Throughout history, certain decades have been marked by unprecedented challenges, including devastating wars, catastrophic diseases, and natural disasters. These perilous periods have profoundly impacted civilizations, reshaping societies and leaving enduring scars. This article explores some of the most dangerous decades in human history, examining the events that tested human resilience and survival.

from SGT Report: The brilliant and persecuted Dr. Robert Young joins me from prison to discuss the war against humanity which is being openly waged via bioweapons, dollar debasement, inflation, fentanyl, opioids and cultural marxism. What’s even worse is the open treason and coverups at the highest levels of our “government”. Thanks for tuning in. […]

by Martin Armstrong, Armstrong Economics: This is an important report on the prospect for another American Civil War as now the polls show that 30% of American view that violence is necessary to solve policial disputes. The United States has become so POLARIZED that there is no possible resolution. Politics has devolved into trying to undermine a […]

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Tuberculosis, the world’s deadliest infectious disease, still claims more than 1.2 million lives every year. Yet in clinics like Boniaba Community Health Center in Mali, the process of diagnosing TB looks very different than it did just a few years ago. There may be no doctor present, but patients now receive answers within seconds thanks to a portable x-ray machine and an artificial intelligence model designed to spot signs of infection. This shift is significant. TB often takes root in places that have the fewest medical professionals to diagnose it. The hard fact is that some countries have fewer than five radiologists total, and most are clustered in major cities. “There are countries in which there are less than five radiologists. It’s like a disaster,” explains Dr. Lucica Ditiu, executive director of the Stop TB Partnership. That shortage has long delayed care and left many cases undetected. Now, over 80 low- and middle-income countries are using AI to help bridge the gap. “It is revolutionary,” Ditiu says. How AI-supported screenings work At Boniaba, health worker Diakité Lancine sets up his portable machine, snaps a chest x-ray, and sends the image straight to his computer. The AI model analyzes it and produces both a score and a visual map. Areas of concern glow red. “The blue there is nothing bad, but whenever you see the red — the red means this part is not good,” Lancine explains. When a mother visited the clinic with a persistent cough, the AI indicated possible TB. Lancine immediately collected a sputum sample for confirmation and then asked her to bring her five children for screening. Within minutes, AI flagged signs of TB in three of them. They will all start treatment, likely preventing further spread at home. For children especially, AI makes earlier detection easier. Producing sputum samples can be difficult, and many cases once went undiagnosed. Since integrating AI screening, Lancine’s team has cut the number of unnecessary sputum tests by about half. Why TB is a natural fit for AI TB shows up clearly on chest x-rays, which makes the condition well-suited to AI diagnostic tools. “You can see TB. TB is visual,” says MIT computer scientist Regina Barzilay, who developed an AI model for a hospital in Sri Lanka that couldn’t afford commercial options. She notes that building the system cost less than $50,000 and took only a few months. Unlike screenings for many cancers, the equipment needed for TB x-rays is already common in lower-resource medical settings. And training to use it is minimal. But the urgency is what truly drives adoption. According to the World Health Organization, TB cases have been rising, increasing from 10.1 million in 2020 to 10.8 million in 2023. In refugee camps, remote regions, and crowded urban centers, the need to detect TB quickly is enormous. Some of the same AI tools are already beginning to detect other lung conditions, including pneumonia and early signs of lung cancer. Barzilay believes that many countries with limited medical infrastructure may leap ahead in adopting AI, similar to how many skipped landlines and moved straight to mobile phones. “AI is going to be adopted much faster in developing countries because they have serious unmet needs,” she says. Important cautions and safeguards Experts stress that AI is not a replacement for doctors. Plus, without systems for oversight, mistakes may go unnoticed. Radiologist Erwin John Carpio in the Philippines warns that models can “drift,” or lose accuracy over time: “They fail silently. They don’t tell you that they’re making a mistake.” Some programs, including those supported by the Global Fund, address this by having external radiologists regularly review a sample of cases to ensure accuracy. But this