Be pro-social
Human rights groups are suing El Salvador’s former president, Alfredo Cristiani, and 14 former officers for killing six priests and two civilians in November 1989. Although the crimes happened in El Salvador during its civil war, the lawsuit is in Spain based on international law. Context of the story: Why is this important? This is … Read more
eBay will ban all ivory sales starting 1 Jan 2009, but a better policy would be to partner with government agencies to make sure that all ivory sales are legal. Banning the sales will simply make it harder to find illegal sales and discourage legal transactions. Context of the story: Why is this important? Elephant … Read more
A scientific study suggests separating the man-made connections between the Mississippi River from the Great Lakes because alien species could destroy the fishing industries. Context of the story: Why is this important? Fishing is a multibillion dollar industry, and without a change, it could collapse. Who is involved? Alliance for the Great Lakes released the … Read more
Islamic militias bloodlessly captured another town near Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The puppet government installed by Ethiopia is on the brink of collapse as they lose more territory to the many militant groups. Context of the story: Why is this important? Somalia has been without a central government since 1991. Conditions in the country … Read more
An Australian man with Alzheimer’s tried to kill himself twice but was unsuccessful. His girlfriend helped him try a third time by providing him with a fatal dose of pills, which he took on his own. She was convicted of manslaughter. Context of the story: Why is this important? Assisted suicide is illegal in most … Read more
Raoul Weil was charged in US federal court today with helping 20,000 Americans avoid paying federal income tax by moving their money to offshore UBS accounts and then filing false forms with the IRS. Context of the story: Why is this important? The indictment alleges that the 20,000 Americans avoided paying $300 million in taxes … Read more
Doctors may have cured a man of AIDS and HIV by using a bone marrow transplant. If so, this is at least the third time a bone marrow transplant has worked. Context of the story: Why is this important? HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, currently infects 33 million people worldwide. Who is involved? Dr. … Read more
Two Klan members allegedly attacked an American because he had brown skin. A lawsuit brought by the victim and funded by the Southern Poverty Law Center is suing the Klan for inciting the violence. Context of the story: Why is this important? Racism and race-related violence is still a problem in America. Non-violent resolution to … Read more
Scientists have discovered a major new aspect of evolution–proteins that use feedback systems to control their evolutionary path. Context of the story: Why is this important? Evolution is a firmly established scientific idea, but many of its exact mechanisms are still largely unknown. Who is involved? Raj Chakrabarti, Herschel Rabitz, Stacey Springs, and George McLendon. … Read more
Gasoline is only one product refined from crude oil, and products like asphalt will not be replaced with ethanol. Context of the story: Why is this important? Crude oil use affects global warming and “energy independence”, while ethanol use affects food prices. Who is involved? Various governments mandate ethanol use in gasoline. Where is this … Read more