Opal – The Queen of Gems
The name "opal" derives from the Latin word opalus, which means "precious gem," as well as from the Greek word opallios, which means "to see a color change.” This prized gemstone has inspired fantastic folktales,...
Wildfire Threatens Large South Korean Nuclear Plant
The breakout of a severe wildfire has put one of the largest nuclear power plants in South Korea under threat. Reuters reported on March 4 that a massive blaze had emerged in Uljin where Korea...
Chinese Woman Accuses Executive of Pressuring Her Into Abortions, Leaves ‘Final Will’
A 23-year-old Chinese woman took to social media implying she will kill herself after using her real identity to report the alleged sexual misdeeds of the former chief economist at a state-run infrastructure company. Claiming...
Ukraine Struggles With Optics of Ultra-Nationalist Neo-Nazi Azov Militia
While military clashes flare in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the propaganda war is as intense as the military one, with Ukraine struggling to polish away the country’s neo-Nazi elements. Most renowned is a military group called...
Understanding the Spiritual Symbolism of Lent
Lent is a 40 day period observed by Catholics in preparation for Easter. Rich with symbolic customs imbued with spiritual significance, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, when observant Catholics embark on a journey of sacrifice...
Workers United Starbucks NLRB Complaints Underscore Red Hues of Unionization Movement
An organizer group heavily involved in the push to convert Starbucks franchises to unionized workplaces has accused the cafe giant of a slew of workers’ rights violations in formal complaints to the U.S. National Labor...
Galaxy Gazing: A Mesmerizing Experience
The Milky Way is the galaxy, out of more than 100 billion galaxies in the Universe, that contains our solar system. With an estimated visible diameter of 100,000–200,000 light-years, this system of stars, planets and...
Birdwatching – Family Fun For All Seasons
According to a 2016 survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, about 20 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 16 partakes in birdwatching - that’s over 45 million people in one...
In the Face of War, Does China Still Consider Russia an Ally?
News analysis With Russia’s already-struggling economy getting battered with sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, China has so far been willing to extend the world’s largest country some gestures of support, such as by avoiding...
COVID Vaccine Efficacy Cratered In New York Kids Aged 5 to 11: Study
A newly released preprint study by researchers from the New York State Department of Health examining data from three large statewide databases has found Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine efficacy (VE) is notably reduced to...
Nobody’s Business: Surveillance Startup’s Innovation Warrants Security, AI, and Privacy Concerns
Technology startup Azena has ambitions to make camera surveillance more efficient through the use of artificial intelligence as it seeks to monopolize the security operating system market by implementing consumer-friendly software that reimagines the possibilities...
Beijing’s Support for Russia Is Endangering Chinese People in Ukraine
Chinese have expressed concern for their compatriots present in Ukraine since the outbreak of war with Russia on Thursday, Feb. 24 amid intense fighting, and as the costs and difficulty of leaving the country rise. ...