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Lime juice: A natural remedy to prevent hair loss

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by Marvin Ramírez

Hair loss affects millions worldwide, and while various factors contribute to it, one lesser-known cause is follicle infections. Many have found that natural remedies like lime juice can help combat hair loss and restore growth.

Lime juice, rich in vitamin C and natural acids, possesses antimicrobial and cleansing properties. When applied to the scalp, it eliminates bacteria and fungi that cause inflammation and weaken follicles. “Lime juice stops hair from falling because hair loss often results from follicle infections,” says Carlos Mendez, a natural health enthusiast.

Research supports the antibacterial and antifungal properties of citrus fruits, particularly limes. These properties help maintain a healthy scalp by reducing dandruff, irritation, and excess oil—factors that can weaken follicles. “Lime juice tightens skin and pores, reducing oil that clogs follicles,” explains Dr. Laura Espinoza, a dermatologist specializing in scalp conditions. “This keeps follicles clean and free from infections, which are a common cause of hair loss.”

Many people who experienced thinning or baldness report noticeable improvements. “After weeks of applying lime juice, I noticed less hair falling out,” says Julia Rojas, who struggled with shedding. “Over time, new hair grew in thinning areas. It was incredible!”

Applying lime juice is simple. Extract fresh juice and massage it into the scalp. Leave it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing. Some people mix it with coconut oil or aloe vera to prevent dryness. “Lime juice alone is potent, so I mix it with coconut oil to keep my scalp moisturized,” advises Manuel Ortiz, who uses lime juice for hair regrowth.

Another method is to apply lime juice to the scalp at night, cover the head with a t-shirt, and leave it overnight. This can be done two or three times a week. Additionally, applying lime juice during the day to thinning areas is beneficial. “You can spread lime juice on the thinning spots, and people won’t notice,” suggests Ortiz.

Although beneficial, lime juice can cause irritation, especially for sensitive skin. A patch test is recommended. Also, avoid sun exposure after application to prevent scalp irritation or burns. “Wash it off thoroughly before going outside, as it increases sun sensitivity,” warns Dr. Espinoza.

However, some people apply lime juice by itself at night and experience no irritation. They just wash it off in the morning.

Experts emphasize that while lime juice promotes follicle health, it is not a cure-all. Genetics, hormones, and nutrition also affect hair health. “Lime juice can help, but persistent hair loss requires professional consultation,” adds Dr. Espinoza.

Some suggest combining lime juice with other natural ingredients for enhanced benefits. Aloe vera, known for its soothing properties, can reduce potential irritation, while coconut oil provides hydration, preventing excessive dryness.

Despite these considerations, many testimonials highlight lime juice’s potential as an inexpensive natural remedy. “I was skeptical at first, but after seeing results, I believe in its effectiveness,” says Rojas. “Nature provides incredible solutions.”

For those seeking natural alternatives, lime juice may be worth trying. With its antimicrobial properties and scalp-cleansing ability, it offers a simple, effective way to maintain hair health and potentially restore lost hair.

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NOTICE INVITING BIDS

The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) is calling for sealed Bids from qualified firms to provide

General Contracting services for the Laney College Theater Mod­ernization Project (Bid No. 24-25/05). Bids are to be submitted electronically (via PlanetBids), by 2:00 PM, on May 15, 2025. Fol­low the link below for the bid opening: https://peralta-edu.zoom.us/j/84716794834

The project consists of demolition and construction necessary for the modernization of the existing Laney Theater Building inclusive of the following: extensive modifications for accessibility; a glass cur­tain wall; lobby extension with new elevator; expanded restrooms/amenities; a new north lobby and entry; upgrades to the 300-seat auditorium, technical theater, and AV systems; upgrades to existing classrooms, visual and sound labs; and replacement of the existing mechanical systems.

The work to be performed under this contract includes the furnishing of all labor, materials, equipment, transportation, services, permits, temporary controls and construction facilities, and all general con­ditions, seismic requirements, general requirements and incidentals required to complete the work on the project in its entirety as de­scribed in the contract documents.

In order to perform the work, Bidders at the time of the Bid Opening and for the duration of the project shall possess a valid California Contractor’s license and certifications in order to qualify to perform the Work: Class A and/or B Contractor’s License. This is a Public Works project and will require payment of prevailing wages.

A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is required for this project. The suc­cessful Bidder will be required to sign a Letter of Assent agreeing to the terms and conditions of the District’s PLA in order to perform the work.

A Mandatory Pre-Bid video conference meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 11:00A.M.

To register in advance for this meeting: https://peralta-edu.zoom.us/j/86800481409

Meeting ID: 868 0048 1409

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing in­formation about joining the meeting.

Two Pre-Bid Site Walks will be held at Laney College located at 900 Fallon St, Oakland, CA, 94607. Mandatory attendance by the bidding General Contractor is required at one of the two site walks in order to submit a bid.

