The State of California Vs. JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Thursday, California’s attorney general, Kamala Harris, sued JPMorgan Chase & Co. for unlawful debt collection practices. The bank used illegal tactics to collect debts from credit card holders. Between 2008 and 2011, the company’s in-house lawyers filed 100 lawsuits per day; the outside counsel filed over 20,000 lawsuits. Harris is accusing the company of cutting corners in order to speed up trials and cut costs. Apparently, the company did not review files and bank statements related to the lawsuits, it did not review documents in filing debt-collection lawsuits, it did a poor job of drafting legal filings, and it failed to properly notify its customers of the lawsuits. Harris seeks a permanent ban on the alleged illegal practices and damages for borrowers who were harmed during the trials.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/09/california-jpmorgan-debt-collection_n_3248328.html#slide=1513788

The Rubber Duck of Hong Kong

In Hong Kong Thursday, a giant, inflatable rubber duck floated into Victoria Harbor. As the duck drew up to Ocean Terminal, thousands lined the harbor front, cameras flashed, and brass bands blared their melodic tunes. 

The fifty four foot tall piece of art is aptly titled the “Rubber Duck Project.” The artist behind the monstrous toy is Florentijn Hofman, a thirty six year old Dutchman. The duck has spent time in Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paolo, and Amsterdam. 

Hofman says, “I see it as an adult thing. It makes you feel young again. It refers to your childhood when there is no stress or economic pressure, no worry about having to pay the rent.” The exhibit will remain in Hong Kong until June 9^th. The next stop is the Unites States, but where exactly is remaining secret.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/02/travel/hong-kong-giant-duck/index.html

Possible Alien Link Determined Human

Recently, DNA test results of Ata, the “6 inch alien,” have been revealed. The tiny skeleton was discovered in Chile’s Atacama Desert ten years ago in the ghost town La Noria. A local man, Oscar Munoz, looking for items of historical value, discovered a white cloth that contained the strange skeleton. The remains have gone through numerous hands; its current owner is Barcelona entrepreneur Ramon Navia-Osorio. Since its discovery in 2003, extra-terrestrial enthusiasts have hoped that the skeleton, nicknamed Ata, would fill in the missing link, proving that aliens exist. However, the director of stem cell biology at Stanford University’s School of Medicine in California, Garry Nolan, concluded that the little humanoid is human. Nolan performed the DNA tests and computational techniques himself in order to make a precise determination. Nolan states that the human lived to around six to eight years old and its mother was an indigenous Indian from the Chilean area. Most likely, it died in the last century.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/23/sirius-documentary-dna-re_n_3135628.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular#slide=2369045

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/16/tiny-chile-alien-backgrou_n_3071767.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

Chemical Warfare Allegations in Syria

This week, both Britain and France have written to the United Nations, stating that Syria’s government has used chemical weapons in the civil war. Syria has still not given a United Nations forensics team permission to enter the country. President Obama is quoted as saying that the use of chemical weapons in the war could create a “game changer” that may lead to American involvement. Israeli officials also agree that there is evidence that Syrian forces have used chemical weapons; apparently, the government of President Bashar al-Assad has stockpiled these weapons. The United Nations investigative team is ready to deploy as quickly as the Syrian government consents. But every allegation made about Syria’s warfare tactics must be fully investigated; this means that a speedy solution is nowhere in sight.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/19/world/middleeast/Syria.html?_r=0

Gay Marriage Legalized in Uruguay

Friday, Uruguay legalized gay marriage. Lawmakers in the Lower House and Senate approved the legislation, and President José Mujica is expected to sign the bill in the coming weeks. This will make Uruguay the third country in the Americas to legalize gay marriage after Canada and Argentina. In addition, Uruguay will be the 12^th country in the world to make same-sex marriage legal nationwide. Under the new law, gay couples will be able to marry for the first time, with the same legal rights and responsibilities as other married couples. This bill also raises the minimum age for marriage to sixteen years for all Uruguayans, from the previous age of twelve for girls and fourteen for boys. Uruguay has always been progressive in its legislation; last year the country legalized abortion and the Mujica administration has sponsored a bill that would legalize marijuana. The same sex marriage bill is another step in the progressive direction.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323741004578416581331444320.html

The Notebook No More: Preventing Alzheimer's Disease

BBC News reported that US scientists have discovered genetic markers that could help to predict who is at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Previously, scientists simply knew that the build up of tau proteins in the brain increased the chance of having the disease, but a new study done with gene variants demonstrated that these are linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline. The team conducting the study used genetic information from 1,200 people and analyzed it. This study can help scientists to better understand the way the brain changes when dementia develops. But lifestyle factors can also play a role in the disease- a balanced diet, regular exercise, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels low can help to reduce a person’s risk also.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22025100

Art the Great to Redeem Her Name?

