This n that

[Herman]

[Herman]

[Herman]

[DKG]

The World Health Organization (WHO) on May 17 declared a "public health emergency of international concern" related to an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus—less virulent than the more common Zaire ebolavirus.

The outbreak was first detected in Ituri Province in Congo. As of May 16, there have been 80 suspected deaths across at least three of Congo's health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu. Another eight cases have been confirmed, and 246 suspected cases are undergoing testing. Congo's health minister said the fatality rate for Bundibugyo ebolavirus can reach 50 percent.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared that the outbreak was of "international concern" after two confirmed cases were reported across the border in Kampala, Uganda—one on May 15 and the other on May 16. The infected individuals had traveled to Uganda from Congo. One has since died from the Bundibugyo virus infection.

[DKG]

It takes more fossil fuel energy to make a gallon of corn ethanol than a gallon of gasoline.

In 2005 and 2007, Congress passed the Energy Policy and Energy Independence and Security Acts that together created the Renewable Fuel Standard program. RFS had three stated objectives: to improve U.S. energy security, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to support rural economies and agricultural development.

Instead, RFS has increased motor fuel prices, increased food prices, put millions of carbon-sequestering acres of land into intensive cultivation, increased greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and increased water consumption and pollution.

The gallons of U.S. gasoline displaced by federal ethanol blending mandates are being exported to Mexico and other nations. The great success of RFS has been the hand of the government transferring wealth from motorists to big agriculture corporations.

[Brent]

It takes more fossil fuel energy to make a gallon of corn ethanol than a gallon of gasoline.

In 2005 and 2007, Congress passed the Energy Policy and Energy Independence and Security Acts that together created the Renewable Fuel Standard program. RFS had three stated objectives: to improve U.S. energy security, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to support rural economies and agricultural development.

Instead, RFS has increased motor fuel prices, increased food prices, put millions of carbon-sequestering acres of land into intensive cultivation, increased greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and increased water consumption and pollution.

The gallons of U.S. gasoline displaced by federal ethanol blending mandates are being exported to Mexico and other nations. The great success of RFS has been the hand of the government transferring wealth from motorists to big agriculture corporations.

Ethanol mandates causes food scarcity.

[Herman]

Northern Nevada has become one of the fastest-growing data-center corridors in the country. Google, Apple, and Microsoft have either built or are planning facilities around the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center east of Reno. The Desert Research Institute, using NV Energy's own 2024 Integrated Resource Plan data, found that the 12 data-center projects in Northern Nevada could drive 5,900 megawatts of new demand by 2033. Data centers already consumed 22% of Nevada's electricity in 2024, and that share could hit 35% by 2030.

[Herman]

[Herman]

[Herman]

[Herman]

As the Iran war continues to drag on, another unforeseen effect on the economy is likely to hit American budgets very soon.

Tightening oil supplies from the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz have already raised gas prices, but now industry experts say it is also leading to a shortage of lubricants that are synthesized from specialized base oils.

Internal communications from Nissan as well as Toyota indicated that service centers are seeing a shortage of motor oil stocks that is leading to increased prices.

"Due to ongoing global supply constraints impacting key raw materials and refining inputs due to the Middle East conflict, we have been advised of reduced production capacity for most lubricant products," read the bulletin from the Nissan automobile company.

[Herman]

Not the whole world. Just Western world.

[Shen Li]