The News Roundup for September 7, 2018: Producers’ Cut

This week was a news whirlwind. But we couldn’t get to everything on the Roundup. Here are some other stories we were following, compiled by 1A’s digital producers, Kathryn Fink and Gabrielle Healy.

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Sep 7, 2018 · 2 min read
Royal Marines set off into the city of Basra in the morning sun shortly before the city was secured in August of 2018. | Think Defence

Demonstrations In Southern Iraq Protest Lack Of Services And Corruption

Rioters attacked the Iranian consulate on Friday. One protester was killed and 11 injured, on Friday alone.

From the BBC:

“Anger in Basra has grown over the lack of jobs, electricity and safe drinking water, with hundreds taken to hospital after drinking contaminated water.

Local residents say the government is corrupt and has allowed infrastructure to virtually collapse in the region that generates much of Iraq’s oil wealth.”

Earlier in the week, protesters also blocked one of Southern Iraq’s main ports, Umm Qasr, which receives Iraq’s vegetable oils, grain and sugar shipments, although it wasn’t immediately clear that the protests would affect the long-term distribution of goods.


Eighty-Seven Elephants Killed by Poachers in Botswana

Conservationists are calling it one of the biggest slaughters in recent years.

From The New York Times:

Botswana was until recently considered a haven for the animals, with militarized patrols in protected areas and a contentious shoot-to-kill policy intended to deter poachers. This tough stance on poaching had made Botswana ‘the darling of the conservation world,’ said Annette Hübschle, a researcher at the Center of Criminology at the University of Cape Town.

The policies have done little to protect against the illegal ivory trade. And earlier this year, the Botswana government decided to withdraw weapons from its anti-poaching units, placing the elephants in greater jeopardy.

Now, organizations like Elephants Without Borders are working to restore the nation to the haven it once was.

For more information on the world’s elephant population, check out Great Elephant Census.


Georges Biard | Wikimedia Commons

Goop Fined $145,000 for Claims About Vaginal Eggs

According to Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand, the jade and rose quarts eggs “balance hormones, regulate menstrual cycles, prevent uterine prolapse, and increase bladder control.”

But if you ask the task force that investigated the products, or a gynecologist, those claims are completely unsubstantiated. Same goes for the Inner Judge Flower Essence Blend, which was advertised as a depression prevention aid. The brand is now barred from making any claims about its products without scientific evidence. But the eggs are still on the market.

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1A is the midday news show from @WAMU885 and @NPR, hosted by Joshua Johnson. Find the podcast at npr.org/1a.

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