  1. Pre-Bid Site Walk #1 will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 1:00PM.

We will meet at the Theatre Building located at 900 Fallon St, Oak­land, CA, 94607.

  1. Pre-Bid Site Walk #2 will be held on Tuesday, April 01, 2025 at 1:00PM.

We will meet at the Theatre Building located at 900 Fallon St, Oak­land, CA, 94607.

Copies of the bid documents may be obtained by clicking on the fol­lowing links:

https://vendors.planetbids.com/portal/71895/portal-home

Governing Codes:

GC 53068

EC 81641

Publication Dates: March 07, 2025, and March 14, 2025

El Reportero

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This March 8th celebrates Women’s Day in SF – Alexandra Rieloff Trio in Concert

by Magdy Zara

March 8th has been declared International Women’s Day, previously known as Working Women’s Day, this is a date dedicated to highlighting the important work that women do in the world.

That is why we share with you some of the activities scheduled to commemorate this important date.

The Mission Cultural Center for Latin Arts (MCCLA) presents its 38th Annual Women Only Exhibition, two impactful exhibitions, which will take place simultaneously.

Both exhibitions celebrate the power, creativity and resilience of women artists.

In the main gallery there will be Lorraine García-Nakata: with “The knowledge we carry”; while in the Inti Raymi gallery, “Derechos/Rights” – Collective exhibition will be exhibited.

The opening reception will be this Saturday, March 8th starting at 6 p.m., while the closing will be on Sunday, April 13th, 2025.

The MCCLA is located at 2868 Mission St, San Francisco. Admission is free.

For its part, La Peña presents to celebrate Women’s Day two extraordinary salsa and Latin jazz bands with only female artists: Salsa y Sol and Agua Pura.

This will be a night of stimulating and energetic music with an open dance floor for everyone to enjoy the rhythms of salsa and Latin jazz.

The appointment is this Saturday, March 8th, 2025 starting at 8pm, at the La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley. Tickets range from $25 – $35.

Alexandra Rieloff Trio in Concert

Renowned jazz vocalist Alexandra Rieloff returns with her trio to delight the San Francisco public with a wonderful repertoire.

Alexandra Rieloff, who was born in Brooklyn and is of Chilean descent, is an all-round artist, as she is an actress, choreographer, dancer, filmmaker, announcer, photographer and a masterful jazz vocalist.

Rieloff has prepared for attendees a compilation of her greatest hits that include Bossa Nova and jazz standards performed by a soulful trio with voice, bass and keyboards, offering smooth and timeless melodies.

Rieloff will be performing with her jazz trio during the month of March on the following days:

March 9 at Stookey`s Blue Room, located at 891 Bush St, SF. Time 7:30 pm.

March 18 at Etcetera Wine Bar, located at 795 Valencia St. SF. Time 6 p.m.

March 20 at Paris 75, located at 515 Broadway Ave. SF. Time: 9 p.m.

March 27 at Sheba Liano Lounge. located at 1419 Filmore St. SF. Time: 7:30 p.m.

March 29 at Scopo Divino, located at 2800 Caloifornia St. SF. Time: 6 p.m.

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Estampas Peruanas: A Little Piece of Perú in Redwood City

Carlos Shimabukuro, propietario del restaurante Estampas Peruanas. Carlos Shimabukuro, owner of the Estampas Peruanas restaurant

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Estampas Peruanas joins the family of sponsors of El Reportero, and we are pleased to welcome them to this space where we celebrate gastronomic and cultural diversity. As a media outlet committed to our community, we value the support of local businesses that, like Estampas Peruanas, contribute to the enrichment of our information offering and the strengthening of community ties. Their incorporation allows us to continue providing quality content to our readers, reaffirming our commitment to editorial independence and the promotion of businesses that reflect the richness of our traditions.

by Marvin Ramírez

Estampas Peruanas is a restaurant in the city of Redwood City that has captivated the local community with its rich Peruvian cuisine. On Camino Real, among the vibrant streets of Redwood City, this restaurant has become a culinary landmark, offering a unique experience that transports diners to the heart of Perú.

Founded and operated by Carlos Shimabukuro, Estampas Peruanas is a place where families and couples gather to enjoy traditional dishes, prepared with ingredients brought directly from Perú. Carlos, who is the owner and creator of the menu, is dedicated to ensuring that every detail of the restaurant reflects his passion for Peruvian cuisine. His dedication to authenticity is what sets Estampas Peruanas apart from other Peruvian restaurants in the region.

“Since 1993, we have brought the best of Peruvian cuisine to California. We were motivated by the desire to share the culinary richness of our Perú and offer traditional dishes,” says Carlos about his first steps in the industry. The restaurant has been operating in the same location in Redwood City for more than 30 years, where it has earned recognition for its authentic food and welcoming atmosphere.

