| |  | | Working as a coding teacher, Temple University sophomore Avi Knotts often heard parents express the wish that they could afford training for their children. Avi understood this wish, having grown up in a financially unstable household with no access to computers. Through tenacity and perseverance, Avi gained admission to a computer science program that changed her life path. Her research into artificial intelligence and algorithmic bias inspired Avi to create her nonprofit, Avi I.T. Inc., providing “the opportunity to acquire computer science skills, alleviate the digital divide,” and offer students the tools they need to learn valuable skills in a supportive environment. |
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IMPORTANT
|  | Crashed and Burning | High-Profile Journalists Suspended in Latest Twitter Chaos It’s the latest spat in Elon Musk’s tumultuous time at the platform. Most of the journalists had tweeted reports or links to the @ElonJet account, a bot that posted the publicly known movements of Musk’s private jet, which the billionaire has repeatedly described as “doxxing.” “You dox, you get suspended. End of story, that’s it,” Musk said. It remains unclear how the banned journalists, largely from respected mainstream publications like CNN, New York Times and Washington Post, participated in doxxing. “Twitter’s increasing instability and volatility should be of incredible concern for everyone who uses” it, CNN spokeswoman Kristine Coratti Kelly said. (Sources: NYT, The Verge) |
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| | |  | Show of Force | Istanbul Takes to the Streets to Protest Mayor’s Conviction Ekrem Imamoglu was sentenced on Wednesday to two years and seven months in prison and banned from participating in politics over charges of insulting politicians in a 2019 speech. The verdict is widely viewed in Turkey and abroad as politically motivated, and comes ahead of next year’s presidential election in which Resident Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hopes to retain his 20-year grip on the country. “I don’t have judges to protect me, but I have 16 million Istanbulites and our nation behind me,” Imamoglu told supporters during a demonstration in the city. He was flanked by leaders from six opposition parties. (Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters) |
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|  | No Jab? No Worries | No More Vax Mandate for US Troops After Senate Defense Vote The annual defense policy bill will now be sent up to the White House for President Joe Biden’s final signature. “I’ve said it before and I’m not the only one saying it — the world is a more dangerous place than I’ve ever seen before in my lifetime,” Democrat Jack Reed, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said after the vote. With Congress hyper-partisan, it’s unclear how much of the $858 billion in initiatives will be funded, particularly with a potential government shutdown looming. Conservatives can claim one win: COVID vaccine requirements for those serving in the military. (Sources: WaPo, The Hill) |
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|  | Bitter Divisions | At Least 15 Killed as Protests Rock Peru Violent crackdowns on supporters of ousted president Pedro Castillo show no signs of abating after a court ruled Thursday Castillo be jailed for 18 months. Peru’s Supreme Prosecutor Alcides Chinchay said Castillo faces at least 10 years in prison if he’s convicted of rebellion charges. Protestors, who delivered Castillo to the presidency last year in a surprise left-wing win, want successor President Dina Boluarte to resign, and the immediate dissolution of the government for fresh elections. Boluarte is standing strong despite the increasing violence: “Neither violence nor radicalism will put an end to a legal and legitimate government,” she said. (Sources: AP, The Guardian) |
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|  | Briefly | Here are some things you should know about today: The big read. The U.S. National Archives publicly released thousands of documents relating to the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. President Biden called for a cache of documents to be held onto for another year. (Source: Reuters) Disaster. At least 16 are dead and dozens of others are missing after a landslide hit a popular Malaysian campsite on Friday. Around 90 people, including children, were camping at the Selangor State site. (Source: BBC) Approved. Japan’s ruling coalition have formally backed a plan to increase taxes as part of funding a defense capabilities expansion. Japan has historically been reticent to expand its defense. (Source: Kyodo) |
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INTRIGUING
| | | Breakthrough | Fentanyl Vaccine Could Be a ‘Game Changer’ Researchers Say Overdoses from the synthetic opioid hit record highs in the U.S. during the pandemic, with 150 Americans dying each day. University of Houston researchers hope they’ve found a solution. A vaccine tested on 60 lab rats produced antibodies that stopped the drug’s effect and passed it through the kidneys. The team hopes that by blocking the “high” felt when consuming fentanyl, harm-reduction treatments will be far more successful. It’s a promising first stage. Next, researchers must secure F.D.A. approval for wider testing that could see the vaccine available on the market within three or four years. (Source: Smithsonian Magazine) |
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| | | | | It’s Coming Home | Benin Bronzes Start Long Journey Home to Nigeria From Germany Looted by the British Army in 1897 as it ransacked and destroyed the Benin palace, in modern-day Nigeria, the Bronzes have become an icon of the movement to have artworks and cultural artifacts returned from colonial powers world-over. Three sculptures will join Nigeria's National Commission for Museums head Abba Isa Tijani on the journey home after he met in Cologne with Mayor Henriette Reker. Another 52 will be gradually repatriated in the new year, and the remainder will stay in Cologne on loan from Nigeria. It’s estimated some 1,100 Benin Bronze artifacts remain in Germany, spread across 20 museums. (Source: DW) |
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| | | Hit the Road | Amazon Workers Brace for Holiday Season Demands “Peak season at Amazon is exhausting,” one Great Lakes region warehouse worker said. Workers have reported being hit with mandatory overtime hours, carrying heavy packages for 12-hour shifts and making over 200 delivery stops a day. Leaked internal warehouse documents show the strain workers are under during the season — running from mid-October until Christmas — but Amazon denies workers are ever required to work more than 12 hours a day. Peak-time payments, a $3-hourly increase as compensation for the hard work, have not been rolled out this year, but Amazon officials say that’s because overall wages increased throughout the year. (Source: Vice) |
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| | | What’s in a Word | Cambridge Dictionary Expands Inclusive Definition of ‘Woman’ “Mary is a woman who was assigned male at birth,” is one new example given for the definition. The definition itself — “an adult female human being” — now includes a caveat that some women were not born female but identify with the gender. Cambridge Dictionary made the change back in October, but it only hit the headlines this week after being noticed by U.K. media. “We regularly update our dictionary to reflect changes in how English is used,” the dictionary team said in a statement. The definition for “male” has been similarly expanded to include transgender men. (Source: ABC) |
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| | | College Test | Republican Governor Named Incoming NCAA Boss Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker won’t be seeking reelection in January — he’ll be taking on a new challenge. The U.S.’ largest college sports governing body has undergone a transformation in recent years, including lifting a ban against athletes earning money, while fending off attacks from lawmakers. College sports watchers wonder if Baker’s leadership, the first time a politician has led the body, signals a new era of Congress lobbying. Baker refuses to be drawn into the debate just yet: “I’m going to wait until I actually have the job and I’ve had some conversations before I get into the details.” (Source: AP) |
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| ABOUT OZY OZY is a diverse, global and forward-looking media and entertainment company focused on “the New and the Next.” OZY creates space for fresh perspectives, and offers new takes on everything from news and culture to technology, business, learning and entertainment. Curiosity. Enthusiasm. Action. That’s OZY! |
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