Regression – Syndication

Brazil

The story of COVID-19 in BRAZIL is the story of a president who insists the pandemic is no big deal. Jair Bolsonaro condemned COVID-19 quarantine, saying shutdowns would wreck the economy and punish the poor. He scoffed at the “little flu,” then trumpeted the fatalistic claim nothing could stop 70% of Brazilians from falling ill. And he refused to take responsibility when many did. He poured money into the economy to ease the pain of the pandemic. But while Bolsonaro could have inspired people to hunker down, he instead encouraged them to flout local restrictions.

BRAZIL

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has made no secret of his preferred winner, openly declaring support for Donald Trump after U.S. and Brazilian officials last month signed a trade facilitation agreement and then a deal for up to $1 billion in financing from the U.S. Export-Import bank.

THE BIDENS

TRUMP on Biden when he was vice president: "So Russia, the mayor of Moscow's wife, who's a very wealthy man, she's a very wealthy woman, retired, gave him three and a half million dollars." — North Carolina rally.

HUNTER BIDEN

TRUMP on Joe Biden and Ukraine: "I never had a quid pro quo. How about this quid pro quo? 'We're not going to give you the billion dollars unless you get rid of the prosecutor ... Stop investigating my son.' And then he goes, boom, the prosecutor was fired and they got the billion dollars." — rally Saturday in Muskegon, Michigan.

7. Iguazú Falls, Argentina-Brazil

The Río Iguazú Falls is a spectacular cascading waterfall, located between Argentina and Brazil. Watching the water cascading over the vertical ledge is an incredible experience — in part because of the sheer scale: Iguazú is actually made up of 275 waterfalls and the tallest, the Devil's Throat, is 80 meters deep.

Biden's agenda

NIKKI HALEY, former ambassador to the United Nations, on the Democrats: "They want a government takeover of health care. They want to ban fracking and kill millions of jobs." — Monday.

Upgrading turntable offers bigger audio boost than improving CD player

Q. I recently took advantage of Emotiva’s “30% back in Emobucks” promotion and bought the $399 T-Zero speakers. I then used the resulting 30% credit towards their $399 TA-100 receiver. Now I want to get a turntable and upgrade my CD player, which is an old Technics SL-PG100 from the 1990s. I have $1,000 total to spend and figured I would spend $500 on the turntable and $500 on the CD player. I planned on getting the Music Hall MMF-1.5 “Vessel Special” for $499 from LP Gear. Is there anything else that might be better for around $500, and what would you recommend for the CD player?

Specialized audio furniture makes a big difference

Q. We are really enjoying our new stereo composed of Polk LSiM 705 speakers, Cambridge Audio Alva turntable, Cambridge Audio AXC35 Stereo CD Player and Cambridge Audio CXA80 amplifier. I am sure you recognize all the components because we purchased them all based on recommendations you have made in your column.

Polk Audio Legend series bookshelf speakers highly recommended

Q. My husband has large planar speakers (6 feet high, 3 feet wide) and we are moving to a condo. It will be impossible to use them in the smaller space. Can you suggest small speakers that would provide the same quality when he plays his classical records? We are willing to spend up to $3,000 total for the speakers and amplifier.

Music Hall Classic turntable is impressive pick

Q. I am an old codger and want to get a turntable to play vinyl again. I like the Technics SL-1500C, but it is over my budget by a lot. I want something good, but for under $1,000. I need the auto off feature because I am afraid of forgetting when the record is over and having it spin for hours and hours, ruining my needle.