ISIS Strikes Back, Venezuela Collapses And Grumpy Russia

PNUT GALLERY

A lock of Thomas Jefferson’s hair sold for $6,875 at auction this weekend, making your impulse buys look rather responsible. 

IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ

ISIS Is ‘Shrinking’ But Launches Multiple Attacks Anyway

At yesterday’s news conference, the White House stated that ISIS is losing territory and the “perverse caliphate is shrinking.” While it’s a comforting thought, it didn’t seem to stop ISIS from waging attacks in both Iraq and Yemen this weekend. At least 14 people died in yesterday’s bombing of a state-run gas plant north of Baghdad, while an additional 15 others were killed by a subsequent string of bomb attacks around the city. The country suffered five attacks in total. The Islamic State also took credit for an attack in Yemen on the same day, killing at least 25 new recruits inside a police compound in Mukalla. 

So, Is ISIS Really Shrinking?

While ISIS has experienced significant military setbacks in Iraq and Syria, the loss of territory could mean a surge in violence to recover that land, as was demonstrated on Sunday. Despite shrinking territory, the extremist group’s global affiliates appear to have grown in strength in other parts of the region. This is made apparent by the increasingly popular insurgency-style attacks in Iraq, Yemen and Libya, where FT reports that Boko Haram has established closer ties to ISIS. 

Good Read: Our Summary of the History of ISIS

Venezuela Declares State Of Emergency

After the state sanctioned five-day weekends shockingly proved to be no help, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared a state of emergency to “confront all the international and national threats” that are plaguing the nation. Venezuela’s inflation has reached terrifying levels: food shortages, nation-wide electricity outages and hospitals without medicine to name a few. While Maduro didn’t specify how he’ll use his power to stabilize a country suffering from a rapidly shrinking economy, we can assume he’ll do more than just suggest women stop using hair dryers this time. 

Good Read: How Venezuela Slid Into Crisis

NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ

Russia Gets Grumpy Over Eurovision Awards

Ukraine is celebrating the Crimean jazz singer Jamala this week, after she won the Eurovision Song Contest for her performance of “1944,” a somber ballad about Russia’s deportation of Crimean Tatars during World War II. Russia, on the other hand, wasn’t as congratulatory. Not only is the country threatening to boycott next year’s contest, Russian officials are demanding an inquiry into how a song with such political themes was even allowed in the competition. While Russia believes Jamala’s win was a political choice, they could just be grumpy because she beat Sergey Lazarev, the Russian singer who was a fan-favorite. 

FYI: Eurovision is like if American Idol and the Superbowl had a European love child. 

Good Read: Everything You Need To Know About Vladimir Putin

Google Faces Record Three Billion Euro Fine

After years of struggling with the European Union, Google faces a record antitrust fine of around €3 billion, after the company was accused of promoting its shopping service in internet searches and disenfranchising rival services. Google had made three prior attempts to compromise with the EU on the allegations, but after six years of legal battles, a settlement is unlikely. Along with the fine that is expected from the European Commission in the coming weeks, Google will be banned from continuing to manipulate search results to favor itself. 

Polish Protestors Ask For Near-Total Ban On Abortion

Activists held marches across Poland this weekend to call for a near-total ban on abortion. Poland already has a strict and conservative policy on abortions, where it bans all terminations except for cases of rape, incest, health risks or deformities. Now, anti-abortion groups backed by the Catholic Church are hoping to increase limitations and are asking Parliament to make no exceptions for rape and incest, banning all terminations besides those that threaten the woman’s life. The proposal would also increase the maximum prison sentence for people who perform unauthorized abortions from two to five years. 

KEEPING OUR EYE ON…

Manchester United: Man U had to abandon their final game of the English Premier League after a “suspect package” was found in Old Trafford Stadium. Bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion of the package. Turns out it was a training device. 

Singapore: The Ministry of Health confirmed that the Zika virus has reached Singapore. A 48-year old Singapore resident tested positive for the virus after having travelled to Brazil earlier this year. 

LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT

Bruges Is Building A Two-Mile Beer Pipeline

It’s amazing what some cities can do with their infrastructure. Bruges, a Belgian city that has clearly tapped into the needs of its people, is building a two-mile pipeline exclusively for beer. Expected to launch this Summer, the pipeline will pump 4,000 liters (about 1,057 gallons) of beer an hour from the De Halve Maan Brewery to its bottling plant outside the city. Residents are so pleased with the innovation that many have volunteered to let the pipeline run under or near their homes. De Halve Maan has even created a crowd funding campaign where major donors could be rewarded with free beer for life.