HELIUM DEFLATION EXPECTATIONS
American patients undergo an estimated 40 million MRI scans each year to help diagnose cancer, brain and spinal cord injuries, strokes, and heart conditions.
The superconducting magnet-powered imaging machines provide doctors with clear, high-resolution images of areas inside the body that cannot be seen on X-rays and CT scans. However, MRI machines cannot maintain magnet cooling to generate these images without liquid helium, the Earth's coldest element.
Three of five U.S. helium suppliers are rationing the element to prioritise life-or-death uses like MRI machines over less-essential uses like keeping party balloons afloat.
The cost of helium has already increased by more than 400% in five years.
Helium is essential in various stages of semiconductor manufacturing, primarily because of its high thermal conductivity and inert characteristics.
Its capacity to quickly cool chips during production renders it indispensable, significantly as semiconductor nodes shrink and become more efficient.
With emerging industries like electric vehicles and 5G telecommunications fueling semiconductor innovation, the demand for helium is expected to rise dramatically.
Helium's inert nature and ability to remain a gas even at extremely low temperatures make it ideal for pressuring liquid hydrogen and other fuel tanks in rockets, ensuring efficient fuel flow to the engines.
Helium is used in cryogenic systems to maintain instruments and engines at optimal temperatures, especially in spacecraft and satellites.
Helium is a purge gas to clean out rocket engines and other systems.
Helium's small atomic size allows it to escape easily through even the tiniest openings, making it valuable for testing leaks in critical systems.
Helium's buoyant properties are essential for high-altitude balloons in atmospheric research and communications.
The Space Shuttle made extensive use of helium to pressurise various systems.
NASA uses helium to separate hot gases from ultra-cold liquid fuel during rocket lift-off.
Sourcing helium domestically or from Canada is the easiest and most economical option. Transit time is crucial: If the shipment takes 35 to 48 days, the liquid helium will evaporate.
The two other most enormous helium reserves are in Qatar and Russia.
The U.S. hasn’t been able to tap into Russia’s helium supply because of strained trade relations and the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have forced Qatar to send liquified natural gas shipments, which contain helium, around the Cape of Good Hope, a route that adds at least 20 days to the journey.
There is a finite amount of helium on Earth. The largest reserves are in massive underground pockets in Algeria, Qatar, Russia, and the U.S.
FLOSSI: I DON’T GIVE A HOOT
Hooters of America is $300 million in debt, and is filing for bankruptcy. In 2024, it closed about 40 locations in the United States.
Hooters was founded by six businessmen: Lynn D. Stewart, Gil DiGiannantonio, Ed Droste, Billy Ranieri, Dennis Johnson, and Ken Wimmer. They opened the first Hooters restaurant in Clearwater, Florida on October 4, 1983.
They referred to themselves humorously as the "Hooters Six" and originally started the restaurant as a fun, tongue-in-cheek project, not expecting it to become a national chain.
Hooters grew into a massive international brand from that single Clearwater, Florida location. Here's a quick look at how big it got at its peak:
Peak Size & Reach
Over 430 locations worldwide
29 countries including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, Japan, and several in Europe, South America, and the Middle East
At its height in the early 2000s, it was a pop culture phenomenon with branded merchandise, calendars, and even its own airline for a short time (yes, Hooters Air, launched in 2003)
Business Model & Appeal
Famous for its "Hooters Girls" — a controversial but central part of the brand identity
Focused on casual dining with burgers, wings, beer, and sports on TV
Targeted primarily toward a male demographic
Decline & Challenges
The brand has seen declining popularity in recent years due to:
Changing cultural attitudes
Increased competition from other sports bars and restaurants
Trouble attracting younger generations
FLOSSI NABS NARCO-SUBMARINE
British police assisted in capturing a submarine transporting 6.5 tonnes of cocaine to Europe, marking one of the largest drug busts of its kind.
The vessel had departed from Brazil when it was captured by Portuguese police in the Atlantic Ocean, 500 nautical miles south of the Azores Islands.
Five crew members from Brazil, Colombia, and Spain were arrested and transferred to the Portuguese island of São Miguel.
Officials stated that the submarine contained £530 million worth of cocaine.
A Portuguese newspaper reported that it was one of the largest semi-submersibles ever built to transport the drug from South America to Europe.
“The traffickers planned to collect the drugs near the coast using high-speed vessels and smuggle them ashore,” stated Spain’s Guardia Civil.
Spanish authorities, who alerted the Portuguese, noted it was the first time a drug-running semi-submersible had been intercepted in the open sea.
