Edition 20: Cloudy with a chance of tornadoes
(This newsletter was sent to email subscribers on April 17, 2020.)
Happy Friday, muggles. A French military weapons company thought a fly-along in a fighter jet would be a fun company outing, but things went awry when a 64-year-old employee accidentally ejected himself from the aircraft — 2,000 feet in the air. Fortunately, the man wasn’t seriously injured, but he does have an unforgettable story to tell. And so do we — let’s dive into this week’s stories.
ENVIRONMENT
China’s dam network causes unprecedented drought
Mon Apr 13
Inhabitants of the Mekong River region are in the midst of the worst drought they’ve ever experienced — and it’s not because of climate change. Due to a series of dams controlled by the Chinese government, riverbeds have dried up and water levels have reached record lows, crippling the livelihoods of the farmers and fishers in the region.
In a statement to struggling residents in Laos, China’s foreign minister claimed that the drought was being caused by a lack of rain, but new data shows that this is simply untrue.
What actually happened?
In 2019, China experienced six months of unusually high precipitation. If that water had been allowed to flow freely down the Mekong, countries in its downstream would have seen above average water levels.
Why does this matter?
While China values the Mekong as a source of hydropower, the nations below it — such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam — see it as a lifeline. The Mekong River is home to over 1,300 species of fish and supports the livelihoods of roughly 60 million people.
Raging wildfires quickly approach radioactive power plant in Ukraine
Tues Apr 14
For over a week, massive forest fires in Ukraine have destroyed roughly 47,000 hectares of forest — and are less than a mile away from reaching the abandoned Chernobyl nuclear plant.
Should locals be worried?
Ukraine’s Emergency Situations Service says the fire is under control, but its massive size and increasing proximity to the plant have been cause for anxiety. An expert on air pollution says the main danger is that wind may blow radioactive particles along with the smoke towards nearby residents. Luckily with COVID-19 quarantines in place, residents are a little less exposed since fewer people are out on the streets.
GOVERNMENT
Virginia passes progressive laws on gun control, abortion rights, and anti-discrimination
Sat Apr 11
Last November, Democrats won Virginia’s legislature for the first time in almost 25 years, setting the state on a more progressive path. In fact, Gov. Ralph Northam signed three laws over Easter weekend, implementing new regulations related to …
- Reproductive Rights: revoking “medically unnecessary restrictions” such as 24-hour waiting periods and ultrasounds for women seeking abortions
- Gun Control: limiting purchases to one handgun per month (to prevent individuals from stockpiling) and allowing police officers to confiscate firearms from anyone considered a danger to themselves or the public
- LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, access to credit, etc.
Trump administration makes way for mining the moon, Mars, and beyond
Tues Apr 7
President Trump signed an executive order allowing the U.S. to launch mining expeditions for the moon’s mineral resources.
What does this mean?
Essentially, the order establishes the U.S.’s intent to excavate lunar materials for commercial gain and also leaves the door open for future mining ventures on Mars and “other celestial bodies.”
Can the U.S. do that?
Technically yes. There are very few regulations governing how countries may conduct business or claim ownership in outer space. The international community has passed resolutions to solidify those terms, most notably the Moon Agreement from 1979. Trump’s order, however, specifically does *not* recognize this agreement as legitimate, which means the U.S. would not need to wait for international approval to begin its mining efforts.
CRIME
Mafia gives out food to Italy’s struggling residents (with an implicit IOU)
Fri Apr 10
With Italy’s residents struggling to put food on the table, Mafia bosses have started supplying food to poor families. Unfortunately, this isn’t an act of charity. According to crime experts, it’s a favor that residents may be expected to repay by aiding in the Mafia’s criminal activities, such as harboring fugitives or dealing drugs.
“Mafia bosses consider their cities as their own fiefdom. The bosses know very well that in order to govern, they need to take care of the people in their territory. And they do it by exploiting the situation to their advantage.” — Nicola Gratteri, Antimafia investigator (The Guardian)
Drug dealer faces charges for attempting to bomb a Nebraskan pharmacy
Mon Apr 13
A drug dealer stands trial for attempting to destroy his competition: a pharmacy in Nebraska. In a federal hearing, an FBI agent cited several pieces of evidence that pointed to the defendant’s guilt, including:
- A journal and text messages between the defendant and his pharmacist supplier, who helped plan the scheme
- A list of equipment, including body armor and materials needed to make Molotov cocktails
- A map that could be used to plot his escape after destroying the pharmacy
The defendant’s lawyer argued that these discussions about bombing the rival pharmacy weren’t meant to be taken seriously. The defendant is currently in jail waiting out the conclusion of his trial.
WEATHER
Storm Watch with Acciyo
Silver linings amidst pandemic news
- Last month was the first March in almost 20 years in which there were *no* school shootings. That same month, however, gun sales spiked significantly, with roughly 1.9 million sold.
- For over 30 years, air pollution in Punjab, India kept residents from seeing the beautiful Himalayan mountains — which were just 200 kilometers away. Now, with the smog receding, residents can now enjoy the fresher air and the new scenery!
That’s all for this week. Have a magical weekend.✨
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