The choice of location was not fortuitous. “We chose El Camino Real because we wanted an accessible place that would allow us to attract both local residents and visitors interested in international cuisine,” explains Carlos. In addition, Redwood City has shown a growing interest in Peruvian cuisine, which has allowed Estampas Peruanas to become a little piece of Perú within this diverse community.

One of the characteristics that makes Estampas Peruanas special is the use of authentic ingredients brought directly from Perú. “We work with specialized suppliers that allow us to import key ingredients such as yellow chili, quinoa, and maca,” says Carlos. These ingredients are essential to preserve the authenticity of the flavours, a vital aspect for Carlos and his team.

But Estampas Peruanas is not only known for its food, but also for the influence of Nikkei culture on its menu. Carlos, who is of Japanese descent, fuses Japanese culinary techniques with Peruvian ingredients, creating a unique dining experience.

“The fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine has given rise to dishes such as tiradito, which combines the delicacy of Japanese sashimi with the flavor of yellow chili and tiger’s milk,” explains Carlos. This influence is also reflected in other emblematic dishes such as lomo saltado, which highlights the harmony between both cuisines.

The menu has evolved over the years, but always maintaining a balance between tradition and innovation. “We focus on offering the most representative dishes of Peruvian gastronomy, such as classic ceviche, lomo saltado and anticuchos, but we are always looking for new ways to surprise our customers,” says Carlos. This commitment to excellence has ensured that Estampas Peruanas remains a favorite destination for locals.

The restaurant’s décor also plays a major role in the diners’ experience. The walls are adorned with Peruvian art that reflects the country’s rich culture. Carlos, who has a deep respect for his heritage, explains that each piece has a special meaning. “The décor not only beautifies the space, but also serves to educate and promote Peruvian culture,” he says.

In addition to food and décor, Estampas Peruanas hosts cultural events, such as live music performances, to continue promoting Peruvian culture. “Every month, we have live Peruvian music, which allows us to offer a complete experience to our customers,” Carlos adds.

The Challenge and the community

Like every business, Estampas Peruanas has faced challenges. Competition in the restaurant industry in the United States is fierce, but Carlos has learned that the key to success is not only in the quality of the food, but in the experience offered to the customer. “Service and hospitality are just as important as the food. We have managed to build a solid and passionate team,” says Carlos.

The response from the community has been extremely positive. “From day one, we have felt welcomed by a diverse community curious to discover the authentic flavors of Perú,” he says. Customer loyalty has been a fundamental part of Estampas Peruanas’ success, many of whom return constantly, becoming part of the restaurant’s gastronomic family.

Differentiation

What really sets Estampas Peruanas apart from other Peruvian restaurants in the region is its focus on authenticity and a family atmosphere. “We don’t just serve food, we provide an experience where customers feel at home,” says Carlos. While many Peruvian restaurants have embraced fusions or international culinary trends, Estampas Peruanas remains true to its roots, offering a culinary proposal that respects tradition without losing freshness and innovation.

With every dish served, with every customer greeted with a smile and with every decorative detail that adorns the restaurant, Estampas Peruanas is not just a place to eat, but a gastronomic experience that brings its visitors closer to the heart of Perú. In a world where globalization sometimes blurs cultural boundaries, Estampas Peruanas offers a little piece of Perú in Redwood City, where every bite tells a story of tradition, passion and love for Peruvian culture.

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‘Trump victory’: Panama Canal’s main ports now under US control

by the El Reportero staff

In another move aligning with his “America First” agenda, President Donald Trump has secured what many are calling a significant victory, following his recent remarks about reclaiming control over the Panama Canal.

According to reports, American investment giant BlackRock has acquired nearly all key ports along the canal, a strategic waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The ports were previously controlled by CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong-based conglomerate that sold its stake in the operations.

This sale follows Trump’s bold assertion that the United States should oversee the Panama Canal, given that it originally funded and built the passage in the early 20th century. Before its completion in 1914, ships were forced to navigate the treacherous and lengthy route around Cape Horn at South America’s tip.

Under the terms of the deal, BlackRock—teaming up with Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Ltd.—has acquired an 80 percent stake in Hutchison Ports. The transaction also includes a controlling interest in Panama Ports Co., which manages the vital ports of Balboa and Cristobal. The reported price tag for the deal is $19 billion, according to Bloomberg.

While this acquisition marks a major strategic gain for American economic influence, it coincided with another major Trump policy shift—his long-anticipated tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada. Shortly after these trade restrictions took effect, Trump took to Truth Social, urging companies to manufacture their products domestically.

“If companies move to the United States, there are no tariffs!!!” he posted in all caps.

