of left or right, nor do the vast bulk of us become that way as we develop.

I absolutely reject the Roger Ailes view of the world, that if youre not on the right then you must be on the left.

For journalists to call out the powerful of any political colour for their abuses of power is not about ideology. It is simply journalists doing their job, practising their craft.

Adele Ferguson was not reflecting some personal ideological hatred of capitalism when she called out corrupt behaviour within our banking and financial sector, forcing a royal commission on a reluctant government. And nor were the whistleblowers who helped her being ideological. They saw a wrong and followed their conscience with great courage to reveal it, paying a heavy personal price in the process.

There was nothing ideological about Chris Masters determination to bring into the light of day serious and deeply disturbing allegations of war crimes by elite Australian military forces in Afghanistan, first in his book and then with Nick McKenzie in further sustained investigative reporting. It was strong, compelling journalism of integrity.

When Hedley Thomas gripped the world with his Teachers Pet podcast, forced the re-opening of the Lynette Dawson case, leading to the arrest of her husband, was he driven by ideology? Of course not.

Or when Anne Connolly forced another royal commission, into aged care, with her exposes of the sickening abuses within that industry?

Joanne McCarthy wasnt under instruction from some secret socialist cell or driven by a hatred of Christianity when she exposed the pattern of endemic sexual abuse and attempted cover-ups perpetrated from within the Catholic church in the Hunter region.

Kate McClymont wasnt acting as a servant of either the conservative right or the Labor left when she doggedly and courageously exposed the entrenched corrupt practices of Eddie Obeid.

Abuse of power is abuse of power, no matter who the abuser is. Corruption in this country is corruption, no matter who the corrupt are, no matter what their politics.

This is a time of serious challenge for our craft across a broad front, at a time when democratic societies like ours are losing their trust in institutions pretty much across the board. The integrity reflected in the work were about to celebrate tonight is our bulwark against that erosion of trust and a reminder not only to the citizens of this country, but importantly to ourselves, of what were capable of, and of what we aspire to be.

Thank you.

Kerry OBrien is a journalist, former editor and host of The 7.30 Report and Four Corners on the ABC, and chair of the Walkley Foundation. This is an edited version of his opening speech for the Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism in Sydney on Thursday

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This government must be held to account on press freedom. It's not to be taken lightly - The Guardian

Hong Kong: Sometimes you have to fight for freedom – The Times

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November 28 2019, 12:01am,The Times

Richard Lloyd Parry

We in the West have no right to condemn the violence of protesters facing tyranny

We like our moral heroes to be cuddly, as well as brave, and for the first few months the democracy protesters of Hong Kong met both of these requirements. There were those immense peaceful processions in which dear old men with walking sticks marched alongside mums with pushchairs. There were the touchingly young and skinny leaders, such as Joshua Wong: earnest, bespectacled and well behaved. A million Davids stood up against the Goliath of the Chinese state and people around the world cheered until, in the past few weeks, it all started to turn nasty.

Banned by police from holding mass demonstrations, the wholesome family groups have yielded to a smaller corps of increasingly violent young protesters. They hide their faces behind masks and

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BILL TINSLEY: Be thankful for freedom, and use it wisely – New Castle News

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When we think of Thanksgiving, we usually think of Pilgrims and Indians gathered for a harvest feast at Plymouth, but it was Abraham Lincoln who gave us Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

Prior to Lincoln, each state celebrated Thanksgiving on different dates according to the discretion of each states governor. In 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, Lincoln issued a presidential proclamation for a national day of Thanksgiving.

After noting the many blessings of God in spite of the Civil War with all its suffering and severity, Lincoln wrote in his proclamation, No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

We must never take the blessings of God for granted. He holds every nation of every age accountable. We cannot descend into the chasms of corruption, deception, anger, prejudice, arrogance, greed and immorality and expect Gods blessings to remain upon us.

