Info in Bits & Pieces

BIG BEN RINGS
On May 31, 1859, England’s iconic tower clock, Big Ben, rang out over the city for the very first time. The clock was constructed as part of St. Stephen’s Tower (later renamed Elizabeth Tower) after a fire in 1834 destroyed most of the Palace of Westminster where Parliament was housed. Big Ben is well known for its accurate timekeeping. Its four faces are illuminated at night and when Parliament is in session, a light is the tower is lit.

$31.5 BILLION
California Gov. Gavin Newson has proposed revisions to the state’s 2023-2024 fiscal budget, with an additional $9 billion deficit added to prior estimates. Newson now projects a $31.5 billion deficit.
~~~ how long does any organization continue to operate with a growing deficit?

$986 BILLION
Total U.S. credit card debt stood at $986 billion in the first quarter of 2023, according to the Federal Reserve Board of New York, showing a record 17% jump year over year.

80 MILLION CT SCANS
Today, more than 80 million computerized tomography (CT) scans are performed in the U.S. each year, compared with just 3 million in 1980.

California Dumps Nearly Half of Its Hazardous Waste Out of State
Boasting that the state is eco-friendly, tons of toxic waste is dumped in other states every year. Most of that waste is in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, along with 13 other states with lower quantities.

1 MILLION
GM has recalled nearly one million vehicles due to faulty airbag inflators that may explode upon deployment.

$69 BILLION
The European Union has approved Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition o framing giant Activision Blizzard.

100 HOURS
Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has set a Guinness World Record by cooking nonstops for 100 hours.

“In this present world, everything is against us. We are like warriors fighting for victory. However, we don’t as yet share in the shout of triumph.”
~~~ Charles Spurgeon, We Shall See God

“The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground.”
~~~ Gilbert K. Chesterton (1874-1938), English writer

“Corn is cleaned with wind, and the soul with chastening.” George Herbert (1593-1633). Corn, like other grains, is winnowed to remove the chaff. Hence the reference to “wind.” Chastening, rebuking, or reprimanding does the same for the human soul. The Lord uses His Spirit, His Word, sometimes His ministers, or His providences to bring a sense to a man of his sin or neglect. He does so as a loving Father; though the reprimand may sting a while, a blessing follows.