“The transatlantic movement of semi-submersibles is increasingly frequent, with several cases in recent years,” Spain’s Guardia Civil said.
“These types of vessels are difficult to detect and often carry a large amount of cocaine… the crew can easily sink them if caught, making it more difficult to recover the drugs as evidence of the crime.”
Europe is the largest cocaine market after the US, with hundreds of homemade submarines being launched to the continent since the practice began two decades ago.
In 2019, the discovery of a submarine carrying 3.3 tonnes of cocaine off the coast of Spain was described by police as the first “narco-submarine” to be intercepted in Europe.
The latest bust, dubbed Operation Nautilus, also involved the Portuguese Air Force, the UK’s National Crime Agency, the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lisbon-based Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre, of which Britain is a part.
Cocaine was one of the first effective local anaesthetics, and ophthalmology (eye surgery and treatment) was one of the first medical fields to adopt it widely.
Cocaine in Eye Treatments
In the 1880s, doctors discovered that cocaine could numb the surface of the eye without affecting its function — a huge breakthrough.
In 1884, Viennese ophthalmologist Karl Koller famously used a cocaine solution to perform eye surgery without general anaesthesia.
This allowed for precise operations and was much safer than previous methods, often involving ether, chloroform, or nothing.
Cocaine became standard in eye surgeries for a time — not just to numb the eye, but to reduce bleeding and irritation.
Sigmund Freud (yes, that Freud) was a big proponent of cocaine’s medical uses, including for mood elevation and nerve disorders. But Karl Koller, Freud’s colleague, applied it to ophthalmology and changed surgery forever.
Eventually, due to addiction issues and the development of safer alternatives (like procaine, aka Novocaine), cocaine fell out of favor medically — but its role in eye care was a significant part of its early reputation as a “miracle drug.”
Want to see what other weird things doctors used before modern anaesthetics?
FLOSSI AND THE CODE TALKERS - IWO JIMA
The Code Talkers: Unsung Heroes of Wartime Communication
Overview
The Code Talkers were Native American soldiers who played a pivotal role in U.S. military operations during both World Wars—most notably World War II—by using their Indigenous languages to create secure, unbreakable codes for battlefield communication.
These contributions were vital in ensuring operational secrecy and success, especially in the Pacific Theater.
Origins and Development
The concept began in World War I, when Choctaw soldiers used their language to transmit coded messages. The success of this method led to its revival and expansion during World War II.
The most famous Code Talkers were from the Navajo Nation, recruited by the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942. Other tribes involved included the Cherokee, Choctaw, Comanche, Hopi, Meskwaki, and others.
Why Native Languages?
Many Indigenous languages were unwritten, complex, and unfamiliar to outsiders.
They lacked standardized alphabets or dictionaries, making them impossible for Axis codebreakers to decipher.
Native speakers could communicate messages instantly, far more efficiently than encryption devices like the Enigma machine.
The Navajo Code
Developed by 29 original Navajo recruits, the Navajo code included over 600 terms for military communication.
It was never broken by the enemy, making it one of the most secure communication systems in modern military history.
A typical message that takes 30 minutes to encrypt and decrypt by a machine can be sent and understood in under a minute by Code Talkers.
Key Battles
Navajo Code Talkers played critical roles in:
Guadalcanal
Iwo Jima
Saipan
Okinawa
At Iwo Jima, Major Howard Connor stated, "Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima."
Post-War Recognition
Code Talkers were sworn to secrecy despite their heroism and received little recognition for decades.
Eventually, they were honored:
2000: President Bill Clinton awarded the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers with the Congressional Gold Medal.
2008: The Code Talkers Recognition Act honored all Native American Code Talkers from both World Wars.
FYI: THE FDA IS NOT A-OK - Top F.D.A. Vaccine Official Resigns, Citing Kennedy’s ‘Misinformation and Lies’
FYI: THE FDA IS NOT A-OK
Top F.D.A. Vaccine Official Resigns, Citing Kennedy’s ‘Misinformation and Lies’
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been crucial in protecting public health in the United States for over a century. Here are some of the most noteworthy actions and milestones in its history:
🏛️ 1. 1906 – Formation of the FDA (Pure Food and Drug Act)
The FDA was born out of public outcry over unsafe food and medicine, largely thanks to Upton Sinclair’s novel The Jungle.
The Pure Food and Drug Act prohibited the sale of misbranded or adulterated food and drugs and led to the creation of the FDA’s earliest form.
💊 2. 1938 – Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Approved after more than 100 people died from a toxic ingredient in Elixir Sulfanilamide.
Required drugs to be proven safe before marketing.
Gave the FDA authority over cosmetics and medical devices for the first time.