Though CK Hutchison is a publicly traded firm, its base in Hong Kong has led to speculation about Beijing’s indirect influence. With China tightening its grip on the territory in recent years, some observers suggest the sale might have been expedited to appease Trump and reduce U.S.-China tensions. On the same day, Trump escalated his trade war by doubling tariffs on Chinese imports to 20 percent, prompting Beijing to retaliate with its own levies on American goods.

Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, has longstanding ties to Trump, having managed portions of his wealth in the past. The New York Post reported that Fink was once in the running for Treasury Secretary, though he later withdrew from consideration. His firm’s acquisition of the Panama Canal ports is widely seen as a move that could further bolster his influence within Trump’s economic circle.

Beyond this latest port deal, Trump has also secured commitments from corporate giants, including Apple and a SoftBank-led consortium, to invest $600 billion in American workforce development focused on artificial intelligence.

Additionally, Honda announced plans on Monday to manufacture its next-generation Civic in Indiana, reversing an earlier decision to produce the model in Mexico.

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The return of the Panama Canal and the shadow of US expansionism

Marvin Ramírez, editor

by Marvin Ramírez

History has taught us that international politics is marked by cycles of power, economic interests and geopolitical strategies that determine the course of nations. In this context, the recent announcement of the recovery of control of the Panama Canal by the United States has generated a host of questions about the real scope of Donald Trump’s promises and the future of the sovereignty of the nations involved.

Until recently, many of the former president’s statements seemed more like part of excessive nationalist rhetoric, bordering on the fantasy of an impossible expansionism in the 21st century. His intention to buy Greenland was received with skepticism and mockery; his mention of becoming the “owner of Palestine” was perceived as an unfounded exaggeration; and his insistence on recovering the Panama Canal was considered by many to be an unattainable desire. However, time and recent events have shown that those statements were not mere occurrences, but part of a carefully designed strategy.

The return of the Panama Canal to American hands marks a turning point in international relations. This event, which until recently seemed inconceivable without a military intervention or a concession under pressure, has been presented as an absolute triumph of Trump’s leadership. The inevitable question is: what were the conditions that allowed this transition? Was it a covert diplomatic negotiation, irresistible economic pressure or an imposition with overtones of political blackmail? The full details are not yet known, but what is undeniable is that this event redefines the balance of power in the region.

The Panama Canal has been, since its construction, a nerve center of world trade. Its transfer to Panamanian hands in 1999 was a symbol of sovereignty for the Central American country and a sign that American influence in the region could wane over time. However, the return of control to the United States makes it clear that geopolitical interests do not disappear, they are only transformed by new strategies and leadership.

Trump’s speech before Congress on March 4 only reinforced his position on strengthening the United States in the international arena and its fight against what he considers internal threats. From his outright opposition to gender ideology to his promise to eradicate harmful chemicals in consumer products, his rhetoric follows the same pattern as always: protect the nation at all costs and regain its global influence. Now, with the news of the Panama Canal under US control, doubts about the fulfillment of his other promises are beginning to fade.

This fact puts on alert not only Panama, but all of Latin America, which watches with concern what could be the resurgence of a more aggressive interventionist policy by the United States. The impact of this decision remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the rules of the game have changed.

Throughout history, US expansionism has taken different forms: from the Monroe Doctrine to the military occupations of the 20th century and economic diplomacy in the 21st century. The recovery of the Panama Canal could be just the beginning of a new phase in this strategy of domination. Added to this are the attempts to buy Greenland and the insistence on imposing its influence in Palestine, which indicates that the Trump administration (or at least its ideology) continues to pursue territorial and economic expansion as one of its primary objectives.

The governments of Latin America and the world must cautiously analyze the meaning of this event and prepare for a possible escalation of similar measures in other regions. The sovereignty of nations should not be subject to the ups and downs of US policy or the will of a single leader. Panama, as a directly affected country, must clarify under what terms this transfer took place and what long-term implications it will have on its autonomy and development.

What happened reminds us that international politics is a chessboard where moves are not random. The return of the Panama Canal to American hands could mark the beginning of a new era of influence in the region, with consequences that are yet to be determined. In this scenario, the question we must ask ourselves is: what comes next? If history is any guide, the answer will not be long in coming.

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Trump’s USAID shutdown is a win for America and a blow to the globalist agenda

NOTE TO THE EDITOR:

At press time this story changed when the Supreme Court recently intervened to prevent the complete shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In a 5-4 decision, the Court upheld an emergency order requiring the Trump administration to promptly release nearly $2 billion in previously halted funding to USAID contractors and grant recipients.

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USAID’s promotion of DEI, gender ideology, and population control around the world, along with its efforts to undermine democracies in Europe and Latin America, have greatly damaged America’s standing in the world

by Steven Mosher

The closure of a corrupt government agency is always cause for celebration.

