Freedom Shield, Superbugs, and Brazilian Marchinhas

Outriders Magazine #352

Military: The United States, China, North Korea, and South Korea.

The South Korean and U.S. militaries have embarked on their annual Freedom Shield exercises, a pivotal initiative aimed at strengthening their defences against the escalating threats posed by North Korea. These comprehensive exercises feature advanced computer-simulated command post training alongside dynamic field operations, all designed with the awareness of North Korea's deepening military alliance with Russia. In a bold response, North Korea has unveiled plans for a formidable nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching missiles.

Meanwhile, China is poised to elevate its defence spending by 7.2% for the third consecutive year, pushing its military budget to an impressive $250 billion. U.S. officials express increasing concern as they identify China's ambition to develop weapons capable of targeting satellites, thus obstructing access to and operations in space. This includes the innovation of anti-satellite missiles and co-orbital satellites strategically deployed during military exercises in the East China Sea.

Amidst this shifting landscape, Republicans are advocating for an additional $100 billion in the Pentagon's budget, which would catapult U.S. military spending toward a staggering $1 trillion annually. Simultaneously, the Pentagon plans to streamline its focus by cutting programs associated with diversity and climate change, leading to the initial layoff of over 5,000 personnel. The financial resources saved from these reductions could be strategically reinvested in enhancing the U.S. missile defence system, bolstering military operations along the southern border, modernizing the nuclear arsenal, acquiring advanced submarines, and procuring one-way attack drones.

Medical Breakthroughs: Advances in treating infections, tackling superbugs, and cancer research.

Israeli scientists at the renowned Weizmann Institute of Science have made a groundbreaking discovery: a crucial component of the immune system responsible for processing proteins can also produce powerful chemicals that effectively kill bacteria. This study zeroed in on the proteasome, a vital cellular unit that breaks down proteins into smaller, manageable fragments. The researchers are optimistic that their findings could pave the way for natural antibiotics, offering promising biotechnological applications and therapeutic interventions for infectious diseases and conditions linked to immune deficiencies. This monumental discovery may be the key to tackling the alarming rise of superbugs resistant to current medications.

Meanwhile, British experts are leading the charge against superbugs with an innovative DNA sequencing system designed to revolutionize the diagnosis of bacterial infections. This cutting-edge method decodes bacterial genetic material and delivers results in a mere 48 hours—far faster than traditional techniques that can take anywhere from a week to eight weeks. This remarkable speed accelerates patient recovery and helps prevent complications like sepsis, thereby reducing the risk of infections spreading to other patients and curbing the emergence of superbugs.

In yet another exciting advancement, researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that aspirin might be potent in halting the spread of cancer. They believe that aspirin may unleash the immune system’s remarkable ability to identify and destroy cancer cells at the moment they begin to metastasize. This promising drug appears to be most effective in early-stage cancers. It could be used after surgery to empower the immune system to detect any cancerous cells that may have already begun to spread.

Human Rights: Issues in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Iran.

Saudi Arabia has extended a remarkable offer of amnesty to dissidents living abroad, assuring them that they will not face prosecution upon their return. This initiative appears to be a strategic effort to mitigate international criticism surrounding its human rights practices, freedom of expression, women's rights, and issues related to executions. Tensions between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have intensified since the alarming 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, with U.S. intelligence suggesting that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman authorized the act—a claim that Saudi Arabia vehemently denies.

In Tunisia, a trial has commenced for over 40 individuals, including prominent opposition figures, who stand accused of plotting to undermine national security. Activists and human rights advocates have voiced outrage over these charges, declaring them baseless and politically motivated. Many of the defendants have endured more than two years in pre-trial detention and now face the grim possibility of the death penalty if convicted. Critics argue that this trial is part of President Kais Saied’s broader campaign to stifle dissent and consolidate his power.

In Iran, the situation has taken a striking turn with the sentencing of singer Mehdi Yarrahi to 74 lashes for his poignant song "Roosarito" ("Your Hijab"), released in 2023 to honour the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests. Originally sentenced to a year in prison, Yarrahi's punishment was later adjusted to electronic monitoring, yet the lashings were attached as a condition for his bail. He has bravely expressed his readiness to endure the punishment, denouncing it as an act of inhumane torture. The news of his sentencing has ignited a firestorm of outrage on social media, with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi condemning it as retaliation for Yarrahi’s support of Iranian women, asserting that such oppressive actions will only serve to strengthen the women’s rights movement.

Same-Sex Marriage: Developments in Japan and changes occurring in the United States.

Japan’s Nagoya Court of Appeal has made a landmark ruling, declaring that the absence of legal recognition for same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. This groundbreaking decision emphasizes that such a practice undermines the fundamental guarantees of equality and human dignity. It marks the fourth consecutive ruling by the Court of Appeals on this crucial issue, following similar affirmations in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Sapporo. Since 2019, the Freedom of Marriage for All campaign has received an impressive nine rulings that deem the bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, intensifying pressure on the conservative Liberal Democratic Party and the government to reconsider their stance on this vital matter.

In an unprecedented move, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has cancelled many active research grants en masse, citing a misalignment with "agency priorities." This bold decision seriously threatens projects focusing on LGBT+ health, gender identity, diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. In addition, grant funding for universities in China and climate change initiatives is currently under scrutiny. At least 16 termination letters have already been dispatched, with hundreds more expected.

