Red Heifers
In the Spring of 2024 this magazine reported on red heifers in Israel, an integral part of the purification ritual from Numbers 19. This process will be completed before the Jews begin any sort of sacrifice again, something the Bible indicates will be taking place prior to the tribulation. At the time, 4 of the 5 heifers qualified. No action was taken, however. The restoration of the Temple service is extremely controversial, even in Israel. Now, all of the 5 heifers have been disqualified. The Temple Institute did practice burning one of them to obtain the ashes as described in the ceremony, but any actual return to sacrificing is again on hold until a perfectly red and unblemished heifer is found.
Not So Bright
Geo-engineering projects that aim to dim the sunlight reaching Earth’s surface continue on a small scale. Their intent is to reflect more sunlight back into space, lowering the planet’s temperature to fight global warming, which is controversial to say the least. Trials have so far been on a small scale and some tests have been thwarted by local governments concerned about fallout. There are yet unrealized plans for larger scale testing in international waters. Ironically, it is aerosol, the purported scourge of the ozone layer in the 90s, that scientists now propose to release into the atmosphere to make clouds more reflective. There is no scientific consensus on the wisdom of this. Consider the lockdowns in 2020. Climate scientists’ favorite line of logic is that fossil fuels equal global warming. Yet they claim people not driving their cars caused temperatures to increase because the exhaust reflects heat from the sun. Let’s hope the powers that be keep these geniuses on a short leash before they do something rash.
German Troops Abroad
About 5,000 German troops have been stationed permanently in Lithuania, the first such German deployment since WW2. Other foreign missions conducted by German troops have occurred, such as contributions to various conflicts in the Middle East, but those have been far more limited in scope and duration. As the threat from Russia has spurred a rearmament in Europe, Germany has been encouraged to shrug off its post-war reluctance and assume a military role equal to its economic power. Eastern Germany and Lithuania were both subjugated by the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991.
Eurozone Expands
Bulgaria will be added to the 20 countries that have adopted the Euro as their official currency. A member of the EU since 2007, Bulgaria has had a long road to adoption. Countries must meet certain criteria on inflation, deficit spending, and economic integration as well as face other regulatory hurdles before being approved to adopt the Euro. Six members of the EU’s 27 members still do not use the Euro and reportedly have no plans to join. These are Hungary, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Romania, and the Czech Republic.
Digital Dragnet
The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, the Department of Defense… All of these entities use a program called Babel X that scours the internet for public (and not so public) information on any person they are interested in. It provides available public records, social media posts, IP addresses, advertising data linked to an individual’s history, and even location data. The benefit to law enforcement is obvious, but it is somewhat concerning that such a wealth of information on any individual is available at the touch of a button and there is certainly potential for abuse.
Surpassed
Streaming services had more viewers than cable and broadcast TV combined for the first time last May, according to Nielsen’s ratings. It has been a long time coming, with streaming making steady gains over recent years. Not surprisingly, YouTube boasts the largest streaming audience, comprising a whopping 12% of total TV viewership.
Girl Power
A man, who has yet to be brought to justice, tried to attack a 13 year old girl who was walking home from school in California. Fortunately, he picked on the wrong girl. This particular young lady had been training in Jiu-Jitsu for years. She punched him, stomped (and broke) his ankle, spun him around and briefly had him in a headlock before he made his ignominious escape. The police have yet to apprehend him, but he’s probably more worried she’ll find him first.
Robot Drop-Off
Amazon is testing the use of humanoid robots to deliver packages to your doorstep. They are being trialed in conjunction with Amazon’s current fleet of delivery vans, though there is some speculation that they could eventually be paired with self-driving technology to completely automate the delivery process. Right now the idea is they could speed up deliveries by assisting human drivers. The technology is thought to be adept at standard layout homes with clear driveways and walkways. The challenge will be compensating for anomalies in design and the possibility of interference by humans and animals, a potentially enormous liability.
Blushing Buddha
An unscrupulous woman has devastated at least nine high ranking Buddhist monks with a seductive scam, according to reports. Her scam has been revealed in tens of thousands of photos, videos, and communications siezed by police. It went thus: seduce a monk (they are supposed to be celibate), document the relationship, tell the monk you are pregnant, use the documentation to extort large sums of money from the monk in exchange for silence. In total, she received almost $12 million in this manner. While monks take vows of poverty, monasteries receive many donations and often have significant resources. She spent much of the money gambling online and is now facing charges for her actions. The King of Thailand has disciplined many of the errant monks.
Bypassing the Dollar
The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is offering an alternative to the U.S. Dollar for transactions. While most African nations do not seek to avoid the Dollar out of malice, some (such as South Africa) may see that as an added bonus. Cost is a major issue. Many African banks lack Dollars. Local currencies have to be converted, transactions take place through overseas partners, and the funds are then reconverted into the recipient’s currency, with fees incurred at every step. PAPSS seeks to process transactions from one local currency to another, eliminating the need to use the Dollar or the Euro as an intermediary step. The process faces challenges, including pressure from the U.S. to maintain the Dollar’s status as the currency of international commerce. Intentional or not, it aligns with the trend of de-Dollarization embraced by many of America’s rivals.
Dr. Dolittle Meets AI
Chinese tech company Baidu has patented an AI system to interpret animal noises and translate them into human speech. Think Balaam and his donkey from Numbers 22, but as an app. While still in the research and development phase, many are gushing with enthusiasm over the potential benefits to zookeepers, veterinarians and those who just want to feel closer to their favorite furry friend. Some remain skeptical, and the resulting product may fall short of the “sweechy poochy wuvy” baby talk our active and anthropomorphic imaginations are accustomed to. A bigger question still is, do you really want to know what your cat thinks of you?
