Deaths from the synthetic opioid fentanyl skyrocketed more than 1,000% from 2011 to 2016, according to a report released Thursday.

The number of fatalities related to the drug held fairly steady between 2011 and 2012, hovering around 1,600 deaths in both those years. In 2013, the number increased to just over 1,900 fatalities.

Beginning in 2014, though, fentanyl-related deaths began to double each year. In 2014, fentanyl was involved in 4,223 deaths. In 2015, it was 8,251 deaths. And in 2016, fentanyl-related deaths had jumped to 18,335.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it will consider allowing the highly drift-prone pesticide dicamba to be sprayed on up to 90 million acres of corn.

Dicamba is produced by Monsanto, which is now owned by Bayer. Drift from dicamba sprayed on cotton and soybean fields has damaged an estimated 5 million acres of crops, trees and backyard gardens over the past three years. That has prompted several states to restrict its use.

“Use of this dangerous, uncontrollable toxin should be banned, not expanded,” said Nathan Donley, a senior scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity. “With millions of acres of crops, orchards and natural areas already harmed by this volatile herbicide, Trump’s EPA should reject Monsanto’s self-serving request to dramatically escalate its use.”

Henriksen is among more than 3,000 Ford Explorer owners who’ve complained to Ford or federal regulators that they suspect exhaust fumes have seeped into their sport-utility vehicles’ cabins. Many fear carbon monoxide gas may have made them ill, and dozens of drivers have complained to regulators that the company’s recommended fix wasn’t effective. Explorer owners have filed more than 50 legal claims nationwide against Ford. And some police departments in the U.S. said in 2017 that Explorers used as cruisers were exposing officers to carbon monoxide.

Bayer shares plunged more than 12 percent after a second US jury ruled that glyphosate-based Roundup weed killer causes cancer. It was a huge blow to the German pharmaceutical giant which bought US agrochemical firm Monsanto.

The stock drop during Wednesday morning trading on the Frankfurt exchange wiped out almost $8 billion from Bayer's market value.

Johnson & Johnson was the "kingpin" that fueled the country's opioid crisis, serving as a top supplier, seller and lobbyist, according to a state official leading the legal fight against the companies that helped create the crisis.

Why it matters: Purdue Pharma, which makes OxyContin, has been the main target so far in lawsuits. But court documents show attorneys general also are trying to cast a wider net, drawing more attention to J&J's role in the global opioid market.

Driving the news: The first big trial of the opioid epidemic is set to begin in May in Oklahoma. It will set the stage for similar litigation in other states, as well as the consolidated nationwide lawsuit that has been compared to the tobacco litigation of the 1990s.

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has asked a state court to publicly release millions of pages of confidential documents that J&J submitted during the discovery phase of the case.

Russia is set to become the world’s largest supplier of naturally grown organic foods, after taking a stand against genetically-engineered fake-food seeds last summer, saying that it has ‘chosen a different path.’

The decision is based on healthy skepticism as Russia has conclusively proved that GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) have not been proven safe for long-term consumption.

Monsanto/Bayer AG’s glyphosate-based Roundup weed killer was found to be a “substantial factor” in causing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a California man, as the trial proceeds to its next phase to determine liability and damages.

In a landmark verdict that could affect numerous other cases, a federal jury in San Francisco found Roundup herbicide to be a significant contributing factor in causing the cancer of a man from Santa Rosa, California. During the trial, 70-year-old Edwin Hardeman alleged that his decades-long exposure to the Monsanto product had led him to develop a cancer that affects the immune system, called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).

US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joe Dunford issued a statement Monday denying weekend media reports that the US plans to leave around 1,000 troops in Syria, saying the reports are “factually incorrect.”

Dunford presented the current planned “residual force” as 200, saying that this hadn’t changed since February. The US announced 200 would stay on February 21, but on February 22 officially increased that number to 400.

It’s not clear from Dunford’s statement where the “incorrect” aspect of the new report, which came out of a Wall Street Journal, exists. That report suggested that the 1,000 figure was not yet finalized, but was being discussed. Dunford’s comments didn’t include any details on what is actually being discussed, but just that nothing was finalized.

While most countries across the world continue to eschew virtually all food creations originating from the lab rather than the farmstead (especially in Europe, where nearly 20 countries banned GMOs in 2015), the United States is charging full-steam ahead toward a completely new type of food system.

This emerging system places scientists at the forefront of food production, not farmers.

In many cases, lab-made food companies start with admirable goals of ending or minimizing animal suffering, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and other similar missions.

But critics wonder why these novel foods are being rushed to market without long term safety testing at a time when increasing amounts of synthetic foods are being allowed into the U.S. supply.

Why does this matter?

Because the government is using this issue to experiment with suspending the First Amendment.

They have succeeded in getting Facebook, Google and Amazon to censor SCIENTIFIC information.

Coming later this week…we found a direct connection between the vaccine industry and the recent Wired article smearing the work of legitimate autism researchers.

