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Are people becoming allergic to red meat?

Yes, it’s called “Alpha- Gal Syndrome” (AGS) causes people to become violently ill when red meat including beef, pork and lamb are consumed. The affliction is purportedly spread by “lone star ticks”  and there is no cure. 

Listen to this episode to find out more and for the deep dive head over to our substack at WorldbriefZMC.

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Is it illegal to call someone a “muppet” in England? Yes, yesterday a man was arrested by British police for, allegedly, calling someone a “muppet”. For more, take a look at our Substack at WorldBriefZMC. 

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What’s the real reason for the backlash to the Cracker Barrel Rebrand?

It’s not what you may think -- it might be fatigue from non-stop corporate authoritarianism. Take a listen and tell us what you think.

For a deep dive and a comment on Cracker Barrel’s last PR stunt (the ‘great syrup debacle’),  take a look at our Substack at WorldBriefZMC and be sure to subscribe and vote in the poll — link in the bio.

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In a quiet announcement released on Friday, the World Economic Forum(“WEF”),  announced that its CEO, Larry Fink, has taken over as interim “co-chair” of the infamous organization. 

Deep dive on Substack at WorldBriefZMC.

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Is there a connection between the Roman Emperor Nero and the LA Wildfires?

Yes. Nero infamously “fiddled” while Rome burned to the ground and then took the land and built a palace on it. Now, something similar may be happening to some victims of the LA wildfires.

California law was changed this year to allow the local government to use public funds to buy up the homes and land of the victims of the 2025 LA Fires and we discuss the similarities.

Head to our substack for the Deep Dive at WoldBriefZMC.

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Its August 11, 2025 this is your News Flash

Once in a thousand years floods in Wisconsin, explosion at chemical plant in Pennsylvania, tropical storm Erin in the Atlantic target east coast. 

 If you know anything about these events please leave a comment below. 

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Is it illegal to hike on public land?  Yes, in parts of Eastern Canada. 

In Nova Scotia - which shares a border with Maine- it is now a criminal offense to hike, camp or drive through the woods on “Crown Land” (public property), from August 5 and October 15, 2025. Violators may be fined as much  as $25,000 for violations of the proclamation and at least one man has already been ticketed. The new law applies to some privately owned land as well. 

At least two other north eastern Canadian  provinces (New Brunswick and Labrador)  have passed similar measures though it’s not yet a crime there. 

Officials have justified the move citing the  dry conditions and the risk of forest fires, though curiously, paid-camping on “Crown land” remains lawful. Some say this was a preventable issue and blame poor forestry practices (like not removing fallen trees and dead limbs) - an echo of legitimate criticisms  the fire management practices in California and elsewhere). While most Canadians seem to understand the logic of being cautious (especially during a dry summer) , many view the measures as being heavy handed and draconian. And there are fears that these temporary restrictions may become permanent. 

Do you think hiking bans are ok? 

For a deep dive visit our Substack at WorldBriefZMC and don't forget to vote in the poll!

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Could a “Digital ID” stop illegal immigration? Yes, if you’re in the UK or so it has been claimed. 

According to the British think tank Labour Together, that’s precisely what the “Britcard” would do. The organization, whose ideas have been echoed by British Prime Minister Kier Starmer, thinks that a digital ID that ties everything from citizenship status to health and finance records together is just what the UK needs. 

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Will you need ID to watch videos on YouTube? Yes, even in the US, starting August 13th, 2025, if the AI thinks you’re under 18 you might have to provide an ID for full access. 

In a move that mirrors the ID verification laws that have recently taken effect in the UK and EU countries, YouTube has announced that it will use AI to determine whether a viewer is 18 or older (purportedly based upon viewing habits). If the AI works as advertised then adult users won’t even know it’s there but if the algorithm gets it wrong, users will have YouTube’s ‘nanny controls’ activated resulting in restrictions on what they can watch. Misidentified users then have the option to provide proof of their age by way supplying a valid credit card or government issued ID. 

Supporters claim this will help shield children from harmful content and help fight so-called ‘misinformation’. But privacy advocates  note that the duty to protect our children from online threats rests with the parents and not big business. They have labeled these plans as a ‘Trojan Horse’ designed to usher in social credit scoring and “license-for-the-Internet” schemes to limit free speech. 

What do you think? 

For the deep dive, and the connection to Spotify’s new policy, subscribe to our Substack at WorldBriefZMC. 

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If you’re in the US, could you be arrested for violating a foreign country’s online speech laws?

Yes at least in theory. Through a process called extradition, a foreign country (like the UK for example), could decide that you’ve violated their new “Online Safety Act”  (OSA), and have you arrested in the US.  What’s more, under the terms of the treaty, the UK could have your assets seized too. 

Fortunately, the chance of this happening is still pretty low but with the passage of laws like the OSA and others elsewhere abroad, the risk of criminalization of 1st Amendment rights has increased considerably. 

To be fair there are some safeguards in the treaty; But those provisions were created before most of the so-called “online speech crimes” were even on the books and the language used was geared towards stopping “mallum in Se” (intrinsically evil”) crimes like murder, theft and similar. In such cases, extradition made sense — if an American hacked a British bank and stole money while on US soil, arresting him and shipping him to the UK to stand trial is ok. 

But the United States  (and other countries), won its independence to prevent the Crown from criminalizing words and treaties cannot be allowed to undo that, even if only by accident. The paradox of a free Republic is that, it’s frequently when a right is abused that it is hardest and most important to uphold.

And so, whether you’re an American or not, it is important to keep an eye on the unintended consequences of even well-meaning new laws. And perhaps the real question is, even if it feels good sometimes, should there even be “speech crimes”?

What do you think?