The Beachcomber offers this weekly collection of stories from everywhere but Washington D.C., for readers looking to climb out of the rabbit hole for a moment and re-connect to the world.
SOME LIKE IT HOT … BUT MAYBE NOT THIS HOT
Australia: As the land down-under competes with the surface of the sun for hot-spot bragging rights, Aussie power companies are struggling to meet increased demand as residents try to stay cool. PM Malcolm Turnbull blames the push for more renewable energy as the culprit for the unreliable power supply, while opposing politicians point the finger at current energy regulations. Meanwhile, thousands of flying foxes (grey-headed bats) have literally dropped dead from the intense heat, seriously affecting the already threatened species’ population as well as other aspects of the ecosystem.
NASA: Maybe the space agency should consider moving its Venus-surviving computer chip development to Australia…
Japan: While radiation reports the last few weeks from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant have shocked many, this piece in the IEEE Spectrum (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) explains why experts are not surprised, as well as why these particular readings are not pertinent to anyone not directly involved in the clean up process.
MISPLACED BLAME?
Globalization: In this opinion piece from the Centre for European Reform, Simon Tilford says that governments that lack vision and action are to blame for economic inequality and social immobilization, not globalization.
NOT JUST FOR AMAZON DELIVERIES
Dubai: The AP has reported that passenger-carrying drones will begin flying in the UAE city of Dubai beginning in July — the head of the city’s Roads and Transportation agency announced the plan at the World Government Summit on Monday. The Chinese-made commuting alternative can carry one person weighing up to 220lbs and a small suitcase, fly up to 30 miles (or for 30 minutes, whichever comes first) and has the ability to travel at a top speed of 100 mph, but will be set to fly at closer to 60 mph. The ultra-modern city also has plans for driverless cars taking over a quarter of its passenger traffic by 2030 and has contracted a hyperloop feasability study.
SPEAKING OF COMMUTING…
Mercer Island: Oh, to be so privileged. Mercer Island city council has voted to sue WSDOT and Sound Transit in an effort to halt its Light Rail (East Link) construction, because resident SOVs (single occupied vehicles) will lose the special access to HOV lanes that they have enjoyed since 1976. For the story, and an eye-opening if not jaw-dropping account from Monday’s MI city council meeting, see the Seattle Transit Blog. Please pay particular attention to the live tweeted account from Erica Barnett to see comments from council members and residents. SPOILER: There is a lot of crying, suggestions that people might die, and comparisons to the Dakota Access Pipeline fight and refugees. Yes, really.
NOT THIS YEAR
Olympia: The News Tribune reports that legislation to abolish the death penalty in Washington State will likely stall in the legislature, as similar bills have in the past. However, as long as Gov. Jay Inslee’s moratorium on capital punishment remains in place, inmates currently on death row will not face execution.
