All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Panama tells Trump canal sovereignty is ‘non-negotiable’ – DW – 01/08/2025

Panama reiterated on Tuesday that the sovereignty of its eponymous ship canal was not up for discussion after US President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out military action to regain control.

“The sovereignty of our canal is not negotiable and is part of our history of struggle,” Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha said, adding that President Jose Raul Mulino had made his stance clear.

Trump made the remarks during a rambling news conference held at his home in southern Florida, which was supposed to be about Emirati investment in US technology.

But the president-elect went off-track, repeating unsubstantiated claims that the Panama Canal — which was built by the United States in the early 20th century and handed over to Panama in part in 1977 and in full in 1999 — was now being operated by China.

“Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country,” Trump said. “It’s being operated by China — China! — and we gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we didn’t give it to China. They’ve abused that gift.”

Martinez-Acha dismissed the claim, saying: “The only hands operating the canal are Panamanian and that is how it is going to stay.”

Source: Panama tells Trump canal sovereignty is ‘non-negotiable’ – DW – 01/08/2025

At least 19 school districts are totally or partially closed as fires spread around LA County | LAist

Source: At least 19 school districts are totally or partially closed as fires spread around LA County | LAist

Solar car charger easy to install, doesn’t use a parking space. – Darcy Hitchcock

https://solaflectev.com/

The system’s four Level 2 charging ports are fueled by a 6.2-kilowatt solar array mounted on a dual-axis tracker, as Electrek details. By following the sun’s movement throughout the day, the tracker harvests a whopping 40% more solar energy than standard fixed panels. All that extra sunshine means more clean power for EVs.

While typical EV charging stations require expensive infrastructure and a grid connection, the Solaflect charger is 100% off-grid — no digging, no grid-connection wiring, and no costly demand charges for grid-sourced electricity.

https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/solar-ev-charger-dartmouth-college-solaflect/

Source: Solar car charger easy to install, doesn’t use a parking space. – Darcy Hitchcock

Sooooo…Mocha Mousse is the 2025 Decadent Color of the Year? 🤎 | From Behind the Pen

Image Credit: Lazarus Ziridis

Oh my gosh, just hearing the name of this color makes my mouth water with sauciness! 🤎 For over 25 years, Pantone has named its color of the year each December. Dubbed 2025’s color of the year by the Pantone Color Institute, Mocha Mousse is described as a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. According to Pantone’s Executive Director, Leatrice Eiseman, “The color is sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic.”

Free chocolate heart delicious illustration

Image Credit: Pixabay

 

  • Description: A rich, warming brown hue that evokes the comforting warmth of chocolate, coffee, and cacao
  • Meaning: Pantone describes the color as “thoughtful indulgence” that can inspire creators across industries
  • Emotional impact: Pantone says the color can evoke grounding, calm, and emotional healing

 

Image Credit: Yvette LeBaron

Image Credit: Tatiane Herder

Image Credit: Serdar Göksu

Image Credit: Jonathan Borba

Image Credit: Tuğba Kobal Yılmaz

Image Credit: lil artsy

 

Source: Sooooo…Mocha Mousse is the 2025 Decadent Color of the Year? 🤎 | From Behind the Pen

What is HMPV, are cases of human metapneumovirus surging in China, and should we be worried? | Health | The Guardian

How serious is HMPV and what are the symptoms?

The symptoms of HMPV are similar to a cold or flu, and it is one of several viruses often lumped under a broad definition of the “common cold”, said Stephens. It is not a notifiable disease like Covid-19 or influenza.

“There’s a range of others … that are not notifiable because they are very common and lots of people get them. They make us feel terrible for a few days but if we rest and recuperate for a few days then we get better,” said Stephens.


Who is most at risk from human metapneumovirus?

HMPV can lead to more serious illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia among elderly people, very young children, and people who are immunocompromised.

“It certainly can and does cause severe disease, that’s why I think it’s important that people know it’s out there,” said said Prof Paul Griffin, director of infectious diseases at Mater Health Services in Brisbane.

“The challenge is at the moment there’s not much we can do except educate people [that] it’s around to reduce transmission. There’s no vaccine or antivirals, although there are some vaccines in development,” said Griffin.

Source: What is HMPV, are cases of human metapneumovirus surging in China, and should we be worried? | Health | The Guardian