This Week in the World | 3.23.2020
Illustration credit: Tia Marchiselli
Iraq Enraged By Continuous U.S. Military Attacks In Its Territory
by Hal Conte
Iraq’s army is irate after the U.S. targeted and killed what Trump administration officials claimed were members of Kataib Hezbollah, an organization which the U.S. says is supported by Iran. Iraqi leaders say that in reality, the attack led to the death of three Iraqi commandos, two police officers, and a civilian in the bombed airport, and was a violation of the country’s national sovereignty. Tensions between Iraq, Iran, and the U.S. were stretched to the breaking point with the January murder of General Qassem Soleimani.
Image source: EPA-EFE
Investigation Reveals “Sleazy Underbelly” Of Davos Globalism Gabfest
by Hal Conte
At least 100 prostitutes travel to Davos annually and sexual harassment is rampant at the World Economic Forum, The Times of London revealed. Predatory behavior at the event, attended by figures such as Donald Trump, Bill Gates and Greta Thunburg as well as is apparently so common some people were warned not to attend events alone. In addition to delegates, over 30,000 businesspeople and tourists come during the Forum. “If something happens with some big CEO, who is going to be believed? You or them?” a WEF official said.
Image source: The Times
Nigeria Prince Requests U.K. Museum Return Looted Statue
by Hal Conte
Prince Edun Akenzua of the Royal Court of Benin – in present-day Nigeria – has asked that a Bristol museum return to his country a Benin Bronze sculpture taken by British imperialists in an 1897 exhibition which saw the theft of thousands of valuables from the oba (king)’s palace. Jon Finch, who heads up the city’s cultural department, said he was open to returning the artefact, but the cream of the African country’s lost riches remain in the British Museum, which has a policy barring the return of heritage.
Image source: Morning Star
Huge Locust Plague Could Lead To Starvation In Pakistan
by Hal Conte
Pakistan is seeking immediate help from China as locusts breeding in the desert have created so much blight that the nation’s GDP could plunge to less than 2 percent this fiscal year, according to economists cited by Bloomberg News. Sugar and wheat flour have been in short supply and Pakistani farmers are concerned that their children may not have enough to eat. The locust plague, the worst since 1993, is especially bad among poor communities, where many people still dwell in mud homes and have to rely on government food reserves which are up to six years old.
Image source: Bloomberg
Ex–Scottish SNP First Minister Salmond Acquitted On 13 Sex Charges
by Hal Conte
Alex Salmond, one of Scotland’s most famous leaders, was found not guilty on 12 charges of sex abuse and a further charge was deemed unproven in a trial which has torn the ruling Scottish National Party in two, with each claimant a member or political figure from the party. Salmond‘s allies accused leaders within the SNP including current First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of whipping up a witch hunt against her predecessor. “As many of you will know, there is certain evidence I would have liked to have seen led in this trial but for a variety of reasons we were not able to do so. At some point, that information, that facts and that evidence will see the light of day,” Salmond insinuated following the verdict.
Image source: AFP
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Is Shrinking – But Only Visibly
by Hal Conte
The Great Red Spot storm on Jupiter’s surface has appeared to have been shrinking for decades and is now about the same diameter as Earth, whereas before it was three times its size. But new research shows that the thickness of the storm has remained the same. Using a salt-water-filled Plexiglas tank, scientists were able to model the physical forces which create storms like the Spot. The results closely match studies made over 40 years ago by the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes.
Image source: NASA