Essential viewing – and sharing.

Temple has updated its immunization policy in the wake of the outbreak, Student Health Services said, by adding three new requirements for students set to matriculate: two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine; two doses of the chicken pox vaccine; and one dose of the Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis vaccine.

Well, this is a downer: Prozac, a drug taken by millions of folks every day to help them cope with chronic depression and anxiety, has been shown to allow for antibiotic resistance in dangerous strains of bacteria, under laboratory conditions.

Did you know that allergy medicine was hijacked in 1925 to ignore anything other than dust, mold, pollen and pet dander?

Guess who did that?

If you’re guessing the Petro-Chemical-Medical complex you’d be on the right track.

A Russian hospital specializing in treating children with cancer stands accused of years of negligence, with over 100 patients reportedly infected with Hepatitis C. Management has denied responsibility.

The hospital, which is located in Blagoveshchensk in Russia’s Far East, is currently being investigated by federal law enforcement. A probe was launched after parents who claimed their children had been infected filed a complaint. The scandal came to public attention last December, with the reported number of victims growing from a few to 26 to over 100 on Thursday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first new kind of depression treatment seen in decades, a nasal spray drug based on the sedative ketamine.

The new drug, licensed by Johnson & Johnson’s pharma division, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, isn’t ketamine exactly. It’s derived from esketamine, a chemical sibling of ketamine. It will be sold under the brand name Spravato.

For years, ketamine has been prescribed off-label via IV infusion for people struggling with severe depression and suicidal ideation, with some patients experiencing relief within hours. Importantly, these are typically patients who haven’t responded well to other treatments. The nasal spray will be approved for this same select group of patients.

Consumers looking for clean, healthy food have for years turned to foods with the USDA’s organic seal. This seal is understood to mean that the food has been grown in accordance with organic principles—most importantly, that the farming practices promote healthy soil, which in turn produces healthy food. Unfortunately, corporate influence has infected the USDA’s organic program to such an extent that it can be difficult to trust the organic seal. Until the USDA cleans up its act, consumers may need to start looking to alternatives, such as the Real Organic Project.

Here’s the film that made the Big Pharma go nuts.

They don’t want you to see it. They don’t want you to talk about it. They don’t want you to think about it.

In coordination with Congress and the news media, Amazon, Google and Facebook have scrubbed search results, groups, and even books and videos from their service that question the safety and efficacy of products of the vaccine industry.

You can buy the film from YouTube

Google, Amazon, Facebook have all lined up overnight to block all information about the dangers of vaccinations.

It was clearly planned out in advance and then choreographed to coincide with a recent Congressional hearing.

Google has changed search results, Amazon has removed books and videos from its store, and Facebook has erased long standing parent groups, not only about the dangers of vaccines, but also how to treat children who who have been severely injured by them.

In response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit, the FDA has admitted, for the first time, that government agencies, including the CDC, are recommending vaccines for pregnant women that have neither been licensed for pregnant mothers by FDA nor tested for safety in clinical trials. The lawsuit, filed by Children’s Health Defense (CHD) attorney, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on behalf of Informed Consent Action Network(ICAN), a vaccine safety advocacy group, sought all clinical trial data used by FDA to approve influenza vaccines for pregnant women. The FDA’s terse reply: “We have no records responsive to your requests.”

Amazon censors vaccine debate

All books and films that question forced vaccination removed from sale.

Facebook has also delisted numerous parent groups that question forced vaccination.

A coordinated attack on science and free speech.

This is the Congressman who pushed this

https://schiff.house.gov/contact

Italian children have been told not to turn up to school unless they can prove they have been properly vaccinated.

The deadline follows months of national debate over compulsory vaccination.

Parents risk being fined up to €500 (£425; $560) if they send their unvaccinated children to school. Children under six can be turned away.

The new law came amid a surge in measles cases - but Italian officials say vaccination rates have improved since it was introduced.

Under Italy's so-called Lorenzin law - named after the former health minister who introduced it - children must receive a range of mandatory immunisations before attending school. They include vaccinations for chickenpox, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella.

Founder of Generation Rescue JB Handley talks with Del Bigtree about the concerning hepatitis B vaccine research coming out of China. From this week's episode of The #HighWire.

A bombshell video snippet from Del Bigtree (see below) dares to ask the all-important question: Why have the number of vaccines given to children skyrocketed over the last three decades?

The answer may shock you. In 1986, Congress passed a law granting legal immunity to vaccine manufacturer, but only for vaccines on the childhood immunization schedule. Since then, vaccine makers have worked to push as many vaccines as possible onto that schedule for the sole purpose of enjoying legal immunity from lawsuits for faulty products and vaccine damage.

Thus, children have become a “dumping ground” for faulty vaccines that are manufactured with near-zero quality control measures because forcing those vaccines onto the childhood immunization schedule grants Big Pharma corporations legal immunity from lawsuits.

