Thursday, April 17
Colombia’s peace agreement creates a birdwatching paradise
International

Colombia’s peace agreement creates a birdwatching paradise

Related media - Latest news The 2016 peace treaty that ended decades of civil conflict in Colombia has transformed the country into a paradise for birdwatchers. The deal freed up vast swathes of forest previously dominated by armed groups, making them accessible to wildlife enthusiasts and researchers alike. For years, Colombia's rich biodiversity has been hidden behind the barriers of a long-running civil war. The nation's forests, home to an astonishing variety of bird species, were largely off-limits due to the presence of guerrillas and associated dangers. However, the peace agreement has made these once inaccessible areas accessible, revealing a treasure trove of avian diversity. Birdwatchers from around the world are now flocking to Colombia to witness its avian wonder...
Kenyan Parliament approves tax law amid controversy
International

Kenyan Parliament approves tax law amid controversy

Related media - News 24 hours Kenyan lawmakers passed a controversial finance bill on Tuesday, sparking outrage from thousands of people who marched on parliament in Nairobi. Protesters have called on the government to reject the proposed tax increases, arguing they would disproportionately burden Kenyan citizens. Clashes broke out as police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Footage captured by international media showed the chaotic scene, including the use of force against protesters. Reports of human rights activists being kidnapped ahead of the protest also emerged, raising concerns about freedom of expression. The proposed legislation has set off a firestorm across Kenya. The East African nation, known for its relative stability, witnessed days of nationwide demons...
EU targets Microsoft Teams bundling, saying it stifles competition
Investments and Business

EU targets Microsoft Teams bundling, saying it stifles competition

More news - Recent news The European Union (EU) accuses Microsoft of foul play after regulators accused the tech giant of unfairly bundling its popular Teams video conferencing software with its Office suite. This practice, the EU says, gives Teams an unfair advantage over competitors like Zoom and Slack. The issue centers on how Microsoft packages Teams within its Office 365 and Microsoft 365 subscriptions, which include programs like Word, Excel, and Outlook. Regulators believe this bundling essentially forces companies to adopt Teams if they want Microsoft's other widely used programs. This, they argue, harms competition by limiting customer choice. This is just the latest chapter in the EU's ongoing efforts to curb the dominance of big tech companies. Just a day earlier, the EU...
Rising Drug Costs: Are Pharmacy Benefits Managers to Blame?
Health

Rising Drug Costs: Are Pharmacy Benefits Managers to Blame?

More news - News 24 hours For many Americans, the rising tide of prescription drug prices seems like a relentless force, threatening to swamp family budgets and access to health care. While pharmaceutical companies often assume public responsibility, the web of influences on drug costs is much more intricate. Today we shine our spotlight on a critical, but typically hidden, player in this system: pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. Rebecca Robbins, a leading investigative journalist specializing in pharmaceuticals for the New York Times, will take us on a deep dive into the world of PBMs. We will explore their role as intermediaries between drug manufacturers, insurers, pharmacies and, ultimately, patients. This complex dance can have a significant impact on how much...
Julian Assange nears freedom after pleading guilty in leaked documents case
International

Julian Assange nears freedom after pleading guilty in leaked documents case

Related media - Recent news Concluding a years-long legal saga, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is set to return to Australia after pleading guilty to a single charge relating to the publication of classified US documents. The 52-year-old Australian citizen avoided a lengthy prison sentence by admitting guilt at a remote hearing in an American territory in the Pacific. This settlement marks a significant development in a case that has become a battleground for press freedom and national security concerns. From famous whistleblower to legal standoff Assange rose to prominence in the 2010s, when WikiLeaks published a series of sensitive documents exposing details of US military activities in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with diplomatic cables. These leaks have sparked heated debate, wi...
The mind is available, so the body doesn’t have much choice
International

The mind is available, so the body doesn’t have much choice

More news - Latest news Mike Duggan and his hockey buddies were strapping on their gear one recent morning when their banter turned, as it often does, to the topic of joint replacement surgeries. Duggan, 74, the proud owner of an artificial hip, marveled at the sheer number of titanium body parts in the locker room. He nodded toward Mitch Boriskin, who was putting on a pair of skates along the opposite wall. “I don't think there's an original part to you,” Duggan said. Boriskin, 70, smiled. “Two fake knees, a spinal cord stimulator, 25 surgeries,” he began, as if he were reciting a sheet of music. “And a lobotomy,” Duggan chimed in, as laughter rippled through the room. All that titanium, at least, was being put to good use. Their team, Oregon Old Growth, had joined dozens of others...