🧪 3. 1962 – Drug Efficacy Amendment (Kefauver-Harris Amendment)
It passed after the thalidomide disaster in Europe, which caused birth defects.
The required drugs must be proven effective and safe before approval.
Introduced stricter clinical trial regulations and informed consent for patients.
💉 4. 1987–1992 – HIV/AIDS and Accelerated Drug Approvals
In response to the AIDS crisis, the FDA began accelerating drug approval processes for life-threatening conditions.
Approved AZT (zidovudine), the first major AIDS treatment, in just 20 months.
Introduced Expanded Access Programs to allow patients early access to experimental drugs.
🧬 5. 1997 – FDA Modernization Act
Streamlined drug approval and expanded access to experimental treatments.
Encouraged innovation in drug and biologics development, particularly in oncology.
🥬 6. 2011 – Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
Shifted the FDA’s focus from reacting to contamination to preventing it.
Strengthened oversight of both domestic and imported food.
🧫 7. 2017 – First Gene Therapy Approved
The FDA approved Kymriah, the first gene therapy for a type of leukaemia.
Marked a new era in personalized medicine and biotech innovation.
💉 8. 2020–2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use Authorizations
The FDA granted Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for COVID-19 vaccines like Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
Played a central role in vaccine safety monitoring, public communications, and combatting misinformation during the pandemic.
🧠 9. 2021 – Approval of Controversial Alzheimer’s Drug (Aduhelm)
Approved despite conflicting clinical trial results, sparking debate over FDA standards, transparency, and relationships with pharma.
🚭 10. Tobacco Regulation
The FDA has been authorized to regulate tobacco products under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act since 2009.
Implemented rules on flavoured tobacco, graphic warning labels, and e-cigarette oversight.
ALASKA IS READY TO BLOW
Alaska’s Mount Spurr is about to erupt. Be ready.
That’s the current message from the Alaska Volcano Observatory. Continued unrest at the volcano roughly 75 miles west of Anchorage within the Tordrillo Mountains leads officials to warn residents of an impending eruption.
The group wrote in an update that it is “monitoring activity at Mount Spurr for signals indicating that the volcano is moving closer to an eruption.
”Uncertainty continues at the volcano, as seismic activity “remained elevated with numerous small, shallow volcanic earthquakes detected beneath the volcano.”
Still, the eruption may not come immediately. Based on previous eruptions, experts said they expect to see additional ground deformation and fumarolic activity as the magma moves closer to the surface of the 11,000-foot-tall mountain.
“If an eruption occurred,” officials wrote, “it would be preceded by additional signals allowing warning.”
Even with that caveat, the group said now is a good time for residents of South Central Alaska to familiarise themselves with the possible hazards of a Mount Spurr eruption, the biggest of which is ashfall.
Other hazards from an eruption impact only the areas immediately surrounding the volcano.
The pyroclastic flow—a molten mix of ash, rock, and gas moving at high speeds—could mix with additional mudflows for immediate danger in the area around the volcano.
While no residential areas are in the immediate vicinity, some are popular recreational sites.
“Anyone considering a visit to the area around Spurr should be aware of these hazards, keep up to date with Spurr activity,” the group posted on X (formerly Twitter), “and obey any restrictions that might be put in place by land and emergency managers.”
The warning level for the mountain’s activity moved from green to yellow in October 2024, following months of unrest and the formation of a small lake in the summit crater in the summer of 2024.
FLOSSI SEES EMPTY SPACE
Canadians Are Traveling Less to the U.S.—and It’s Starting to Show
Canadians have long been the top international travellers to the United States. But now, many are choosing to stay home.
The shift began after former President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Canada. In response, then–Prime Minister Justin Trudeau encouraged Canadians to vacation domestically and explore their own country instead. The message resonated.
According to preliminary data from Statistics Canada, Canadian residents made 13% fewer air trips to the U.S. in February than last year. Land-border crossings decreased even more sharply—down 23% year over year.
The trend isn't limited to Canada. Other countries have also updated their travel advisories in light of recent U.S. policies and detentions.
Germany has updated its travel guidance for the U.S., warning that violations of entry rules could now lead to denial of entry and arrest or detention.
At least three German citizens—including one who holds a U.S. green card—have reportedly been detained for extended periods despite a lack of clear violations of visa or immigration rules.
One such incident took place at Boston’s Logan Airport.
The UK Foreign Office has also strengthened its advice. British traveller Becky Burke, a tourist from Wales, was held for three weeks after being stopped at the U.S.–Canada border while backpacking across America.
Last week, members of the UK Subs, a British punk band, were refused entry and detained at Los Angeles International Airport.