Jeremiah counseled, Thus says the Lord, Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood If you will not obey these words, I swear by Myself, declares the Lord, that this house will become a desolation. Did not your fathers eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He pled the cause of the afflicted and the needy; then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me? declares the Lord (Jeremiah 22:3,5, 15-16).

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Thomas Jeffersons words are inscribed on the Northeast Portico of the Jefferson Memorial: Can the liberties of a nation be secured when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my nation when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever.

In an interview with Jeremiah Greever, Eric Metaxas, author of Bonhoffer and If You Can Keep It, reflected on the failure of the German church to confront and oppose the rise of totalitarianism under Hitler. He referred to Alexis de Toquevilles assessment concerning America in 1835, Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith despotism may govern without faith, but liberty cannot.

As we enter the 2020 presidential election, it is important that we approach this Thanksgiving with humility, gratitude and prayer that as individuals and a nation we might fulfill Gods will in our treatment of one another and the nations of the earth.

(Bill Tinsley has served as pastor, church planter and missions executive. In 2009 he launched the Tinsley Center, LLC to promote authentic faith that changes lives. He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, with his wife, Jackie. Email Bill at bill@tinsleycenter.com.A Thanksgiving Gift: Bill Tinsleys devotional book, Authentic Disciple: Sermon on the Mount free eBook on Amazon Nov. 26-30. Email bill@tinsleycenter.com.)

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BILL TINSLEY: Be thankful for freedom, and use it wisely - New Castle News

Tory claim about the cost of freedom of movement "illiterate" and "xenophobic", say experts – Scram News

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Can you spot a Tory election lie?

Experts have blasted a Conservative Party claim that maintaining freedom of movement would cost the UK millions of pounds.

Writing on Twitter, university academics have contradicted a Tory claim that Corbyns plan to continue free movement with EU countries would cost the Department of Work and Pensions over 4 billion in extra benefit costs over the next 10 years.

Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics at Kings College London said the Tory claims were economically and statistically illiterate.

He said: The governments own analysis shows that EU migrants contribute much more than they claim in benefits and that reducing EU migration means higher taxes or lower public spending.

Meanwhile, Steve Peers, Professor of EU, Human Rights and World Trade Law at the University of Essex said:

Were back to Vote Leave style misleading and xenophobic claims about EU27 citizens and benefits.

Yesterday, we reported that Vote Leave director and Johnson enforcer Dominic Cummings was encouraging Tory activists to hammer a xenophobic, anti-immigration line on the doorstep.

Join the fightback against this scaremongering.

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Tory claim about the cost of freedom of movement "illiterate" and "xenophobic", say experts - Scram News

Supplement industry news and updates November 2019 – New Hope Network

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for themselves and for their patients, according to a new survey from Trust Transparency Center (TTC). In the 2019 Registered Dietitian Insights Survey of 200 U.S.-based registered dietitian nutritionists, 66% of RDNs stated they recommend both food and supplements to their clients and 70% personally take supplements four times or more per week.

The American Herbal Products Association has revised its free labeling guidance for herbal dietary supplements to cover updated nutrition labeling requirements for foods and dietary supplements, and its scheduled to take effect Jan.1, 2020. Heres what you need to know to be prepared for the year ahead.

Raw materials, the foundation of the supplement industry, now represent $6.3 billion in annual sales. Nutrition Business Journals senior analyst digs into the numbers and explores trends and opportunities defining the future of raw materials.

Its critical that retailers stay informed about condition-specific options, especially during key times of the year. Natural Foods Merchandiser visited one store to test the staffs knowledge on the immunity category and help others in the industry understand how to talk about the category.

Inside the Bottle unites companies from across the supplement supply chain to advocate for a transparent, collaborative supplement industry that supports consumer health empowerment.

#InsidetheBottle

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Supplement industry news and updates November 2019 - New Hope Network

FDA raises concerns about CBD-infused food and beverages – FoodBev.com

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said it cannot conclude that cannabidiol (CBD) is generally recognised as safe (GRAS) for use in food due to a lack of scientific information supporting its safety.

