IBM CEO’s Letter to Congress on Racial Justice Reform
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna sent a letter to Congress today outlining specific policy recommendations aimed at promoting racial equality across the country. In addressing the responsible use of technology in law enforcement, he also announced that IBM has discontinued its general-purpose facial recognition and analysis software products.
2020 Was One of Three Warmest Years on Record
2020 was one of the three warmest years on record, nearly matching 2016 for the top spot, according to a synthesis of five leading global datasets by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Despite a natural cooling phenomenon, La Niña, its impact was only felt toward the end of the year.
Statement from President Donald J. Trump on Standing with Saudi Arabia
The world remains a volatile and dangerous place, with Iran playing a central role in destabilizing the Middle East. Iran has fueled proxy wars, supported terrorist organizations, and backed oppressive regimes. It has been deeply involved in the Yemen conflict, working against Saudi Arabia while also attempting to weaken Iraq’s fragile democracy. Additionally, Iran funds and arms Hezbollah in Lebanon and supports Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, who has been responsible for the deaths of millions of his people.
WMO Update: 50-50 Chance of Global Temperature Temporarily Reaching 1.5°C Threshold in Next Five Years
A new climate update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicates a 50% probability that the annual average global temperature will temporarily reach 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels at least once in the next five years. This probability is increasing over time.
Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Historic Bill to Protect Parental Rights in Education
Governor Ron DeSantis has officially signed House Bill 1557, known as the Parental Rights in Education bill, reinforcing parents' rights to be involved in decisions affecting their children’s education and well-being. The law prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K–3 and requires that any instruction beyond those grades be age-appropriate. It also mandates that school districts establish procedures to notify parents if a school changes the services provided to a child related to mental, emotional, or physical health.
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance
The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) leads and coordinates the U.S. government’s efforts to respond to disasters worldwide. Each year, OFDA responds to an average of 65 disasters across more than 50 countries. These include rapid-onset disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods, as well as slow-onset crises such as drought and conflict. The office works in partnership with other U.S. government agencies to save lives, reduce human suffering, and lessen the social and economic effects of disasters.
Migration and Migrant Population Statistic
In 2019, 4.2 million people moved to EU Member States. Of these, 2.7 million came from non-EU countries, while 1.4 million migrated between EU countries. Around 1.2 million left the EU for destinations outside its borders. On 1 January 2020, approximately 23 million non-EU citizens lived in the EU, representing 5.1% of the total population.
NASA to Set Up Independent Study on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
NASA is putting together a study team this fall to explore unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). This fall, NASA will launch a research team to study unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) – unexplained events in the sky that don’t align with known aircraft or natural weather patterns. The goal is to examine current data, figure out how to collect better data moving forward and determine how NASA can apply that information to expand scientific understanding of UAPs.
Mold
Mold is a common issue in many homes, and it can cause various health concerns. Some individuals experience mild symptoms like nasal congestion, sore throat, coughing, or irritated eyes, while others, particularly those with asthma or mold allergies, may have more severe reactions. People with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions face a higher risk of lung infections due to mold exposure.
Facts About Falls
Millions of 65 and older experience falls yearly, making them a significant public health concern. Over one in four older adults fall annually, yet fewer than half report these incidents to their healthcare providers. Falling even once doubles the risk of falling again.