I think there is a problem with this video. It appears to have an endangered tortoise.

That appears to be a Centrochelys sulcata species. It strongly resembles the African Spurred Turtle. It looks like it is a younger turtle so the plates of the shell may be slightly different in configuration.

According to the IUCN Red List it is classified as endangered. (click here)

The caretaker obviously loves the tortoise, but, if this is the one I believe it is, owning one is not legal. I do not believe the tortoise is mistreated in any way, except, as an endangered species it is not contributing to increases in the numbers and the genetic diversity. The tortoise needs to be transported to a protected zoo and evaluated. It needs to be placed with other tortoises of the same species. It will be happier there than having a dog as a sibling.

I'd be very interested in knowing where they bought it. It is not legal to sell endangered species.

 

California needs to reach out to these folks.

We know that truck owner-operators are not necessarily real owner-operators so much as a driver for a major carrier that dumps costs for maintaining the truck on the driver, hence, lowering his or her income. The community of truck drivers seems to be having trouble deciphering the law. The State of California needs to develop outreach and/or a process to complete the demands of California Assembly Bill 5. 

In recognition of the need for an outreach to these drivers an extension in the filing will be necessary. I would think a document linked to renewal of driver's license is a reasonable demand to satisfy the law.

July 9, 2022
By Augusta Saraiva and Ngai Yeung

About 70,000 truck owner-operators (click here) who form the bedrock of California’s transport industry are in limbo as state-level labor rules start applying to them, creating another choke point in stressed US supply chains.

Almost a dozen truckers told Bloomberg News they’re unsure how to comply with California’s Assembly Bill 5, which requires workers satisfy a three-part test to be considered independent contractors, or else be seen as employees entitled to job benefits. The trucking industry relies on contractors — who until now have had flexibility to operate on their own terms — and has fought to be exempt from state regulations for years.

California truck owner-operators must now comply with AB5 after the Supreme Court on June 30 refused to review a case challenging the legislation that sets out the tests for employment-status classification....

Venezuela and Iran are breaking sanctions.

The British navy intercepted an Iranian ship carrying missiles. 

When the USA ends it's DEPENDENCE on the petroleum industry all this will stop for the most part. When is the USA going to achieve net Zero and absolute Zero carbon emissions. If Iran doesn't sell these commodities anymore because they are not in demand of some kind, it won't be able to build missiles.

When is the world going to make the leap of faith and simply stop using carbon energy?

December 2, 2021
By Deisy Buitrago

Iran last year began providing PDVSA with condensate (click here) that is used to make the South American nation’s extra heavy oil exportable. This year, PDVSA and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) signed a swap deal 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-iran-oil-exclusive-idCAKBN2GL09S 

that formalized the exchange of Venezuelan crude for Iranian condensate.

The swaps, occurring amid U.S. sanctions on both nations and their oil industries, have allowed PDVSA to ramp up crude output this autumn to levels close to those of early 2020.

“Two million barrels of diluent have just arrived. Where? – from Iran,” said Angel Rodriguez, a lawmaker from President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist party. “This shows what is the country’s situation. We are forced to receive products we used to make due to the blocking,” he added, referring to the U.S. sanctions.

Rodriguez did not disclose the name of the vessel. PDVSA and NIOC did not reply to requests for comment.

Washington imposed trade sanctions on PDVSA and its subsidiaries in 2019 as a way to oust Maduro after it called his re-election a sham. The measures barred exports to the United States, which used to buy most of Venezuela’s crude....

Regarding the Franciscan nuns in Massachusetts.

Dominos's Pizza supports religious efforts. One of them is at Domino Farms, the "Ave Maria University Chapel (click here)." The chapel has an office there and a book store and conducts fund raising. There may be a chance Domino's Pizza would be interested in working with the Nuns in Massachusetts to protect their monastery. 

Solar windows

(click here for video)

ubiquitous energy (click here)

From the IPCC:

...Opportunities (click here) to advance climate resilient development in cities include implementing integrated, inclusive planning and integration of climate change concerns into investments in urban infrastructure, including social and ecological infrastructures. Safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems and ensuring equitable outcomes contributes has multiple be to multiple benefits for health and well-being, including for marginalized and vulnerable communities....

July 9, 2022
By Alex Knapp and Alan Ohnsman

...Last week, BP released its annual Statistical Review of World Energy, (click here) which provides a comprehensive look at the global energy industry. One of the most interesting statistics within it was the growth of renewable energy, consumption of which grew 15% in 2021. Hydroelectric, nuclear and renewable energy accounted for about 18% of energy consumption around the globe, with the balance being provided by fossil fuels. Wind and solar power combined accounted for 10.1% of total global energy production, the first time that number has been above 10%. “Together, wind and solar power provided 2,894 Terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2021,” writes Forbes senior Energy contributor Robert Rapier. “For perspective, in 2010 that number was 380 TWh.”...

"Good night, moon"

The waxing gibbous

11.7 day old moon

89.8 percent lit

July 10, 2022

By Len Melisurgo

The second (click here) of two consecutive “supermoons” will be glowing brightly in the night sky this week, as the full “buck moon” of July 2022 rises and gives sky watchers a special summer treat.

Here are a few things to know about the July full moon, when to see it and why it’s so unique among this year’s moons.

The first full moon of the summer season (the June moon turned full a week before the summer solstice) will officially reach its fullest phase at 2:37 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, July 13. So, it will be at its biggest and brightest when it rises above the horizon Wednesday night....