UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has said that she no longer has time to read books due to her busy role. In a podcast interview, Frazer revealed that she does not read "very often" and no longer has time to attend her book club. She also admitted that she is not a big consumer of video games or magazines. Frazer, who has recently joined Instagram, has never used ChatGPT, an AI tool that has gained global interest. She did, however, mention that she played the computer game Pong as a child.
US lawmakers have 99 days to avert a government shutdown. The September funding deadline is looming and Congress is due to go on a summer recess, so lawmakers must act quickly to avoid a possible shutdown this fall. However, tensions are high after Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Biden’s bipartisan debt ceiling deal, so the regular appropriations process in the coming months is sure to turn into a tense battle. Senate and House Republicans are headed for a showdown over the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with Senate Republicans on the Appropriations Committee expected to push for more funding than what was agreed to in the debt-limit deal. House Republicans are planning to pass their spending bills below the caps set in the debt limit deal.
Kyiv's annual Arsenal Book Fair took place from June 22-25, despite the threat of Russian aerial bombardment. The fair was launched in 2011 to stimulate book publishing and readership in Ukraine, and to integrate Ukrainian publishing into the international framework. Housed in the Mystetskyi Arsenal, the fair is an important event for Ukraine's literary scene. This year's fair focused on the theme of "When Everything Matters" and included literary programs, special children and teen programs, and a wide selection of books from Ukrainian publishing houses. The fair's success highlights the resilience of Ukrainians and the importance of writers and publishers in shaping the country's future.
The Japanese government’s release of its second National Security Strategy (NSS), along with a National Defense Strategy (NDS) and Defense Buildup Program (DBP), on December 16, 2022, is a pragmatic response to growing security challenges coming from China, North Korea, and Russia as well as threats from the cyber domain. Japan plans to increase its defense budget in the next 5 to 10 years to about 2 percent of GDP, congruous with the agreed-upon but not uniformly adhered to NATO standard. These documents will guide the Ministry of Defense’s priorities in spending across seven broad areas of focus as described in the NDS. This ambitious agenda is laudable yet fraught with potential problems. Namely, with so many priorities, the axiom of “when everything is a priority, nothing really is” comes to mind. It bears remembering and reinforcing that Japan is not in this completely alone and that Japanese priorities, while sovereign, should be nested in the combined strength of its bilateral alliance with the United States. While Japan could unilaterally decide which capabilities to acquire, which reforms to undertake, and which new operational concepts to adopt, it would be ill-advised not to involve its key ally in the prioritization process. The government of Japan is to be commended for its action, leadership, and vision in light of security developments in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere. The release of the second National Security Strategy (NSS), along with a National Defense Strategy (NDS) and Defense Buildup Program (DBP), on December 16, 2022, is a pragmatic response to growing security challenges coming from every possible vector, including China, North Korea, and Russia as well as threats from the cyber domain. Japan’s former policy to restrict the defense budget to 1 percent of GDP, while not always adhered to, guided government decisionmaking for far too long. Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has established a new target for military spending over the next five years: ¥43 trillion ($315 billion), or 1.5 times the current level. Japan plans to increase its defense budget in the next 5 to 10 years to about 2 percent of GDP, congruous with the agreed-upon but not uniformly adhered to NATO standard, as North Korea’s threats and China’s territorial assertiveness increase.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has suggested that it is time for the first female James Bond, indicating her support for a woman playing the titular secret agent in the next film of the franchise. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has made similar comments, stating that it is time for a female Bond. Bookmakers are currently taking bets on a number of actresses to fill the role, including Lashana Lynch, Lily James, and Jodie Comer. However, the current favorites for the role are all male, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, and James Norton priced at the shortest odds.
The concept of being "woke" – or socially and politically conscious – can be applied to the climate crisis, according to environmental journalist Robert Taylor. In an op-ed for The Hill, Taylor argues that woke individuals recognise the threats posed by climate change and demand action from governments and businesses. He suggests that being woke means understanding the global nature of climate change and the need for international cooperation, as well as recognising the inequities between countries in terms of emissions and the impact of global warming.
The vast mineral resources lying beneath the ocean floor are becoming a matter of national security due to their potential economic value. One project investigating the potential of these resources is Project Ultra, which is focused on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The ridge is home to a variety of underwater formations and mineral deposits, including polymetallic nodules and seafloor massive sulphides, which contain valuable metals such as copper, cobalt, nickel, and zinc. Estimates suggest that there may be up to a billion tonnes of copper resources alone in the deep sea, far exceeding the terrestrial reserves.
