The White House is circulating a controversial plan called the GREAT Trust to transform Gaza into a high-tech hub with smart cities and massive investments, potentially involving the relocation of a significant portion of its population, amid ongoing conflict and debates over the plan's implications and motivations.
The mayor of Ollolai, a small town in Sardinia, has received significant interest from Americans looking to escape Donald Trump by purchasing homes for as little as €1. This initiative aims to combat depopulation and attract digital nomads, offering various accommodation options, including free homes for certain professionals. The project has garnered 30,000 requests and aims to revitalize the town by creating investment and jobs, while also promoting the area's natural beauty and cultural richness.
Japan's birthrate has fallen for the eighth consecutive year, reaching a record low in 2023, with the number of births dropping by 5.1% and marriages falling below 500,000 for the first time in 90 years. The government is considering unprecedented measures to address the declining birthrate, such as expanding childcare and promoting wage hikes for younger workers, as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called the situation the "gravest crisis" the country faces. Japan's population is projected to decline by about 30% to 87 million by 2070, with a significant portion of the population being aged 65 or older.
A deer farm in Dodge County, Wisconsin, has depopulated over 170 animals after 23 tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), bringing the total number of positive cases to 26. The farm was quarantined in May after a 9-year-old doe tested positive for CWD, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture depopulated the herd. The farm owner will receive federal indemnity, and the farm will be prohibited from holding deer for five years, required to maintain fences, and subject to routine inspections. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose.
Citizens Property Insurance policyholders in Florida are receiving letters urging them to switch to private insurance companies as part of the state-backed insurer's effort to reduce its policy count. The switch affects 300,000 policies out of the current 1.4 million. Policyholders are advised to contact their agents to explore options and avoid potential surprises. If the offer from a private insurer is within 20% of Citizens' rates, policyholders will no longer be eligible for coverage with Citizens. Some policyholders have reported significant premium increases, while industry experts suggest that positive changes in the market may lead to lower rates next year. Customers have until October 5 to respond to the offer letter.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is facing criticism from deer breeders over their plan to control Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) by ordering the depopulation of deer breeding facilities. Breeders argue that they are being unfairly targeted and that selective breeding could be a more effective solution. Renowned deer expert Dr. James Kroll questions the necessity of depopulation, stating that CWD does not devastate deer herds nor pose a risk to humans. A temporary restraining order has been granted to two deer breeders who are suing TPWD to prevent the killing of their deer stock.
Thousands of Citizens policyholders in Florida may lose their coverage as Farmers Insurance and AAA announce plans to leave the state and not renew certain home insurance policies. Tens of thousands of policyholders may be forced to switch to private insurance companies, potentially resulting in pricier premiums. The depopulation process allows private companies to take over Citizens policies if their premium is within 20% of the Citizens premium. Policyholders no longer have the option to stay with Citizens if the private company's offer is within the range. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has approved several private companies to take over Citizens policies, with more requests pending. Citizens aims to reduce its risk by lowering the number of policies, but major growth projections pose challenges.