requires a coordinated network of clinicians, data scientists, and engineers, which is not always easy to maintain. Still, advocates emphasize that in many regions, the alternative is no screening at all. “There are very, very few radiologists,” says Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund. “It’s better than nothing.” A promising future, if treatment follows diagnosis With faster screening, many more people with TB are being identified. The question now, experts say, is whether health systems can ensure access to medication and follow-up care. For families in places like Mali, early detection means something immediate and personal: children can recover, parents can keep working, and communities can slow transmission. AI may not solve TB alone, but it is proving to be a major player in changing the story.The post AI brings faster, life-saving TB screenings to communities with limited healthcare access first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Thanksgiving, a time of thanks and feasting, often comes with an unanticipated environmental cost. From extra food waste to increased carbon emissions, the holiday season may have a significant impact on our planet. However, choosing eco-friendly options does not imply foregoing the joy of celebrating. Here’s a thorough guide to a fulfilling and sustainable eco-friendly Thanksgiving. Natural and creative décor: highlighting nature’s bounty Turn to nature’s offerings to elevate your table décor. Sustainability advocate Sarah Robertson-Barnes proposes using natural components left over from Halloween, such as gourds, pumpkins, dried corn, and pine cones, emphasizing, “Celebrate the abundance that nature provides on your table.” Explore internet resources such as Pinterest for inspiration on earthy and imaginative styling ideas that include these components. Mindful meal planning: minimize waste, maximize flavor Meal planning is the first step in creating an eco-friendly feast. Aside from culinary pleasure, it is critical to consider the environmental impact. “Be deliberate about what you’re putting on your menu, right down to the last potato,” Robertson-Barnes recommends. She emphasizes the possibility of repurposing leftovers in novel ways, such as producing broths or changing turkey carcasses into recipes such as shepherd’s pie or casseroles. Leftover delight When it comes to dealing with leftovers, creativity is essential. Robertson-Barnes supports creative reinvention of leftovers to ensure they remain tasty over time. Consider setting a family challenge to reuse leftover turkey, ham, or side dishes into creative new dinners, reducing waste while increasing flavor and satisfaction. Turkey consciousness: redefining tradition Choosing an eco-friendly turkey is critical to minimize Thanksgiving’s environmental effects. Consider purchasing your turkeys locally or investing in organic, ethically bred birds. These solutions offer a chemical-free diet while also prioritizing animal welfare. Organic turkeys, while slightly more expensive, provide a more sustainable alternative to conventional options. Heirloom or heritage turkeys raised in a variety of outdoor habitats provide a richer, but more expensive, option for those with more economic flexibility. Explore turkey alternatives Consider a variety of Thanksgiving centerpiece options that accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions. For smaller groups, fish is a wonderful option, while plant-based options such as portobello steaks or cauliflower “turkey” meet vegetarian or vegan preferences. In order to provide accessible and environmentally responsible dining options, embrace creativity in your menu planning. Freezer efficiency The freezer is an important tool for reducing food waste and increasing financial prudence. Make the most of your freezer space by preserving vegetable stems for future broth-making. Portion and freeze leftovers for quick, on-the-go dinners, which is especially useful for smaller families. This simple approach not only avoids trash but also wasteful supermarket trips and restaurant orders. Through thoughtful choices and innovative techniques, Thanksgiving, a beloved custom, can coexist with sustainability. By implementing these environmentally friendly practices, we celebrate not only the bounty of the season but also our dedication to conserving the earth for future festivities.The post Ways to make your Thanksgiving celebration more eco-friendly this year first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Before the coffee, before the chaos—God’s mercy is waiting. This prayer invites you to claim it every morning.

The Christmas season, while filled with joy, often amplifies our real-life struggles and imperfections. Discover practical strategies to navigate holiday challenges and find true peace in a perfect Savior, not perfect moments.

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