The World
Globe
Italian researchers transform light into a quantum crystalline structure creating a ‘supersolid’
Italian researchers also used doppler tomography to uncover series coils 648m underneath the Pyramids at Giza enforcing the idea they were powerplants and not just tombs.
Microsoft’s Majorana 1 quantum chip claims to have created the first ‘topological’ qubit breaking boundaries for all of quantum computing.
North America
(Jan) Fires devastate the L.A. Pacific Palisades, Snowstorms strike Pensacola Florida, and President Trump storms into Washington.
(Jan) President Sheinbaum braces for U.S. deportees to Mexico by preparing new infrastructure jobs and finalize free trade with the EU.
(Mar) Trudeau steps down as Canadian PM, while Mark Carney is tapped to lead the Liberal Party into a new election.
(Mar) The U.S. courts Greenland, who were already looking for independence, but missteps by sending J.D. Vance.
Asia
(Jan) Indian PM Modi and Indonesian President Subianto met to sign a strong cooperation agreement bringing the countries closer together.
(Mar) The Laser Fusion Major Device Laboratory in Mianyang, China has made strides in nuclear fusion energy and laser weaponry.
(Mar) 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake rocks Myanmar and Thailand, with over 1,700 dead and 3,400 injured.
(Mar) Ex-Philippines President, Rodrigo Dutetre arrested by ICC, sent to the Hague on charges of crimes against humanity.
Africa
(Feb) Years of fighting between Rwanda and the DRC exploded with 900 dead, and all unbeknownst to Rwandan President Kagame.
(Feb) Trump has proposes “the Riviera of the Middle East” in Gaza, after resettling the Palestinians elsewhere in Egypt and Jordan.
(Mar) Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, who led a coup in 2023 in Niger, officially takes Presidential office for the next 5 years.
(Mar) New Syrian government welcomed by many, yet the SDF Kurdish-led militants, reject the legitimacy.
Europe
(Feb) The Trump delegation speaks at Munich Security Conference, and like other discussions with Allies, European nationalism is now focused.
(Feb) Saudi Arabia hosts U.S. and Russia to lay groundwork for a Ukrainian ceasefire, eventually with Ukrainian President Zelensky.
(Mar) Serbians and Greeks protest government corruption and lack of management of civil infrastructure.
(Mar) Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is jailed, potentially as a political prisoner, which has sparked mass protests against President Erdogan.
South America
(Mar) The U.S. used planes, not trains, to deport illegals and Americans without due process to El Salvadoran prisons.
(Mar) In Brazil, ex-President Bolsonaro faces prison for attempting to steal the democratic Presidential election in 2022.
(Mar) Dropping inflation in Argentina is helping the poor, however, they are in talks with IMF for a $20B loan over 10 years.
Business
The uncertainty; accident or strategy
Following the Trump Administrations actions in the first 70 days in office has been very difficult, with over 107 Executive Orders (although not claiming ownership for one), and 1,680 posts on Truth Social and 1,426 posts on X, all lacking consistent messaging. Whether the erratic messaging is a planned negotiation tactic or impulsive communication, we here are not focused too much on bluster. However, many capable outlets are tracking the day-to-day actions of Trump’s first 100 days in his 2nd term.
Our focus will be tracking the primary reason for his being elected, to right the American economy. As we are in early days, Trump has claimed we will not see his until at least 6 months into his term. Others may disagree, as soon as his actions to place tariffs have had an impact on trading partners and a rise of economic uncertainty.
As uncertainty, and speculations of Russian influence rise, investors look away from the U.S. and investments are moving toward Europe and Asian. Americans and the world are cautiously looking forward to what lies ahead in 2025.
Gold – is surging at 20% in 2025 above $3,100 USD / Ounce, as uncertainty and Trump tariffs have everyone looking for safety.
Oil – softens as demand from India and China is sluggish, and U.S. Global policy could weaken overall global growth and demand.
Crypto – the U.S. Government has formally declared a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, unless conflicts with the Trump family get in the way.
Politics & Religion
miserando atque eligendo
The Pope. Pontifex maximus. Head of St. Peter’s Vatican Church, the holder of the Keys to Heaven.
The Bishop of Rome earned the greek name, πάππας, through Pope Leo I in 440 ad, the position became defined in 756 ad to bring leadership to the Papal States, and later found traction in the Catholic ecumenical councils in 1123 ad. Although there was 68 years in the 1300’s, where the head of state resided in Avignon, the Western position has always been centered in Rome, and upon return in 1377 specifically in the Vatican. As it is today.