The agency said many unanswered questions and data gaps about CBD toxicity exist, and some of the available data raise serious concerns about potential harm from CBD.

A revised consumer update has also been published by the FDA, outlining specific safety issues related to CBD products, including potential liver injury, interactions with other drugs, drowsiness, diarrhoea and changes in mood.

We remain concerned that some people wrongly think that the myriad of CBD products on the market, many of which are illegal, have been evaluated by the FDA and determined to be safe, said Amy Abernethy, FDA principal deputy commissioner.

Aside from one prescription drug approved to treat two paediatric epilepsy disorders, these products have not been approved by the FDA and we want to be clear that a number of questions remain regarding CBDs safety.

She added: We recognise the significant public interest in CBD and we must work together with stakeholders and industry to fill in the knowledge gaps about the science, safety and quality of many of these products.

The FDA has also issued warning letters to 15 companies for illegally selling products containing CBD in ways that violate the US Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

Some of the products outlined in the warning letters are foods to which CBD has been added. Under the FD&C Act, it is illegal to introduce into interstate commerce any human or animal food to which certain drug ingredients, such as CBD, have been added.

Some of the products are also marketed as dietary supplements. CBD products cannot be dietary supplements because they do not meet the definition of a dietary supplement under the FD&C Act.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the trade association representing the dietary supplement and functional food industry, said the FDAs move has unnecessarily alarmed consumers.

FDAs inaction for the past year has facilitated an unregulated marketplace which is bad for consumers and bad for business, said Steve Mister, president and CEO, CRN.

Its time for FDA to announce a legal pathway to market for these CBD-containing supplements and to commence meaningful enforcement against products that flout category-wide requirements for dietary supplements.

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FDA raises concerns about CBD-infused food and beverages - FoodBev.com

Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs & Dietary Supplements Market to Witness a Pronounce Growth in Coming Years | Insights, Trends, Growth, Industry…

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HTF MI Analyst have added a new research study on TitleGlobal Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs & Dietary Supplements Market Report and 2020 Outlookwith detailed information of Product Types [, Analgesic & pain relievers, Dermatological products, Cough, cold, and flu products, Vitamin supplements, Mineral Supplements & Ophthalmic Products], Applications [Pharmacies, Grocery Stores, Vitamin, Health Food Stores & Online Pharmacies] &Key Players Such as Pfizer Inc., Novartis International AG, Roche Holding AG, Merck & Co., Inc., Sanofi S.A, Johnson & Johnson, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline plc., Bayer Healthcare AG, AstraZeneca plc., Alacer Corp., Alcon Inc., Alfresa Pharma Corporation, Alkalon A/S, Alliance Healthcare, Allergan, Plc., Reckitt Benckiser Plc., Bausch & Lomb, AbbVie Inc. & The Colgate-Palmolive Company etc.

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Heat map Analysis, 3-Year Financial and Detailed Company Profiles of Key & Emerging Players: Pfizer Inc., Novartis International AG, Roche Holding AG, Merck & Co., Inc., Sanofi S.A, Johnson & Johnson, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline plc., Bayer Healthcare AG, AstraZeneca plc., Alacer Corp., Alcon Inc., Alfresa Pharma Corporation, Alkalon A/S, Alliance Healthcare, Allergan, Plc., Reckitt Benckiser Plc., Bausch & Lomb, AbbVie Inc. & The Colgate-Palmolive Company

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Global Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs & Dietary Supplements Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) [, Analgesic & pain relievers, Dermatological products, Cough, cold, and flu products, Vitamin supplements, Mineral Supplements & Ophthalmic Products] in 2018Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs & Dietary Supplements Market by Application/End Users [Pharmacies, Grocery Stores, Vitamin, Health Food Stores & Online Pharmacies]Global Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs & Dietary Supplements Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by ApplicationsGlobal Global Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs & Dietary Supplements Sales and Growth Rate (2014-2025)Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs & Dietary Supplements Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and ApplicationOver the Counter (OTC) Drugs & Dietary Supplements (Volume, Value and Sales Price) table defined for each geographic region defined.Global Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs & Dietary Supplements Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales DataAdditionally Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors list is being provided for each listed manufacturersMarket Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2018) table for each product type which includeCost Structure AnalysisKey Raw Materials Analysis & Price TrendsSupply Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers, Industrial Chain Analysis..and view more in complete table of Contents

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Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.