Even before these incidents, tourism forecasts for the U.S. had been downgraded.
Tourism Economics, an industry analytics firm, revised its 2024 forecast from a projected 5% increase to a 9% decrease in international visits.
The group cited “polarising policies and rhetoric of the Trump administration,” particularly regarding tariffs, as key factors.
The climate of concern deepened recently when Denmark and Finland issued travel advisories for transgender travellers.
These advisories followed changes in U.S. State Department rules aligned with a Trump administration policy recognising only two genders.
Denmark advised travellers with passports marked with an “X” gender designation to consult the U.S. embassy before travelling.
Finland warned that travellers whose gender identity has changed might not be permitted entry.
Canadians express that it’s not only the tariffs but also the rhetoric that concerns them.
Trump’s previous comments about annexation have alarmed and offended many, reinforcing their choice to steer clear of the U.S. altogether.
Reports of prolonged detentions of tourists and even green card holders have further strengthened that resolve.
The impact of this informal boycott could be significant. In 2024, Canadians made approximately 20.2 million trips to the U.S.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, a 10% decline in Canadian travel could cost the U.S. economy $2 billion and result in 14,000 job losses.
FLOSSI SNIFFS ANCIENT ODORS*
The ancient Mediterranean world documented the use of perfumes for the human body and for creating scented environments.
However, this study explores the lesser-known practice of using perfumes on living beings and sculptures.
Ancient sculptures were not only polychrome and adorned but, in some cases, also scented, creating an experience that engaged both the visuals and the olfactory senses.
Ancient perfumes were denser than modern ones because their base was typically a plant-derived oil or, less commonly, animal fat, in contrast to today’s alcohol-based formulas.
This is particularly relevant when considering their use on sculptures, as these oily substances were applied like balms or creams, not poured.
Some inscriptions specifically mention the use of myron rhodion, a perfume made from roses. Popular since Homeric times, it was one of the most highly regarded perfumes.
Theophrastos described it as a light fragrance best suited for men, containing rose petals, schoinos, aspalathos, kalamos, and salt.
Dioscurides provided a recipe for myron rhodinon involving oil mixed with schoinos, dry rose petals, and honey.
The petals were kneaded and pressed, then left overnight; the mixture was strained and reused with fresh petals for several batches.
Pliny noted that rose perfumes were widely adopted and relatively simple, made from common roses.
Later recipes featured rose blossoms, alamos, honey, sweet rush (incus), and occasionally anchors (alkanet) or cinnabar for colour. Salt was used to slow decay.
Perfumed oils were not the only method for scenting sculptures; flowery wreaths and garlands also served as adornment.
These were common in Greek and Roman life, often made of roses and violets, which added fragrance. Both men and women wore them during festive, secular, and religious events.
Funerary wreaths adorned the deceased. While most organic examples have decayed, miniature versions of lead, terracotta, and gold have survived, particularly in tombs.
Precious metal wreaths also served as temple offerings, as noted in temple inventories, and may have been worn by priests or guests during rites or placed on cult statues.
One prominent example is the Rosalia, or Rosaria, festival, which celebrates roses during the Roman Empire. Roses were widely used in both public and private festive settings.
The Rosalia was not celebrated on a fixed date but typically took place from May to mid-July, aligning with the blooming of roses.
These festivals are noted in various texts, with the earliest references dating back to the reign of Domitian.
Therefore, in addition to their visual allure, ancient sculptures engaged multiple senses, including smell.
Scented oils and fragrant garlands transformed static images into multisensory experiences, blurring the boundaries between art and ritual and between human and divine.
US SIGNALS SECURITY BLUNDER
The world found out shortly before 2 p.m. eastern time on March 15 that the United States was bombing Houthi targets across Yemen.
I, however, knew two hours before the first bombs exploded that the attack might be coming.
The reason I knew this is that Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m.
The plan included precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing.
This is going to require some explaining.
Senior members of Donald Trump’s cabinet have been involved in a serious security breach while discussing secret military plans for recent US attacks on the Houthi armed group in Yemen.
In an extraordinary blunder, key figures in the Trump administration – including vice-president JD Vance, defense secretary Peter Hegseth, Marco Rubio and the director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard – used the commercial chat app Signal to convene and discuss plans – while also including a prominent journalist in the group.
Signal is not approved by the US government for sharing sensitive information.
Others in the chat included Trump adviser Stephen Miller, Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles and key Trump envoy Steve Witkoff.
