An Energy Shortage, Coffins In Paris, & Instagram’s Forced Ads
June 4, 2024
Hello, readers – happy Tuesday! Today, we’ll be talking about Canada’s energy problem, Iran’s next president, Israel’s strikes on Syria, a stunt at the Eiffel Tower, a January 6 ruling, the Washington Post’s editor change, and Instagram’s unpleasant new feature.
Here’s some good news: FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, is expanding the players’ maternity leave policies to include coaches, non-biological, and adoptive mothers. Also, the first-ever pill to treat postpartum depression is finally making its way to patients.
“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” – Joseph Campbell
America’s Hat Is Dry As Heck

It’s getting dry like ginger ale in Canada. This winter, low rainfall levels in the U.S.’s northern neighbor dried up lakes and rivers, leading to a water shortage and lower levels of hydroelectric power. Things have gotten so bad that Canada has been forced to import electricity from the U.S. for the first time in years – in wetter years, Canada sells its excess energy to its southern neighbor as its dams and rivers produce an abundance of renewable energy.
While power execs might view the ups and downs of rainfall levels as a normal part of doing business, others are worried that climate change might dry up Canada’s power systems. With increased electricity consumption on both sides of the border and a growing reliance on renewables like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, North American leaders are calling for a more interconnected grid between the two countries. Some governments have begun investing in stronger battery infrastructure to store more energy, but battery tech still needs time to become an efficient reservoir of renewable energy.
If At First You’re Not Elected, Try, Try (And Try And Try) Again
Two weeks ago, Iran’s president and foreign minister died in a helicopter crash. Now, Iranian politicians are making their bids for the presidency. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker, is currently the leading candidate for the presidency, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appearing to back him during a speech on Monday.
Qalibaf is the former mayor of Tehran and has close ties with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, serving as a general with the armed forces decades ago. While his ties with Iran’s military might endear him with powerful politicians, it’s not clear whether that relationship will help him gain votes in a presidential election – during his time as a general, Qalibaf was part of the Guard’s violent crackdown on student protestors in 1999, and ordered soldiers to use live gunfire against students in 2003. He’s undertaken three failed attempts to become president over the years, losing in 2005 and 2013 and withdrawing from the race in 2017 to support Ebrahim Raisi, whose death just opened up the post. Fourth time’s the charm, or something like that.
Coffin Up The Details

- On Saturday, five coffins draped with the French flag appeared under the Eiffel Tower. Each coffin was inscribed with text reading “French soldiers in the Ukraine.” On Monday, French authorities placed three men under official investigation for their roles in the stunt, which law enforcement is investigating as an act of Russian interference.
- The men were all arrested while trying to board a bus to Berlin. According to their testimony, they were all offered money to deliver the coffins, which they accepted because they were unemployed. Police are apparently investigating if any of the suspects participated in the vandalism of Paris’ Holocaust memorial, which saw 35 red handprints painted on the monument last week.
Shots Fired In Syria
- According to Syrian state media, Israeli airstrikes around the city of Aleppo killed multiple people on Monday, including one Iranian military advisor. While Israel never confirms its strikes in Syria (the countries have been at war since 1948), Israel’s military has a history of attacking targets within its northeastern neighbor’s territory – in April, Israel launched an airstrike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, killing seven people.
- Syria’s state-run news agency did not officially confirm the damage dealt by the airstrike, only stating that the attack had resulted in “a number of martyrs and some material losses.” Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency confirmed the death of the Iranian military advisor.
More Mixed Nuts
- France’s far right may win big in the EU elections. That’s worrying for migrants, Macron and Ukraine (AP)
- Dozens killed by extreme heat in India as polls close in world’s largest election (CNN)
- Beijing accuses 2 Chinese citizens of being British spies (NBC)
- China maintains stance on disputed Gulf islands despite Iran’s anger (Reuters)
- Nigel Farage to stand for Reform UK in general election U-turn (Guardian)
Middle East Mixed Nuts
- Rafah border crossing can’t reopen unless Israeli forces quit Gaza side, Egypt says (Reuters)
- ‘All eyes on Rafah’ is Instagram’s most viral AI meme. 2 artists are claiming credit. (NPR)
Shroyer Seeks Salvation
- During the January 6, 2021 insurrection, Owen Shroyer accompanied Alex Jones and helped lead the march from then-President Donald Trump’s rally to the Capitol building. Shroyer was charged with misdemeanors for what prosecutors said were his efforts to inflame the crowd.
- Yesterday, during a routine list of orders, the Supreme Court denied Shroyer’s attempt to overturn his guilty plea. Shroyer has argued that he should be protected by the First Amendment. Most protesters who did not enter the Capitol building or physically confront the police have not faced charges, but Shroyer was under a court order to stay away from the Capitol.
Democracy Dies In Darkness…But Keeping Those Lights On Is Expensive
- The Washington Post has announced that executive editor Sally Buzzbee will be stepping down after three years. She will be replaced by Matt Murray, former editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal, until the presidential election, at which point Robert Winnett, currently deputy editor of the Telegraph Media Group, will take over.
- The publication’s new publisher, Will Lewis, told employees last month that the newspaper lost $77 million last year. “To speak candidly, we are in a hole, and have been for some time,” Lewis said. No reason was given for Buzzbee’s departure, and as of writing, she has not commented on the news.
More Nuts In America
- Biden to sign executive order on immigration as early as this week (ABC)
- Atlanta boil water advisory: City remains under state of emergency amid ongoing water troubles (CNN)
- Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee announces pancreatic cancer diagnosis (CBS)
- California firefighters make significant progress against wildfire east of San Francisco Bay (AP)
- California heat dome will send temperatures into the triple-digits across the West as fires burn (CNN)
Meta Makes Some Money Moves
- As Google and YouTube look to squeeze more ad revenue from their users by attacking adblockers, Instagram is also looking for ways to pad its wallet. On Monday, the social media platform confirmed that it was testing an unskippable ad “feature” (A.K.A. nuisance) that stops users from scrolling through the app for a few seconds and makes them stare at an ad until a timer runs out.
- “We’re always testing formats that can drive value for advertisers,” one Meta spokesperson told TechCrunch. “As we test and learn, we will provide updates should this test result in any formal product changes.” The move brings Instagram’s ad format closer to YouTube, which makes users watch portions of ads before they’re able to play a video. While the platform’s millions of users might be turned off by the new invasive ad format, we’re sure Meta’s stockholders will be happy with the change – at least for the next quarterly earnings report.
More Loose Nuts
- Shark attack victim punched it in the face before he was rescued, friend says (NBC)
- Ancient crystals reveal the earliest evidence of fresh water, scientists say (CNN)
- Adobe scolded for selling ‘Ansel Adams-style’ images generated by AI (The Verge)
- NYC couple says they reeled in $100,000 in cash stuffed inside safe while magnet fishing: “Finders keepers” (CBS)
- Simone Biles cruises to 9th national title and gives Olympic champ Sunisa Lee a boost along the way (AP)