Climate Scam
Who knew such a thing was possible? A Reuters Investigation has revealed that many of the most developed nations are profiting off of loans to help the less developed fight climate change. We hear much about the “existential crisis” and “moral imperative,” the injustice of those who suffer the most being the least responsible for the calamity. Billions of dollars are pledged to solve the problem, but is the motivation altruistic or self serving? Many of those dollars come in the form of loans, which not only have to be repaid but generate interest revenue at market rates. Some even require the funded projects to utilize materials and workers from the nation making the loan, as do many of the grants which do not have to be repaid. So while many like to measure their concern and commitment in dollars, many of those same dollars are flowing right back into their own pockets.
Rise of the Pig Men (Part 2)
This section previously reported on the successful transplant of a genetically modified pig heart into a human. The man died, but because of other terminal conditions that rendered him eligible for the experiment rather than failure of the organ itself. Now, the same process has been replicated with a pig kidney. The recipient lived for a few months, but his passing was not attributed to the kidney. Such experiments may revolutionize the organ transplant business, making them readily available to far more recipients than currently have any hope of receiving an organ. The potential complications are still unknown, a great deal of gene editing and medication is required to prevent disease and rejection.
Repurposed Farmland
It’s usually flat, sunny, and often available to lease. So who is gobbling it up? Solar electric providers have been constructing installations on land where long term leases are available. They are also willing to pay a premium, from four to six times more than agricultural operations are able to offer. However, the land is often ravaged by the installation process, the soil quality destroyed by grading or sand added to prevent vegetation from growing between the panels. While remediation efforts are often included in contracts, returning the land to productivity may be easier said than done.
Shifting Right
European elections have shown considerable frustration with the centrist and socialist policies that most countries have pursued for years. Perhaps most interesting of all is where some of the momentum for change is coming from. In years past the youngest voters have overwhelmingly supported leftist or green parties. While most still do there has been a significant swing to the right among this demographic, across many countries, in a shift CNN described as “scary.” One example is Germany, where the percentage of the youngest demographic supporting right wing parties increased over ten percent since the last election. Additionally, many places had allowed those as young as 16 to vote for the first time.
There are other indicators as well. Prime Minister of Italy Georgia Meloni’s party, Brothers of Italy, recently came under fire after an undercover reporter shared videos of members of the party’s youth division claiming to be fascists and saluting “seig heil.” Even the Pope has endured criticism for twice speaking against entrenched homosexuality in Catholic seminaries. While most objections have been over the term he used, it is an interesting development considering the pains he has taken to cultivate a “tolerant” image during his tenure. Would he do so if he didn’t consider it necessary or if he thought the majority of Catholics wouldn’t agree? The shift may be more than we expect. The Vatican has even banned those with tattoos or body piercings from working at St. Peter’s cathedral.
The Salty Spoon
In Japan, excessive salt intake is a widespread diet issue that has been difficult to address. Kirin Holdings is marketing a technological workaround, the “Electric Salt Spoon.” For 19,800 Yen (about $120) you can now purchase a rechargeable electric spoon that makes food seem saltier. With 4 levels of intensity, the research indicates food can taste 1.5 times saltier. It works by electrically concentrating sodium molecules on the tongue, increasing the flavor without adding more salt. The spoon is is an expansion of the Nobel Prize winning prototype chopsticks, allowing the technology to be used on a wider variety of dishes. Only 200 units are currently (no pun intended) available but the product is expected to hit international markets next year.
Moving the Border?
Many are probably aware of the territory Russia controls on the Baltic Sea, disconnected from the rest of its territory, called Kaliningrad. It has been held by Russia since the end of WWII and retained through the fall of the Soviet Union. Providing Russia its only Baltic Sea port that doesn’t freeze in winter, it is otherwise surrounded by Poland and Lithuania, both of which are members of NATO. Its boundaries also include territorial waters in the Baltic. It is these that have been suggested will change. The Russian Defense Ministry website published a document in late May 2024 indicating that the boundary was calculated off of outdated and inaccurate maps and would need to be reestablished. This revelation shocked Lithuania as well as Finland, whose territorial waters would also be affected. The document was subsequently taken down, with the Kremlin dismissing the idea that the posting was politically motivated. Accident, warning, ploy or otherwise, the incident has served to heighten tensions among countries with a long history of confrontation with Russia.
Drafted
Compulsory military service may be more common than you think. Nine European countries currently employ it and more are considering its introduction or reinstatement. Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Cyprus, Greece and Austria require male citizens to receive training and serve at least a short term. Sweden requires men and women to participate. Some allow a longer period of community service to be substituted for military training. The threat of conflict has definitely been a factor in preserving or in some cases reinstating this practice. Its implementation has been hinted at by high ranking individuals in Germany and Italy.
Endangered
Orcas, or killer whales as they are called, are living up to their more dangerous designation. What scientists believe to be a specific group of these large mammals have been harassing ships in the Strait of Gibraltar. This behavior has been observed over years, but in recent months a 50 foot yacht actually sank after the whales repeatedly rammed it. Those aboard were picked up by another vessel. It is not known if the behavior is playful or an act of outright aggression. The results are the same, and it makes you wonder who is really endangered.
Exclusively Gay
Low-income housing has long been supported by the fed as well as state governments. Funding incentives exist to encourage such projects. However, regulations also exist to prevent discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, etc. when it comes to housing. Ironically, many projects are utilizing government incentives to fund exclusively LGBT housing according to WND and the Daily Caller, such as “The Equality Community Center” in Maine for gays over age 55. Other projects are also underway in Florida, Illinois, California, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Is this an abuse of public funds? Would such developments be similarly overlooked if the community were advertised to a specific race or religion? Unlikely.