Not that it happens very often. As President Ronald Reagan once remarked, “The closest thing to eternal life on earth is a government program.”

In the case of the now-defunct U.S. Agency for International Development, its shuttering will save U.S. taxpayers some $54 billion a year.

But Trump’s closure of the rogue agency is about far more than reducing the size of government or balancing the budget. We are not even talking about simply ending waste, fraud, and abuse, although there were bucket loads of that going on.

Under its former director, Samantha Powers, the agency had been transformed into a slush fund for woke fever dreams. No project was too wacko to throw money at.

You want funding to convince Peruvian girls they were born into the wrong body, or to promote LGBT activism in Serbia? USAID had a check for you.

You need money to fund sex changes in Guatemala or to open a transgender surgery clinic in India? You had but to ask.

But as corrosive to the sensibilities of normal people – and to America’s image overseas – that this reckless promotion of DEI and gender ideology was, our overseas aid agency was engaged in far more nefarious schemes.

It turns about that many millions of dollars of aid to the Middle East made their way into the hands of Hamas and Hezbollah. From funding the college education of al-Qaeda terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki to sending $2 billion to Gaza over the past two years, our tax dollars have been used to underwrite terrorism.

An estimated 90 percent of our aid to Gaza ended up in the hands of Hamas post-October 7, 2023. Without the constant infusion of U.S. funds, it is doubtful that the terrorist organization would have survived.

Equally egregious is USAID’s undermining of democracy. As Marjorie Taylor Green just noted at a congressional hearing, “What we have learned is that USAID has been used by Democrats to brainwash the world with globalist propaganda to force regime changes around the world.”

Roughly half a billion dollars went into one organization alone. It was called the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, and billed as a global network of investigative journalists. But it had as much to do with promoting globalist narratives and undermining populist politicians as it did with exposing corruption, perhaps more.

If you want to know why populist Jair Bolsonaro is no longer president of Brazil, why the conservatives lost in Poland, or why the democratically elected president of Romania – another populist – has now been arrested, look no further than USAID’s massively funded propaganda campaigns against these and other anti-globalist politicians.

As in Xi Jinping’s China, where the Chinese dictator has been purging his political enemies under the guise of an “anti-corruption campaign,” USAID’s anti-corruption campaign was ultimately not about corruption at all.

Like Xi, who was, as the Chinese say, “hanging up a goat’s head, but selling dog meat,” the agency was motivated by a hidden and deeply corrupt purpose – undermining democracy in order to promote globalism.

Victor Orbán of Hungary, whose government has survived years of similar onslaughts, is now vowing to crack down on all of the foreign-funded NGOs operating in his country. He will find that his opposition was chiefly funded by our tax dollars, judging from the many trips to that country that Samantha Powers took over the past few years.

As ruinous as all this is for America’s standing in the world, there is even worse news. Many of the tens of billions of dollars that the agency was flushing down the toilet didn’t go overseas at all, but was spent in and around the Washington, D.C., swamp.

And almost all of this – well over 95 percent – went to Democrat-controlled groups.

How much of the incessant lawfare against Trump that began as soon as he announced his candidacy for president in 2015 was funded indirectly by our tax dollars?

How much of Kamala’s $2 billion campaign coffer came from our own pockets, laundered by USAID through well-connected NGOs and leftist politicians?

Despite the mounting evidence of corruption, there are still those who claim that USAID does much good and should be reformed, not shuttered. “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater,” one recent headline read.

The problem is that USAID was never primarily about feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty or, for that matter, saving babies. In fact, from the very beginning it was designed to be an instrument of population control.

Its stated goal was “population stabilization.” To this end, it busied itself reducing the number of babies born, all in the name of fighting “overpopulation,” “eliminating poverty,” and, more recently, “saving the planet.”

This is spelled out clearly in Richard Nixon’s National Security Study Memorandum 200, which made it clear that foreign aid was to be used to bribe or bludgeon countries into reducing their birth rates.

Even today, USAID was – until a few weeks ago – promoting abortion in Malawi, doing abortion referrals in Uganda, and pressuring Sierra Leone to legalize abortion as a condition of receiving foreign aid.

Supporters of USAID argue that its programs create goodwill, but it’s hard to see how telling African women and men they would be better off sterilizing themselves and aborting their children accomplishes this end.

And how would Americans feel if China, say, were funding a program to vasectomize American men? Think about that for a second.

USAID’s promotion of DEI, gender ideology, and population control around the world, along with its efforts to undermine democracies in Europe and Latin America, have greatly damaged America’s standing in the world.

But the crime that calls for the complete destruction of the agency is that it was striking at the very roots of the republic itself.

Using the taxes paid by a free people to undermine their freedom is, by anyone’s definition, treason.

Steven W. Mosher is the President of the Population Research Institute and the author of The Devil and Communist China.