The breach was revealed in an article published on Monday by Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of the Atlantic magazine, who discovered that he had been included in a Signal chat called “Houthi PC Small Group” and realising that 18 other members of the group included Trump cabinet members.In his account, Goldberg said that he removed sensitive material from his account, including the identity of a senior CIA officer and current operational details.
The report was confirmed by Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the National Security Council who told the magazine: “This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain.”
Hughes added: “The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security.
”The incident is likely to further raise concerns over the Trump administration’s trustworthiness with intelligence shared by erstwhile allies – not least as Hegseth boasts at one stage of guaranteeing “100 percent OPSEC – operations security” while a celebrated journalist is reading his message.
The discussions seen by Goldberg include comments from Vance, who appeared unconvinced of the urgency of attacking Yemen, as well as conversations over what price should be expected of Europeans and other countries for the US removing the threat to a key global shipping route.
Security and intelligence commentators in the US described the breach of operational security as unprecedented – both for the use of a commercial chat service and for the inclusion of Goldberg.
“The account identified as ‘JD Vance’ addressed a message at 8:45 to @Pete Hegseth: ‘if you think we should do it let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again,’” Goldberg wrote. (The administration has argued that America’s European allies benefit economically from the US navy’s protection of international shipping lanes.)
Goldberg continues: “The user identified as Hegseth responded three minutes later: “VP: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC. But Mike is correct, we are the only ones on the planet (on our side of the ledger) who can do this.“
Nobody else even close. Question is timing. I feel like now is as good a time as any, given POTUS directive to reopen shipping lanes.
I think we should go; but POTUS still retains 24 hours of decision space.”
BLESS YOU & GESUNDHEIT
Early spring might be excellent for trees and flowers, but it can be awful for allergy sufferers.
Spring has arrived two weeks earlier than usual in several states in the Midwest this year, according to the USA National Phenology Network at the University of Arizona.
In the mid-Atlantic and northeastern regions, it occurred just over a week ahead of schedule. In the western U.S., depending on your location, spring can arrive anywhere from two weeks earlier to a week later in California, Arizona, and Nevada.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, much of the country's southern and eastern regions are expected to experience temperatures far above average, which means an increase in pollen levels due to blossoming trees.
That’s terrible news for people with seasonal allergies ‒ about 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 children in the U.S.
According to a recent study by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, eight cities in California saw significant increases in their allergy rankings due to a "grass and weed pollen explosion," which the foundation says was intensified by heavy rains that year that spurred plant growth.
New Orleans also jumped considerably, going from 34th place the previous year to second in 2025.
GEORGE FOREMAN 1949 - 2025 RIP
George Foreman has one of the most remarkable life stories in sports history — a journey from Olympic gold medalist and world heavyweight champion to minister, grill entrepreneur, and beloved public figure.
Early Life & Amateur Boxing Career
Born: January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, raised in Houston.
Tough upbringing: Grew up in poverty and dropped out of school by 15.
Turned his life around after joining Job Corps, where he learned to box.
1968 Olympics (Mexico City): Won gold in heavyweight boxing, famously waving a small U.S. flag after the win.
Professional Boxing Career – First Phase (1969–1977)
Turned pro in 1969 and quickly gained a reputation for his ferocious punching power.
By 1973, Foreman had a 37–0 record, almost all wins by knockout.
World Heavyweight Champion
1973: Knocked out Joe Frazier in 2 rounds to become the WBA, WBC, and lineal heavyweight champion.
1974: Defended his title against Ken Norton and José Roman.
“Rumble in the Jungle” – 1974
Lost the title to Muhammad Ali in the iconic fight in Kinshasa, Zaire.
Ali used the "rope-a-dope" strategy to tire Foreman out and knocked him out in the 8th round.
Retirement & Spiritual Awakening
In 1977, after a loss to Jimmy Young, Foreman experienced a spiritual epiphany in the locker room.
Believed he had died and been brought back by God.
Retired from boxing and became a born-again Christian and an ordained minister.
Spent a decade preaching, working with youth, and running a church in Houston.
Comeback – Second Boxing Career (1987–1997)
Incredibly, Foreman returned to boxing at age 38, initially to raise money for his youth center.
Fought much younger opponents and slowly worked his way back into title contention.
Oldest Heavyweight Champion in History
1994: At age 45, defeated Michael Moorer to regain the heavyweight title, becoming the oldest world heavyweight champion in history.
He wore the same red trunks he had worn against Ali 20 years earlier.
The George Foreman Grill & Entrepreneurial Success
In the 1990s, Foreman became a pop culture icon, thanks to his endorsement of the George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine.
The grill became a massive success, selling over 100 million units.
