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Commie Blocks, Death Road & more!

Good Afternoon - Hungary's decision to eliminate income tax for those with four or more children has caused a surge in birth and marriage rates.

This is in contrast to countries experiencing a decline in birth rates. The policy is designed to encourage family expansion and has proven effective.

Global Insights

Inside “Commie Blocks”

Think suburbs and images of cookie-cutter houses may spring to mind. Yet, in areas once part of the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc, suburbs take on a distinct flair—marked by towering apartment blocks and a sea of gray.

These structures, known by names like Plattenbau and Brezhnevki, emerged post-World War II, designed to provide affordable housing in line with communist ideals. Despite their seemingly uniform appearance, each two- or three-bedroom apartment boasted perks such as central heating and private bathrooms. While standardization was a priority, subtle quirks, like a burst of color, added character. Some may dismiss them as eyesores, but graphic designers David Navarro and Martyna Sobecka (Zupagrafika) find them stunning.

Their book, "Eastern Blocks," showcases 100 captivating images of these Soviet-era structures. Navarro and Sobecka appreciate the mesmerizing repetition of patterns.

The spotlight falls on the Khrushchevka, a low-cost, concrete-paneled apartment style named after Nikita Khrushchev. Originally a solution to housing shortages, it evolved into higher-rise versions like the Brezhnevka and the modern Novostroika.

Currently scattered across the former Soviet Union, Khrushchevkas face diverse fates—some slated for demolition to make way for denser constructions, while others undergo vibrant renovations in countries like the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

In English-speaking circles, the term "commieblock" is tossed around for any austere-looking apartment complex. Moscow's 2017 Urban Renewal Initiative is reshaping the city's skyline, with plans to replace thousands of Khrushchevkas with modern residential structures.

Off the beaten path

South America is home to some of the most beautiful and interesting landscapes on earth. In terms of natural wealth, it is amongst the world’s elite but fiscal wealth is another story with many countries having 3rd world status. With low government funding & such a diverse terrain, it is a recipe to produce some of the most adrenaline-inducing and dangerous routes man can embark on. Let’s briefly take a trip down a few of these paths.

The Yungas Highway- also known as the Death Road, is one of South America's deadliest routes. Spanning 43 miles through Bolivia's Yungas forests, it climbs to 15,000 feet with drops of 3,000 feet. Notorious for traffic, poor conditions, and steep edges, it earned the "World's Most Dangerous Road" title in 1995. After modernization, it's safer and open to tourism. Over four decades back, the Death Road in Bolivia witnessed a staggering toll of 200-300 fatalities annually. However, there's been a significant improvement in its track record, as the average yearly death count has plummeted to just five since 1998. Death Road has been closed to bus and truck traffic since 1998

Colombia's counterpart to Bolivia's Death Road is referred to as the "Devil's Trampoline," locally known as "Adios a mi Vida." (translates to “goodbye my life) Constructed in the 1930s originally for military transport, this road has never undergone adaptations to suit everyday traffic, retaining its status as a narrow thoroughfare. Serving as a crucial route, the Devil's Trampoline connects the villages of San Francisco and Mocoa, tracing its origins from the Sunday Valley in southwestern Colombia.

Enduring challenging road conditions, enveloping fog and precipitous cliffs offers the chance to feast your eyes on the splendor of the Colombian countryside from an elevation of 9,000 feet above sea level.

Trending

France’s new left wing

The New Popular Front (NPF), now the largest faction in France's parliament, is advocating for a prime minister who will enact its agenda, which includes proposals for a new wealth tax and controls on petrol prices.

Despite winning the most seats in the recent French elections, the leftist coalition did not reach the 289 seats required for a majority in the National Assembly, the country's lower house of parliament.

Some of the proposed policies :

- Increasing the minimum wage

- Implementing price controls on essential foods, electricity, gas, and petrol

- Lowering the retirement age to 60

- Introducing a new 90% tax on annual incomes exceeding €400,000 (£337,954)

- Significant investment in green initiatives and public services

Russia and Iran ditch U.S dollar

Two BRICS member countries are planning to integrate their payment systems to improve transaction efficiency using their local currencies.

Russia's Mir payment system will be connected with Iran's Shetab mechanism, allowing Shetab cardholders to withdraw rubles from ATMs in Russia, and vice versa for Russian cardholders in Iran.

This move aims to facilitate financial transactions among BRICS nations, reducing reliance on the US dollar and promoting regional trade.

After integrating their national payment systems, the two countries will use the Russian ruble and Iranian rial for trade deals based on mutual agreement.

Foreign land purchases in the United States

The United States Treasury Department has introduced a new proposal to enhance its oversight of foreign land purchases near critical US military sites.

Under the proposed changes, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), responsible for evaluating national security risks from foreign investments, would:

1. Extend its jurisdiction to cover real estate transactions within a one-mile radius of 40 additional military installations.

2. Extend its jurisdiction to cover real estate transactions within a 100-mile radius around 19 additional military sites identified as "sensitive" by the Pentagon.

3. Expand its oversight to include real estate transactions between 1 mile and 100 miles around eight previously listed military installations now classified as sensitive.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated, “President Biden and I are committed to using robust investment screening tools to protect America’s national security, including measures to safeguard military bases from potential threats. CFIUS plays a crucial role by thoroughly assessing real estate transactions near sensitive military sites, and this proposed rule aims to strengthen its authority and ability to fulfill this important role.”

This proposal comes amid growing concerns about Chinese land acquisitions near US military bases/installations. Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed interest in tightening regulations, with some advocating for stricter restrictions or even a complete ban on land purchases by individuals associated with the Chinese government.

History & Culture - The Real Dracula

In 1897, Bram Stoker's Dracula set off a vampire frenzy in literature and film. The central character, Count Dracula, wasn't just a product of spooky tales but also drew inspiration from a real historical figure, Vlad Tepes, a 15th-century Romanian prince famously known as Vlad the Impaler. Born in Transylvania, Vlad adopted the moniker Dracula upon joining a secret group of Christian knights called the Order of the Dragon.

As the ruler of Walachia, Vlad gained infamy for his brutal tactics, particularly his preference for impalement—driving wooden stakes through the bodies of his victims. During his 1462 campaign against the Ottomans, it's said he impaled as many as 20,000 individuals along the Danube's banks. Although captured by Hungarian forces, Vlad managed to reclaim his throne in 1476 but met his end in battle that same year.

Chilling accounts suggest Vlad's grim dining habits, claiming he would feast amid impaled bodies and even dip his bread into their blood. These grisly details, combined with his adopted name (Dracula) and his Transylvanian origins, strongly suggest that Vlad the Impaler played a significant role in inspiring Stoker's iconic vampire.

Fast Facts

• Istanbul, Turkey, is the only city in the world that spans two continents—Europe and Asia

• Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, is approximately the size of San Francisco

• The University of Oxford is older than the Aztec Empire

Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let each day's work absorb your entire energies, and satisfy your widest ambition.

-Sir William Osler