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Will the Trump-Zelensky Oval Office argument see the US leave NATO?

The most immediate impact of the meeting has been the deterioration of U.S.-Ukraine relations, which are now at rock bottom. But a second, far more significant effect will be had on the U.S.’s ties with NATO

by Stephen Kokx

Analysis

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky’s explosive meeting in the Oval Office last week has left political observers wondering what it is they just saw.

After nearly forty minutes of mostly cordial remarks, the two engaged in a historic, rarely-seen-before public argument in that space that can only be described as the equivalent of a diplomatic nuclear bomb.

The most immediate impact of the meeting has been the deterioration of U.S.-Ukraine relations, which are now at rock bottom. But a second, far more significant effect will be had on the U.S.’s ties with NATO.

If I were a betting man, I’d wager that President Trump will call for the U.S. to withdraw from that antiquated entity during his highly anticipated speech to Congress tomorrow night. His right-hand man Elon Musk has already called for that on X.

One of the most unexpected developments in the last few days has been the speed at which long-time Zelensky ally Lindsey Graham has thrown him overboard.

“I don’t know if we can ever do business with Zelensky again,” the South Carolina Senator thundered to the media less than an hour after the exchange. “He either needs to resign … or he needs to change.”

Graham is right to be incensed. He and a group of War Inc. senators met with Zelensky just hours before he went to the White House. He has also visited Ukraine nearly a dozen times and was desperately trying to keep the U.S. entangled in it by continually telling Trump it has trillions of dollars in rare earth mineral. His decision to turn his back on the man he has supported for nearly a decade is remarkable.

Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville told Newsmax something similar. He said Zelensky is “brainwashed by the globalist, socialist group in Europe” and that he’s trying to “play hard ball but he’s not even in the game.”

Meanwhile, America first lawmakers are using the meeting to go for broke.

“NATO is a Cold War relic that needs to be relegated to a talking kiosk at the Smithsonian,” Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie said on X, sensing growing frustration with the U.S. subsidizing the alliance.

GOP Senator Mike Lee also called for the U.S. to withdraw from the organization.

Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna wants the U.S. out of NATO as well.

After being kicked to the curb from the White House, Zelensky hopped on a plane to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other leaders of the European Union, who have pledged support for his un-winnable conflict.

Starmer unironically told reporters that the U.K. is committed to sending young men and women to the front lines and that “Europe must do the heavy lifting” now but that “strong U.S. backing” is also needed.

Good luck with that.

Starmer’s comments were met with swift criticism on social media because his efforts would seemingly lead to Britons dying in foreign lands while their homeland is over-run by Islamists.

But not all Senators have had the same reaction Graham did.

RINO Lisa Murkowski, perhaps unaware that Ukraine has lost track of $100 billion in U.S. aid money, said “the administration appears to be walking away from our allies and embracing Putin.”

Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly similarly said that “bullying an ally of ours makes us look weak.”

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut went so far as to call the meeting “a set up” by Trump.

Murphy’s response is most curious because it is verbatim what former Obama adviser Susan Rice has said.

During an interview with MSNBC, Rice accused Trump of plotting an “ambush” in front of the cameras so he could “show fealty to Vladimir Putin.”

Mollie Hemingway of The Federalist wrote about the narrative being constructed by Rice and Democrats on Capitol Hill.

She claimed in an X post that Zelensky was advised by Rice, Biden’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken, warmonger Victoria Nuland, and Alexander Vindman to “be hostile and to try to goad Trump into blowing up” so they could go “on the airwaves to falsely characterize what happened.”

“I think their goal was to have a wonderful performance by Zelensky, an angry Trump appearing to scuttle the deal, and the support of the neocon portion of the GOP to start applying pressure on Trump to have U.S. Troop commitments as part of the ‘security guarantee,’” she said.

“Instead, Zelensky had one of the worst stage performances of his acting career, and Trump was statesmanlike (against all odds) throughout. Zelensky followed Team Obama’s advice to be hostile to a tee, but it didn’t land how they thought it would … even the ‘conservative’ neocon pundits on TV last night were admitting Zelensky had royally messed up.”

Long-time Trump ally Roger Stone is now calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the purported interference, citing a violation of the Logan Act.

In the meantime, the Trump admin is forging ahead to peace. Secretary of State Rubio obliterated Murkowski’s arguments while speaking with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos this weekend.

“Shouldn’t we all be happy that we have a president who’s trying to stop wars and prevent them instead of start them?” he asked.

Trump himself is seeking to refocus attention on domestic issues.

“We should spend less time worrying about Putin, and more time worrying about migrant rape Gangs, drug lords, murderers, and people from mental institutions entering our country — so that we don’t end up like Europe,” he said on X.

Trump also issued a social media post stating that “America will not put up with” Zelensky’s decision to drag the war on forever.

