In Myanmar, military matters are a lucrative family affair | Asia| An in-depth look at news from across the continent | DW | 09.04.2021

Military business revenues ‘dwarf’ civilian-owned companies

It’s impossible to fathom the extent and depth of the Tatmadaw’s economic power without first delving into the army’s two holdings: Myanma Economic Holding Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC).  Both were established in the 1990s when the country was ruled by a previous iron-fisted military junta.

They are run by both active and retired military personnel, operating in the shadows without any independent oversight.

Business interests span gem production and mining, oil and gas extraction, banking, tourism and telecommunications. Dozens of companies across diverse sectors of the economy are owned by the two holdings, many others are affiliated with MEHL and MEC.

Source: In Myanmar, military matters are a lucrative family affair | Asia| An in-depth look at news from across the continent | DW | 09.04.2021

US urges arms embargo and sanctions against Myanmar military – The Washington Post

 The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations urged the international community to take “concrete action” against the military in Myanmar on Friday including an arms embargo and sanctions against its holding companies and those who profit from them, saying this is the only way to change the military’s crackdown on civilians following its Feb. 1 coup.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the appeal at an informal virtual meeting of the U.N. Security Council where Zin Mar Aung, a leader of a post-coup committee representing elected members of Myanmar’s parliament, urged all U.N. member nations to increase political, financial and security measures against the military “until the military’s violent attacks on civilians stop and Myanmar returns to the rule of law under civilian and democratic rule.”

Source: US urges arms embargo and sanctions against Myanmar military – The Washington Post

Surprising study suggests Indigenous Australians migrated to South America | Salon.com

In a study that will be published in the issue Tuesday of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found genetic links between populations in Australia and the surrounding islands and the Karitiana and Suruí communities, which are indigenous to Brazil. More surprisingly, they found Australasian genetic connections in Indigenous groups on the South American Pacific Coast, including communities in the Peruvian region such as the Chotuna, the Sechura and the Narihuala tribes; among a group on the central Brazilian Plateau, the Xavánte community; and among the Guaraní Kaiowá community, a group in central west Brazil. Source: Surprising study suggests Indigenous Australians migrated to South America | Salon.com

5 Ways to Nudge Your Body Toward Optimal Function — Micro of the Macro

The human body is a marvel.  Its ultra-intelligent design allows it to operate in ways without even requiring our attention.  The billions and billions of chemical reactions occurring each second are nothing short of symphonic.  The habits that become your lifestyle radically influence that symphony, for better or worse.  By providing your 70 trillion cells […]

5 Ways to Nudge Your Body Toward Optimal Function — Micro of the Macro

9th Day of April – Fatcowco – 1860 – The oldest known recording of an audible human voice is made – visual not audio

1860 – The oldest known recording of an audible human voice is made

Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville (25 April 1817 – 26 April 1879) was a French printer, bookseller and inventor.

He invented the earliest known sound recording device, the phonautograph, which was patented in France on 25 March 1857.

1860 – The oldest known recording of an audible human voice is made

To collect sound, the phonautograph used a horn attached to a diaphragm which vibrated a stiff bristle which inscribed an image on a lampblack-coated, hand-cranked cylinder.

The phonautograph created only visual images of the sound and did not have the ability to play back its recordings.

Extra Note: He was not, however, able to profit from his invention, and spent the remainder of his life as a bookseller.

Source: 9th Day of April – Fatcowco

Lemony Lemon Cake

Smitha's Bake Love

“It’s finger licking good!!! – That’s how good this cake tastes.

Lemony Lemon Cake

I am not kidding. My usual vanilla loving, never chocolate, no way other flavors are even flavors audience have gone gaga’s on this cake, which means I am definitely not exaggerating!!!

Lemony Lemon Cake

It’s pillowy soft and lemon zested mightily both inside and outside the cake. And that is what giving this cake that lemony bunch in your mouth after every bite. Yes, you can taste that sweet and tangy lemony taste in every bite.

Lemony Lemon Cake

Lemon is more like spring & summer scent for me than just for summer. I had my first lemon poppy seed cake a few years back. But I never baked one by myself. This is the first one with some changes to the basic cake version. And it didn’t disappoint.

Lemony Lemon Cake

The star ingredients to this cake are lemon(of course), lemon juice, zest and…

View original post 101 more words

Loughan Bay Ruins, County Antrim

Michael Stephen Wills Photography

We pulled off the side of Torr Road for this fine view on the way to Torr Head to take in this view of the Irish Sea. The steeply rising distant headland is the Mull of Kintyre. Loughan an Lochan, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Michael Wills – CLICK ME for my Getty Portfolio.

We parked on a turnout above the Loughan Cottages, near this farmer’s sheep pen. He drove up in a huge tractor and conversed with Pam while I was below shooting the cottages. He made a good impression.

Loughan Bay Farmer – CLICK ME for my Getty Portfolio.

Roofless walls of a cottage more substantial than the other deserted ruins above Loughan Bay, with two fireplaces a walled porch with a view. A number of outbuilding foundations lay around. The integrity of the walls, chimneys and gables speaks to the quality of construction. A freighter in the North Channel of the Irish Sea is visible in the distance above the upper ridge. Beyond is the island of…

View original post 202 more words