Hong Kong: Police Shoot Student Protester at Close Range

In Hong Kong, two people are in critical condition as anti-government protests escalated today. Police shot a student protester at close range. The shooting was captured in a video that has since gone viral. A pro-Beijing supporter was doused in flammable liquid and burned after an argument with protesters. Pro-democracy protesters have called for a

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Keystone Pipeline Spills 9,120 Barrels of Oil in Dakota Wetlands

A section of the Keystone Pipeline spilled half an Olympic swimming pool’s worth of sludgy oil into a North Dakota wetland on 29 October. Cleanup is underway, but ecologists say that residue from this type of oil spill could persist in the wetlands for a long time.

“There is big difference between conventional oil and … Read the rest

The War On Drugs Isn’t Over, According To The FBI

FBI data indicates that drug possession arrests are on the rise again, following a nine-year decline. Here are two facts that, when read side by side, might hurt your brain. A 2018 study found no correlation between legalizing marijuana and crime rates, with some states, like California, actually experiencing a decrease in crime. However, crime … Read the rest

Microsoft Japan Says Four-Day Work Week Experiment Led to a 40 Percent Increase in Productivity

This past August, all Microsoft Japan employees participated in the “Work-Life Choice Challenge Summer 2019,” during which they conducted all meetings in 30 minutes or less, replaced face-to-face conversations with virtual ones whenever possible, and—most importantly—didn’t work on five consecutive Fridays.

According to Bloomberg, the switch to a four-day work week resulted in a 40 … Read the rest

HOW TO MAKE FABRIC FROM RECYCLED PLASTIC BOTTLES

Make no mistake: Recycled fabrics are the most sustainable fabrics you can find. “Ya, but recycled fabrics still use so much energy to convert old stuff into new fabric…” Yes, but they don’t use nearly as much energy or resources as creating fibers and fabrics from scratch.

Take new polyester vs. recycled polyester. Virgin polyester … Read the rest

Thailand is betting big on cannabis. Visit its first legal lab.

The unraveling of harsh anti-pot laws across the world is finally coming to Asia. In East and Southeast Asia, democracies and dictatorships alike have long skewed toward severe penalties for marijuana users. Thailand, a key ally in America’s global war on drugs, has been no exception.

But the perception of cannabis has begun to change … Read the rest