Foreman reportedly made over $200 million from the grill — more than he ever earned in boxing.
Personal Life
Known for his humor and humility.
Has 12 children, including five sons named George (George II, III, IV, V, and VI).
Enjoys preaching, fishing, and family life.
Legacy
Two-time world heavyweight champion.
Olympic gold medalist.
Revered comeback story.
Successful businessman and motivational figure.
Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.
HAPPY SPRING: HOOTED BY DRUIDS
Modern Druids follow a nature-based spiritual path. They often celebrate the cycles of the seasons, honor the Earth, and seek wisdom through poetry, meditation, ritual, and study.
While they don’t claim direct lineage from ancient Druids (since ancient teachings weren’t written down), they revive the spirit and philosophy of Druidry in meaningful ways.
Core Beliefs & Practices
Connection with Nature: Respect for all living things, ecosystems, and the land.
Celebrating the Wheel of the Year: Observing eight seasonal festivals (like the solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days such as Imbolc and Samhain).
Personal Spiritual Growth: Emphasis on introspection, creativity, and inner wisdom.
Ritual and Ceremony: Frequently performed outdoors, occasionally in circles or within sacred groves.
Peace, Justice, and Balance: Many modern Druids are deeply concerned with social harmony and ecological sustainability.
Some well-known groups include:
The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD) – One of the most prominent modern Druid organizations.
The Druid Network – Recognized as a religion in the UK.
Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF) – A modern Druid group based in the U.S. with a scholarly and inclusive approach.
While there’s no exact global census of Druids, estimates suggest that there are between 30,000 and 60,000 modern Druids worldwide, though the number could be higher depending on how broadly you define Druidry.
United Kingdom:
Druidry is officially recognized as a religion in the UK.Groups like the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD) and The Druid Network are based there.
There are estimated to be thousands of active members.
United States:
Druidry is growing steadily, especially under organizations like Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF).The U.S. has one of the largest populations of practicing Druids outside the UK.
Canada, Australia, Ireland, and parts of Europe:
Smaller but vibrant Druid communities are active here, often tied to local pagan or nature-based spiritual movements.
FLOSSI STARS IN TOTAL RECALL
Tesla's recent recall of approximately 46,000 Cybertrucks due to the potential detachment of exterior panels is significant for the company but relatively modest compared to the most extensive automotive recalls in history.
Notable examples include:
Takata Airbag Recall: Over 65 million vehicles were recalled due to defective airbags that could explode upon deployment, causing injuries or fatalities.
Ford's 1996 Recall: Approximately 22.7 million vehicles were recalled due to faulty ignition switches that posed fire hazards.
General Motors' 2014 Recall: Around 30 million vehicles were recalled because of defective ignition switches that could unexpectedly shut off engines and disable airbags.
In this context, the Cybertruck recall is relatively small.
However, it's noteworthy that this is the eighth recall for the Cybertruck since its release in late 2023.
The recalls address various issues, such as sudden loss of drive power and tire pressure warning light failures.
Tesla Recalls Nearly All Cybertrucks Due to Detaching Panels
Since its release in late 2023, the Tesla Cybertruck has been subject to eight recalls addressing various safety and performance issues.
Here's a chronological overview:
January 29, 2024: Instrument Panel Visibility
Issue: Warning lights are displayed in a small font, making critical safety information hard to read and increasing the crash risk.
Solution: Software update to enhance display readability.
April 16, 2024: Accelerator Pedal Malfunction
Issue: The accelerator pedal pad could dislodge and become trapped in the interior trim, potentially causing unintended acceleration.
Solution: Replacement of the pedal assembly.
June 18, 2024: Loose Trim Panels
Issue: The trunk bed trim sail could come loose, creating a road hazard for other motorists or pedestrians.
Solution: Reattachment using improved tape or adhesion methods
June 18, 2024: Windshield Wiper Failure
Issue: Windshield wipers could fail, reducing visibility and increasing the crash risk.
Solution: Replacement of the wiper motor.
September 25, 2024: Rearview Camera Delay
Issue: A delayed rearview camera image could increase the crash risk while backing up.
Solution: Software update to reduce image delay.
November 24, 2024: Drive Inverter Fault
Issue: A fault in the drive inverter could cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the crash risk.
Solution: Replacement of the drive inverter.
December 17, 2024: Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Issue: A malfunction in the tire pressure monitoring system could prevent drivers from being alerted to low tire pressures, significantly raising the risk of a collision.
Solution: Over-the-air software update to address the issue.
March 20, 2025: Detaching Exterior Panels
Issue: A defect where a cant rail, a stainless-steel trim panel, can detach from the vehicle, posing a road hazard.
