https://www.businessinsider.com/satellite-images-lavish-palace-saudi-arabia-mbs-neom-royal-megacity-2025-2?op=1 [image: 67bef9d7b1834fe3116578b8?width=2000&format=jpeg&auto=webp] Neom, the insane urban development project in Saudi Arabia, appears to be sinking faster than the giant holes they keep digging in the middle of nowhere. Increasing delays and soaring cost overruns have led to project cancellations and a general scaling back of the original vision. Now a Wall Street Journal report has uncovered an internal audit that reveals evidence of deliberate manipulation of finances by management to justify rising cost estimates to investors. The sense of impending disaster is even more shocking when you look at the only crazy structure that is now standing in Neom: an unbelievably giant palace. New satellite images obtained by Business Insider via US space company Maxar Technologies have revealed the gigantic complex, which appears to feature at least 16 buildings (plus other buildings in the property), four swimming pools, private beaches, extensive gardens, a marina, 10 helipads, and its own golf course. The palace is thought to be owned by Saudi Arabian ruler Mohammed bin Salman, and it’s only one of five palaces that will be built for the royal family in the 10,230-square-mile region known as Neom.

https://fortune.com/2025/03/15/f35-stealth-fighter-nato-allies-canada-portugal-trump-trade-war-europe-defense/ NATO countries are having second thoughts about buying America’s F-35 as the ‘predictability of our allies’ is doubted amid Trump’s seismic shifts America’s F-35 stealth fighter is seen by some allies as a potential vulnerability rather than a cutting-edge weapon that can boost warfighting capabilities. In recent days, Canada and Portugal have expressed willingness to explore alternatives to the Lockheed Martin plane as President Donald Trump has sown doubt about the US commitment to the NATO alliance. On Friday, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said the country is actively looking at other fighter jets amid growing political momentum to scrap a $13 billion deal for 88 F-35s that was signed in 2023. Canada has committed money for its first 16 planes, which are scheduled for delivery early next year. Blair indicated that after accepting that batch of F-35s, Canada could turn to European aircraft to replace its aging fleet of fighters.

I was surprise to see the below picture. On a historic basis, the % of military vs. the overall population is not a big difference (except of course during major wars) [image: 1742092538048-screenshot-2025-03-15-at-9.34.37-pm.png]

There used to be all kinds of ads on Craigslist for stuff like that. It wasn’t as blatant but it was there. This has gone on for 15 years that I know of.

I dont know much about the insurance industry, but from everything I have read, the companies need the higher. There have been so many more very very expensive natural disasters (fires, floods, hurricanes, tornados, etc.) that they cannot pay for. As the article says - the insurance company loses $0.26 on every one dollar they get.

@jon-nyc said in DEI goes commercial?: What podcasts do you listen to? I’ve not heard it but I generally skip the commercials. This week it’s been a bunch of Foosball related podcasts, but I’ve heard it run on a few political podcasts, too.

@Horace said in Drang it...: The military is a good deal until you have to go to war. But even then, some enjoy it. I remember an anecdote from Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything. Some famous scientist, I can't remember who, had gone to war as a young man, and really enjoyed all the killing he got to do. Oppenheimer?

Rick Beato is definitely one of the internet's high points.

My teacher has used the analogy of the music starting from far away, which I found helpful.

After pleading guilty to military charges of obstructing justice, the 23-year-old acknowledged he knew his actions were illegal but felt he needed to share the truth about how the Biden administration was misleading the American public about the war in Ukraine. “If I saved even one American, Russian or Ukrainian life against this senseless money-grab war, my punishment was worth it,” he said, his politicized comments a stark contrast to the contrite apology he issued at his federal sentencing. Oh, the poor persecuted victim he is. Such a hero; a post pubescent Snowden.

Wait a minute, that’s not our Mason! That’s the rvil alternate universe Mason! https://x.com/steelers/status/1900632883263414320

@LuFins-Dad said in Vance boo'd at Kennedy Center: Still, it’s classless. Agree. They should respect the office.