Monday morning, Art the Great announced the development of a new art exhibit. The details of the exhibit are not being released to the public at this time. Art has been an artist that has awed the world time and time again, but her last project left much to be desired. “Indoor Playground” was met with much distaste; the exhibit consisted of sheets and swings hung from rafters in a large, airy room. Renowned art critic Kylie Straub says, “It’s not art. I’m not sure what it is. I feel like there should be pigeons pecking around and the sound of children at play.” Over the past seventeen years, Art’s work has revolutionized the art scene. Let’s hope that Art’s new, secretive project will redeem her reputation after such a major flop.

Congo Rebel Leader in Custody

Friday, Bosco Ntaganda, a Congo rebel leader, was in the custody of the International Criminal Court’s custody. He surrendered voluntarily to the U.S. Embassy in Kigali on March 18^th. Ntaganda is wanted for war crimes dating back to 2002. He left Congo’s army last year amid fears he would be arrested and started M23, a rebel group. Last month, M23 split into numerous factions, one of which vowed to capture Ntaganda. Ntaganda is an ethnic Tutsi who was born in Rwanda. He is facing seven counts of war crimes and three counts of crimes against humanity. He is accused of using child soldiers and murdering civilians in Congo’s Ituri region.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-22/congo-rebel-leader-ntaganda-in-icc-custody-after-leaving-rwanda.html

Obama's Legacy: Clean or Dirty?

In his second inaugural speech and his state of the union address, President Barack Obama promised climate action in government.  Friday saw the first move by the administration towards any kind of environmental changes; Obama announced the start of a $2 billion research fund that would delve into clean fuel cars. Unfortunately, the same day, officials in the White House indicated that Obama was leaning towards approving the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline would export tar sand from Canada; it would bisect the US to bring the tar sand to refineries in the Gulf of Mexico. If Obama approves it, the pipeline would increase our fuel supply, and therefore our energy security, and provide jobs in the US and Canada, and therefore good relations with Canada. However, the pipeline would also cause serious damage to climate change- tar sand is basically the dirtiest fuel there is and extracting it takes enormous amounts of energy. What Obama decides on this major controversy will leave a lasting legacy on not only the US, but the world as a whole.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/15/obama-congress-electric-cars-research

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2013/feb/22/keystone-xl-pipeline-barack-obama-oil-sands

Sequester Spells Doom

The sequester- it’s the $85 billion in automatic budget cuts that are set to take effect Friday unless Obama can agree on a new way to cut a federal debt that exceeds $16.5 trillion. This is only the latest GOP budget battle. These budget fights have been nearly constant in Washington recently. There have also been ideological clashes between Obama and the conservative House Republicans. Obama is seeking a “balanced” plan that includes new revenues through taxes on the wealthy as well as spending cuts. The budget resolution that funds the government expires March 27^th. This sets up prospects for another government shutdown in the near future. Or it may simply be delayed again in the 11^th hour.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/02/28/obama-sequester-mcconnell-shutdown-debt-ceiling/1953879/

Castro to Retire?

Friday, Cuban President Raul Castro suggested the idea of retirement. He states that he is old and has a right to retire. He did not say when he would do so though. Sunday, Castro is supposed to be sworn in to a new five year term. Castro stated that listeners should pay close attention to his speech.  He has spoken before of his desire to implement a two-term limit for all Cuban government positions and the limited amount of time he has left to completely renovate Cuba’s Marxist economy. Castro will be 86 when his next term ends in 2018. Many now believe that Castro’s upcoming term will be his last. But placing a potential next-generation successor in the presidency is neither something that Raul Castro nor his brother Fidel have ever done. 

War in Syria: Years Ahead?

The civil war in Syria could drag on for much longer than expected. President Bashar al-Assad continues to hold power and his fall is nowhere in sight. Even though rebel forces are moving into Damascus, closing in on the capital, the war could drag on for another four years some experts say. This has become a much bigger conflict than just Syria and the forces are becoming increasingly radical says Aram Nerguizian, a Syria expert at the Center for Strategic International Studies in Washington D.C. The president’s regime is getting help from Iran, Russia, and Lebanon. This civil war is starting to become a war of attrition.

http://www.voanews.com/content/syrias-civil-war-could-drag-on-much-longer/1603754.html

The Tunguska Mystery

This coming week, an asteroid is going to pass closer to Earth than TV satellites, but there is no immediate danger. The asteroid is named DA14 and is traveling at 8 miles a second. But now many are recalling the Tunguska event, an asteroid or comet that exploded over Siberia in June 1908. It wasn't until 1921 that an expedition explored the area and realized the amount of devastation- 830 square miles of wilderness flattened. The effect of the impact was seen all across Europe with a silver mist clouding the sky. Many feared an apocalypse at the time, but NASA has explained that something, be it meteor, asteroid, or comet, hit the earth. The Tunguska event has led to huge debate and wild speculation over the years. Thankfully, the asteroid planned to pass close to earth soon poses no threats.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/from-the-archive-blog/2013/feb/08/tunguska-asteroid-comet-1908-siberia