About Author:HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.

Contact US :Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218sales@htfmarketreport.com

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Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs & Dietary Supplements Market to Witness a Pronounce Growth in Coming Years | Insights, Trends, Growth, Industry...

Scientists praise stronger beers as very, very healthy thanks to gut-friendly bacteria – The Independent

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Certain beers could be considered very healthy thanks to the amount of gut-friendly bacteria they contain, according to scientists specialising in gut health.

Professor Eric Claassen, who works atAmsterdam University, explained that strong Belgian beers, includingHoegaarden, Westmalle Tripel and Echt Kriekenbier, are rich in probiotic microbes that offera range of health benefits.

Presenting his research at an event held by probiotic drink makerYakult, Claassensaid that unlike most mainstream beers, which go through a single fermentation process, these beers are fermented twice.

The second fermentation not only creates a drier flavour and boosts the strength of the beer, but it also uses a different strain of yeast found in traditional pints.

This strain of yeast produces acids that kill harmful bacteria in the gut that can make us ill.

You are getting a stronger beer that is very, very healthy, Claassen said.

While the professor stressedthat the research does not mean its okay to start guzzling pint after pint, it might mean that those who consume these beers in moderation could see major health benefits.

We dont want to give people a licence to drink more beer, he added. Those of us who advocate good health know its very difficult for people to stop at one.

In high concentrations alcohol is bad for the gut but if you drink just one of these beers every day it would be very good for you.

The health benefits of probiotics are well-documented.

While they can be found in foods such as yoghurt, kimchi and kefir, they are most commonly taken in capsule form as food supplements and are thought to restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut after periods of illness, when taking a course of antibiotics mightve irritated the stomach and intestines.

TheNHSclaims that probiotics may also help reduce bloating and flatulence in IBS sufferers.

Sharing the full story, not just the headlines

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Scientists praise stronger beers as very, very healthy thanks to gut-friendly bacteria - The Independent

Holiday Gift Guide 2019: The Best Health and Wellness Supplements For Travelers – Forbes

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Theres no doubt about it: traveling takes a toll on everyone, even the most mindful and health-conscious. So, why not give something thatll naturally restore your loved ones body and mind? Here, ten innovative supplements whose benefits will last long after the holidays have passed.

Antara

Antara Dharana Focus & Energy Brain Food

After burning out as a corporate lawyer in New York, and discovering her fathers diagnosis of early onset dementia, Caroline Rasmussen quit her job and decamped to Thailand to research holistic brain health. Thus, Antara was born. Swap out your regular caffeine with this nootropic supplement for the uninitiated, nootropics reportedly enhance brain performance that boosts mental clarity and productivity.

Takamichi Beauty Room

Bicol Labs Something For a Mini Rehab

To ward off those painful mornings that follow the rowdiest of nights, pop two of these capsules before downing those drinks. Chock full of botanicals that buffer a liver in overdrive (think artichoke, milk thistle, and rosemary), theyll help you get back on your feet (and off the couch) sooner than later.

The Nue Co.

The Nue Co. Debloat Food + Probiotic

Since its more than easy to overindulge during the holiday season, always keep this bestseller from The New Co. handy. Anti-inflammatories like turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon, Debloat Food alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort, while the prebiotic inulinsupports the friendly bacteria in your gut.

Jet Set Natural

Jet Set Natural

For even the most experienced travelers, jet lag can be a real, well, drag. To that end, Eric Gentry, MD, and his son developed this innovative treatment taken in two steps (called Jet and Set) to gently reset your circadian rhythm and feel like your very best self, no matter where in the world you land.

