On driving factor is the (over)use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. It's weird the article touches this issue in just one sentence...
"Over 70 percent of antibiotics sold in the United States are given to livestock, including cattle, which translates to significant human health impacts."
"Unlike with human medicine, however, antibiotics are often fed to cattle as a preventative measure, rather than as a treatment."
"Antibiotic resistance in cattle does not only affect the health of the cattle, it impacts people as well because many of the antibiotics given to cattle are also used in human medicine. Eating meat or consuming milk from an animal with antibiotic-resistant bacteria may infect a human with that same resistant bacteria"
We have 99 problems in Belgium but religious nuts come out with pitchforks because their child might hear in school that being gay is not something to be ashamed of. Blessed be the fucking fruit.
How can anyone approve this. I mean I understand we test medication on animals with the goal of helping thousands or more people. But this is just unethical and indefensible.
Although good news, maybe do something about the fact that every minute 13 million dollar in subsidies is going to fossil fuels... In 2022 the total was 7 trillion, dwarfing the 1 trillion for renewables (globally)
I'd figure those plastics wreak havoc in the long term in an individual life but won't prevent people form reproducing and developing. It might be a serious setback but just a hurdle for humanity. Climate change, our nuclear arsenal, ... pose more urgent threats.
After reading a book on Roman emperors I started playing Rome 2. Because of the problematic launch I never progressed far in the campaign. It seems the game was properly patched as I'm having a blast now.
I always enjoyed Rome TW, but it lacks some core game mechanics that Rome 2 does way better: political scheming, civil war, provinces, garrison, ... I also loathed the anachronistic representation of certain cultures in Rome TW.
In short: even if it's already 10 years old, I can't recommend the game enough, certainly when you are a romanophile!
One of the reasons of not granting NATO membership was indeed in fear of russian retaliation. Russia took Crimea and invaded Donbas since then even without the membership promise. Putin is already upset so no reason not to bestow the membership on Ukraine.
Kicking out Russia is next to impossible as they've dug in. What Ukraine has in superior weaponry, Russia has in numbers. Time is bad for both parties, but worse for Ukraine, as Western fatigue will inevitably come.
Membership can come quickly: Finland became a member rather swiftly. I figure most members would want the war the end as soon as possible because it's a moneydrain. European members are not eager to prolong a war just outside their borders.
The situation is different for the US of course. I don't agree with you on Russia: A prolonged war is in the best interest of the US as it weakens Russia over time. Their current economy and sanctions don't allow a long-term "military operation". Furthermore China can't rely on a weak ally if shit hits the fan in Taiwan. Ukraine is also a prime example on how willing the US is to support allies in a long-term proxy war.
There is still hope in projects like baldurs gate 3