Deep-sea mining has long been seen as a pipe dream, but recent advancements in submersible technology mean that it is now physically possible. However, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the UN institution responsible for managing the majority of the world’s ocean floor, is still in the process of drafting mining rules. The ISA’s goal is to ensure that the benefits of deep-sea mining are shared among all countries, as the high seas are considered the “common heritage of mankind.” However, there are concerns about the environmental impact of deep-sea mining, and some countries, including Chile and France, have called for a moratorium on such activities until the environmental implications are better understood.
The future of deep-sea mining remains uncertain, with conflicting interests and concerns about ecological damage complicating the issue. While deep-sea mining could provide access to vast mineral resources, it also poses a threat to delicate underwater ecosystems. The decisions made by the ISA and individual countries will determine the future of deep-sea mining and whether it becomes a significant source of valuable minerals.
The vast mineral resources lying beneath the ocean floor are becoming a matter of national security due to their potential economic value. One project investigating the potential of these resources is Project Ultra, which is focused on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The ridge is home to a variety of underwater formations and mineral deposits, including polymetallic nodules and seafloor massive sulphides, which contain valuable metals such as copper, cobalt, nickel, and zinc. Estimates suggest that there may be up to a billion tonnes of copper resources alone in the deep sea, far exceeding the terrestrial reserves.
Deep-sea mining has long been seen as a pipe dream, but recent advancements in submersible technology mean that it is now physically possible. However, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the UN institution responsible for managing the majority of the world’s ocean floor, is still in the process of drafting mining rules. The ISA’s goal is to ensure that the benefits of deep-sea mining are shared among all countries, as the high seas are considered the “common heritage of mankind.” However, there are concerns about the environmental impact of deep-sea mining, and some countries, including Chile and France, have called for a moratorium on such activities until the environmental implications are better understood.
The future of deep-sea mining remains uncertain, with conflicting interests and concerns about ecological damage complicating the issue. While deep-sea mining could provide access to vast mineral resources, it also poses a threat to delicate underwater ecosystems. The decisions made by the ISA and individual countries will determine the future of deep-sea mining and whether it becomes a significant source of valuable minerals.
Western economies need a prolonged period of positive real interest rates, higher than inflation, to restore anti-inflationary credibility to policy, according to a chief economic strategist at Netwealth. The article argues that the end of cheap money is the dominant issue and that markets need to factor this in. It suggests that inflation in many western economies may settle at a higher level than before the pandemic, potentially leading to talk of higher inflation targets. The article also highlights the need for a shift in thinking to keep policy rates higher than what markets have become accustomed to since the 2008 global financial crisis.
Employees now have higher job satisfaction rates than ever before, thanks to higher pay, better benefits and more flexible work arrangements. The belief that a job should be emotionally fulfilling is a relatively modern concept, and one which emerged out of the work done by Robert Hoppock. Born and raised in New Jersey, Hoppock identified the importance of job satisfaction after a speaker at his high school encouraged students to think about their careers and how they could lead to happiness and fulfilment.
Greenpeace has released a charity single, a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t Stop”, accompanied by a music video that played at Glastonbury festival. Directed by Samona Olanipekun, co-produced by Steve McQueen and featuring Future Utopia ft Avelino and Tomorrow’s Warriors, the video features a party that reaches fever pitch as the environment is destroyed around it. Olanipekun said the video captures the “unease at seeing corporations… do damage to the environment on our behalf”. Greenpeace executive director Will McCullum said that the project had involved working with producer Fraser T Smith, who had then brought in other contributors. The video is part of Greenpeace’s most far-reaching campaign so far. McCullum said that Greenpeace had planned the video for a long time, adding that it was “just political will and transferring the cash” to switch subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables.
The UK government's approach to achieving its net-zero emissions target lacks ambition and fails to address the practical challenges of transitioning to clean energy, writes Tom Welsh in The Telegraph. Welsh argues that the government's focus on setting strict targets is a form of legacy-building for politicians, but does not consider the practicalities of increasing demand on the grid or building the infrastructure required for renewable energy. He suggests that the government needs to adopt a more ambitious approach that embraces onshore wind and solar, and invests in new technologies such as small modular reactors.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022, is unlikely to have a significant impact on reducing inflation, according to an analysis by The Heritage Foundation. The law, which aims to reduce inflation and close the tax gap, has been criticized for adding to price pressures and increasing deficits through 2024. The analysis argues that the IRA will not achieve its objectives and will instead centralize power in the federal government, impose higher taxes on businesses and individuals, and inhibit innovation through regulations and subsidies. The report concludes that Congress should repeal the IRA and focus on reducing federal spending, simplifying the tax code, and eliminating harmful regulations.
