Belching Bovines
In the green global crusade for lower emissions no farm animal is left un-prodded. They claim livestock is responsible for well over 10% of global emissions. Front and center is the hated cow and its methane filled burps. To counter this, generations of cows have had their breath tested and been selectively bred to develop the trait of emitting less methane. Since most baby cows are not conceived the old fashioned way, this trait is now commercially available. It may catch on as some nations move to tax livestock emissions. Many remain skeptical, however. The gasses produced are a byproduct of digestion and the trait may actually be unhealthy. Some fear the true impact may not be known for years. Meanwhile, many generations will have been bred, making a course correction all the more difficult.
A Nuclear Iran?
The drama surrounding Iran’s nuclear enrichment remains. Who could forget the ill-fated nuclear deal, its cancellation, and the vain attempts to reenter it? Neither the deal nor its termination has deterred our unscrupulous foe from pursuing its radioactive ambitions. The deal relied on voluntary compliance and oversight by the IAEA to ensure enrichment stayed under 4%. It sought to entice Iran into submission with economic benefits. Opaque operations and the stonewalling of those tasked with oversight caused the next US administration to end it, instead hammering Iran’s economy with sanctions, hoping to limit their ability to pursue nuclear programs. But sanctions can only do so much if other nations are willing to help Iran work around them. Iran’s recent acceptance into the BRICS trading bloc illuminates the willingness of many to do so.
The current administration tried desperately to bring Iran back into the deal and was snubbed. The contents of the deal are not even relevant any longer. Iran has a large store of uranium enriched to 60%. While 90% is needed for a warhead, what they have (that we know about) at 60% is enough for three bombs. We can only speculate about what they have kept secret. There are sites with traces of uranium that were never part of their official program. Iran has refused to offer any explanation.
The Land You Are On
So reads the extra 1% charge in the tax section at the bottom of a receipt in British Columbia. For the time being, participation is optional for merchants. Many would like to see that change. The funds go to support indigenous peoples. Steps are being taken in many places to entrench such measures like the Indigenous Voice Referendum scheduled for the middle of October in Australia. If approved, it would create an elected panel to “proactively” advise the executive and legislator on the needs of their communities.
Unexpected Diagnosis
Depression… Forgetfulness… Digestive issues… So went the symptoms of a 64 year old Australian. Respiratory problems and fever led to hospitalization. Many tests were run and a scan revealed an anomaly in the brain that prompted surgery. A living roundworm, 3 inches in length, was removed. The species is common in pythons, but both the size and location of such a parasite in humans was remarkable. Having foraged for edible grasses in areas inhabited by pythons, it is thought that the parasitic larva may have been ingested due to improper washing.
Discoveries From Ancient Rome
Remains of a large, flat bottomed river ship have been uncovered at a coal mine in Serbia. It is near an ancient Roman town named Viminacium. Unlike many other sites, this one is not covered by a modern city. The remnants may date from between 200 and 300 AD. The vessel is nearly 50 feet in length, numerous other artifacts have been discovered nearby as well. An even older cemetery has been unearthed in Gaza. It was discovered during a building project. Some graves are thought to date back to the first century. Most still contain skeletal remains. Some were found with coins in their mouths, an ancient custom, and two decorated lead coffins were also uncovered.
“Adult Human Females Only”
While such a rule might not sound discriminatory to the average citizen, the strange world of LGBTQI+ creates some of its own problems. At least that was the case at a monthly lesbian speed dating event. Trans-women, some shy of a complete transition, were also attending. Certain revealing outfits and awkward bathroom confrontations made the differences clear, leading to the “adult human female” rule being instituted. The outcry against the “transphobic” rule was such that the event was shut down. The venue yielded to pressure and canceled their reservations.
A Revolutionary Green Idea!
The shipping industry is said to account for over 3% of global emissions. What can be done to lower the amount of pollution spewed by these cargo ships? A revolutionary new green idea is being tested… They are going to harness the power of the wind! That’s right, sails! Albeit not the cloth and rope rigging of yesteryear, but one does not need to dig very far into history to find that this method of propulsion is both tried and true, if somewhat lacking in consistency. Still it may have something to offer as our planet experiences many seasonal and consistent gusts. These experimental sails are more akin to airplane wings than anything your mateys could help hoist. They are well over 100 feet long, made of metal, and are raised and adjusted with motors. Leaving the crew with nothing more to do than put their feet up and dream of even less chartered waters.
Violence in Cyprus
Sentiment against “irregular migration” spiraled out of control on the island of Cyprus recently. A weekend-long rampage led to over 20 arrests. The town of Chlorakas, where the incidents took place, has a small population and many claimed they have been overwhelmed with migrants. The government actually prohibited newly arrived asylum seekers from settling there in 2021. But the island also has issues with human traffickers bringing people in illegally, as recent arrests show. Even rights groups claim that no effort is made toward integration, creating societies within societies that often have little in common. They also say citizens are beyond frustrated by politicians that promise solutions but do not deliver results. Whatever the case may be, tensions continue to mount in a way that can only lead to disaster.
The Future of War
The conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated what conventional war + modern technology looks like. Soldiers on both sides of the fighting front live huddled in vast trench systems reminiscent of World War 1. This protects them from traditional artillery as well as drones, which have been deployed by both sides in ways never before seen. Cheap and readily available, they provide a relatively disposable means of surveillance and also carry explosives, punishing installations not fortified or underground. High speed drone boats have been used to disable Russian battleships on the Black Sea. Russia has also deployed them widely, including models that resemble miniature fighter jets and are capable of maneuvers no human pilot could withstand. All major nations are racing to develop these remote, and in some cases autonomous, technologies. Think planes, submarines, and everything in between…
Telling Whoppers or Making Whoppers
Burger King is facing a class action lawsuit. The charge? Deceiving its customers with depictions of its signature burger that make it seem larger than it actually is. Plaintiffs allege Burger King portrays the sandwich as over a quarter larger, with twice the meat and toppings that protrude beyond the bun. By comparison the product served is a disappointment, they claim. The case will be heard in Florida and seeks $5 million in damages.