Lord Jones

Lord Jones CBD Holiday Gumdrops

Elegantly packaged for memorable gift-giving, these limited-edition gumdrops are dosed with 20 milligrams of broad-spectrum CBD, to help even the most stressed slip into a chill state of mind. The Sugarplum flavor recalls the nostalgia of your youth, while Mango Chili brings on a sweet heat with ancho chili.

True Botanicals

True Botanicals Aromatherapy Trio

Proof positive that not all supplements need to be ingested. To enjoy the benefits of this trio of targeted aromatherapy oils, just roll on and breathe in. Plagued with tight knots? Try the Muscle Release. Feeling a bit run down? Then swipe some Immune Boost. And to wind down in a flash, inhale some Stress Relief.

Bio-Kult

Bio-Kult Migra

Recently, more attention has been paid to the relationship between your gut and brain. (Theres a reason why anxiety and nausea often go hand-in-hand.) In addition to 14 perfectly-balanced probiotic strains, these capsules also feature Magnesium Citrate and Vitamin B6, which support a healthy nervous system. And unlike other probiotics, these dont require refrigeration.

8Greens

8Greens

Its easy for good eating habits to fall by the wayside this time of year. And thats when 8 Greens comes to the rescue. Powered by real spinach, spirulina, kale, and five other greens (hence the name), each tablet creates a citrusy fizzy beverage loaded with vitamins and minerals for a convenient and healthful pick-me-up anytime of day.

JS Health Vitamins

JSHealth Vitamins Metabolism + Sugar Support

The brainchild of Australian nutritionist Jessica Sepel, JSHealth Vitamins targets a wide range of everyday concerns. But since sweets seem to pop up everywhere during the holidays, take two tablets (one with breakfast, another with lunch) to naturally curb those sugary cravings, and sustain normal blood sugar levels.

La Sirene Beauty

La Sirne Orange Beauty Collagen

The benefits of collagen (a protein our body produces) are aplenty, from stronger joints to suppler skin. The downside? We produce less as we age. Continue to reap the benefits of this powerhouse by mixing a packet of La Sirne's Beauty Collagen water daily. Not only does it taste terrific, its enriched with other skin-healthy ingredients, including vitamin C and Coenzyme Q10.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2019: The Best Health and Wellness Supplements For Travelers - Forbes

FDA comes down against CBD-infused food and beverage – Bend Bulletin

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A recent industry study predicted the global cannabidiol (CBD) market will grow from $311.7 million this year to $1.25 billion by 2024. Hemp farming quadrupled in 2019; the crop, which was legalized in the 2018 farm bill, was seen as a huge new growth opportunity for beleaguered American farmers. More than 1,000 CBD-infused products are now available online.

This week, though, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to 15 companies for illegally selling products containing CBD, saying they had violated the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. At the same time the FDA published a revised Consumer Update detailing broad safety concerns about CBD products.

Bottom line: The federal government has not concluded that CBD is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in human or animal food. Thus, CBD in food and drink is still illegal.

It came out of the blue. We were just at a CBD show last week, and there were hundreds of similar products and websites, said Brad Ridenour, chief executive of Koi CBD, one of the 15 companies to receive warning letters.

Companies that have charged ahead on developing and marketing CBD-infused food and drink say they have been waiting for direction from the FDA on how to label and market products and are increasingly frustrated with the agencys lack of clear regulations.

Brands such as Ben & Jerrys, Unilever and Anheuser-Busch have announced CBD products in development, and stores such as Walgreens, Kroger and CVS have vowed to sell them.

They keep telling us theyre going to come out with guidance, and they dont, Ridenour said. They just tell us what not to do. Were ready to comply with anything they throw at us.

The FDA has requested responses from the companies within 15 working days stating how the companies will correct the violations.