The outcome of Yevgeny Prigozhin's revolt against Vladimir Putin remains uncertain, but his banishment from Russia means that attention will now shift to Minsk. It is reported that Prigozhin ended up in the Belarusian capital after his paramilitary force was ordered to march on Moscow. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered a temporary truce, but the future stage of the drama will depend on Prigozhin's position in Minsk and how Putin and those around him handle the situation in Russia. Prigozhin is wanted in the US for interfering in the 2016 presidential elections and is subject to sanctions by the US, Canada and Europe.
The recent events in Russia, including Yevgeniy Prigozhin's attempted coup, revealed the fragility of illiberalism. Prigozhin's unsuccessful revolt against President Vladimir Putin demonstrated that autocratic regimes are constantly at risk of catastrophic failure. The suppression of dissent creates apparent harmony, but it is unsustainable because it becomes impossible to know what people genuinely believe. If an opposition group grows to become a secret majority, the entire regime's official narrative could collapse, resulting in a preference cascade.
The failed coup in Russia also revealed Putin’s vulnerabilities and weakened his image of control. Although Putin was able to suppress the uprising quickly, his regime’s viability is now inextricably linked to the war in Ukraine. The mutiny increases the incentives for escalation from all sides, as Western countries are likely to increase pressure on Ukraine to continue its counteroffensive against Russia. Additionally, Putin might double down on his commitment to the war and become even more risk-averse.
Moreover, the events surrounding the coup provide the West with an opportunity to shut down Prigozhin’s Wagner Group, a network of mercenaries responsible for atrocities in Ukraine and other conflict zones. The United States and Europe should take advantage of the chaos within Wagner to dismantle its international operations and hold Russian officials accountable for their crimes. The mutiny has exposed the fragility of Putin’s regime and provided a chance for change.
Salt Lake City is considering bidding to host the Winter Olympics either in 2030 or 2034, according to Gene Sykes, chairman of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Sykes said that the USOPC had been in contact with the International Olympic Committee's Future Host Commission and that the IOC had reacted positively to Salt Lake City's interest. The IOC had been due to select a host city for the 2030 games last year, but the process was delayed after members expressed concerns about the impact of climate change on future Winter Olympics.
Facing extinction, Tuvalu considers the digital clone of a country
Guardian
23-06-27 04:00
A rising sea level due to climate change is threatening the existence of Tuvalu, a small Pacific island nation. The capital city, Funafuti, is expected to be flooded by tidal waters within three decades. By 2100, 95% of the country's land is predicted to be uninhabitable due to periodic king tides. As a result, around a fifth of the population has already relocated to places like New Zealand, but many struggle to earn a living and are concerned about losing their cultural identity. Tuvalu is now working on the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project to reclaim land and create a sustainable future for its people. The project aims to provide raised, safe land for the population, as well as a sustainable water supply, greater food and energy security, and space for civic and commercial areas. Additionally, Tuvalu has initiated the Future Now Project, which includes plans to digitize the nation in order to preserve its culture and history. The government is exploring the use of augmented and virtual reality to create a digital nation where Tuvaluans can interact with one another and preserve their shared language and customs. However, there are technical, social, and political challenges to overcome in order to successfully implement this ambitious project.
Rage Against the Machine founders Tom Morello and Zack de la Rocha are among over 100 artists boycotting US music venues that use face-scanning technology. Digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future has organised the boycott, calling for a ban on face-scanning technology at all live events in the country. The group argues that the technology is inaccurate and creates privacy concerns. The campaign was launched in 2022 after Madison Square Garden started using facial recognition to identify lawyers attending its New York venues who were suing the company. Other artists who have pledged to the cause include Wheatus, Boots Riley, and Anti-Flag.
Showstopping rock theatre and tantalising live rarities
Guardian
23-06-27 10:59
Iron Maiden recently kicked off their Future Past tour, which combines their classic album "Somewhere in Time" with their latest album "Senjutsu." The band performed under-sung treasures from their discography, including the rarely played "Alexander the Great." The show was filled with theatrical elements, including a steampunk-themed performance by lead singer Bruce Dickinson. While some new songs from "Senjutsu" didn't resonate as well, classics like "Fear of the Dark" were well-received. The tour showcases Iron Maiden's ability to balance theatrics with their iconic metal sound.
The author of this article criticizes UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for failing to deliver on his promises made in a speech given at the London 2012 Olympic park. The article highlights his failure to achieve his five priorities for the year, including pledges on the economy, the NHS, and migration. The author suggests that these unfulfilled promises may become a burden for Sunak. The article calls for a review of Sunak's promises as the half-year mark approaches.
