Happy Friday to all. Today's top 5 global issues news are about #climatechange #Germany #Thailand #Djibouti & #Ethiopia and a #GoodStoryFriday about #Americas - WORLD levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) have reached 400 parts per million, an extremely dangerous level seen only 15-20 million years ago. September is traditionally when the lowest levels of CO2 are recorded, causing alarm that going below 400 ppm is highly unlikely any time soon & more catastrophic weather events shou

Happy Thursday, all. Today's top 5 global issues news are about the #USA #Sudan #oil #China and #Turkey - USA: The controversial “Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act” (JASTA) bill allows any foreign country to be tried in US courts for involvement in terrorism on US soil. It was vetoed by President Barack Obama who warned US could face reciprocal lawsuits & its foreign policy, national security & counterterrorism efforts could be compromised by JASTA. Why it matters: Th

Good Wednesday to all. Today's top 5 global issues news are about #Syria #Ukraine #Thailand #Sudan and #antibiotics in the #USA: - SYRIA: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reports that 2 more hospitals in eastern Aleppo were bombed this morning in the relentless offensive by the Syrian regime. Of the 8 hospitals left in Aleppo, only 4 had surgical capacity prior to Wednesday’s attack, now only 2. MSF also quoted sources that there are only 7 surgical doctors left in eastern Alepp

Happy Tuesday, all. Today's top 5 global issues news are about #SaudiArabia, #Colombia, #Europe, #SouthAfrica and global #airpollution - SAUDI ARABIA’s economy struggles due to record-low global oil prices & to address last year’s $100 billion budget deficit, the government announced series of royal decrees that cut salaries & perks for government employees. More than 2/3 of employed Saudis work for the public sector, notoriously known to be well-paid jobs for very little wor

Happy Monday to all. Today's top 5 global issues news are about #ElNino #Syria #Brazil #Zimbabwe and the #Philippines: - WORLD: The El Niño weather event may be quiet since May, but it continues to cause harm across Eastern & Southern Africa, Asia & the Pacific, Central America and the Caribbean – over 60 million people are affected. El Niño caused poor or failed harvests sparking long-term consequences like low food supply, high commodity prices, loss of livestock, lack of e

Good Friday to all. Today's top 5 global issues news are about #Syria #NorthKorea #Nigeria #PuertoRico and a #GoodStoryFriday about #Sweden: - SYRIA: While US & Russia try to negotiate some semblance of a ceasefire, the Syrian military continues heavy bombardment of rebel-held east Aleppo for a 2nd day straight. Groups on the ground report unprecedented, indiscriminate bombing of residential areas & infrastructure as well as the Syrian Civil Defense centers, home to the award

Good Thursday to all. Today's top 5 global issues news are about #Venezuela #Nigeria #USA #globalhealth and #Afghanistan: - VENEZUELA: Election officials denied the possibility of a referendum in 2016 to recall President Nicolas Maduro from office, saying the earliest such national vote could be held is in the first quarter of 2017. This provided that the opposition gathers signatures from 20% of registered voters from each of the 23 states within 3 days next month. Why it ma

Good Wednesday and happy International Peace Day to all. Today's top 5 global issues news are about #COP21 agreement on #climatechange, #WestAfrica & #ebola, the #EU, #Chile and #China: - WORLD: 31 countries formally joined the Paris Climate Change agreement (COP21) today, bringing the total to 60 countries ratifying the treaty & passing the key threshold of 55 countries needed for the treaty to enter into force. However, the other threshold is the signatories must account fo

Good morning and happy Tuesday to all. Today's top 5 global issues are about #Syria #refugees #DRCongo #SaudiArabia and #India: - SYRIA: The UN & Red Crescent convoy delivering humanitarian assistance for about 78,000 people was hit by airstrike near Aleppo on Monday night, hours after both sides declared a week-long ceasefire dead & resumed fighting. At least 12 aid workers were killed & 18 of the 31 trucks hit. “sickening”, “egregious violation” “disgusted & horrified” … Wh

Happy Monday to all. Today's top 5 global issues news are about #USA, #Syria, #Turkey #Indonesia and #Africa: - USA: Scientists & forestry official report trees across all US states are dying at alarming rates due to drought & subsequent wildfires but also because of increasing amounts of insects & new diseases due to global warming. Hawaii has been hit with rapid ohi’a death disease that is wiping out its ohi’a trees & threatening the entire native ecosystem. In California’s