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Mathew Owens, a British physicist and professor of space physics at the University of Reading,has warned that aonce-in-century solar storm could fry power grids and knock out satellites.

The sun’s activity is currently growing and scientists are particularly concerned about the ongoing solar cycle. It is already more active than the previous cycle, which means the sun could become more active than it has been in the past two decades.

The current solar cycle is already wreaking havoc, with powerful solar flares causing radio blackouts that disrupt long-haul flights. Elon Musk’s SpaceX also lost 40 Starlink satellites as a solar storm caused the atmosphere to expand, increasing the drag for the satellites and causing them to burn up. (Related: Lost in space: Solar storm destroys 38 Starlink satellites, costing Elon Musk’s company tens of millions in losses.)

“We’ve gotten several solar storm warnings over the past decade. With constant news that the power grid is overwhelmed, at some point, we could actually see it go down,” saidDr. Daniel Verscharen, an associate professor of Space and Climate Physics at theUniversity College London.

“The much stronger events don’t happen every cycle.But during a maximum of a strong cycle like the one that is coming, it’s more likely to get some of those events that cause power outages here on Earth.” Things to do before the next blackout

Here are some steps to take to prepare for power grid disruption: Build your survival stockpile

Grow your own food and medicine by creating a sustainable survival garden.

Store the following: Water. You can store emergency water in your vehicle in soft-sided insulated containers; coolers or water jugs; 55-gallon drums or large PVC pipes capped at both ends that you can store underground; or large steel tanks that absorb heat from the sun above ground. (Related: Long-term water storage: Tips for stockpiling water in 55-gallon drums in your garage.) Healthy shelf-stable foods that you and your family eat in daily life (and will like to eat in times of crisis situations), including whole grains; canned/preserved fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and poultry; nuts and seeds; and beans and legumes. (Related: 10 hardy vegetables you can stockpile for at least a year, even without refrigeration.) Storable staple foods, including salt, honey, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, coconut oil, herbs and spices. Special “survival food” that you don’t tear open until an emergency, such as MRE (meals, ready-to-eat) rations. First aid medical supplies, including prescription medicines required by members of your family, over-the-counter must-have medications, sanitizers, antibacterial substances and medical supplies. Have battery backups for medical equipment if someone in your family relies on a medical device. Research what battery backups are available. Cash. You would be wise to have an emergency fund at your home at least $1,000 in a variety of $20, $10, $5 and $1 bills would be smart. Barter items. Keep in mind that cash could potentially become useless too and bartering could take the place of cash in a long enough blackout. For this reason, consider building up a stash of barter items that you can exchange for your specific needs. Items and tools that do not run on electricity, such as kitchen tools (manual can openers, hand-cranked grain grinder), general handyman tools (hand drills, hand saws) and gardening tools. Create “lights-out” boxes or power outage kits

These are portable boxes or containers, plastic totes and/or large duffel bags the first things you look for in the event of a blackout or a power outage.

Some items to place in your “lights-out” boxes or power outage kits are flashlights, headlamps and/or glow sticks for each member of the family, rechargeable batteries, battery testers, multiple-source chargers, first-aid kits, candles, matches, lighters and other fire-starters, extension cords, etc.

Make sure everyone in the family knows the location of the box so that it is easy to retrieve during a blackout. Purchase a hand-cranked weather/emergency radio

Hand crank radios are considered an emergency kit essential by emergency authorities. The best emergency crank radios provide NOAA weather alerts, sustainable power and light. In an age where people are virtually helpless without cell phones and the internet, these radios can be a beacon of hope when you need them most.

Invest in a portable generator

A portable generator may be a wise investment, especially if you live in an area that is increasingly affected by severe weather-related events. Depending on the size and type you get, you may be able to keep your lights on and your appliances running for several hours to several days.

Most models are gasoline-powered and need to operate well away from your home due to dangerous fumes. Some options are battery-operated. Plan “unplugged” activities

Reliance on electronics for entertainment can make boredom a big problem for all ages during power outages. “Unplugged” activities include playing card games and board games; solving jigsaw and word puzzles; and reading books. Keep your car’s tank at least half full

Keep in mind that gas stations need electricity to power their pumps. Purchase power inverters for your vehicle

Power inverters are devices that convert the direct current (DC) from your car or truck into alternating current (AC) that can power some of your devices and appliances. Develop a survival mindset

Focuson ensuring that you and your loved ones will be safe when the grid goes down. Be prepared to endure hardships andbe self-reliant. (Related: Ways to develop mental toughness and a survivor mindset when SHTF.)

Visit Preparedness.news for more stories like this.

Watch this video that talks about the rare solar storm that can destroy power grids.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories:

Earth just dodged a potentially apocalyptic-level solar storm are we safe?

NASA can only give a warning 30 minutes before a killer solar storm, so PREPARE before SHTF.

GPS-dependent America is one solar storm away from collapse.

LIGHTS OUT: 20 Things you need to do during a power outage.

Sources include:

BusinessInsider.com

UrbanSurvivalSite.com 1

UrbanSurvivalSite.com 2

UrbanSurvivalSite.com 3

Amazon.com

Brighteon.com
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Entertainment

Oasis ‘shocked and saddened’ after man dies at Wembley Stadium concert

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Oasis 'shocked and saddened' after man dies at Wembley Stadium concert

Oasis have said they are “shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan” at their Wembley Stadium concert on Saturday.

Together with their bandmates, Liam and Noel Gallagher have offered their “sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved”.

Metropolitan Police said officers on duty at the stadium responded, alongside venue medics and the London Ambulance Service, to reports a person had been injured at around 10.20pm.

The statement continued: “A man – aged in his 40s – was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”

According to media reports, the man fell from the stadium’s upper tier.

