All posts by nedhamson

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

Construction Accelerates at Planned Russian Navy Base in Disputed Abkhazia – bellingcat

Construction Accelerates at Planned Russian Navy Base in Disputed Abkhazia

In October 2023, the president of Abkhazia, a Russian-backed separatist region of Georgia, announced that a new Russian navy base would be built to serve as a “permanent place of deployment” for parts of Russia’s Black Sea fleet at Ochamchire, a small harbour serving a coal terminal and Federal Security Service (FSB) Coast Guard division.

While these plans were not confirmed by Russia, and there was little observable activity in the months immediately following the announcement, satellite imagery analysed by Bellingcat shows that construction activity has accelerated since early 2024, with multiple buildings and perimeter features under construction.

The rumoured base would be of strategic importance for Russia, experts suggest, as the naval base could provide a safe haven for the Black Sea Fleet, which has been subject to Ukrainian drone attacks since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

After a combined aerial and sea attack on Sevastopol in the latter part of October 2022, Russia moved much of its fleet to Novorossiysk. Novorossiysk was subject to similar attacks in August 2023May 2024 and July 2024. Just after the attack in July, open source researcher H.I. Sutton (@CovertShores on X) observed that a Russian Project 22870 tugboat had moved from Novorossiysk to the Ochamchire base. While the base has long supported a group of FSB coast guard vessels, this is the first ship from the Russian Navy to utilise the base…

Source: Construction Accelerates at Planned Russian Navy Base in Disputed Abkhazia – bellingcat

Orange-Tomato Pico de Gallo | snapshotsincursive

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Palatable Possibilities: Orange-Tomato Pico de Gallo! Chunky sauces and relishes make a wonderful addition to any meal, in my opinion. First of all, they can be substituted for a vegetable side dish. They also serve as a nice condiment for stuffing into tacos or for sharing a plate of scrambled eggs. The vibrant colors will even catch the eye of a fussy-eater, if you know what I mean. Pico de Gallo compliments seafood, pork, chicken, and beef as well as any vegetarian star attraction. Better make a batch for dinner tonight. It’s a healthy option you can thank me for later.

ORANGE-TOMATO PICO DE GALLO

Ingredients:

4 navel oranges, peeled and chopped

2 tomatoes, diced

1 cup red onion, roughly chopped

1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

2 teaspoons orange peel, grated

Fresh cilantro, chopped…

Source: Orange-Tomato Pico de Gallo | snapshotsincursive

Ein Dienstagslächeln / … A Tuesday smile – Stella, oh, Stella

Bei „Nova“ handelt es sich um einen science fiction Film von Studenten der „The Animation School“, der 2017 die Weltsilbermedaille bei den New York Festivals in der Kategorie „beste Studentenfilme“ gewonnen hat.

… „Nova“ is a film by students of „The Animation School“, which won the world silver medal at the New York Festivals in 2017 in the category „Best Student Film“.

Was nehme ich von dem Film mit? Nicht alles, was von aussen kommt und unbekannt ist, ist automatisch gefährlich und schlecht. 😉 Neu und unbekannt kann schön und umwerfend sein.

… What message do I see in this little movie? Not everything that is coming from outside and is unknown, is automatically dangerous and bad. 😉 New and unknown can be beautiful and stunning.

Source: Ein Dienstagslächeln / … A Tuesday smile – Stella, oh, Stella

Jangi Shah’s Shop – Kaushal Kishore

 

These days, everything can be found online, from vegetables and fruits to groceries and cosmetics. Young people seem to enjoy this convenience. However, older individuals often prefer visiting nearby shops, as it gives them a chance to exercise and socialise with the shopkeepers. It’s a productive way to spend time, and shopkeepers often assist them when needed.

When I was young, there was a shop owned by Jangi Sah near my house. He sold everything from rice, wheat, and pulses to oil, spices, salt, jaggery, and sugar. Our needs were simpler back then. My father would give Jangi Sah a list, and he would pack everything. After a while, my father would return to the shop to pick up the items and pay the bill in full.

Customers trusted him so completely that they never questioned the quality or price of his products. He treated everyone with respect, whether they were regular customers or not, literate or illiterate, from our neighborhood or elsewhere, young or old. His prices were fair, and his products were of the highest quality.

He visited the wholesale market daily from 2 to 4 pm to purchase goods. The rest of the time, his shop was bustling with customers from 9 am to 10 pm. While other big shops waited for customers, Jangi Sah’s shop was always busy. During wedding seasons or festivals, he sometimes opened his shop also at odd hours.

People relied on him for everything except clothes, machinery, and medicine. I have an MBA in marketing, and I’ve done a lot of marketing myself, but Jangi Sah’s marketing skills without an MBA were unmatched.

I still remember how he comforted me when my father passed away. After my father’s death, either my brother or I would visit his shop with a list of items. After his demise, his sons continued the tradition. However, his grandsons have moved to Greater Noida and are doing well in their respective professions.

Whenever I pass by his shop, I feel sad seeing a multi-story building there instead, which brings back a flood of memories.

 

–Kaushal Kishore  

Source: Jangi Shah’s Shop – Kaushal Kishore

Here are 13 Reasons Why You Should Boycott Gold For The Yanomami and ALL Indigenous People! — Palm Oil Detectives | Barbara Crane Navarro

Hunger for Gold in the Global North is fueling a living hell in the Global South. Here are 20 reasons why you should #BoycottGold4Yanomami

13 Reasons Why You Should Boycott Gold For The Yanomami People — Palm Oil Detectives

Source: Here are 13 Reasons Why You Should Boycott Gold For The Yanomami and ALL Indigenous People! — Palm Oil Detectives | Barbara Crane Navarro