-
Costa Rica: protests against government tax measures intensify
The week has begun with protests and blockades in the main access roads to the country. On the night of Monday, July 1st, the government sent riot police to greet the demonstrators, after having declared its willingness to open dialogue with the protestors sectors and dismiss the minister of education. The neoliberal measures have provoked protests... Read more -
Trump invites war with Iran
Of enormous concern is that the Trump administration has for months been raising the ante with Iran, engaging in increasingly provocative actions that make war with Iran more likely. Three things to keep in mind here: First, President Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are very close to the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.... Read more -
Kushner offers “opportunity of the century” (to Israel)
Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner has been conducting a two-day economic workshop in Bahrain this week, as the first leg of his long-promised proposed peace agreement for Israelis and Palestinians. Kushner has floated the suggestions of international investment in the West Bank and Gaza of more than $60 billion, though he has not committed the U.S. to any of... Read more -
Strong earthquake shakes Central America
Last night, on June 25 at 11:23 p.m., a strong earthquake was felt in Costa Rica, with a magnitude of 6.3 on the international Richter scale. The epicenter was detected at the border between Costa Rica and Panama, 10 kilometers deep. Seven tremors have been recorded after the main quake. The population was alarmed, although in the center of the country... Read more -
Would You Accept This $7.5 Million?
If someone offers you $7.5 million, you’re likely going to take it — few questions asked. This is what Meharry Medical College did when they were gifted the second-largest grant in the institution’s history. But many in the community were outraged at the college’s acceptance of the donation. The reason? The financial contributor of the money was... Read more -
Air Pollution is Getting Worse
Most would assume that we’ve gotten at least a little better at decreasing our environmental impact. Many people carry around reusable bags and water bottles. Most coffee shops provide paper straws and recyclable cups. Cars are becoming more efficient, and the use of rideshare apps and carpooling has increased. But according to the Environmental... Read more -
World facing 6th mass extinction
A new landmark UN report, based on thousands of scientific studies by 145 experts in 50 countries over 3 years, announced last week that the biodiversity of our planet is in peril. The report states that “Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history – and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with grave impacts on... Read more -
Australia’s Exploited Underclass of Migrant Workers
A new centre with the mission of tackling exploitation of migrant workers points out underpayment as the biggest issue. The centre opened in Melbourne on August 29, 2018, with the mission of empowering migrant workers who are in Australia on temporary and permanent visas, The centre will provide them with training and educate them about their working... Read more -
Mueller’s report is in — but no one gets to see it yet
A week ago last Friday, special counsel Robert Mueller delivered to U.S. Attorney General William Barr his completed report on possible attempts by Donald Trump and his campaign to collude with Russia to swing the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and to obstruct the later investigation into those activities. On March 24th, Barr released a four-page summary... Read more -
Boeing 737 MAX-8: an airplane disaster?
Aircraft company Boeing’s newest airplane — the 737 MAX-8 — seems incapable of staying in the air until the destination is reached. In less than six months two planes of this type have crashed, leaving all passengers dead. The first Max-8 was an aircraft of Lion Air. Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea on October 28th, killing all 189 passengers. In... Read more -
“Catastrophic collapse of
nature’s ecosystems”??For the last several months, we’ve been hearing warnings from researchers about the decline in insect numbers around the world, largely because of the widespread use of agricultural pesticides. Insects are critical for pollinating and recycling nutrients, and they serve as food for other animals. Now, a global study just published in the journal... Read more