Chile president gives staunch defence of democracy, 50 years after Pinochet coup | Chile | The Guardian

Chile’s president has given an outspoken defence of democracy as the country marked the 50th anniversary of General Augusto Pinochet’s coup d’état, which ushered in 17 years of brutal military dictatorship.

“Problems with democracy can always be solved … and a coup d’état is never justifiable – nor is endangering the human rights of those who think differently,” said Gabriel Boric in a speech outside La Moneda, the presidential palace bombed by British-built Hawker Hunter jets during the 1973 coup.

Source: Chile president gives staunch defence of democracy, 50 years after Pinochet coup | Chile | The Guardian

VP Kamala Harris Visits Ground Zero To Commemorate 9/11 Anniversary

New York Mayor Eric Adams, Vice President Kamala Harris, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul place their hands on their heart as the National Anthem is sung during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2023 in New York City. New York Mayor Eric Adams, Vice President Kamala Harris, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul place their hands on their heart as the National Anthem is sung during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2023 in New York City. Photo: Michael M. Santiago (Getty Images) Source: VP Kamala Harris Visits Ground Zero To Commemorate 9/11 Anniversary

Is the genetically modified, nutrient-rich Golden Rice as safe as promised? (Me: No!)

MASIPAG said the Philippines has several alternative crops like tomatoes, squash, malunggay, carrots, and sweet potatoes with significantly higher beta-carotene content than Malusog Rice (whose beta-carotene deteriorates quickly when stored after polishing). The group said these alternatives could benefit communities if local growers receive government support for post-production processing or marketing.

For example, MASIPAG highlighted the stark contrast in beta-carotene content between Golden Rice at 3.57 micrograms and squash at 410 micrograms, as per the Philippines’ Food and Research Institute. To get the required daily recommended amount of vitamin A, one would need to consume at least 8.8 kilograms (19 pounds) of Golden Rice in a day, the group said.

Better options” to combat vitamin A deficiency in the country also include various green and leafy vegetables like saluyot (jute mallow), alugbati (Malabar spinach), gabi (taro), and kangkong (water spinach), which are rich in beta-carotene and other essential nutrients. Promoting organic cultivation of these vegetables and providing seeds or planting material is a cost-effective approach, instead of investing millions in Golden Rice research and development, advocates say.

“The beta-carotene found in Golden Rice can be obtained from simple vegetables that we have been cultivating as organic farmers for a long time,” said Virginia Nazareno, an organic farming advocate and leader in Quezon province…

Source: Is the genetically modified, nutrient-rich Golden Rice as safe as promised?

NASA satellites reveal restoration power of beavers

That said, scientists are well aware that beavers boost biodiversity and increase wetlands. For example, research from the Adirondacks in New York, published in Oecologia in 2002, found that the beaver presence the boosted the diversity of plants by one-third.

Despite this, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services has a long history of killing beavers, which have been deemed to be pests, as their dams can lead to flooding of infrastructure and crops. In 2022, the agency killed 26,731 beavers.

However, experts like Peter Busher say that “Any potential negatives are minor in regard to the ecosystem services the beaver wetlands provide.” A professor and beaver expert at Boston University, who was unconnected to this project, Busher says that “beaver activity may be the most cost-effective method of creating functional wetland systems.”

After decades of recovery, the North American beaver population stands at only around 15 million, from subarctic Canada to northern Mexico. That’s still a long, long way from its pre-European population, but it’s a big comeback.

Source: NASA satellites reveal restoration power of beavers