What nobody is acknowledging is the fact that these outbreaks are happening in highly vaccinated populations. Vaccination coverage of MMR has not dropped, so why is the media saying that parents aren’t vaccinating and therefore measles is making a comeback? Washington State has a very high vaccination coverage for MRR. See for yourself, here.

An important letter was presented last week to the Senate subcommittee that is discussing federal laws that force parents to vaccinate their children. The statement below is from The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, and they have come out strongly in opposition to the possibility of federally mandated vaccines.

No matter what your opinion is on vaccinating children, please read this.

One of the strengths–and weaknesses–of a Western medical education is its predisposition to break things down and compartmentalize them. While much data is gleaned in the minutiae, very little attention is given to the interrelationship between disciplines. While a medical student may become a true specialist in their field, they too become compartmentalized, and are often ignorant of very important information that would be essential for a broader, more holistic overview. And this appears to be by design.

Across the country, counties are reporting measles cases: at least 206 in 11 states, per the latest count. On social media, platforms such as Facebook and YouTube are facing pressure to crack down on conspiracy theories and misinformation about vaccines. And on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are discussing what they're calling "a growing public health threat."

But in state after state, legislators are introducing bills that make it easier for people to opt out of vaccinations.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, at least 20 states have introduced bills this year that would

broaden the reasons why parents can exempt kids from getting vaccines even if there isn't a medical need

require doctors to provide more information on the risks of vaccines

Both Butler and Dahan acknowledged what most consumers have long suspected: that the prices we pay for eyewear in no way reflect the actual cost of making frames and lenses.

When he was in the business, in the 1980s and ’90s, Dahan said it cost him between $10 and $16 to manufacture a pair of quality plastic or metal frames.

Lenses, he said, might cost about $5 a pair to produce. With fancy coatings, that could boost the price all the way to $15.

He said LensCrafters would turn around and charge $99 for completed glasses that cost $20 or $30 to make — and this was well below what many independent opticians charged. Nowadays, he said, those same glasses at LensCrafters might cost hundreds of dollars.

What’s the proper reaction to a minor localized outbreak of measles?

If you’re the State of Washington, you declare a State of Emergency.

If you’re the New York Times the Washington Post, or NPR you whip up NATIONAL hysteria.

If you’re Congress, you hold a hearing to attack the “Anti-Vax nuts.”

How about some basic logic and a little science?

If the vaccines are safe, why did Congress did to make the makers legally immune from product liability claims?

If the vaccines are effective, then why not let the people who believe in their safety and effectiveness get them and thereby protect themselves.

Anyone who believes vaccines will make them safe should have nothing to worry about, right?

Uh, not quite.

Across the country, counties are reporting measles cases: at least 206 in 11 states, per the latest count. On social media, platforms such as Facebook and YouTube are facing pressure to crack down on conspiracy theories and misinformation about vaccines. And on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are discussing what they're calling "a growing public health threat."

But in state after state, legislators are introducing bills that make it easier for people to opt out of vaccinations.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, at least 20 states have introduced bills this year that would

broaden the reasons why parents can exempt kids from getting vaccines even if there isn't a medical need

require doctors to provide more information on the risks of vaccines

"The volume of legislative activity is greater than in past years," the organization said. "But averse bills outnumbering supportive ones conforms with trends from prior years."

The FDA issued a warning advising consumers against using certain makeup products from Claire's, as they could be contaminated with asbestos. The FDA said samples of the following products tested positive for tremolite asbestos:

o Claire's Eye Shadows - Batch No/Lot No: 08/17
o Claire's Compact Powder - Batch No/Lot No: 07/15
o Claire's Contour Palette - Batch No/Lot No: 04/17

Consumers who have these batches/lots of Claire's Eye Shadow, Compact Powder, and Contour in their home should stop using them.

The FDA sampled and had tested targeted cosmetic products following reports of contaminated cosmetics marketed by Claire's. Testing was conducted on behalf of FDA by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and AMA Analytical Services, Inc.

This clip highlights how the chemical industry engaged in a conspiracy to keep any information about the scientific findings of cancer causing effects of Polyvinyl Chloride a secret from the public (workers/physicians/govt).

Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, renowned pediatrician and author advises parents on home treatment and diagnosis of colds and flus, childhood illnesses, vision and hearing problems, allergies, and more. PLUS, a complete section on picking the right doctor for your child, step-by-step instructions for knowing when to call a doctor, and much more.

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP is exploring filing for bankruptcy to address potentially significant liabilities from roughly 2,000 lawsuits alleging the drugmaker contributed to the deadly opioid crisis sweeping the United States, people familiar with the matter said on Monday.

The potential move shows how Purdue and its wealthy owners, the Sackler family, are under pressure to respond to mounting litigation accusing the company of misleading doctors and patients about risks associated with prolonged use of its prescription opioids.

Purdue denies the allegations, arguing that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved labels for its opioids carried warnings about the risk of abuse and misuse associated with the pain treatments.