Unholy Secrets

Good morning,

Here's everything you need to know today:

Today, we're delving into a heavy story with vast implications for the Church of England. Anglican leader Justin Welby has stepped down after a damning investigation revealed how he failed to address abuse allegations against a former church volunteer. Welby's resignation has left his followers and critics grappling with the church's struggle with accountability. In decades past, calls for justice have gone unanswered repeatedly, but this is not an isolated case.

There is a 251-page report that shows Welby was informed of the abuse in 2013 but did not alert authorities-an example of an institution prioritizing reputation over responsibility. Survivors, clergy, and even public officials, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, cited Welby's failures as part of a pattern that has sidelined survivors for too long.

Welby's resignation promises change, but it also raises a question that haunts the Church of England: Can trust ever be fully restored when the pain is so deep?

Secrets on Discord

Next, we investigate a case that has stirred up the Pentagon and beyond: Jack Teixeira, a former Massachusetts Air National Guard member, was sentenced to 15 years for leaking classified documents online. Initially shared on Discord to impress friends, Teixeira's documents covered highly sensitive information, such as military support for Ukraine, troop movements, and U.S. adversary strategies.

Teixeira's defense asserted that his intent was not to harm national security but to inform his online community of world events. However, prosecutors highlighted the "grave danger" posed by his leaks, citing risks to U.S. personnel abroad and damage to international alliances. Among the most significant national security breaches in recent years, this case is a powerful reminder of the severe consequences of handling classified information.

No Kids, No Way

It looks like Russia is stepping up its battle to protect family values by banning media that promotes a "child-free" lifestyle. Advocating for a life without kids in films, ads, or online content is punishable by law. Want to discourage parenthood publicly? You may face fines of up to $4,000 for individuals and $50,000 for companies.

The Kremlin's goal? Combat declining birthrates by any means necessary. The numbers are tough: deaths have outpaced births since 2016, while lower wages, tighter migration, and pandemics continue to impact population growth. In addition, the ongoing war has led to a tragic loss of up to 150,000 soldiers.

But does banning the child-free lifestyle increase birth rates? Demographer Alexey Raksha says it’s unlikely. He argues it's more of a political statement than a genuine demographic solution. Still, Russia wants to "cleanse the information space" and emphasize traditional family values with this new push.

Unrolling the Truth

Have you ever wondered what "mega" really means on a pack of toilet paper? Brace yourself—those jumbo rolls may not be as big as they seem. The toilet paper industry has mastered the art of creative math, throwing around terms like "mega," "super mega," and "forever roll."

There is a mysterious math behind sheet sizes and counts. Unlike traditional "regular" rolls, brands define "mega" or "super" rolls differently today, with sheet sizes shrinking but prices remaining high. While reaching for those big-value packs, we often don't realize we're paying the same (or more!) for less.

In this shrinkflation market, an 80s roll would dwarf today's TP sizes. We'll keep shopping unless we're willing to crunch the numbers every time. When you pick up a "mega" roll, remember this: the math might be mega, but what's the value? Not so much. Let's dig into the fine print—and flush away those fuzzy numbers once and for all.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Bears of Fat Bear Week 2024.

🧮 Core Count: 6,000,000,000

The average number of dust mites found in a bed.

🗓️ Flashback:

1956 - The US Supreme Court ruled that race separation on buses in Alabama was unconstitutional.

1980 - US spacecraft Voyager 1 sends back 1st close-up pictures of Saturn during its fly-by.

2018 - The trial of Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán begins in New York.

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran