Conflict: School Shooting In Finland Leads to Heightened Awareness of Bullying
On April 2 in Vantaa, Finland, a 12-year old boy opened fire on his classmates, killing one and injuring two others. The suspect has not been legally charged due to his young age, but was put into custody of social services. Incidents of bullying have not only been seen in Finland — reports of bullying have increased in other countries in Europe and around the world. Finland remains one of the least gun-regulated countries in Europe, but concerns have been raised after the 12-year old student was able to obtain the firearm. In an interview with the “New York Times,” Katri Kalske, a deputy mayor of education in Vantaa, stated that they “have done a lot of things to make [bullying in schools] better,” but unfortunately the situation has failed to improve.
Climate: EPA gives 20 Billion Dollars in “Green Bank” Grants to Combat Climate Change
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given 20 billion dollars in “Green Bank” grants to promote clean energy initiatives and transition to renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. President Joe Biden has strongly advocated for such environmental initiatives. This move by the EPA also supports his administration’s dedication to combating climate change. Additionally, Vice President Kamala Harris describes the movement to be “the largest investment in financing for community-based climate projects in our nation’s history,” according to the “New York Times.” This investment by the EPA displays an important jump towards fighting climate change and building a sustainable future.
Culture: Vistara Airline Operations Disrupted by Worker Protests
Vistara, a top airline in India, experienced disruptions when crew members protested against the airline’s merger with Air India. According to the “BBC,” the company struggled to operate after employees dissented with mass sick leave and demanded better work-life balance, causing multiple flight cancellations and delays. Recently, pilots working for airline industries have faced challenges due to laborious work schedules. Vinod Kannan, CEO of Vistara, allegedly apologized to pilots in a meeting on Wednesday, and promised more attention towards balanced schedules. “BBC” reports that Vistara is now continuing flight cancellations until the end of this month to provide a “pilot buffer” to restore stability.
Natural Disaster: Taiwan Struck by Largest Earthquake since 1999
On April 3, Taiwan suffered a 7.4 magnitude earthquake, which left nine dead and 930 injured. The heaviest impact was in Hualien county on the east coast of the island and near the epicenter. The disaster caused 15 buildings to partially collapse and a major highway within Hualien suffered landslides and partial damage. Due to its location on the Pacific ring of fire, Taiwan has dealt with many fatal earthquakes, one of the largest being in 1999 which killed nearly 2,500. However, due to updated building codes and inspections since then, damages have been mitigated. According to the “New York Times,” Hualien will deal with hundreds of more aftershocks.
Politics: Trump Considers Robert F. Kennedy as a Running Mate
Throughout Former President Donald Trump’s efforts for a second presidential term, a major question for his administration has been to find a potential Vice President. The “New York Times” reports that Trump has recently weighed the possibility of choosing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his running mate. Robert F. Kennedy jr, also known as RFK Jr., is the nephew of former President John F Kennedy. RFK Jr. is presently running in the 2024 presidency as an independent candidate and does not currently wish to serve either presidential candidate. While a merger between Kennedy Jr. and Trump is unlikely, the larger question to identify a running mate is still left unanswered. Trump has until the Republican National Convention on July 15 to choose a potential candidate, but many have been left wondering if securing a running mate earlier in the election process would increase fundraising and alleviate the financial burden left by his criminal hearings.