On March 13, 2013, Pope Francis took order, as the papal enclave of Pope Benedict XVI retired
Pope Francis, aka Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is a leading Jesuit from Buenos Aries, Argentina. He is the first Pope from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit Order), the first from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. He chose his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi, and declined to stay in the Apostolic Palace, instead chosing the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse for his residence. He has helped rebrand the Catholic Church by turning more towards supporting the poor and embracing humbleness.
Throughout his life, Pope Francis studied to become a chemical technician and theologian. In turn he worked as a nightclub bouncer, a janitor, and a professor literature, philosophy and psychology, and he has always been a man of the people. Through his teachings at Inmaculada Concepción Seminary, he soon became a leader in the Society of Jesus. Throughout his many roles, he would often leave the church grounds later in the evening to quietly help and guide those in the community who needed the most, a tradition he continued even as Pope.
Pope Francis speaks 7 lanaguages and understand 2 more Italian dialects. He has authored 3 books Meditaciones para religiosos (1982), Reflexiones sobre la vida apostólica (1992) and Reflexiones de esperanza (1992).
When Pope Francis came to the head of the Catholic Church, the reputation was in need of change, as lawsuits and acts of abuse of power headlined the news. Pope Francis came with open arms, as he embraced the LGBTQ+ community, acknowledged the role of science and its interplay with religion, and ultimately bringing the Church back to its roots of kindness and forgiveness. This has led the Pope outspoken position on peace, and calls to bring conflicts in the world to an end by better focusing energy on the root causes of conflict, poverty and injustice.
As Pope Francis’ health begins to wane, in his 88th year, and his 12 year reign of the Catholic Church, all eyes look to the future and who will be anointed to take over the mantle and highest position that guides over 1.4B Catholics around the world.
Sport & Combat
Rallier; en français, to regroup after a battle
The term, Rally, came to promote the gathering at an end stage of a motorcar race. Rallying has become a world class road competition that can be traced back to the world's first known motor race; the 1894 Paris–Rouen Horseless Carriage Competition. In 1911, Monaco Rally was organized by the "Sport Automobile Vélocipédique Monégasque" surrounding the famous casino keen to attract wealthy and adventurous motorists to their 'rallying point'.
On January 23rd, the 53rd Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile World Championship kicks off the first stop in Monte Carlo, in a 3-stage race across mountainous terrain and unknown conditions. Throughout the year the 14-stop tour will challenge racers across Europe, Africa, South America and include new stops in Spain, Paraguay, and ending in Saudi Arabia.
All crews, inclusive of drivers and co-drivers, are free to compete in Group Rally 1 to 5 races, but only manufacturers with Rally1 cars are eligible to score points. Rally1 cars are defined in Article 262 of Appendix J of the International Sporting Code, which defines the fuel source, engine type, chassis, and a series of other specs which must be honoured to compete.
Rally Car Racing is all about time and navigation, with trials that test the meddle of the driver and the coordination of the front seat navigator. The rest of the format is open, whether it be routes on private roads, or public. Drivers will be scored on their speed through the course, plus powerstages, and the finale winner.
As the races course throughout rough terrain, off-road, tight curves and local highways, this year the eyes will be on the top tier drivers from the team Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (Toyota), to the duo of Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Hyundai), and particularly Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai) who will be looking for their second crown.
This November the best of the best will prevail.
As the races unfold, the news breaks, and the terrain is travelled the one thing that remains true, Rally Car Racing is for those who love and excel at driving.
Knotscape
Bound & Intertwined
Since our ancestral beginnings, we formed a relationship and dependence on weaving knots.
A knot is a manipulation of one, or many, ropes that perform a specialized function, and there is four main classifications assigned to the style and use of traditional knots.
Loops that create a fixed loop on a single rope,
Hitches that fasten the rope to another object,
Bends that join two ropes and meant to secure objects, and
Splices where the ropework creates a joint between two ropes or two parts of the same rope.
Our relationship with knots is as basic as tying our shoes, something we learn early that is needed to enter the real world. As keen children grow up to join the Scouts, knots are key to their survival guides to build shelters, mend clothing, secure gear and even broken arms. The simplicity of one rope can open a child’s mind up to the possibilities of endless loops, bends, and purposes throughout their lives.
Knots and tying, often draw up ideas of Sailors, Tailors, Climbers, Fishermen, Stagehands, Linemen, and Surgeons. Their professions depend on the rope / string as a tool, and these guilds hold the secrets and knowledge base that they transfer through each generation.
Knots are immersed into various subcultures, they end up earning some vibrant names – like the bottle sling, the cat’s paw, cow hitch, Eskimo bowline, and good luck knot. And beyond just tools, they can be ornamental and even strike power when worn in a particular fashion, just think of the importance a good suit brings to the negotiation table when completed with a definitive Windsor knotted tie.