A concertgoer on social media said they saw the incident and described it as “horrific”.

Oasis on stage. Pic: AP
Image:
Liam and Noel Gallagher on stage at their first reunion gig. Pic: AP

Metropolitan Police said: “The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage.

“If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101.”

Oasis performed at the venue as planned on Sunday night, delivering the final concert of a five-night run at Wembley.

Addressing fans at the stadium, singer Liam said: “This one’s for all the people who can’t be here tonight, but who are here if you know what I mean, and aren’t they looking lovely. Live Forever.”

The band then played the track of the same name.

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Oasis support act Richard Ashcroft paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “I was shocked to hear of the death of one of the audience last night sending my love to the family and friends.”

A spokesperson for Wembley Stadium said: “Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers.”

They will then head to Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States, before returning to Wembley for two more dates in September.

The reunion tour began at the start of July and marks the Gallagher brothers’ first performances together since Oasis split acrimoniously in 2009.

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Soulja Boy arrested on suspected weapons charge during traffic stop

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Soulja Boy arrested on suspected weapons charge during traffic stop

Soulja Boy has been arrested and charged with possession of a firearm during a traffic stop.

The rapper, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was a passenger in the car that was stopped in the Fairfax area of Los Angeles early on Sunday morning, the LAPD said.

“A passenger was detained and police arrested DeAndre Cortez Way for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm,” the statement added.

Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is a felony.

The 35-year-old was booked into jail in the LAPD’s Wilshire Division shortly after 6am. It is not clear if he has since been released.

Police did not provide information on what prompted the traffic stop and who else was in the vehicle with Way.

Soulja Boy is yet to publicly comment on the incident.

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Soulja Boy is best known for his 2007 hit Crank That, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and landed him a nomination for best rap song at the Grammys.

The rapper was arrested and charged with a felony in 2014 for carrying a loaded gun during a traffic stop in LA.

In April this year, the Chicago hip-hop artist was ordered to pay more than $4m (£3m) in damages to his former assistant after being found liable for sexually assault, as well as physically and emotionally abusing them.

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Environment

Trump’s penalty threat puts India in a bind over Russian oil

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Trump's penalty threat puts India in a bind over Russian oil

The Reliance Industries Ltd. oil refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, on Saturday, July 31, 2021.

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

India is navigating a tricky balancing act after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a “penalty” over its continued imports of Russian oil — a trade that New Delhi appears reluctant to end anytime soon.

Despite Trump telling reporters Friday that he “heard” India would halt purchases, officials in New Delhi have remained noncommittal. Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the country decides its energy import sources “based on the price at which oil is available in the international market and depending on the global situation at that time.”

“The Indians must be having some confusion” following Trump’s threat — a reversal from the more tolerant approach taken under the Biden administration, Bob McNally, president of consulting firm Rapidan Energy Group, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia.”

“Now we’re flipping around and saying, ‘What are you doing taking all this Russian oil?'” McNally said.

In March 2022 — a month after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine — Daleep Singh, a former U.S. deputy national security adviser for international economics in the Biden administration, reportedly said that “friends don’t set red lines” and “there is no prohibition at present on energy imports from Russia.” 

“What we would not like to see is a rapid acceleration of India’s imports from Russia as it relates to energy or any other exports that are currently being prohibited by us or by other aspects of the international sanctions regime,” Singh said.

On July 30, Trump announced that India would face a 25% tariff beginning Aug. 1, along with an unspecified “penalty” for buying Russian oil and military equipment.

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But analysts suggest that India, which is the third-largest energy consumer in the world, isn’t blinking. Reuters reported that there are no immediate changes planned to India’s long-term contracts with Russian suppliers, citing two anonymous Indian government sources that did not wish to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Russia has become the leading oil supplier to India since the war in Ukraine began, increasing from just under 100,000 barrels per day before the invasion, or a 2.5% share of total imports, to more than 1.8 million barrels per day in 2023, or 39%. According to the International Energy Agency, 70% of Russian crude was exported to India in 2024.

India’s energy minister Hardeep Singh Puri defended New Delhi’s actions in a July 10 interview with CNBC, saying that it helped stabilize global prices and was even encouraged by the U.S.

“If people or countries had stopped buying at that stage, the price of oil would have gone up to 130 dollars a barrel. That was a situation in which we were advised, including by our friends in the United States, to please buy Russian oil, but within the price cap.”

Russian oil exports had been capped at $60 per barrel in December 2022 by the Group of Seven nations, representing the world’s top economies, while the European Union had lowered the price cap to just above $47 per barrel in July.

Still, pressure is mounting. Vishnu Varathan, Managing Director at Mizuho Securities, said that the U.S. threats present a “clear and present danger” to India. He said that New Delhi is likely to remain non-committal on oil purchases as it assesses the trade-offs of this “Russia option” as a bargaining chip.

India will need to scour the global market for comparable oil bargains with Russian oil, Varathan, who is also the head of macro research for Asia ex-Japan, added.

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New Delhi could explore alternatives, including Iran — if an exemption from the U.S. can be negotiated — as well as a few other producers “either within or outside of the OPEC+ that have been pressured by the U.S,” Varathan said.

The OPEC+ bloc had agreed on Sunday to raise output by 547,000 barrels per day in September, as concerns mount over potential supply disruptions linked to Russia.

India is going to face a tough choice, Rapidan’s McNally said.

“Trump is serious. He’s frustrated with Putin… India is going to have a tough choice to make, but it’s hard to see them continuing to import that a million and a half barrels [of] Russian crude if Donald Trump decides to really put the whole relationship on the line over it.”

India's purchases of Russian oil helped to stabilize global oil prices: Hardeep Singh Puri

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