In May, Amy Abernethy, the FDAs principal deputy commissioner, used a string of tweets to convey the agencys reservations about CBD, saying: We are reviewing available databases and medical literature about CBDs safety. Thus far, the data appear insufficient.

In June, an FDA document called What You Need to Know (And What Were Working to Find Out) amplified the warning that the agency considered CBD products illegal, saying: We are aware that there may be some products on the market that add CBD to a food or label CBD as a dietary supplement. Under federal law, it is currently illegal to market CBD this way.

And then the FDA fell mostly silent on the subject, until now.

As we work quickly to further clarify our regulatory approach for products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds like CBD, well continue to monitor the marketplace and take action as needed against companies that violate the law, Abernethy said in a statement this week. We remain concerned that some people wrongly think that the myriad of CBD products on the market, many of which are illegal, have been evaluated by the FDA and determined to be safe, or that trying CBD cant hurt.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest applauded the FDAs move. While CBD has been found effective and is legal in prescription form for two rare forms of epilepsy, the center says there is no evidence that cannabidiol will lower the risk of diabetes, shrink tumors, wean a person off opioids, ease schizophrenia or calm anxious pets despite the claims of companies actively marketing CBD products.The marketplace is full of products that are essentially unknown, said Laura MacCleery, policy director for Center for Science in the Public Interest. What that means is they are experimenting on consumers and I dont think people are aware that they are guinea pigs.

MacCleery said CBD products have been marketed for childrens use and for pregnant women and that researchers havent adequately studied either use. She said there are concerns about CBD and liver toxicity, and problems with supply chain quality control. Some products may be mislabeled, with more or less CBD than indicated. There are also concerns about contaminants, and since labels are often unclear whether the CBD is derived from marijuana or hemp, heavy metals may be a concern (marijuana is an effective extractor of heavy metals from soil).

Its an industry that is untethered to relationships of oversight, MacCleery said.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition, the trade association for the dietary supplement industry, said the FDAs move unnecessarily alarms consumers. They argue that the FDAs inaction for the past year has facilitated an unregulated marketplace, which is bad for consumers and the burgeoning CBD industry.

Its time for FDA to announce a legal pathway to market for these CBD-containing supplements and to commence meaningful enforcement against products that flout category-wide requirements for dietary supplements, said Council president Steve Mister.

Melissa Bane, managing director of market research and consulting firm Grail Insights, said the FDA crackdown will likely have little effect on the industrys growth.

In the same week when a major report was published describing diminished life expectancy for Americans attributed to drug overdoses and suicides among young and middle-aged adults, she said people are clamoring for mechanisms to manage mood and stress.

CBD is marketed as a more natural alternative to alcohol, sugar, tobacco and opioids. Sixty-two percent of younger users say they use it to manage stress. Do we see the demand changing? No, we dont. But consumers want clarity on safety. This [the FDAs statement this week] leaves the American consumer without answers, Bane said.

Alon Shabo, founder of SabaiDee, an organic hemp oil manufacturer that also received a warning letter, said he thought that the company was in compliance, but that the FDA may have targeted high-visibility brands to send a message to the industry.

The FDA took issue specifically with SabaiDee claims for their animal products and with consumer reviews on the website that made medical claims. The company is taking those down and reprinting a label for one product.

Shabo said that once there is a clear regulatory framework in place, there will be another rush of institutional funding and acquisitions. He said there are still players on the sidelines waiting to dive into the CBD market.

Everybody is bulldozing full speed ahead, he said. People are still quite bullish.

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FDA comes down against CBD-infused food and beverage - Bend Bulletin

Mulberry Leaf: Uses, Benefits, and Precautions – Healthline

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Mulberry trees produce flavorful berries that are enjoyed around the world and often deemed superfoods due to their concentration of vitamins, minerals, and powerful plant compounds.

However, the fruit isnt the only part of the mulberry tree that may offer health benefits. For centuries, its leaves have been used in traditional medicine as a natural treatment for a variety of conditions.