Moreover, the US Department of Defense, in an initiative aimed at curbing content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), has chosen to remove thousands of images from its online archives. This includes a historic photograph of the Enola Gay, the aircraft that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The decision arises from concerns that specific images contain the word “gay” in their title, leading to their misclassification as DEI-related. This action has ignited controversy and confusion, underscoring the complexities of managing archives amidst evolving DEI policies.

Archaeology: The fall of the Roman Empire and the creation of the first bone tools.

Early humans demonstrated remarkable ingenuity by utilizing animal bones to craft cutting tools as far back as 1.5 million years ago. Astonishingly, recent discoveries in Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, have unveiled twenty-seven meticulously carved and sharpened bones from elephants and hippopotamuses, pushing back the timeline for ancient bone tool use by nearly a million years. These tools, some reaching lengths of up to 40 cm, likely served as hand axes—unwieldy yet effective instruments for butchering prey remains. In contrast, our ancestors fashioned primitive stone tools an impressive 3.3 million years ago.

In Thailand, an exciting archaeological breakthrough has revealed the oldest human skeleton ever found in the nation. Unearthed within the enchanting Tham Din cave in Prachuap Khiri Khan, the remains of a child, believed to be aged between six and eight, hint at a deliberate and ritualistic burial practice. Radiocarbon dating of accompanying charcoal and shells places this poignant discovery at approximately 29,000 years old, offering a glimpse into the distant past.

A decade-long exploration of the ancient Roman city of Interamna Lirenas is reshaping our understanding of the Roman Empire's decline. Archaeologists have uncovered a treasure trove of ancient buildings and structures, including a stunning covered theatre, a bustling river port, vibrant marketplaces, and enduring warehouses—many thrived far longer than previously imagined. Remarkably, the city managed to stave off decline until nearly the end of the third century CE, adapting impressively to every challenge over 900 years, as noted by researchers from the University of Cambridge.

Environmental Challenges: Concerns regarding gas stoves and plastic straws.

Research conducted by Which? reveals a startling finding: cooking on a gas stove can generate higher levels of indoor air pollution than those recorded on Marylebone Road, one of the UK’s busiest thoroughfares. Alarmingly, these pollution levels exceed the safety thresholds established by the World Health Organization (WHO). To combat this invisible threat, it is highly advisable to utilize extractor fans and ensure that your kitchen and dining areas are well-ventilated while cooking.

In a bold move, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning the use of paper straws in government institutions, opting instead for the reintroduction of plastic straws. Trump argued that plastic straws offer greater durability, while paper alternatives often fall apart and prove impractical. This decision directly contradicted the Biden administration’s ambitions to curtail plastic usage by 2035, drawing sharp criticism from environmental advocates but garnering support from the plastic industry.

New research highlights a paradox facing the wealthiest 10% of Britons. Despite championing green policies and investing in low-emission technologies like electric vehicles and heat pumps, they maintain a carbon footprint significantly higher than the broader population. This inconsistency stems from their high consumption habits and frequent leisure travel. While their involvement could transform the fight against climate change, their substantial energy use and reluctance to relinquish luxury items complicate matters. Engaging this influential group in meaningful climate action could pave the way for profound positive change.

Exploration Beyond Earth: The development of human life in outer space and amateur astronomers.

We must rely on intelligent machines to cultivate the right conditions for microbes, plants, and human life on a celestial body beyond Earth. These sophisticated devices will undertake vital tasks such as exploration, mining, constructing processing plants and farms, creating habitats, establishing vital infrastructure, and managing control systems and environmental conditions. A monumental step towards this vision was achieved with the recent landing of Intuitive Machines' Athena mission on the Moon, which launched the first broadband cellular network in space—the innovative Network in a Box (NIB). This groundbreaking development marks a significant leap forward in facilitating communication and collaboration between machines and humans, setting the stage for a bold new chapter in humanity's multi-planetary existence.

Meanwhile, a global network of passionate amateur astronomers is making remarkable strides in our understanding of the cosmos. Equipped with more than 15,000 small, Wi-Fi-enabled telescopes from the French company Unistellar, these stargazers are identifying asteroids, comets, and exoplanets, all while monitoring a variety of space missions across six continents. Their discoveries hinge on the fascinating phenomenon of occultations—when a massive celestial object briefly obscures the light of a distant star. By measuring the duration of these blockages from various vantage points, participants can accurately determine the size, shape, and trajectory of the objects they observe, contributing to our collective knowledge of the universe.

On another front, NASA is making strategic decisions to conserve energy and extend the life of its legendary space probes. Having turned off the cosmic ray measurement instrument on Voyager 1, it will soon deactivate the instrument on Voyager 2 that measures charged particles and cosmic rays by the end of March. These thoughtful measures are essential as we aim to stretch the remarkable journeys of these pioneering spacecraft, which have been exploring the depths of space since their launch in 1977.

How is carnival transforming a small town in Brazil?

During Carnival, the small Brazilian town of São Luiz do Paraitinga blossoms into a vibrant fiesta, brimming with lively giant puppets and the infectious rhythms of traditional “marchinhas” echoing through the streets. Nestled amidst lush green hills, this charming town, with a population of around 10,000, attracts visitors with its striking colonial architecture and a rich tapestry of cultural events that unfold throughout the year.

In stark contrast, Carnival in bustling cities like Rio de Janeiro dazzles with grand parades from world-renowned samba schools that devote the entire year to perfecting their performances. Spirited street parties complement these, each radiating its unique theme, aesthetic, and musical allure. Meanwhile, in São Luiz do Paraitinga, thousands of revellers—families and tourists alike—joyfully unite, singing and dancing through the picturesque streets, swept away by the enchanting rhythms of traditional Carnival marches.