Microplastics in drinking water deemed safe by WHO
In recent United Nations health reports, the World Health Organization claimed that the amounts of microplastic, plastic particles smaller than one-fifth of an inch, are not a public health hazard. According to the Associated Press, “the U.N. health agency said the minuscule plastics are ‘ubiquitous in the environment’ and have been found in drinking water, including both tap and bottled, most likely the result of treatment and distribution systems.” The World Health Organization is still looking into the effects of microplastics on the environment and on human health.
Displays of apartheid-era flags restricted in South Africa
Last Wednesday, South Africa’s Equality Court has restricted the apartheid-era flag’s display. The ruling was that the use of the country’s old flag “amounts to hate speech and racial discrimination,” according to the Associated Press. This is not a blanket ban on the use of the flag. The apartheid-era flag is still free to be used for journalist, artistic and academic purposes. According to the Associated Press, “In a statement, the Mandela Foundation said South Africa ‘needs an opportunity to heal from the wounds of the past. … This means looking at our history and calling apartheid a crime against humanity and a gross human rights violation. Without recognizing what has happened, we will forever be haunted by our history.’”
Trump cancels trip to Denmark over Greenland rejection
Recently, President Trump expressed to the Danish government that he wanted to purchase Greenland. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that selling Greenland was an absurd discussion. According to the New York Times, Frederiksen said, “Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland,” in response to Trump’s suggestion. Trump cancelled his trip to Denmark after discussions with Frederiksen. Prior to this suggestion, Trump was invited by the Queen of Denmark to visit the country.
Protestors form human chain across Hong Kong
Protestors in Hong Kong formed a human chain across the city in part of the month-long protest for direct elections. According to the New York Times, “Paul Au, 62, the owner of a small record store, previously participated in several protest movements in Hong Kong, including after the deadly crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. None of those, he said, were as large as the demonstrations that have taken place this summer.” The chain covered 20 miles throughout the densely populated regions of Hong Kong Island, The New Territories and Kowloon.