Solution: Replacement of the faulty part at no cost to owners.
TESLA OWNERS OUTED BY HACKERS
Elon Musk-hating hackers have doxxed Tesla owners in the United States, releasing an interactive map showing their names, addresses, phone numbers and emails.
The website, DOGEQUEST, also provides the locations of every Tesla showroom, charging station and the known residences of Department of Government Efficiency employees.
It even lists FBI Director Kash Patel's home and uses a symbol of a Molotov cocktail as its cursor.
The site's operators said they would only remove identifying information about Tesla drivers if they provided proof that they sold their electric vehicle amid a national boycott of the carmaker.
It is unclear where the hacker got the information about the Tesla owners, but it has caused a lot of concern - with Musk labelling it 'extreme domestic terrorism.
''Encouraging destruction of Teslas throughout the country is extreme domestic terrorism!!' he wrote on X Tuesday night.
The website says it 'neither endorses nor condemns any actions.' 'If you're on the hunt for a Tesla to unleash your artistic flair with a spray can, just step outside - no map needed,' it reads.
'At DOGEQUEST, we believe in empowering creative expressions of protest that you can execute from the comfort of your home.
The site's operators said they will only remove identifying information about Tesla drivers if they prove that they sold their electric vehicles during a national boycott of the carmaker.
PUTIN AGREES 30-DAY HALT ATTACKS ON UKRAINE’S ENERGY GRID, MAYBE
Vladimir Putin has agreed to a limited ceasefire that would stop Russia from targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure after a high-stakes phone call with Donald Trump.
However, the Russian leader declined to commit to a 30-day complete ceasefire, a plan Trump pitched that Ukraine agreed to last week.
This dented the US president’s hope of quickly ending hostilities. The Kremlin said Putin demanded that the West halt all military aid to Kyiv before it could implement such a plan.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, spoke after the call. He said Ukraine was favourable to both sides halting attacks on each other’s infrastructure, but he was waiting for “details” of what had been agreed upon first.
Trump interpreted the discussion positively, writing on his Truth Social platform shortly after the call ended that he had had a “very good and productive” conversation with Putin.
“We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine,” he added.
SWEDISH MEATBALLS UP IN RUSSIAN FLAMES
Lithuanian prosecutors state that Russia's military intelligence service, the GRU, was responsible for an arson attack on an Ikea furniture store in the Baltic state's capital, Vilnius, last year.
Two Ukrainian suspects have been arrested – one in Lithuania, the other in Poland – over the attack, which prosecutor Arturas Urbelis called "an act of terrorism".
He said an investigation of intermediaries had established that "this is connected with military intelligence, with the security services."
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Lithuania had "confirmed our suspicions that responsible for setting fires to shopping centres in Vilnius and Warsaw are the Russian secret services."
"Good to know before negotiations. Such is the nature of this state," he wrote in a post on X.
Russia has denied repeated allegations by Nato countries that its secret services are engaged in sabotage operations across Europe.
Security experts see it as a systematic campaign of "hybrid warfare" to undermine European support for Ukraine's defence against the Russian invasion that began in February 2022.
The arson attack in Vilnius last May did not cause casualties, but that month a similar attack destroyed a huge shopping mall in the Polish capital Warsaw.
Prosecutor Urbelis said the two suspects - both teenagers - had held a secret meeting in Warsaw and agreed to set fire to shops in Lithuania and Latvia for a reward of €10,000 ($11,000; £8,400) and a BMW.
FLOSSI SAYS, “MEASURE TWICE, BUY ONCE”
Swiss Government’s $117 Million Jet Faces an Embarrassing Reality Check
In what might be the aviation equivalent of buying a yacht for a backyard pool, the Swiss government is learning the hard way that bigger isn’t always better.
Their shiny new Bombardier Global 7500 business jet, purchased for a cool 103 million Swiss francs (about $117 million), was supposed to symbolize Swiss precision and efficiency. Instead, it has become an oversized, overpriced lesson in basic spatial awareness.
The problem? The jet is too big for Bern-Belp Airport, where Switzerland usually parks its official aircraft.
Like a gold-plated SUV that won’t fit in the driveway, the Global 7500 now sits awkwardly 40 kilometers away at Payerne Air Base, the closest facility that can accommodate it.
Officials, presumably adjusting their ties and avoiding eye contact, have admitted that the aircraft won’t be able to move to Bern until a new hangar is built—a project at least two years away.
But wait, it gets better. Even if the Global 7500 did fit in Bern, it still couldn’t take off with a full tank. The runway is too short for the aircraft to reach takeoff speed when fully fueled.
