Happy Friday to all. Today's top 3 global issues #news are about #Gambia #Brazil and a #GoodStoryFriday about #France: - GAMBIA: President Jammeh, in power for 22 years, has lost the election to opposition leader Adama Barrow but refuses to step down due to his claims of voting irregularities. Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decided to send in military troops, to be led by Senegal, if President Jammeh does not hand over power by January 19. W

Happy Thursday. Today's top 3 global issues #news are about #Japan the #Arctic #Israel #Palestine: - JAPAN: Prime Minister Abe approved a record $43.6 billion defense budget including funds for maritime law enforcement personnel & equipment, stating the need to better respond to China & North Korea. Why it matters: The threats are real – North Korea gets closer to nuclear missiles every day while China’s aggression in the disputed South China Sea territory is making the entir

Good Wednesday everyone. Today's top 3 global issues #news are about #Russia #Philippines and #Ethiopia: - RUSSIA: The US Treasury Department blacklisted 7 businessmen & 8 corporations involved in activities that are said to have aided Russian government in its occupation of Crimea & continued aggression against Ukraine. Why it matters: Although such targeted sanctions are part of regular update of sanctions (every 6 months), the designation is a show of support to the Europe

Happy Tuesday to all. Today's top 3 global issues #news are about #China #SouthSudan and #USA: - Beijing & the industrial northern CHINA are engulfed in toxic haze that has crippled the region, prompting the government to issue “red alert” & emergency measures to cut down on air pollution – closing factories, highways, schools, restricting traffic etc. Why it matters: > 460 million people are effected, with >200 million people living in areas where air pollution is 10x above

Happy Monday to all. Today's top 3 global issues #news are about #IMF #DRCongo and #Bolivia: - WORLD: Christine Lagarde received a vote of “full confidence” from IMF’s executive board after French court found her guilty of 1 count of negligence for her role in a 2008 case when she served as France’s finance minister. Why it matters: The case centered on a $425-million arbitration award to Bernard Tapie, a politically connected tycoon, over a botched sale of Adidas brand in th

Happy Friday. Today's top 3 global issues #news are about #LatinAmerica #USA and a #GoodStoryFriday about #Poland - LATIN AMERICA & the Caribbean region’s GDP is projected to contract at the average rate of 1.1% in 2016, with Suriname & Venezuela being the worst performing economies, contracting 10.4% & 9.7% respectively. Why it matters: The region is expected to experience a moderate growth for 2017, led by Dominican Republic & Panama with 6.4% & 5.2% respectively. But the r

Happy Thursday. Today's top 3 global issues #news are about #France #Niger and #nuclear threats around the world: - In an unprecedented move, FRANCE’s head of Defense & National Security employed the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) to train French political parties on defending against cyber-attacks aimed to influence the 2o17 presidential and parliamentary elections. Why it matters: Like Germany, France quickly learned from the US election where Russian-sponsored sophi

Good Thursday to all. Today's top 3 global issues #news are about #USA, #Germany and #animals #plants - US President-elect chose Scott Pruitt, Oklahoma’s attorney general, as the next EPA administrator. Why it matters: Pruitt is an infamous climate science skeptic who has dedicated his latest efforts to waging legal action against the EPA Clean Power Plan – nationwide framework to curb greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. Environmental groups are terrified t

Happy Wednesday. Today's top 3 global issues #news are about #Kenya #Iran and #Mexico: - KENYA: All doctors and nurses from public hospitals have been on strike, putting the healthcare sectors into complete disarray. President Uhuru urged its end claiming nearly 20 people died due to lack of care. 87 patients reportedly escaped from psychiatric hospital on the first day of the strike. Why it matters: The workers, represented by Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists & Denti

Happy Tuesday to all. Today's top 3 global issues #news are about #USA, #Indonesia and #WestAfrica - USA: New study by National Center for Atmospheric Research warns that as global temperatures rise, the US will see a drastic increase – up 400% - in rainstorms & flash flooding by the end of the century. Storms that happen once a season could happen 5x a season, producing 70% more rain. Why it matters: The increase in rainstorms will put unsustainable strain on our infrastruct