In fact, the leaves are highly nutritious. Theyre loaded with powerful plant compounds like polyphenol antioxidants, as well as vitamin C, zinc, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium (2, 3, 4).

This article reviews mulberry leaf, examining its uses, benefits, and potential side effects.

Mulberry (Morus) belongs to the Moraceae plant family and includes several species, such as the black mulberry (M. nigra), red mulberry (M. rubra), and white mulberry (M. alba) (1).

Native to China, this tree is now cultivated in many regions, including the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Mulberry leaves have a variety of culinary, medicinal, and industrial applications.

The leaves and other parts of the tree contain a milky white sap called latex, which is mildly toxic to humans and may result in symptoms like an upset stomach if ingested or skin irritation if touched (5, 6).

Yet, many people consume mulberry leaves without experiencing adverse effects.

Theyre said to be very palatable and commonly used to make tinctures and herbal teas, which are a common health beverage in Asian countries. Young leaves can be eaten after cooking.

You can also take mulberry leaf supplements, which have become increasingly popular for their potential health benefits.

Additionally, these leaves are the sole food source of the silkworm a caterpillar that produces silk and sometimes used as feed for dairy animals (1).

Mulberry leaves are commonly used to make tea in Asian countries, though they can be eaten as well. Theyre likewise available as tinctures and herbal supplements.

Mulberry leaves may help lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation levels. These attributes may make them useful for fighting heart disease and diabetes (3).

Mulberry leaves provide several compounds that may help combat diabetes.

These include 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which prevents the absorption of carbs in your gut (2, 7).

In particular, these leaves may reduce high levels of blood sugar and insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.

In one study, 37 adults ingested maltodextrin, a starchy powder that rapidly boosts blood sugar levels. They were then given mulberry leaf extract containing 5% DNJ.

Those who took either 250 or 500 mg of the extract experienced a significantly lower rise in blood sugar and insulin levels than the placebo group (2).

Also, in a 3-month study, people with type 2 diabetes who took 1,000 mg of mulberry leaf extract 3 times daily with meals experienced significant reductions in post-meal blood sugar levels, compared with a placebo group (8).

Some research suggests that mulberry leaf extract may improve heart health by reducing cholesterol and blood pressure levels, decreasing inflammation, and preventing atherosclerosis a buildup of plaque in your arteries that can lead to heart disease.

One study gave 23 people with high cholesterol 280 mg of mulberry leaf supplements 3 times per day. After 12 weeks, their LDL (bad) cholesterol dropped by 5.6% while their HDL (good) cholesterol increased by 19.7% (9).

Another 12-week study noted that 10 people with high triglycerides who took daily mulberry leaf supplements containing 36 mg of DNJ reduced their levels of this marker by 50 mg/dL, on average (10).

Additionally, animal studies indicate that this leaf may prevent atherosclerosis and reduce cellular damage and high blood pressure levels, all of which are risk factors for heart disease (11, 12, 13).

Mulberry leaf contains numerous anti-inflammatory compounds, including flavonoid antioxidants.

Some research suggests that mulberry leaf may combat inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are linked to chronic disease (14).

Studies in mice on high fat diets demonstrate that supplements from this leaf reduced inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein, as well as oxidative stress markers like superoxide dismutase (15, 16).

A test-tube study in human white blood cells likewise revealed that extracts of mulberry leaf and its tea not only reduced inflammatory proteins but also significantly lowered DNA damage caused by oxidative stress (17).

Although these results are encouraging, human studies are needed.

Although research is limited, mulberry leaf may offer several other health benefits. These include:

Research suggests that mulberry leaf promotes heart health, reduces inflammation, and combats diabetes. It may provide other benefits as well, but human studies are needed.

Although mulberry leaf has largely been shown to be safe in both human and animal studies, it may lead to side effects in some people (21).

For example, some people have reported adverse effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, bloating, and constipation, when taking supplements (9).

Additionally, individuals taking diabetes medications should consult a health professional before trying mulberry leaf due to its effects on blood sugar (13).