Strife Continues in Egypt

Friday, protestors in Egypt set fire to a gatehouse within the walls of Egypt’s presidential palace with fire bombs; in response, police set off tear gas and fired birdshot at the demonstrators. The protestors used the action to show their disregard for the country’s leader, Mohamed Morsi. This event is just one of many; recently clashes have raged on the avenue outside of the presidential palace and thousands of protestors have marched into cities along the Suez Canal. These huge demonstrations are occurring in reaction to a peaceful sit-in that lasted several hours outside the palace walls where protestors chanted against the rule of Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood. Just a day earlier, Egypt’s Islamist leaders met with their political opponents and discussed how to solve the crisis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/02/world/middleeast/clashes-in-egypt.html?_r=0

Possible Mining Law Changes in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin on Tuesday, January 22, alternative plans for mining legislation were released. This was aimed at heading off a Republican bill that relaxes environmental regulations for a proposed iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin. This new Democratic bill would give the state Department of Natural Resources more time to conduct its review and calls for a new tax on iron ore. On Wednesday, a public hearing will be held in Madison; the meeting will discuss the Republican’s plan to tailor mining laws for iron ore mining. This Republican bill is supported by Gogebic Taconite, which is proposing to construct a $1.5 billion iron ore mine in Ashland and Iron counties. It would create 700 mining jobs and thousands more in construction and spinoff employment. This bill though has come under fire from environmental groups; they are worried about changes in iron mining laws that could harm the water-rich ecosystem between Mellen and Hurley. The amount of sulfides in the waste rock that covers iron ore deposits could be dangerous; the rock could mix with air and water to cause acid mine drainage. This is a serious concern. The Bad River band of Lake Superior Chippewa opposes the mine- it lies downstream from the proposed site and the effects a mine would pose on water quality could be hazardous. On acid mine drainage, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce said state law would require a mining company in its application to engineer a process to make sure acidified rock didn’t pollute local streams or groundwater. The DNR couldn’t approve a mining permit if a mine couldn’t meet water quality standards. Hopefully, the Democrats and Republicans can come to a compromise on this issue that will be environmentally-friendly.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/188062581.html

Bolshoi Ballet Director Attacked

Friday, Sergei Filin, the artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, Russia, was attacked by a masked man. Acid was thrown in his face, leaving him with third degree burns that threaten his eyesight. This attack follows two weeks of threats against Filin. Those involved with the case believe Filin was targeted for his work; the attack may have been fueled by professional jealousy. His tires were punctured, his car was scratched, his cellphone and email accounts were hacked, and he received anonymous phone calls. Apparently, Filin opened the gate to his residence early Friday morning; the masked man called out to Filin and threw the bottle of acid in his face. Dancers from the company kept an overnight vigil at the burn unit where he is being treated.


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/19/world/europe/sergei-filin-bolshoi-ballet-director-is-victim-of-acid-attack.html?_r=0

Fighting in Syria Continues

On Friday, Lakhdar Brahimi, the joint U.N.-Arab League envoy for Syria, met with Russian and United States diplomats with the goal of finding a political solution to Syria’s conflict. Brahimi met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns. The conflict in Syria began in March 2011 with peaceful protests against the Assad family dynasty. But an intense crackdown and armed rebel opposition created civil war in the country. 60,000 people have been killed in the war so far. All international efforts to end the war have not worked. Friday’s meeting will hopefully lead to peace, but this conference coincided with ground action in Syria during which Islamic militants took full control of a strategic northwestern base. This seizure was part of the rebels’ campaign to topple the Syrian government’s air supremacy.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/01/11/un-envoy-meets-with-us-russia-on-syria-conflict/

Women's Rights Protests in India

In India, violence against women has recently become a major issue. On December 16^th, a young paramedical student was returning home from seeing Life of Pi. She was lured aboard a bus and repeatedly raped; she was thrown naked from the bus and left for dead. The woman spent two weeks in the hospital before dying. Similar events have been occurring more and more frequently in India over the past few years. These accounts of rape and abuse are a result of the government promoting girls’ education, women in the work force, and women’s greater autonomy. In Indian culture ordinarily, women are supposed to be wives and mothers. As women grow more independent, men grow more uncomfortable. Gang rape has become a method to subdue women and establish male superiority. Now, India as a nation is recognizing the impact of this violence. Protests are breaking out and attempting to bring about change in gender relations in India.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8fa9c8ec-565e-11e2-aaaa-00144feab49a.html#axzz2H2De2lWL

More Cliffs Ahead

Congress has conquered one fiscal cliff, but apparently there are three more ahead. The next deadline is in late February; at this time, Congress will have to raise the $16.4 trillion debt ceiling or default on the loans of the US. President Obama said that the consequences of defaulting on the loans could be “catastrophic- far worse than the impact of a fiscal cliff.” Also in February, Congress will have to revisit the spending cuts that it put off in the deal passed Tuesday night to avoid the fiscal cliff. This deal really only delayed the eventual spending cuts. Congress has to plan for the budget deal in addition. This deadline is in late March.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/cliff-crossed-congress-faces-new-fiscal-crises-article-1.1231507