“This guy doesn’t want there to be peace as long as he has America’s backing,” he said. “Europe … stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S. – Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia.”

All eyes now turn to Trump’s speech to Congress Tuesday night. No doubt he will have important updates on these and on other important foreign policy topics with the aim of ending needless death and destruction.

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California city makes ‘aiding’ or ‘abetting’ a homeless camp illegal

by Marisa Kendall

CalMatters

The Fremont City Council gave final approval this week to an ordinance that bans camping throughout the entire city, while also making anyone “aiding, abetting or concealing” a homeless encampment guilty of a misdemeanor.

The aiding and abetting clause has sparked alarm from local outreach workers who worry they could be targeted for helping people living in camps, and experts in homelessness law who say they’ve never seen anything quite like it in California. Council members considered changing that part of the ordinance Tuesday night, but ultimately passed it as-is 6-1.

“Our public spaces belong to the entire community and it’s really not compassionate at all to cede our public spaces to a select few individuals at the expense of everyone else in the general public,” said Councilmember Raymond Liu, who voted in favor. “Families should be able to take their children to the parks, to the libraries, without fear, and all residents should be able to use our public spaces without encountering any unsafe conditions.”

Council members discussed the camping ban at length in a five-hour meeting Tuesday, where nearly 200 people lined up to speak for and against the measure during public comment. It was an unusual amount of fanfare for an ordinance that the city council already passed once earlier this month – Tuesday’s vote was a “second reading,” which typically is just a formality that warrants no discussion.

But the controversy surrounding the ban, which prohibits camping on all sidewalks, streets and parks in Fremont and makes anyone who aids or abets such a camp subject to a $1,000 fine or six months in jail, prompted the City Council to reevaluate the ordinance.

Three council members, plus the mayor, expressed interest either in removing the aiding and abetting clause or adding language to specify that it wouldn’t be used to punish people for handing out food, water and other essentials in homeless camps.

That change seemed likely to go through until minutes before the final vote. But after City Attorney Rafael Alvarado said multiple times that the aiding and abetting clause would target people who help unhoused people set up illegal camps, not people who give out food, council members changed course. Ultimately, they passed the measure as-is.

Changing the language would have forced council members to re-introduce the ordinance, meaning they’d have to go through two more votes. By the time the City Council voted Tuesday, it was almost midnight.

The text of the ordinance doesn’t specify what qualifies as aiding, abetting or concealing a homeless encampment. That leaves some uncertainty as to how the ordinance will be enforced, despite Alvarado’s assurances, UC Berkeley Law professor Laura Riley told CalMatters.

“That might be their stance at the time of adoption,” she said, “but there’s nothing in the language of the ordinance itself that prevents targeting people from doing things as humane as giving unhoused people tarps when it’s raining.”

In practice, local police often determine how they will enforce an ordinance, Riley said. How the Fremont aiding and abetting clause is interpreted could change when the city’s leadership changes, she said.

The city attorney’s statements were small comfort to Vivian Wan, CEO of Abode Services, which provides food, tents, clothing and other services to unhoused people living in camps.

“We worry about the ‘concealing’ portion, as PD/City staff in Fremont have been known to pressure us to share confidential information, including where a participant is staying,” she said in an email to CalMatters. “I think this ordinance may be used to compel such information, breaking the trust with folks that often takes years to build.”

The measure also puts the city of Fremont at odds with the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern and Southern California, which, in a letter to council members signed by several other aid and human rights groups, said the aiding and abetting clause is “patently unreasonable and will expose the City to legal liability.”

More than two-dozen California cities and counties have either passed new ordinances or beefed up old ordinances banning camping in recent months, after the U.S. Supreme Court gave them more freedom to do so. But none of those bans appear to include specific language that makes it a crime to aid or abet a camp.

In a statement to CalMatters, the Fremont city attorney’s office said the aiding and abetting language is nothing new – it’s already illegal in Fremont, as in many cities, to aid or abet any crime. When asked about that by council members during Tuesday’s meeting, Alvarado said even if the new camping ban didn’t have that specific clause, “in theory,” someone could still be penalized for aiding and abetting a homeless encampment.

But Riley said it’s significant that the new camping ban explicitly makes it a crime to aid and abet an encampment – language she’s never seen in any other active camping ban in California.

“This does seem to be going further,” she said. “Because by making it explicitly tied to this section of the code, to me, it signals that there is intent to prosecute under this section.”

Legal experts CalMatters spoke with said this is extremely unusual. No other city, to the best of CalMatters’ knowledge, has attempted to use general municipal code in the fashion this ordinance would.