Whats more, further human studies are needed to establish this leafs safety when taken over long periods. Children and pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid it due to insufficient safety research.

Its always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before using any herbal supplement, especially if you take medications or have a health condition.

While its widely considered safe, mulberry leaf may cause side effects like diarrhea and bloating. Children and pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid it due to a lack of research on its safety.

Mulberry leaves have long been used in traditional medicine and are associated with several impressive health benefits.

This unique tree leaf may combat inflammation and improve various risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. All the same, further human research is needed.

You can take it as a supplement or eat cooked, immature leaves. Still, due to its potential side effects, you may want to consult your healthcare provider before adding mulberry leaves to your routine.

Link:

Mulberry Leaf: Uses, Benefits, and Precautions - Healthline

This Astronaut Found Sunken Treasure From Space and Kept It Secret Until His Deathbed – VICE

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Original Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper was supposed to be looking for nuclear launch sites on his record-breaking Faith 7 flight in 1963. He did his duty over the course of those 22 revolutions around the earth, clicking away on a camera that kept getting loose in zero gravity, barely able to move for 34 hours.

But he also kept getting anomalous readings from his equipment, pinging him for objects that were definitely not nuclear sites. The keen-eyed astronaut couldnt help but put two and two together: metallic hulks beneath the sea, along the same routes used by Spanish traders? It had to be sunken treasure.

Cooper splashed down into the Pacific after that record-breaking flight, but he never told anyone not NASA, not the Department of Defense about what hed seen. But he did take notes, scribbled down in the cramped capsule only a bit bigger than himself.

Cooper kept his secret for 40 years. Just before his death in 2004, he shared it with professional treasure hunter Darrell Miklos. The two had struck up a friendship years before hunting for treasure-laden wrecks in various seas. Miklos has a long history in the field he and his sisters would hunt for debris from the space shuttles solid rocket boosters. We were both explorers, Miklos says.

So Miklos hooked up with independent reality TV production studio Ample, which, along with Steven Spielbergs Amblin Television, has chronicled Miklos journey for the aforementioned TV series for Discovery, Coopers Treasure, premiering April 18.

The aim of the show is to connect several different generations of explorers, from colonial times through the present day. The producers dont have any affiliation with NASA, but the show serves as a reminder of what can be done with space exploration, and the Herculean efforts expended to get there in the first place.

Before Miklos set out, he had to do some fact-checking. Thats where former McDonnell Aircraft engineer Jerry Roberts comes in. Roberts and fellow engineers Bob Schepp and Earl Robb created the systems that ran the Mercury and Gemini spacecraft. We were basically taking the nuclear warhead off a missile and putting a space capsule on it, Roberts explains. They gave us the outside shape, and then we had to launch a man and bring him back.

Space inside the capsule was so limited that none of the astronauts could be taller than 511, and they couldnt move their feet. Roberts worked very closely with Cooper throughout the mission. For me, Gordo was the yes on the other end when I asked him to throw a switch, he said. He also confirmed that Coopers eyesight was preternatural said to rival that of legendary pilot Chuck Yeager and he could indeed have seen what he said hed seen.

Cooper, once a household name in an America that now seems far removed from todays, was the youngest of the original seven astronauts, and perhaps the most devil-may-care. Gordon went to sleep on top of a fully fuelled missile and it didnt bother him at all, Roberts says. The other guys, their heart rate might get up a bit at launch, 150 or so. Not Gordo. His death in 2004 came after a long battle with Parkinsons Disease, which Miklos says was torture for the fiery, physical astronaut, as it left him unable to control his body with his mind.

But though Miklos and the camera crew had no idea if Coopers maps would really pan out, theyre now five for five on confirmed shipwrecks at Coopers coordinates, with just a little more than a hundred to go.

This article originally appeared on VICE US.

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This Astronaut Found Sunken Treasure From Space and Kept It Secret Until His Deathbed - VICE