World:
The Good: Students Continue To Stand Together
One month after the Parkland school shooting students are showing Congress and the world that they haven’t forgotten about their loved ones, and will continue to demand change. Today, students from Colorado, New Jersey, Washington and even as far away as Colombia, Israel, Tanzania and Mexico have stepped out of class in order to support victims of school shootings and new legislation banning assault weapons. Chanting “Hey Hey, NRA”, protests range from signs and public demonstrations in front of the Capitol, to others getting creative with their protests. Several students that were victims of gun violence in Chicago wore orange as a symbol of boldness, strength, and visibility. Children in North Carolina chose to stand with Chicago’s cause and wore orange to school as well. Even Nickelodeon, a popular children’s television network made a moment of silence during its broadcast this afternoon. The impact of the National Walk Out has made news on nearly every major news outlet and has social media buzzing with Governors and other public figures taking time to comment on the status of gun reform.
The Bad: Relations Between U.K. & Russia Continue To Diminish
Today Britain announced that it will be banning 23 Russian diplomats from The United Kingdom after learning that Russia was likely responsible for the attempted murder of a former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. British Prime Minister Theresa May made several comments regarding the announcement: “For those who seek to do us harm, my message is simple. You are not welcome here.” The removal of the diplomats will “fundamentally degrade Russian intelligence capability in the U.K. for years to come.” The former spy in question is currently in critical condition after being exposed to a nerve agent called “Novichok.” Following May’s comments Russia has continued to generally ignore the U.K.’s demands for answers, however the Russian Embassy in London has released a statement concerning the expulsion calling it a “hostile action”, “totally unacceptable, unjustified and short-sighted.” “All the responsibility for the deterioration of the Russia-UK relationship lies with the current political leadership of Britain.”
Entertainment:
The Good: Eminem Drags NRA
Rap superstar Eminem has always been open to using his art as a tool for protest and this past Sunday at the iHeartMusic awards in Inglewood, California he continued to throw political shots. In a freestyle Eminem raps:
Sometimes I don’t know what this world has come to
It’s blowing up
This whole country is going nuts
And the NRA
Is in our way
They’re responsible for this whole production
They hold the strings, they control the puppet
And they threaten to take away donor bucks
So they know the government won’t do nothing
And one’s budging
Gun owners clutching
Their loaded weapons
They love their guns more than our children.”
Before taking the stage, Eminem was introduced by Parkland shooting survivor Alex Moscou who wore a “March For Our Lives” shirt.
The Bad: Legendary Hip-Hop Figure Dies
This past Monday it was announced that Craig Mack, the rapper responsible for the 1994 hit single “Flava In Ya Ear” as well as playing a major role in the start of Bad Boy Records passed away. Mack was found in his home of Walterboro, South Carolina and is said to have passed from natural causes according to the presiding coroner. After word of his passing broke, a number of prominent members of the Hip-Hop community took to social media to pay their respects. Diddy, who was the driving force behind Bad Boy Records commented: “Craig Mack you were the first artist to release music on Bad Boy and gave us our first hit. You always followed your heart and you had an energy that was out of this world. You believed in me and you believed in Bad Boy.” Mack was 47.
Science:
The Good: New Breakthrough In Energy Will Replace Batteries
Researchers at the RMIT University in Australia have developed and successfully demonstrated the use of a new proton based battery that can hold as much energy as a lithium battery while being safer for the environment. The working prototype uses a carbon electrode technology to store energy and is equipped with a reversible fuel cell that produces electricity when needed. Currently, most batteries and energy sources contain lithium, a rare material that requires mining and digging in places like Africa and South America which has raised concerns about the repercussions of it’s use socially and environmentally. The proton based battery will be able to use carbon properties from water instead of lithium. The lead researcher on the project John Andrew made a statement as the battery was rolled out: “It’s the carbon electrode plus protons from water that give the proton battery it’s environmental…and potential economic edge.”
The Bad: Science Community Loses Two Giants
This week the world says good-bye to two men that pioneered ground breaking change within the scientific community which has changed the way the world interacts with science. Stephen Hawking (above), arguably one of the most prominent physicists in the world and John Sulston (below), a Nobel Prize winner and the researcher responsible for break troughs in genome research passed away on March 14th, and March 9th respectively. Stephen Hawking is widely renowned not only for his contributions to science but for his offerings despite his battle with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, an illness which slowly takes away the body’s ability to use muscles and nerves.
Sulston has been widely respected for his work on understanding genetic diseases and how to fight them which led to his Nobel Prize in 2002, and his honor by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017. Hawking was 76; Sulston was 75.
Hilarity:
Disney Character Helps Boston Police
As New England endures another rough winter, residents aren’t the only ones in need of help getting through the storm. Recently in South Boston a man dressed as Elsa from the Disney movie “Frozen” was having a drink at Gallow’s Pub and saw a Police Truck stuck in the snow. Elsa, who’s real name is Jason Tripplet went outside to help push the vehicle and the video has since gone viral.
Epic Eye Roll Goes Viral
Liang Xiangyi found herself in a situation most of us can relate to this week, annoyed at the sight and sound of nearby people. During a broadcast in China the reporter was filmed listening to a question from another member of the press when she seemingly couldn’t stand the question any longer and rolled her eyes which was caught on camera. The hilarious reaction went viral with over a million views. The Chinese government has since blocked her name on Chinese social media searches.