This means that whenever Swiss officials need to jet off on a long-haul diplomatic mission, they must first take a short-haul flight or a scenic train ride to Zurich or Geneva, where they can actually board the aircraft.
Yes, that’s right: their private jet needs a connecting flight.
As if things weren’t already veering into government sitcom territory, a recent trip to South America exposed yet another glaring oversight.
When a Swiss delegation needed to reach La Paz, Bolivia, they discovered—rather inconveniently—that their multi-million-dollar aircraft wasn’t certified for high-altitude airports.
The solution? The officials had to switch to a regular commercial flight, rubbing elbows with economy-class passengers, a scenario that likely wasn’t in the original sales brochure.
The new jet replaces the much smaller, more sensible Cessna Citation Excel, which served Switzerland faithfully for two decades.
While the Citation lacked its successor's prestige, range, and price tag, it did have one slight advantage: it actually fit in the hangar and could take off from Bern.
For now, the Swiss government will continue using its Dassault Falcon 900 and two Bombardier Challenger 604s for official travel.
At the same time, the Global 7500 sits in airplane purgatory, awaiting both certification and the installation of its self-protection system (though, frankly, the biggest threat to this aircraft so far has been poor planning).
Despite its current Goldilocks-level "too big for the house" dilemma, the Bombardier Global 7500 is undeniably an impressive piece of machinery.
Stretching 33.8 meters long with a 31.7-meter wingspan, it’s designed as the flagship of ultra-long-range private jets.
The four-zone cabin accommodates up to 19 passengers in ultimate luxury, with perks including a full-sized kitchen, a dedicated crew rest area, and—presumably—a tape measure never used before this purchase.
Capable of reaching speeds of Mach 0.925 and cruising at 51,000 feet, the Global 7500 is an engineering marvel that—ironically—still hasn’t managed to take off properly in Switzerland.
Moral of the story?
Measure twice, buy once.
MONSTER STORMS HIT DEEP SOUTH
Violent tornadoes ripped through parts of the U.S. and proved deadly as well as destructive Saturday as whipping winds moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South, with at least 17 people killed and scores of homes decimated.
Missouri recorded more fatalities than any other state as it withstood scattered twisters overnight that resulted in at least 11 deaths, authorities said. The State Highway Patrol also reported that multiple people were injured.
The deaths included a man who was killed after a tornado ripped apart his home.
The average annual number of reported tornadoes in the U.S. has remained relatively stable, with approximately 1,000 tornadoes occurring each year.
Regional Shifts:
Decreased Activity in "Tornado Alley": Traditionally referred to as "Tornado Alley," the central U.S., encompassing states such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, has experienced a decline in tornado frequency.
Increased Activity in the Southeast and Midwest: Conversely, tornado occurrences have risen significantly in regions such as the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast. States such as Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky have reported heightened tornado activity.
Intensity Trends:
While the total number of tornadoes has remained stable, the frequency of strong to violent tornadoes (rated EF3 or higher) has declined significantly over the past few decades.
Influence of Reporting Practices:
Advancements in detection technology and increased public awareness have led to more comprehensive reporting of weaker tornadoes (EF0 and EF1). This improvement in reporting practices contributes to the perception of increased tornado frequency in certain regions.
POP GOES THE BUSINESS
The U.S. alcohol and wine industry significantly contributes to the nation's economy, supporting millions of jobs across various sectors. Here's an overview of employment figures within this industry:
Overall Alcohol Beverage Industry:
Total Employment: The alcohol beverage industry sustains over 4 million jobs nationwide.
Tax Contributions: This sector generates nearly $70 billion in annual tax revenue.
Wine Industry:
Direct Employment: The wine industry directly employs approximately 1,007,459 people.
Ancillary Employment: Suppliers and ancillary industries related to wine production and distribution support an additional 364,234 jobs.
Total Employment Impact: In total, the wine industry supports around 1.84 million jobs across the country.
Beer Industry:
Total Employment: The beer industry supports nearly 2.4 million American jobs.
Economic Contribution: It contributes more than $409 billion to the U.S. economy.
Distillery Industry:
Employment Growth: From 2001 to 2021, the distillery industry added 14,786 jobs, marking a 214% increase over two decades.
Total Employment: As of 2021, the distillery sector employed over 21,700 individuals.
Retail Sector (Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores):
Employment Figures: As of 2024, there were 207,774 people employed in beer, wine, and liquor stores across the U.S.
Economic Impact: In 2018, beer, wine, and spirits retailers created approximately 2.03 million jobs and had a direct economic impact of over $122.63 billion.
