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Citing the extraordinary environmental cost of feeding, housing and transporting cattle and chickens, an entrepreneurial couple from Vancouver revealed plans to open a chain of “insect-eateries” in North America. In a statement announcing their plans on May 1, the founders said, “Over two billion people around the world already consume bugs and insects on a daily basis and we hope by opening a chain of “LaCucaracha Cuisine” restaurants in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Montreal, Vancouver, Chicago and New York that we will help foster a nutritious new trend that provides North Americans with a rich source of protein while simultaneously protecting our environment.”
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A day after smog levels reached an all-time record in Shanghai on July 17, a leading environmental group in Hong Kong reported its website had been hacked by the Chinese government. The failed attempt only heightened global attention to the severity of the air quality in other major Chinese cities when the hashtag #CleanAirCleanChina went viral. The successful social media campaign is believed to have contributed to the massive environmental demonstrations in Tiananmen Square and proponents are hopeful it will lead to meaningful environmental reform.
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On August 8, a Miley Cyrus concert at an outdoor amphitheater in Wisconsin was temporarily delayed when security officials struggled to remove a quadcopter hovering 75-100 feet above the stage. Local police later determined the small unmanned aerial vehicle belonged to a fan who had recently received a temporary restraining order against the pop singer. “I only wanted to see Miley,” said the young man whose name wasn’t released because he’s a juvenile, “and my mini-drone was the only way.” He added, “I’d never harm Miley. I love her.” An anonymous official later said, “Moving forward, I’m more worried that individuals who don’t love Miley Cyrus might use smartphone-controlled drones against her and, based on her performance last night, I suspect that number is growing larger by the day.”
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