The Voyage

June 23rd, 2023

Global Headlines

Biden has beef

Immediately following U.S secretary Antony Blinkin’s visit to Beijing meeting with President Xi Jinping to stabilize tense relations, Joe Biden made remarks about the country calling Xi a “dictator” and that China is a country that has “real economic difficulties.” Xi Jinping hit back at Biden calling the mention of him and his country absurd and a provocation. This was very confusing to officials in both countries and the public after Blinkins visit to release tension was such a success and seemed like a massive step in the right direction for global relations between the two super powers. In the long run this will most likely have minimal negative effects, but it is an unnecessary road bump in the relationship that is already at a historical low point. Wu Xinbo, the director of the Center for American studies at Fudan university in Shangai said “Bidens big mouth is a loose cannon” and will effect mutual trust including communication but will not erase what Blinkin achieved on his visit. Xi & Biden will meet at the bilateral summit in November, we can already smell the awkwardness.

Ancient Mayan city discovered

Everyone has heard of the legendary Mayan civilization, we have heard the countless stories of sacrifices, savagery and advanced mathematical calendars, but how much do we really know about them? Apparently not as much as we previously thought. A previously unknown ancient Maya city has been discovered in the jungles of southern Mexico, most likely a important center for the Mayans a thousand years ago. The city had what you would expect, pyramids, stone columns, plazas but was interesting was the ball court found at the center. Believed to be a pre-hispanic ball game with a rubber ball representing the sun & the players try to get the ball through a small stone hoop. The game is believed to have a important religious purpose. Judging from the state of materials, the city started to decline between 800-1000 AD. The Maya fell by the 10th century in that regions. This discovery begs the question of how much we still don’t know about ancient civilizations & how future discoveries will shape our beliefs as to how they operated.

Illegal greenery in Columbia

The Columbian senate downvoted a bill that would approve the sale of recreational marijuana in the country to adults on Tuesday. Many leftists in the country were not happy about the vote, including President Gustavo Petro who among most on the left in Columbia voted to pass the bill. However recreational consumption is partially legal under “self cultivation” meaning if you grow it yourself, which became legal in 1994. There was some other drug popular in Columbia at the time but that’s another story for different time. Private sales illegally in Columbia will continue as usual, especially given the fact that it can be grown & consumed legally (just not sold). Leaders of the liberal party wanted to pass the bill claiming it would save consumers interactions with criminals, studies do show in places that weed is legal, trafficking comes down & violence becomes reduced.

Trending

Oceangate submarine search runs out of oxygen

The search for the Oceangate Titan Submersable is still on, but they only had 96 hours of oxygen when they began the 12,500 foot journey below sea level to the Titanic. Meaning if the crew is not dead already due to other causes, the lack of oxygen would have killed them as of early Thursday morning.

Same sex Soviets

In the 101 person senate of Estonia, they made amendments to the “Family & Law act” in a 55-34 vote making same sex marriage legal in the small country of 1.1 million people as of January 1st, 2024. Estonia becomes the first ex-USSR country to allow this.

Clash of the Titans

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerburg have verbally agreed to a cage match, UFC president spoke to both parties on Wednesday night and said they are both “dead serious” about the bout. Musk being the challenger called out Zuck on twitter, revealing his great move called ‘The Walrus’ “where I just lie on top of my opponent & do nothing “where I just lie on top of my opponent & do nothing” Although thus is likely to never happen, it would be hilarious to see the two media giants hash out their competitive differences the old fashioned way.

Off the beaten path

In 2019, California’s second largest reservoir Lake Oroville was suffering due to an ongoing drought that has the state in a grip for years, leaving Oroville looking almost completely dried up . With the spring weather bringing warmer temperatures and a record amount of snow this past winter, Lake Oroville is now back filled to full capacity. Below is a comparison of 2019 & today.

Fast Facts

• Donald Trumps classified documents case will begin August 14th

• As of Wednesday, 414 wildfires are still burning in Canada with 239 out of control

• After 15 months of investigation, The Tate brothers have been officially charged with rape and human trafficking.

• Britain on Monday introduced legislation that will allow it to keep sanctions on Russia in place until Moscow pays compensation to Ukraine, and announced a new route for frozen assets to be donated to Ukraine’s reconstruction

• A Western Sydney dad became a multimillionaire in an instant when he won the $100 million Power Jackpot. He admitted he “slapped his face twice” to make sure it was real. We would of done the same thing, mate