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Beyond antibiotics: How to build immunity and prevent infections with food and herbs

by Jacob Thomas

  • 02/12/2025 – During the fourth episode of “Off Grid Survival Skills,” master herbalist Doug Simons told viewers that high-quality, nutrient-dense foods are the cornerstone of robust health and immunity. He critiqued reliance on pharmaceuticals, advocating instead for a diet rich in natural, whole foods to prevent illness and promote long-term wellness.
  • Simons introduced the concept of “boundary medicines” — herbs like garlic, oregano and chaparral that work harmoniously with the body to create a balanced defense against harmful microbes.
  • Highlighting the effectiveness of natural remedies, Simons demonstrated how poultices made from plants like prickly pear, clay and plantain can treat burns, infections and even venomous bites.
  • Simons shared practical strategies for addressing severe conditions like staph infections and brown recluse spider bites using herbs and poultices. He stressed the importance of rebuilding health through rest, nutrient-rich foods and natural remedies, rather than relying solely on antibiotics, which often fail to address root causes.
  • The interview underscores the importance of taking control of one’s health by growing medicinal herbs, preparing natural remedies and embracing the healing potential of everyday plants. Simons encourages a shift in mindset, urging people to view their gardens and kitchens as sources of wellness and resilience.

During the fourth episode of “Off Grid Survival Skills” by Marjory Wildcraft, streamed last Feb. 4 on Brighteon University, Doug Simons, a master herbalist with decades of experience treating infections, burns, wounds and more using the power of plants and food, shared profound insights into how diet, herbs and natural remedies can fortify the body against infections and promote lasting health.

“The best medicine is good food,” Simons said. “We’ll never have high-quality health by consuming poor-quality foods and trying to make up for it with pharmaceuticals or supplements.” His message is clear: The foundation of immunity lies in nutrient-dense, high-quality foods. He also introduced the concept of “boundary medicines”—herbs like garlic, oregano and chaparral that create a harmonious barrier against harmful microbes without resorting to the “war mentality” of modern medicine.

“We’re not trying to kill all the microbes,” Simons explained. “We’re creating boundaries, communicating with them and establishing a balanced relationship.” This holistic approach not only prevents infections but also strengthens the body’s natural defenses, reducing the likelihood of future illnesses.

Simons emphasized the importance of boundary medicines, which include antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal herbs. Garlic, for instance, is a powerhouse when crushed and exposed to air, releasing allicin, a potent compound that combats infections. Oregano, particularly wild or Mediterranean varieties, is another boundary medicine that can be consumed as a tea or oil to fight infections internally.

“Garlic is a hot medicine,” Simons cautioned. “It’s powerful, but you don’t want to consume it on an empty stomach. Always have water or an apple nearby to soothe any digestive discomfort.” He recommends consuming three to seven cloves daily during an infection, depending on the severity.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Simons’ approach is his use of poultices — natural compresses made from plants like prickly pear, clay and plantain. These poultices draw out infections, reduce inflammation and speed healing. “Prickly pear is the best poultice for burns, infections and even venomous bites,” Simons said. “It’s superior to aloe and works wonders for second-degree burns, often healing them in about 10 days.”

Simons demonstrated how to prepare a prickly pear poultice, emphasizing the importance of size and consistency. “The poultice must be larger than the wound and at least an inch thick,” he explained. “It should stay on for six to eight hours, depending on the condition.” For burns, he recommends changing the poultice every six hours to prevent infection and promote healing.

The secret to lasting health isn’t in a pill

Simons also shared his methods for treating serious conditions like staph infections and brown recluse spider bites. “Staph infections are a sign that the body is run down,” he noted. “To treat them, you need to rebuild your health with high-quality food, rest and herbs like garlic and chaparral.” He recommends making a strong chaparral wash to pour over the body and consuming raw garlic to combat the infection internally.

For brown recluse bites, which can cause necrotic tissue damage, Simons relies on poultices to draw out the venom. “A prickly pear poultice, changed every six to eight hours for two to three days, can completely resolve the bite,” he said. “It’s far more effective than antibiotics, which don’t address the venom itself.”

As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, Simons’ insights offer a hopeful alternative. “The secret to lasting health isn’t in a pill,” he concluded. “It’s on your plate and in the herbs you grow. By embracing these natural remedies, we can build a stronger, more resilient body and a healthier future.”

Throughout the interview, Simons stressed the importance of diet in preventing and treating infections. “The healthier we are, the fewer infections we get, and the less severe they are,” he said. He advocates for green powders made from nutrient-rich plants like nettles, which can be consumed daily to boost immunity. “High-quality green energy is one of the most powerful things you can put in your body during a stress state,” he added.

Simons’ message is one of empowerment and simplicity. “These methods are not difficult, but they require a shift in perspective,” he said. “We need to take responsibility for our health and work with our bodies, not against them.” He encourages people to grow their own herbs, learn to make poultices and build a relationship with the plants that heal. Food.news.

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